Pacifica

A unique seaside suburb just south of San Francisco and within easy reach of cities along the San Francisco Peninsula, Pacifica offers endless ways to savor the natural beauty of the San Mateo County coast.

Beaches and Surfside Attractions in Pacifica

Pacifica boasts six miles of coastline and its landmark 1,140-foot Pacifica Pier is an ideal spot to watch the fog roll in and the surf surge onto shore. From the pier, scan the ocean for migrating gray whales as well as the occasional blue or humpback whale—you can even fish for striped bass and salmon during summer.

Four beaches here guarantee that you’ll never have trouble finding a sandy spot to catch some rays and enjoy the ocean. Crescent-shaped Pacifica State Beach (known locally as Linda Mar Beach) stretches for nearly a mile on the southern end of town and is ideal for whale watching, surfing, and long walks along the edge of the continent. The other three beaches in Pacifica are Rockaway Beach, which is home to the Pacifica Visitors Center, restaurants, and shops; Sharp Park Beach, which is known for its black sand (one of the few in the state); and dog-friendly Esplanade Beach, where your pooch can run free off-leash (access Esplanade Beach via a trail and then stairs from Esplanade Dr.; be mindful here, as it gets very narrow during high tide).

Ocean-View Dining 

A paved path traverses a point and connects Linda Mar to the narrow strand of Rockaway Beach, where relaxed Nick’s Seafood Restaurant lets you gaze out on the ocean while enjoying favorites like the grilled Dungeness crab sandwich on sourdough. Thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, the views are spectacular at Moonraker, a local favorite that features everything from Dungeness crab cioppino to wild boar Bolognese. It’s also popular for Sunday brunch.

Outdoor Activities in Pacifica

Not surprisingly, Pacifica is a haven for surfing. More experienced surfers take on the serious waves at the aforementioned Rockaway Beach and Sharp Park Beach, while Linda Mar is a good spot for novices or taking a lesson from one of the local surf schools. Pacifica is also home to Sharp Park Golf Course, a seaside links circuit designed by Augusta National and Cypress Point architect Alister MacKenzie. Considered one of the country’s top municipal courses, Sharp Park has earned a reputation as “the poor man’s Pebble Beach.”

For a more rugged side of the Pacifica coast, Mori Point juts out into the ocean and offers an assortment of hiking options. Choose from short strolls to the more challenging 3.2-mile round-trip Mori Point Peak Loop, which climbs a few hundred feet to spectacular ocean views and brilliant spring wildflower displays.

Mori Point is just one of several open space areas in and around Pacifica that are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Bay Area’s enormous urban park. Milagra Ridge, with its remnants of historic military installations and natural areas teeming with rare butterflies, delivers expansive coastal panoramas. Head to 1,200-foot Sweeney Ridge, on native lands of the Ohlone people, for more hiking and views. You can also visit a monument to Spanish explorer Captain Juan Gaspar de Portolá, who, along with members of his expedition, first sighted San Francisco Bay from Sweeney Ridge in 1769.

South of Pacifica, don’t miss the Devil’s Slide Coast, named for the geologically unstable stretch of Highway 1 that was frequently closed because of landslides until the completion of the Devil’s Slide Tunnel in 2013. A portion of the California Coastal Trail runs through the area and you can hike and bike along the 1.3-mile Devil’s Slide Trail, which follows an old segment of Highway 1.

Where to Eat and Drink in Pacifica

After all of your outdoor adventures, reward yourself with a cannoli or another sweet treat from Mazzetti’s Bakery, an old-school Italian bake shop. If you want to pack a picnic for a hike or a day at the beach, Colombo’s Delicatessen has been a Pacifica favorite since 1986, or pay a visit to the Coastside Farmers Market in Rockaway Beach. Open on Wednesday afternoons from early April through mid-December, it’s the perfect place to pick up produce, flowers, baked goods, artisanal cheese, and more. For the distinctive flavors of Peru, Puerto 27 serves ceviches prepared with sustainably sourced seafood and a crispy, fried-whole branzino. 

Craft beer fans should check out Pedro Point Brewing’s diverse offerings, which include IPAs, a chocolate stout, and a mango limeade. At the nearby Humble Sea Brewing Co. taproom you can pair a Foggy IPA or a “smoothie” (fruit-filled sour) beer with a Niman Ranch burger, fish and chips, or BLTA chopped salad. Or choose from the selection of California and international wines at A Grape in the Fog, Pacifica’s casual-yet-upscale wine bar.

Pacifica is also famously home to what some call the world's most beautiful Taco Bell. Located directly on Pacifica State Beach, this Taco Bell offers coastal views and even has a walk-up ordering window for hungry surfers looking for a quick bite.  

Pacifica Arts

For the creative side of Pacifica, stop into the Sanchez Art Center to see works by leading California artists and members of the Pacifica community. The gallery is part of the Pacifica Center for the Arts, where Pacifica Performances hosts an eclectic lineup of bluegrass, jazz, classical, and blues concerts in the intimate Mildred Owen Concert Hall. You can see what the center has planned for the coming months on their events calendar.

Insider tip: Consider bringing your furry friend along. Pacifica is so canine-friendly—the city hosts the World Dog Surfing Championships every August—that they’ve put together an itinerary for dog owners. Find dog-welcoming places for lodging, dining, or having a drink, and get tips for nearby activities you can enjoy together.

Things to Do Near Pacifica

Just 15 miles to the north of Pacifica is San Francisco, which can keep any traveler busy for weeks. But looking to the south, the San Francisco Peninsula offers plenty of its own attractions. Burlingame, with its choice shopping and varied restaurants, and San Mateo, with its well preserved downtown, are each about 15 miles away as well. A 40-minute drive south from there will take you through Palo Alto to San Jose. The state’s third-largest city, San Jose offers the kinds of museums one would expect from the Silicon Valley hub—The Tech Interactive and the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose are but two examples—but also great dining and countless opportunities for outdoor fun. For more inspiration, check out 5 Amazing Things to Do in San Jose.