Pacifica CaliforniaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Pacifica, California.
1. Mori Point
BREATHTAKING COASTAL TRAIL
Mori Point offers visitors stunning panoramic views of the Pacific coastline and surrounding landscapes. The trail features diverse ecosystems including coastal scrub, grasslands, and wetland areas that support a variety of wildlife. Hikers can enjoy well-maintained paths that lead to dramatic clifftop vistas, making it perfect for photography and whale watching during migration seasons.
2. Devil's Slide Trail
FORMER HIGHWAY TURNED TRAIL
Devil's Slide Trail is a 1.3-mile paved pedestrian and cycling path built on the former Highway 1 route along the dramatic coastline. The trail offers spectacular ocean views, informational displays about local history and geology, and opportunities to spot marine wildlife. Visitors can access the path from parking lots at either end, making it an easily accessible attraction for people of all ages and abilities.
3. Pacifica State Beach
POPULAR SURFING DESTINATION
Pacifica State Beach, locally known as Linda Mar Beach, stretches for nearly a mile along the southern end of town with crescent-shaped shoreline. The beach is a premier surfing destination with consistent waves that appeal to both beginners and experienced surfers alike. Visitors can enjoy whale watching, long walks along the shore, or lessons from local surf schools that operate in the area.
4. Rockaway Beach
SCENIC BEACH WITH AMENITIES
Rockaway Beach is a charming coastal area featuring a sandy beach surrounded by dramatic rock formations and ocean views. The beach area is home to the Pacifica Visitors Center, several restaurants, and boutique shops, making it a complete destination for tourists. Visitors can enjoy beachcombing, dining with ocean views, or shopping for souvenirs in this picturesque seaside setting.
5. Pacifica Municipal Pier
HISTORIC FISHING SPOT
The L-shaped, 1,140-foot Pacifica Municipal Pier (officially named the Reverend Herschell Harkins Memorial Pacifica Pier) extends into the Pacific Ocean offering spectacular views of the coastline. Famous for its salmon runs and winter Dungeness crabbing, the pier attracts anglers from around the world looking to catch Jack Smelt, White Croaker, and Striped Bass. As a designated site on The Whale Trail, it's one of the best places to watch humpbacks and gray whales lunge feeding, tail slapping, and occasionally breaching.
6. Sharp Park Beach
RARE BLACK SAND SHORE
Sharp Park Beach is known for its distinctive black sand, making it one of the few beaches of its kind in California. Located near the Pacifica Municipal Pier, this beach offers visitors a unique coastal experience with dramatic views and interesting shoreline textures. The beach's distinctive coloration comes from volcanic minerals in the sand, creating a striking contrast with the blue Pacific waters.
7. Sam's Castle
HISTORIC COASTAL FORTRESS
Sam's Castle was built in 1908 by San Francisco rail magnate Henry Harrison McCloskey as a safe haven after his San Francisco home was damaged in the 1906 earthquake. Throughout its colorful century-long history, the castle has served as a speakeasy, illegal abortion clinic, brothel, and Coast Guard barracks during World War II. The castle, purchased and restored in 1959 by Sam Mazza who filled it with art and antiques, is occasionally open to the public for tours conducted by the Pacifica Historical Society.
8. Pacifica Coastside Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Pacifica Coastside Museum, housed in the historic Little Brown Church, showcases the rich heritage of this coastal community. Exhibits feature artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of Pacifica's development from early indigenous settlements through European colonization to the present day. Visitors can explore the evolution of this unique seaside suburb and learn about the natural and cultural forces that have shaped the region.
9. Sanchez Adobe
HISTORIC ADOBE LANDMARK
Sanchez Adobe is one of the oldest structures in San Mateo County and an important historical landmark dating back to Spanish and Mexican California. The adobe building served as the home of Francisco Sanchez, who was the eighth alcalde (mayor) of San Francisco and a prominent figure in early California history. Today, visitors can tour the restored adobe to learn about daily life during this pivotal period in California's past through exhibits and educational programs.
10. Sanchez Art Center
COMMUNITY ART HUB
Sanchez Art Center serves as Pacifica's primary venue for visual arts, featuring three galleries with rotating exhibitions throughout the year. The center hosts art shows, classes, workshops, and cultural events that engage the community in creative expression and appreciation. Visitors can explore contemporary works by local and regional artists while experiencing the vibrant arts culture that thrives in this coastal community.
11. San Pedro Valley Park
HIKING AND NATURE RESERVE
San Pedro Valley Park offers over 1,000 acres of natural landscape with diverse ecosystems including coastal scrub, eucalyptus groves, and riparian corridors. The park features several well-maintained hiking trails of varying difficulty that lead to scenic vistas, waterfalls, and encounters with local wildlife. Visitors can enjoy bird watching, photography, picnicking, and educational programs at the visitor center that highlight the park's natural history.
12. Coastside Farmers' Market
FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE
The Coastside Farmers' Market at Rockaway Beach brings together local farmers, food producers, and artisans offering fresh, seasonal produce and handcrafted goods. Visitors can sample and purchase organic fruits and vegetables, baked goods, honey, flowers, and specialty foods while enjoying the ocean backdrop. The market creates a vibrant community gathering space where locals and tourists alike can connect with the agricultural bounty of the region while supporting sustainable farming practices.
13. Pacifica Spindrift Players
COMMUNITY THEATER GROUP
The Pacifica Spindrift Players deliver fantastic local theatrical productions that showcase the talent and creativity of the community. Their performances range from classic plays to contemporary works, musicals, and original productions in an intimate theater setting. Theater-goers can enjoy professional-quality entertainment while supporting this longstanding cultural institution that has enriched Pacifica's arts scene for generations.
14. Esplanade Beach
DOG-FRIENDLY COASTAL RETREAT
Esplanade Beach is a dog-friendly coastal area where pets can run off-leash along the shoreline. The beach is accessible via a trail and stairs from Esplanade Drive, offering a more secluded experience than some of Pacifica's more popular beaches. Visitors should note that the beach becomes quite narrow during high tide, so timing visits with the tidal schedule is recommended for the best experience.
15. Muir Woods National Monument
MAJESTIC REDWOOD FOREST
Muir Woods National Monument, located a short drive from Pacifica, preserves an ancient forest of towering coast redwoods, some of which are over 1,000 years old. Visitors can walk along elevated boardwalks and well-maintained trails that wind through the magnificent grove, offering an immersive experience among these natural giants. The park provides a tranquil escape into nature with educational exhibits about the ecology and conservation of these rare old-growth redwood forests that once covered much of the northern California coast.