Pescadero is a farming and ranching community near the Pescadero Marsh, a wildlife refuge. Pescadero Creek, the longest stream in San Mateo County, is an annual creek that empties into the Pacific Ocean near the town.
Pescadero is also a weekend tourist destination during the summer months because of beaches, parks including Memorial Park and Butano State Park, as well as extensive rural roads for biking and trails for hiking in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Attractions include Duarte’s Tavern, Pescadero Country Store, Norm’s Bakery, Harley Farms Goat Dairy, and Taqueria y Mercado de Amigos, an acclaimed taqueria in the local gas station.
Pescadero hosts the annual Pescadero Art and Fun Fair (PAFF) on the third weekend of each August. The Alto Velo Bicycle Racing Club holds the annual Pescadero Coastal Classic Road Race, which travels through the town and nearby countryside, in early- to mid-June.
Many of the buildings in town date from the 19th Century. Pescadero is situated near the Pacific Ocean about 17 miles (27 km) south of Half Moon Bay and about 34 miles (55 km) north of Santa Cruz.
The town is home to Pescadero High School. The Pescadero High School and Middle School Teams are the Vikings and the Panthers, respectively.