The 235-acre Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, a part of Pescadero State Beach, lies on the eastern side of Highway 1 and surrounds the confluence of the Butano and Pescadero Creeks. It is the only extensive wetland along the coast of the San Francisco Peninsula.
The Marsh Preserve includes several habitats—a tidal estuary, freshwater marsh, brackish water marsh, dense riparian woods, and northern coastal scrub. The Sequoia Audubon Trail is the main trail through the Marsh Preserve. Please stay on the trails to protect wildlife and plants.
Four hiking trails are available in the Marsh:
- Butano Trail is accessed from a parking area on Pescadero Road just off Highway 1 and leads to Butano Creek.
- Round Hill Trail is accessed from the park office at the end of Water Lane off Pescadero Road and follows the banks of Pescadero Creek.
- North Pond Trail is accessed across the road from the northern parking lot or from the Sequoia Audubon Trail.
- Sequoia Audubon Trail is accessed from the central Pescadero State Beach parking lot and follows the southern edge of North Marsh. A wooden staircase on the eastern side of the central Pescadero Beach parking lot takes you to a pedestrian walkway along the Highway 1 Bridge that leads to another staircase down to the beach. Walking under the bridge from the beach leads to the lagoon and Sequoia Audubon Trail. Crossing Highway 1 on foot is not recommended.
Weather permitting, walks led by Pescadero Marsh docents leave from the stairs in the middle Pescadero Beach parking lot. The walks last about two hours. Sign up for the walk-in advance (for free) through the website at https://santacruzstateparks.as.me/schedule.php
In addition to the scheduled guided tours, school and other group tours may be arranged through the Half Moon Bay Beach Ranger Station at 1-650-726-8819.