The BBA Guide to Visiting Pescadero with Kids

Pescadero is a small town along the California coast just south of Half Moon Bay that is chock-full of nature and activities for the whole family to enjoy. We love visiting the lighthouse at Pigeon Point and the elephant seals of Año Nuevo. And with the drive clocking in at less than two hours one-way from the East Bay Area, it makes for a great day-trip option or staycation!

Check out our favorite recommended family-friendly activities below, and tell us about your own faves in the comments!

Pescadero is located on the stolen and occupied lands of the Costanoan Ohlone tribe.

Before you go

Check the weather before you go to ensure you’re wearing the right layers. The weather on the California Coast can be unpredictable.
If visiting Año Nuevo State Park during the pupping season (see our blog post here), you must reserve a tour with a docent in order to make the hike down to the beaches.

What we packed

Standard diaper bag essentials
Overnight bag with clothing layers for all-weather
Cooler with food and drinks for the entire stay
Sunscreen, hats, and beach gear
Picnic blanket
Baby carrier, wagon, or stroller
Binoculars
Musical instruments and board games

Costs to Consider

Gas & transportation

Add-Ons:

Food & drinks
Año Nuevo tour
Hostel rental fee or other accommodations

Things to do

1. Visit Pigeon Point Lighthouse.

We had so much fun exploring the lighthouse grounds and the museum. Lighthouse grounds are open to the general public from 8am-sunset every day. The Visitor Center and Park Store are open 10am-4pm Thursdays to Mondays.

Entrance to the lighthouse state park is free. There are benches along the water’s edge for whale and bird watching. Check the website for special events. See our blog post about spending the day at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, or renting a cabin at the lighthouse hostel!

2. Go to the beaches near the lighthouse.

The lighthouse is located on the cliff above the Pacific Ocean and has a beach just north and south of the parking lot. The beach to the north takes a bit of a steep scramble to reach, and for this reason is often overlooked. We had fun shell hunting there and running from the waves.

The beach to the south of the lighthouse is long, with beautiful rock formations and lots of tide pools. See more about our beach exploration here.

3. See the elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park.

Año Nuevo State Park feels remote and isolated but is only an hour from the East Bay Area and a ten-minute drive from the Pigeon Point Lighthouse.

This beautiful state park is beloved by elephant seals who give birth to their adorable and fat pups there every spring. Come off-season for a short hike or reserve a tour during the pupping months. Read our blog post about our multi-family travel experience taking five kids under-5 on the hike to see the seals.

4. Ride bikes and discover tide pools at Half Moon Bay.

Half Moon Bay is a short, 30-minute drive north from the Pigeon Point Light Station Historic State Park.

Drive up to explore the tide pools or take a scenic bike ride with your kiddos for the day after breakfast and stick around to grab lunch at Breakwater BBQ.

You can either do this as a day trip from the lighthouse or on your way back to the East Bay Area. Check out our favorite Half Moon Bay spots here.

Where to Stay

Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel

~$500/night for a 14-person bungalow

Especially for a multi-family adventure, we highly recommend staying at Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel for at least a weekend (see our review here). When else can you stay you’ve slept at the foot of a lighthouse with your kids?!

Where to Eat

Highway 1 Brewing Company

Although we planned ahead and brought most of our food to cook during a weekend stay at Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel, we decided to venture out for lunches.

Highway 1 Brewing Company is located just a few minutes from the lighthouse along Highway 1. It is a cute little brewery with food, delicious beer, outdoor seating, and live music on the weekends.

You could tell this was a family-friendly spot by the number of families there on the sunny afternoon when we visited. The staff were very accommodating and friendly with our rambunctious kiddos, too.

We enjoyed the Beyond burger, ribs, steak cut fries, and hot dogs.

Something Sweet

Pie Ranch

If you’re feeling up for something sweet, check out
Pie Ranch. The fun, eclectic, and social justice-oriented Pie Ranch is located just off Highway 1 and a few minutes south of the lighthouse. Don’t drive too fast or you might miss it!

Pie Ranch is a regenerative farming and food community center that hosts youth programs, volunteer days, and barn dances, and partners with the Amah Mutsun Tribe.

The big barn on the side of Highway 1 is where they sell local produce and locally made items alongside their delicious, homemade pies. We enjoyed the lemon buttermilk pie as well as their honeycomb ice cream sandwich! Vegan options are available.

The population of Pescadero is mostly Latinx and white, with tourists from all over. It was fun to see an array of diverse groups hiking at Año Nuevo, visiting the lighthouse, enjoying the beaches, and enjoying live music at the local restaurants.

What does your family think of Pescadero? Share in the comments below!

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Angel

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Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.