One of the most unique hikes in our Coastside State Park system will allow you to visit 3 separate parks without ever walking on a trail. There is no elevation gain, and you probably won’t even need shoes!
The stretch of sand from Pescadero State Beach to San Gregorio State Beach is one of the longest continuous beaches from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, but a safe and successful visit is all about the timing. This hike requires a very low tide — ideally a minus tide — to safely navigate around the bluff just south of Pomponio State Beach.
Traveling with two groups is recommended, leaving one car at San Gregorio and starting your walk in Pescadero. The hike, done completely on the flat hard sand, is approximately 3.5 miles from the north Pescadero parking lot to the San Gregorio parking lot. An additional 3 miles can be added by continuing north past the San Gregorio parking lot to the end of beach and then returning to San Gregorio.
Those seeking a more challenging adventure can walk the entire route from the south end of Pescadero beach to the north end of San Gregorio making it an approximately 10 mile out-and-back journey, but depending on how fast you hike, the tide may have risen enough to prevent passing around the bluffs for a safe return to Pescadero. Having the second car at San Gregorio will allow you more time to explore the amazing beach and stunning cliffs along the way.
The beauty of this uncrowded hike is that at low tide, this flat beach will provide a wide and firm walking surface perfect for bare feet or even for a beach run, if you don’t mind a little chilly sand. The sea bird life is abundant and the sheer, sandstone bluffs are stunning, especially during sunset. While the main beaches can be crowded on good weather days, this hike allows you to visit the areas in between the parking lots which tend to have few, if any, visitors.
This is truly a magnificent part of the Coastside and, with some planning, this can be an amazing way to visit Pescadero, Pomponio and San Gregorio State Beaches all without getting in the car. So grab yourself a tide chart and some good friends, take off your shoes and enjoy our State Beaches.
Article written by Bill Murray, Coastside State Parks Association Board President