Field Trip: Pescadero Marsh Walk, Pescadero

Where: Marsh (start from Pescadero Beach Central lot)

When: Year round, but 2-3 weeks advanced booking requested. Fall is especially good for birdwatching.

Who: All ages

Cost: Free 

Pescadero Marsh qualifies as a  hidden gem - we've driven past it en route to beaches or the town of Pescadero countless times, and not known about its trails. Thanks to the Half Moon Bay State Beach rangers hosting this field trip, we now do and  are happy to recommend it to other homeschoolers. But first, a PSA.

IMPORTANT: Park at the CENTRAL lot of Pescadero State Beach which is 1 mile north of Pescadero Creek Road (the road to the town of Pescadero). This lot connects via a flight of stairs to a trail where you can cross under Highway 1 to the marsh on the east side. Otherwise, you may have to cross Highway 1 with your children, which is very risky. 

This is the view we had when we had parked and started along the trail - serene, though the whizzing of cars overhead on the highway was never far.

From the trail, we came across a lagoon which was another good chance to practice our binocular skills. The rangers had brought binoculars, and cards listing birds we might encounter.

Following the trail around, we came to the head of the Sequoia Audubon trail proper.

From this point on, the sounds of the highway rapidly faded away, so quiet that we lowered our voices too so we could track the birds. This marsh is an ideal place for birdspotting with its access to water and plants, which would delight a naturalist. 

The trail is one way and flat, so you can pace your stamina accordingly. Along the walk, the rangers pointed out bits of history, e.g. left over wood piles from when the marsh was used for farming. 

They also told of attempts to open up the mouth of the marsh in the hope of creating more fishing area. Unfortunately, like many attempts to change the ecology of an area without first understanding it, it failed. The explanation may be difficult for younger kids, but this article may raise good discussion points about estuaries.

Along the way, there was an eminently climbable tree - this required a good 10 minutes of exploration. :) 

Our turning point was the following pool where turtles are often seen. We didn't see any that day, but that'll just be another highlight to lookout for when we next go back. 

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn about the marsh and its inhabitants. If you are new to birdwatching and hiking, we definitely recommend hiking with the rangers (they currently also offer hikes through the State Parks website, or Sequoia Audobon - info as of October 2021). Hiking is more fun in groups, especially with knowledgeable guides like ours (Emily and Joe) who didn't mind stopping every so often to listen, observe and answer questions. A big thank you to them!