Guest Hook Travel Guides California's Coastside & Loma Mar

5 EXPERIENCES YOU CANNOT MISS... 1 Heritage Grove... 2 Año Nuevo State Reserve... 3 Coastways Ranch... 4 Harley Farms... 5 Historic Pescadero... Muir Woods isn't the only place where old-growth redwoods can be seen. The lesser-known Heritage Grove features 37 acres of virgin forest with trees just as tall but with no crowds! The 50 or so old-growth redwoods in Heritage Grove are about 1,000 years old, having sprouted 500 years before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World! The tallest tree in Heritage Grove stands approximately 250 feet, making this a must for anyone wanting to experience these towering beauties! Reserve a spot between January and late March to take the guided tour and see elephant seals come ashore to rest, mate, and give birth. Seeing huge male elephant seals battling it out for mating rights is a unique and unforgettable natural spectacle. Elephant seals were slaughtered wholesale in the 1800’s for the oil rendered from their blubber. By 1892, fewer than 200 individual seals existed! Fortunately, the numbers have been steadily increasing since their protected status has been in place. Experience the meditative pastime of olallieberry picking on a farm. That’s correct, you pick! The tradition of growing and picking the tart and slightly sweet berry has roots right here in Pescadero because the berry thrives in the coastal fog. All Coastways berries are hand-planted and no pesticides are ever used. Many of these berries are used in the pies up the road at Duarte’s Tavern. The season is only a few short weeks in the summer – so, get them while you can! Harley Farms is a restored 1910 dairy farm, with 200 alpine goats on nine acres of pasture in Pescadero. The farm grew from six pet goats to today’s herd, with their delicious, critically-acclaimed cheese. The best time to come is between March and late May when dozens of baby goats are born! For a taste of life on the farm take the hands-on tour where you’ll visit the lush garden with edible flowers, trek on up to the hay loft, and take a peek at how the goats are milked and cheese is produced. Pescadero was founded in 1856 - just 6 years after California became a state! The rich, fertile soil of the valley attracted many settlers and by the 1860’s Pescadero was a prosperous town. The church was built in 1867 and many of the old frame houses date from the 19th Century and reflect the town’s pioneer Yankee roots. It’s a quaint little town that’s fun to stroll d

Guest Hook Travel Guides California's Coastside & Loma Mar | Page 5