A pulse wave detecting device includes a sensor section and a control unit. The sensor section is rotatable about a first axis and is rotatable about a second axis. The control unit determines a rotation angle about the first axis based on DC components of pressure detecting elements included in element rows. Then, in a state where the sensor section is controlled to the optimal pitch angle, the sensor section is pressed against the body surface, and a pulse wave is detected based on pressure signals detected by pressure detecting elements in this state, and vital information is calculated based on the detected pulse wave.