For such a tiny town, Pescadero is a big attraction. While the 2020 census reported a population of just 595, it would seem that at least that many people visit the quaint main street on any single day during the summer. It’s hard to resist the rural village charm here, which certainly makes it a no-brainer stop for anyone bopping along Highway 1. And even if you don’t love being called a”tourist,”a visit to Pescadero will captivate you every time you spend time there, drawing you back for the heritage, for the agricultural bounty and certainly for the food.

Your first stop should be Harley Farms, the farmstead goat dairy that Dee Harley began in 1991. While this coastal area in San Mateo County was a hot spot for dairies back in the early 1900s, Harley Farms is now the only active dairy left here. The term farmstead indicates that the cheeses are made on site with traditional methods, using only milk from the animals raised here. In this case, those animals are goats—with, at the right time of year, some of the cutest babies you’ll ever see. But also be sure to spend some time with Pearl, the miniature horse spending her retirement here amongst the English gardens.

“A visit to Pescadero will captivate you every time you spend time there, drawing you back for the heritage, for the agricultural bounty and certainly for the food.”

After saying hello to the animals, step into the farm shop to peruse a large assortment of in-house products, like the farmstead cheeses (some of which are beautifully pressed with edible flowers), honey, jams and even harissa. There are also a few excellent brands from other places, like Dandelion Chocolate and gorgeous black clay cookware made by artisan families from the village of La Chamba, Colombia.

Another huge bonus to a visit here is tasting through Sante Arcangeli’s portfolio of Burgundy-inspired wines. Owner and winemaker John Benedetti has deep roots here in Pescadero (his family owns the famous Arcangeli Grocery Co.) and his wines are truly special. Book a tasting, which takes place upstairs in the 140-year-old barn loft above the cheese shop, or make a reservation for one of the memorable barn dinners at the long communal table here: Harley hosts and Benedetti pairs his wines with the meal.

The shop is connected to The Sunshine, a small grocery that stocks a large assortment of nourishing local goods. It’s like the best pantry you could ever wander into. Their mission is to highlight this coastal zone and the farmers, producers and makers that create a community here. A no-plastic, zero-waste ethos leads to intentional elements, like their reusable jar system with the bulk goods on offer. Tinned fish, fermented foods, vegan treats, chocolate bars and a bevy of interesting elixirs will have you immersed in the sunny vibes and ready for a snack.

“A lovely thing to do here in Pescadero is to just stroll up and down Stage Road, the main artery of town with fun shops to meander around…”

Across the street sits Duarte’s, perhaps the crown jewel of Pescadero and why many people come here. Since 1894, this tavern has been feeding folks a seafood-centric menu with charm. It’s a classic, no-frills spot and even if you’re just ducking in for a drink it won’t disappoint. Some famous items are the homemade pies (don’t skip a slice of the olallieberry) and the artichoke and green chile soups. Insiders order a bowl of “half and half ” for a taste of both in one. Much of their produce, including the greens in their house salad, leeks, pole beans, herbs and berries, come from their own garden behind the restaurant. Duarte’s hits that alluring balance of nostalgia with scratch cooking and ambiance but with an updated approach in terms of sourcing, from the craft beers to local oysters.

But maybe you’d rather hit one of the beaches after your visit to town. In that case, gather a picnic with takeout items from all the great spots you find along your way and head to a nearby Bean Hollow Beach, a cool spot to check out (and fitting for the theme of this issue). Favorite gigantic sandwiches come from Arcangeli Grocery Co. (John Benedetti recommends “The Godfather”) plus many beverage choices and local wines. Or just grab a loaf of the super-popular artichoke bread to tear into. Some might say a gas station is a funny place to grab lunch but Mercado & Taqueria De Amigos inside the station on the corner of Pescadero Creek and Stage Roads has great fish tacos, breakfast burritos all day, a killer salsa bar and very friendly service.

Amber Selene Turpin is a freelance food and travel writer based in the Santa Cruz Mountains. She is a regular contributor to the Mercury News, Edible Magazines, 7×7, Marin Living, Diablo and the Slow Wine Guide, with work appearing in Bon Appétit, EatingWell and many other publications over the past 20 years.