BERG Buddy

At Costanoa, a coastal campground and resort in Pescadero, California, the BERG Buddy pedal carts turn a short jaunt on paved roads into a small, focused adventure for kids and caretakers alike. Designed for ages 3–8 (max weight 110 lbs / 50 kg), these four-wheeled carts bring a surprising mix of engineering and simplicity: pneumatic tires smooth bumps, a swing axle keeps the ride steady, and the BFR (Brake, Freewheel, Reverse) system lets young riders stop, back up, and learn control without confusion. Pick up and check in at the Activities Pod and you’ll be fitted to a BERG Buddy with a three-position adjustable seat so the pedals are always within reach.

Staff walk you through safety rules and the simple braking technique; helmets are available on request and included in the rental. Rentals run at $20 per hour and are intended for paved routes only — Rossi Road, the RV rows, and the loops around Pine Village and the Ohlone Garden Tent Village are the approved circuits. That short list of permitted areas is part of what keeps the carts family-friendly and the surrounding dunes and plantings undisturbed.

What makes the BERG Buddy stand out at Costanoa isn’t novelty alone but how well that novelty fits the place. Costanoa’s scheme blends campground rhythm with pocketed flat roads perfect for pedal carts; here a child’s first real steering moment happens against a backdrop of coastal trees and open sky, not traffic. The cart’s low center of gravity and pneumatic tires make it forgiving on slight road undulations, while staff-enforced limitations — no rentals in wet conditions, no sandals or Crocs — keep the experience safe.

Expect short bursts of activity rather than a long trek: typical rentals run from one hour up to an afternoon, and the set-up is ideal for families juggling naps, beach windows, and RV checklists. The BERG Buddy also functions as a quiet way to explore the resort footprint at kid pace, slowing parents down to notice small things — a stand of native grasses, the curve of a campground loop, a sunlit bench. If you’re staying in Pescadero and want a low-effort outdoor outing that’s expressly built for young riders, the BERG Buddy at Costanoa is a well-engineered, inexpensive way to add motion and independence to a family day.

Arrive a few minutes early, wear closed-toe shoes, and plan around dry weather for best results. Ask staff about multi-hour bookings and helmet fittings, then use the carts as a break between beach time and campsite chores; the slow, pedal-powered pace often sparks mini-adventures—race a sibling to the Pine Village loop, practice reversing, or pull over for a picnic and watch late light shift across dunes.