Pescadero, California

.

Profile

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, and Harley Farms Goat Dairy, as well as a Mexican restaurant in the local gas station. Pescadero hosts the annual Pescadero Art and Fun Fair (PAFF) on the third weekend of 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 convert|17|mi|km south of Half Moon Bay and about convert|34|mi|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.

Demographics

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 2,042 persons lived in Pescadero in 2000. The town is convert|31|ft|m above sea level. The ZIP Code is 94060. [totalescape.com]

There are 722 housing units. The land area is 80 square miles (207.1 square kilometers). The water area is .3 square miles(.9 square kilometers).

Of the town's total population of 2,042, males totaled 1,141 (55.9%) and females totaled 901 (45.1%). The median age was 33.5; 133 (6.5%) residents under 5 years; 1,565 (76.6) were 18 years or over; and 133 (6.5%) were 65 years or over. The racial breakdown was 1,590 (77.9%) white, 10 (0.5%) black of African American, 15 (0.9%) American Indian and Alaska Native; 18 (0.9%) Asian; 3 (0.1%) Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 331 (16.2%) were some other race; and 75 (3.7%) were two or more races. Hispanic or Latino (of any race) totaled 932 (45.6%). The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.21. Of the 722 total housing units, 605 (83.8%) were occupied housing units, 322 (53.2%) were owner-occupied housing units, 283 (46.8%) were renter-occupied housing units, and 117 (16.2%) were vacant housing units. The population of those 25 years and over totaled 1,329. Residents who were high school graduates or higher were 924 (69.5%) and bachelor's degree or higher were 326 (24.5%). Civilian veterans totaled 154 (9.5%). Disability status (population 21 to 64 years) totaled 241 (18.0%) Foreign born residents totaled 477 (22.4%). Now married (population 15 years and over) totaled 1,136 (66.0%). Residents who spoke a language other than English at home (5 years and over) totaled 764 (37.9%). Pescadero residents in labor force (population 16 years and over) totaled 1,366 (80.3%). The mean travel time to work in minutes (population 16 years and older) was 30.2. The median household income (dollars) was 59,006. The median family income (dollars) was 70,500. The per capita income (dollars) was 24,900. Only 9 (1.9%) families were below poverty level and 293 (14.2%) individuals were below the poverty level. There were 250 single-family owner-occupied homes; the median value (dollars) was 411,500; there were 1,981 with a mortgage and 393 without a mortgage. [brainyzip.com]

Weather

Pescadero has cool, wet winters and mild, mostly dry summers. Fog and low overcast are common throughout the year, particularly during the summer months. Strong winds sometimes blow off the nearby Pacific Ocean. January is the coolest month with an average maximum of 60° and an average minimum of 40°. September is the warmest month with an average maximum of 72° and an average minimum of 49°. Winter temperatures seldom drop below freezing, and summer temperatures rarely exceed 90° (32 °C.). Average annual precipitation is convert|29.52|in|mm, mostly falling as rain since snow is extremely rare on the coast. [californiavacation.com] The nearest National Weather Service cooperative weather station is in the nearby village of San Gregorio, north of Pescadero on Stage Road.

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=522 Pescadero State Beach]
* [http://www.onscenicroutes.com/pescaderomain.html Rural Pescadero on the San Mateo Coast]
* [http://altovelo.org/pescadero/ Pescadero Coastal Classic Road Race]