01
Best overall pick
Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar)
Linda Mar Neighborhood • Classic Crescent Surf Beach • Best Overall And For Beginner Surfers
A wide, sheltered crescent with gentle waves, beachside parking, and a true everyday Pacifica surf scene.
Locals still call this Linda Mar, and it’s the go-to spot when you want sand, surf, and services in one place. The break is forgiving enough for lessons and longboards most days, with plenty of room to spread out on the sand. Grab a coffee across Highway 1, then linger for a sunset framed by Pedro Point.
02
Best for food and a walk
Rockaway Beach
Rockaway District Waterfront • Compact Beach With Seaside Village Vibe • Great For A Stroll Plus Food And Drinks
A small, wave-pounded beach backed by hotels, restaurants, and a paved oceanfront path.
Rockaway is where you pair a quick beach fix with fish tacos, a drink, or a weekend staycation. The sand itself is narrower and the surf can be rough, but the setting between rocky headlands makes it a dramatic place to watch waves. It’s easy to pop down from Highway 1, stretch your legs, and catch a sunset over dinner.
03
Best for pier time
Sharp Park Beach & Pacifica Pier
Sharp Park District • Wide Beach With A Long Public Pier • Best For Pier Walks And Storm Watching
A long stretch of open sand anchored by Pacifica’s concrete fishing pier and a big-sky horizon.
Sharp Park feels more like a working coastline than a postcard, with anglers lining the pier and waves thundering below. It’s ideal for a brisk walk, watching winter swells, or trying your luck at crabbing when conditions are right. The beach is less sheltered than Linda Mar, so it’s more about wandering and wave watching than swimming.
04
Best dramatic local cove
Esplanade Beach
North Pacifica Bluffs • Steep-Access Local Cove • Most Dramatic Cliffs And Quick Escape
A tucked-away strip of sand beneath eroding bluffs, reached by a steep path from the Esplanade.
Esplanade feels hidden compared with Pacifica’s busier beaches, with sheer cliffs towering over a narrow band of sand. The access path can be steep and conditions change with tides and erosion, so it’s best for confident walkers who check the tides. Come for the wild, close-to-town feel and moody views up and down the coast.
05
Best nearby escape
Montara State Beach
10 Minutes South Of Pacifica On Highway 1 • Wild Open State Beach • Best For Big-Sky Views And Fewer Crowds
A broad, windswept beach just south of Pacifica with rugged headlands and room to roam.
Montara State Beach is technically outside Pacifica, but it’s a quick, scenic drive that feels like a mini road trip. You trade town conveniences for wide-open sand, dunes, and trails heading up into the hills for higher viewpoints. On clear days the ocean feels endless here, and on foggy ones it’s a moody, almost empty stretch of coast.