Discover Pescadero

The coastal town of Pescadero is part of San Mateo County and is a little over an hour south of San Francisco. The land was originally home to the Ohlone tribe, and in the 19th century, it became part of the Rancho Pescadero land grant, which was awarded to Juan José Gonzales in 1833. The town was officially established in 1856. The name Pescadero means “fishing place” in Spanish and by the end of the century, it had become a thriving trout fishing and seaside resort destination. Some of the buildings from that time are still standing in Pescadero today, like the 1867-built Pescadero Community Church and the Dickerman Barn, both of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.  

Today, the coastside farming and ranching community is a popular tourist destination. One of the town’s most famous attractions is the Pigeon Point Lighthouse – known as one of the tallest lighthouses in the U.S. Many people come to Pescadero in the summer to visit the town’s beaches, Memorial Park and Butano State Park. If you’re looking for local insights on where to eat, be sure to stop by Duarte’s Tavern for their famous artichoke soup and homemade olallieberry pie, as well as the family-owned bakery Arcangeli Grocery Co., which has been a staple in the Pescadero community since it opened in 1929.