The 50 miles of coastline between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz are one of the great surprises of the California coast: The virtually unspoiled miles offer rocky tidepools and driftwood-strewn beaches beneath sculpted bluffs topped by rolling green fields of brussels sprouts, pumpkins, cabbages, and artichokes. The biggest town hereabouts, Pescadero (pop. 500), is a mile or so inland from Hwy-1, and well worth the short detour for a chance to sample the fresh fish, great pies, and other home-cooked treats at Duarte’s Tavern, 202 Stage Road (650/879-0464), open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the center of the block-long downtown.
Ten miles south of Pescadero, the photogenic beacon of Pigeon Point Lighthouse has appeared in innumerable TV and print commercials; the graceful, 115-foot-tall brick tower is open for tours (Sun. 10 am–3 pm; $2 donation), and the adjacent lighthouse quarters function as the very popular HI Pigeon Point Hostel (650/879-0633), with a hot tub perched above the crashing surf.
