16 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1, Half Moon Bay, CA
650-879-2170
Across the highway is Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, a popular spot for bird watchers and other naturalists. The Reserve is a refuge for blue heron, kites, deer, raccoons, foxes and skunks.
The 243-acre Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, a part of Pescadero State Beach, includes the only extensive wetland along the coast of the San Francisco peninsula. The preserve includes a complex of several habitats—a tidal estuary, freshwater marsh, brackish water marsh, dense riparian woods, and northern coastal scrub. It is an important wintering ground for waterfowl on the Pacific flyway.
More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in the marsh, including more than 60 that nest there, among them the Great Blue Heron. Species in the marsh listed under the Endangered Species Act include the San Francisco garter snake, California red-legged frog, tidewater goby, steelhead trout, and Coho salmon.
A foot bridge was installed in 2011, which enables easy access to the back of the marsh. The bridge is slightly north of the center Pescadero parking lot. SMCNHA was instrumental in facilitating the funding for the bridge.
Pescadero Marsh docents lead nature walks in the marsh twice a month:
First Sunday of the month at 10 a.m.
Third Sunday of the month at 1 p.m.
Walks last about two hours. Dress in layers, bring binoculars, water, wear a hat, and enjoy the marsh. Meet the volunteer docents in the middle parking area for Pescadero State Beach on Highway 1. Pescadero State Beach has three parking areas.
From the north, the parking area for marsh walks is immediately south of the bridge, on your right.
From the south, the lot is 1/4 mile past the flashing light at Pescadero Road and before you reach the bridge, on your left.
Across the highway is Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, a popular spot for bird watchers and other naturalists. The Reserve is a refuge for blue heron, kites, deer, raccoons, foxes and skunks.
Operating Hours
Day-use Area
8:00am to Sunset
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a marine reserve in California on the Pacific Ocean, located just north of Pillar Point Harbor and Mavericks in the San Mateo County community of Moss Beach. Moss Beach is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of San Francisco and 50 miles (80 km) north of Santa Cruz. The reserve is a 32-acre (0.13 km2) holding which extends from Montara light station at the north to Pillar Point on the south. The reserve consists of a three mile stretch of beach, tidepool habitat, marsh, erosive bluffs, clifftop trail and cypress and eucalyptus forests. The property is owned by the State of California and managed by San Mateo County as a county park and nature preserve. The reserve is administratively assigned to be part of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Adjacent to and possibly within the reserve is an endangered species of butterfly, the San Bruno elfin butterfly.
Montara State Marine Reserve & Pillar Point State Marine Conservation Area extend offshore from Montara, just north of Pillar Point. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve lies within Montara State Marine Reserve.