El Pescador State Beach

El Pescador State Beach is one of the three beaches that comprise Robert Meyer Memorial State Beach, the others being La Piedra State Beach and El Matador State Beach. El Pescador lies to the west of the other two. It has its own parking lot just off of the Pacific Coast Highway, but you may be able to snag a free spot along the highway itself. There is a short trail between the parking lot and the beach. Once you get to the bottom of the bluff you will find a cove surrounded by tide pools and rocks.

While you probably won’t have the beach to yourself, there is considerably less congestion at El Pescador than at the neighboring beaches. This means that you will have room to spread out.  Food is not available for purchase, but you can bring your own picnic lunch to enjoy on the sand. 

Wildlife flourishes here. El Pescador translates to “the fisherman,” but there are more than just fish living in and around the water. A bit of exploring will reveal tide pools bursting with hermit crabs, brittle stars, anemones, sea snails, mussels, sea stars, barnacles, and urchins. Birdwatchers often catch sight of California brown pelicans, double-crested cormorants, sandpipers, and gulls. In the ocean you will find kelp beds that host a vibrant community of sea life including algae, lobsters, otters, seals, and a variety of fish. Unfortunately, Southern Californian kelp beds have become depleted over the past few decades, negatively impacting the food chain that affects both animals and humans. Organizations such as Los Angeles Waterkeeper are working to save the kelp beds, and certain beaches are Marine Protected Areas that have limitations on when and where fishing is permitted.