Pistachio Beach

Located in Pescadero, Pistachio Beach has tan-colored sand and is a part of a state park named Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park. A stream from the nearby Yankee Jim Gulch flows into the Pacific Ocean near the northern end of this beach. 

Pistachio Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly. Dogs are allowed on the beach if they are on a leash. 

Pistachio Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching. It is important to note that aquatic recreational activities including swimming and surfing are unsafe in the water near this beach as the water here has dangerous currents and extremely strong waves. You can see many kinds of animals in the water near this beach including animals including dolphins and migrating whales (between March and May).

Getting to Pistachio Beach is easy, a free parking lot for the beach is present near the northern intersection of Pigeon Point Road and Cabrillo Highway / Pacific Coast Highway, and from there, an access trail will lead you to the beach. 

Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park (within which Pistachio Beach is situated) features the Pigeon Point Lighthouse which is 115 feet high and one of the tallest lighthouses in the United States. This lighthouse, which is also known as Pigeon Point Light Station, was built in 1872. The oceanfront area around this lighthouse offers amazing Instagram-worthy views of the Pacific Ocean and also has hiking trails.

There are many attractions near Pistachio Beach. A√±o Nuevo State Park is home to an enormous seasonal elephant seal rookery, which offers an amazing wildlife-watching experience. You can also see many other kinds of animals and birds in this state park including otters, California sea lions, coyotes, cormorants, and terns. In addition, the park features the Marine Education Center, which has a natural history museum, a theatre, and a bookstore. Mindego Ridge Vineyard offers amazing tours within its beautiful estate and gardens. If you are looking for another attraction near Pistachio Beach, Swanton Berry Farm is a berry farm that offers interesting and fun berry-picking excursions.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants within a 25-minute drive of Pistachio Beach. Dad's Luncheonette serves Cal-American cuisine prepared from organically sourced ingredients. Via Uno Cucina Italiana & Bar offers Italian cuisine along with vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free options. Evangeline Cuisine offers delicious seafood and has a casual ambiance. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Pistachio Beach, the modestly priced Taqueria Tres Amigos serves amazing Mexican food.

If you are looking for a hotel near Pistachio Beach, there are many great nearby options. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is 20 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a pool, a spa, outdoor fireplace, a tennis court, kids club, and a fitness center. As another upscale hotel, the 4-Star Oceano Hotel & Spa Half Moon Bay is 29 minutes away by car and offers various amenities including a bar, a spa, and a gym. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Half Moon Bay Lodge that offers a pool, hot bath, and an outdoor patio with a fireplace. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Pistachio Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Pescadero Creek Inn offers complimentary breakfast.