Guest Hook Travel Guides California's Coastside & Loma Mar | Page 4

AMY'S REAL COASTSIDE & LOMA MAR...

With a population of 167, it’s hard to believe Loma Mar
is just over an hour’s drive from San Francisco! Located
15 minutes inland from the Pacific Ocean or 40 minutes
west of Silicon Valley, you feel like you’re in the middle
of nowhere yet you’re not!
Hike in Memorial, Pescadero Creek & Sam McDonald
Parks and experience the beauty of the forest. Take in
crisp, clean air and watch sunlight drift down through
the tree canopy that gently lights across your path.
Oftentimes, when I’m hiking in these parks, I never
come across another person! You’ll see deer, wild
turkeys, acorn woodpeckers, California quail, raccoons,
skunks, coyotes, bobcats and, of course, no trip would
be complete without seeing a banana slug!
Along the coast there are miles of deserted, unspoiled
white sandy beaches with majestic 30-foot bluffs that
are perfect for long walks, picnics, horseback riding,
kite flying and exploring tide pools.
There are fields of wild flowers and mountain ridges as
far as the eye can see. Pescadero Marsh is a feast for
the eyes for bird watchers and other naturalists where
over 380 species of plant life, 50 kinds of mammals and
33 amphibians have been sighted. It’s also home to the
striking long legged great blue heron that nest in huge
eucalyptus trees. Pescadero Marsh is one of the most
important remaining wetlands on the California coast.
Historic Pigeon Point Lighthouse is the tallest working

lighthouse on the west coast and has been guiding
mariners since 1872. A reminder of the days when
whalers and Gold Rush era clipper ships fought gales,
stiff seas, jagged coastal rocks and unforgiving fog. The
original first-order Fresnel lens is on display and will
soon be returned to the top of the tower. This is also a
great spot to view gray, blue & humpback whales that
migrate past the point.
Along the coastside, you will still see original farms from
the 1800’s. Many will have farm stands selling their just
picked produce right from the field that morning. Or
pursue wine tasting, unique shops and old general
stores in historic Pescadero & San Gregorio.
Further up the coast is Half Moon Bay, famous for its
annual Pumpkin Festival where farmers compete in the
World Championship Pumpkin Weigh Off.
And you'll also find mavericks surfing - known as the
“Men Who Ride Mountains.” Crazy!
Oh and all the yummy food – fresh caught crab and other
seafood delights right off the boat, Norm’s artichoke
bread, Duarte’s olallieberry pie, Sam’s Chowder House
famous Lobster Roll Sandwich….I could go on! What's an
olallieberry I hear you ask?! Here's a quick explanation
to this frequently asked question. You'll die for the pie,
trust me!
Hopefully you can see that our Coastside makes for a
perfect, relaxed vacation destination!