Located just 15 minutes south of San Francisco, Pacifica feels worlds away from other communities on the West Coast. Bordered by rocky ocean bluffs and mountains, Pacifica is known for it’s biking, hiking and most of all surfing. Beginner surfers can catch a wave at Pacifica State Beach, while Rockaway Beach is one of the best surfing locations around, and one of the cleanest beaches in the area. Families will also delight in the several nearby shops and restaurants. Meanwhile, don’t miss a stop at Sharp Park for its pebbled beach and large crashing waves.
Pacifica CA provides a wide range of recreational opportunities from surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving, fishing and paragliding, to hiking, bird watching and cycling. Pacifica is known to be the fourth richest area in the world for marine mammal life. Watch the sunset from the expansive beaches, or breathe the fresh air from the hilltop peaks. Visit beautiful Pacifica CA! For a list of all the great area beaches, click here.
Weather – When to visit Pacific
Average temperatures in Pacifica vary little. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Pacifica, the hottest months are July thru September. The warmest time of year is generally late August to early September where highs are regularly around 78°F with temperatures rarely dropping below 57°F at night. The busiest time for tourism in Pacifica, CA, is June thru August. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance.
The Best Pacifica CA Beaches
Pacifica State Beach
This long and wide sandy beach is backed by dunes for the northern half. The tall point north of the beach is called Rockaway Point and has hiking trails that meander through the hills to various viewpoints above Rockaway Beach. Surfers in wetsuits are a common sight here. There is a paved multi-use trail that runs behind the beach and stretches far north for bikers to enjoy.
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Rockaway Beach
Rockaway Beach is a popular brown colored sandy beach in Pacifica, CA. Right next to the beach are restaurants and hotels so you can spend the day or even a weekend here. There are hiking trails to explore on the rocky point south of the beach and on Mori Point north of the beach.
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Linda Mar Beach
Linda Mar Beach is south of San Francisco, and is widely regarded as the best beach for surfing, kayaking and water play in the Bay Area. There are many retailers who offer rentals of surfboards, kayaks and lessons all year around. Private surf camps for children and adults operate during the summer. There is also a bike and walking trail along the ocean, restrooms, showers and whale watching in the spring. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on their leash.
Sharp Park Beach
Sharp Park Beach is known for its rare black sand, A sea wall protects the nearby Laguna Salada marsh during storms, with a half-mile promenade connecting Mori Point trails to Pacifica Pier. The pier offers fishing and crabbing, with salmon and striped bass in summer and Dungeness crabs in winter. There’s a large picnic area, restrooms, and free parking near the pier on Beach Boulevard. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on their leash.
Esplanade Beach
Esplanade Beach is the only beach where dogs are allowed leash free. This secluded beach can be accessed via a long set of switchback trails and stairs at the north end of Esplanade Drive, near the Lands End Apartments. The steep rugged bluffs and soft sand contribute to this hidden treasure, but visitors will want to check tide tables before going as the beach is very narrow during high tide and it can be dangerous during stormy weather.
Best Restaurants in Pacifica
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Nick’s Rockaway $$ – $$$
Nick’s Dining Room offers breakfast, lunch and dinner daily in a relaxed atmosphere with extraordinary views of the Pacific Ocean. Fresh seafood is always available and their extensive menu is sure to contain something for everyone. The best crab sandwich can be found here! Nick’s bar and lounge is open daily for cocktails and appetizers and features live music and dancing on the weekends. Telephone: 650-359-3599 Web: Nick’s Rockaway
Puerto 27 $$ – $$$
The talented Executive Chef at Puerto 27, Jose Calvo-Perez is a San Francisco native. While in high school, Jose aquired his passion for food as he worked alongside his father at their San Francisco Fresca restaurant, from there it’s history. Come enjoy the ornate dishes, delicious cerviches, an exquisite infusion of international flavors rooted on his Peruvian heritage with beautiful views of the Linda Mar Beach. Telephone: 650-733-7343 Web: Puerto 27
Moonraker $$$$
Under the direction of Executive Chef Jason Yeafoli, the restaurant features classic seafood cuisine with a modern twist with a selection of local California wines, beers and Pacifica-inspired cocktails. The best clam chowder and a happy hour starting at 4:30 each afternoon. Telephone: 650-359-1245 Web: Moonraker
La Costanera $$$$
Perched on Montara Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean, La Costanera is a contemporary Peruvian restaurant serving coastal cuisine of Latin America. Experience the culinary richness of Peru at La Costanera, a modern Peruvian fusion restaurant. Telephone: 650-728-1600 Web: La Costanera
Original Joe’s Westlake $$ – $$$
Original Joe’s Westlake continues to prepare unpretentious, old-school Italian-American fare in an open kitchen for all to see. A few old-time favorites are showcased on the menu, including Steak ala Bruno, Calamari Steak Dore and house-made raviolis, now combined with Original Joe’s classics like Eggplant Parmigiana, Joe’s Italian Chopped Salad and Prime Rib French Dip. Telephone: 650-755-7400 Web: Original Joe’s Westlake
Best Pacifica Nightlife
A Grape in the Fog
A Grape in the Fog is a charming wine bar in Pacifica, California, where we celebrate the best of coastal living and lovely boutique wines from,around the world. Located one block from Rockaway Beach, they boast a constantly changing wine menu available by the glass, flight or bottle. Telephone: 650-484-5850 Web: A Grape in the Fog
Longboard Margarita Bar
They specialize in an array of delicious margaritas using fresh ingredients including fresh squeezed lime juice, agave nectar and our fresh fruit purees made in house. Along with our margaritas, we offer 11 beers on tap as well as a full bar to meet any taste. They provide live entertainment every weekend ranging from 70’s and 80’s rock and popular music to all of today’s favorite hits. Telephone: +1 650-738-5905 Web: Longboard Margarita Bar
Winters Tavern
Winters Tavern is all about the music. Featuring all types of original music from national and international touring bands to local Bay Area talent ranging from bluegrass to metal, jazz to hardcore punk, surf to garage and beyond. They specialize in fresh, local and west coast real micro brews. Telephone: 650-355-6162 Web: Winters Tavern
Vinyl Room
Stop in and sip a cool cocktail, mingle and groove with live weekend DJs, Wednesday Karaoke and Salsa dancing on Thursdays. Specializing in private parties and events, we offer dancing, cocktails and an all around good time. Telephone: 650-347-7656 Web: Vinyl Room
Bootie SF
Bootie was the first club night in the United States dedicated solely to the burgeoning artform of the bootleg mashup — and is now the biggest mashup event in the world, with monthly parties in 8 cities on 3 continents. Mixing and matching every conceivable musical genre, era, and style into one big dance party where everyone feels welcome. Web: Bootie SF
I have never heard of Pacifica, but it seems like an awesome little getaway from San Francisco! I will have to check this out the next time I head there to visit one of my friends
Ok sounds good Christen! You will love the area for sure!
Leahrae this place looks amazing, it was not on my list to visit but I think I need to reconsider Pacifica. It ticks all the boxes for the type of place I am looking for in a holiday. I must say the lighthouse accommodation pricked my attention. Thanks for this very useful post, will be revisiting your site for more travel tips.
You are very welcome. You know I have not stayed at the Lighthouse and have never considered a hostel, but it comes with such high recommendations and ratings for past customers. Definitely worth staying there for sure. Thanks for stopping by beach travel destinations.
I am impressed with you site. I will be visiting often, I see allot of places that I would like to go. Great layout.
Thank you Ron! I am glad you enjoyed visiting beach travel destinations!
Great Post – i’ll Be Checking back with your Site – as I intend to Travel to The US this Year
Great, there are so many beautiful places in the US and California is at the top of the list. Especially if you like beaches
Leahrae,
Pacifica looks like a very beautiful place to visit. I love the bordering rocks and mountains. I really enjoyed the video as well, makes me want to go on vacation NOW!
It looks like there’s fun for everyone in my family with the biking, hiking, and surfing opportunities.
Thanks for the detailed information on the attractions, places to eat, and night life adventures. A Grape in the Fog sounds like the perfect place to go for a little romance after hours. My boyfriend and I really love our wines.
I’ll have to check out the availability and pricing for the Inn at Rockaway. I like its convenient location to most everything.
I appreciate your help with planning for my next vacation.
Best wishes,
Devara
You are so welcome Devara! I am glad you enjoyed learning about Pacifica, and I am glad I could provide you with the information you need to start planning your vacation. Please let me know if you need anything else! Thanks!
Thanks! A plain ticket would be nice!
I’ll be sure to bookmark your site for future reference. We love trying new adventures for vacationing.
The details you include in your articles are so helpful. I don’t feel like I need to do anymore research. You pretty much tell everything people need to know about a place all right here!
Devara
Great Devara! Yes, if I could give away plane tickets, how nice would that be
San Pedro Valley Park sounds like a great family area to visit. I am looking at destinations that we could visit. I am planning a round trip from Australia, Hawaii to US…and CA seems to be the place to visit for beautiful beach destinations, especially Pacifica CA, which is gorgeous next to the cliff edge.
It is gorgeous and sounds like you have a wonderful vacation planned! If you need any help with your plans, please let me know. Thanks! Leahrae
Hi;
Wow amazing, I heard about Pacifica but I did not imagine that it will be so paradisiac, It’s really the place to be for any cost
What is important is that the stay will not be boring as we can enjoy hiking, biking or ever surfing even if we are beginners.
I will share this post with my family and friends to let them discover this amazing land.
Great Karim! I am glad you enjoyed my Pacifica CA post. Please come back again for more great beach destinations!
Awesome Information and what an incredible blog post!I I always enjoy all of your writing and this one is no exception because your articles are very helpful and informative. I really love the way you outlined the reviews of Pacifica CA and I must say this is an eye opener; I cannot help but agree with everything that you have written in this review. I am ready to start planning my vacation to this area.
Nice to see another great review. Thanks for your in-depth analysis.
Thank you so much and I am glad you enjoy visiting beach travel destinations
This article makes me want to visit the Pacific coast again. I’ve only been there briefly, in San Francisco. My goal is travel with a RV up the Pacific coast from California to the Canadian border. I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the Pacific world, the coast, vegetation and the way the beaches look like,is so completely different from the Gulf of Mexico.
I can see that there are a lot of activities offered, from sightseeing, beach walking,surfing, restaurants … I am wondering, are there any campgrounds?
The only thing that worries me a little bit going to the California coast are the wildfires in summer ….
Yes, I live on the East coast as well, and yes the west coast is so much different. Both beautiful, just unique in their own way. There are plenty of campgrounds along the way. Visit this link for a whole list of them. Thanks for stopping by my Pacifica CA review.
Your site is very informative. Thank you for sharing the beauty of the nature that many people may not know about yet. I haven’t been to the beaches in California, but I would like to go some time in the future.
Great Mary, you have to put California beaches on your bucket list. If you like beaches and beautiful scenery, then this is a place that is a must do. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, excellent information here, I especially like the Pacifica Paddle Sports, looks really fun.
I knew there was a lot to do in CA, but I had no idea there was this much! I really appreciate you taking the time to make such a comprehensive list, it really helps!
You are welcome Jacob, glad you enjoyed! Thanks for stopping by beach travel destinations.
I’m so glad I found your page! I will be in Ca next month and I’m preparing my to-do list for my trip. I am definitely going to San Pedro Valley Park. I know the weather will be a little chilly but I live in the south and I live at the beach so I can skip the beach trips this time around. Thank you for being so detailed in this post and doing all the work for me! Thank you so much!
You are very welcome Nia! I am glad I could help you. I agree as I live in warm weather on the beach as well, so heading somewhere warm is not super important. But, I do love a good beach and you will find it in Pacifica!
Hi Lea,
Wow, another great place to visit! I’ve planned many trips effectively thanks to your informal website. Each time I want to travel, I jump into your site to find all the info I need.
This time I am not traveling, it’s my girlfriend who is planning a trip. She didn’t have any idea of where to go this year. So I’ll show her this article, I am sure she will find it interesting!
Thank you for this excellent post!
I think your girlfriend will love northern California and all of its beauty. Please let her know that I would love to help her plan. Or if she has any questions, let her know I am here to answer them for her
What a beautiful and informative page! It’s wonderful to have the rating and information all in one place. The video is awesome!
Thanks Garrett! I am glad you enjoyed
Adding to my California travels. Hotels are good options. I would like to see some RV locations in the area since that is our our mod of travel.
Hi Ken, there are plenty of options for you with an RV. You can visit RV Camping in Pacifica California for a list of all the RV parks in the area. Hope this helps and please let me know if you have an additional questions.
Leahrae I am amazed by the beauties hidden a few minutes outside the gates of San Francisco! Your presentations are always so detailed and informative. Excellent ideas for weekends !! Keep up with the good work !!!
Thank you Effie! I am so glad you enjoyed your digital visit to Pacifica CA!