Pescadero Marsh and Beach
Map SatellitePescadero Marsh is the largest marsh on the coast between Monterey and San Francisco Bays. As such, it is an important area for a variety of animals.
Over 160 species of birds have been observed in and about the marsh, including occasional sightings of the rare peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus. There is a great blue heron, Ardea herodias, rookery on the edge of the marsh. A population of the endangered San Francisco garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia, is found here.
Silver salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, and steelhead, Salmo gairdnerii gairdnerii, occur in the creek that cuts through the marsh. An endangered snail, the Pescadero Marsh snail, Tryonia imitator, inhabits the area.
The marsh ranges from sub-saline to freshwater. Scirpus spp. are the dominants in much of the area. On the uplands there is some coastal scrub and, in one point, a eucalyptus grove.
Integrity: Agricultural activities are encroaching on the marsh and there is some hunting; however, much of the area is in good condition.
Use: Research, educational, observational, Some private.
March 1978
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman