Tucked between San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, there’s more to this picturesque beach town than that famous Taco Bell.
Tucked along a six - mile stretchiness of the Pacific Coast , between San Francisco and Half Moon Bay , lie in the chill beach town of Pacifica . Incorporated in 1957 , the town got its name from a contest , and means “ peace ” in Spanish . Only a 15 - instant cause from the metropolis , a day trip to the beach experience worlds away as you fall into a birds - eye view of trilled ocean Wave while cruising down the coastal curves of the Pacific Coast Highway .
Yes , there ’s thatTaco Bell Cantina , a gorgeous wooden structure on Linda Mar Beach , complete with a beachside walk - up windowpane , terrace , and boozy drink . But there ’s so much more , from whale watching to an seism - proof palace to one of the best bouncy euphony venues in the Bay Area . Below are just some of our P - Town deary , though honorable reference go toGorilla BBQ , Puerto 27,Oceana Market , P - Town Birrias , Miss Tomato Sandwich Shop , Colombo ’s Deli , Top Pot , andSunde White Industries’gift store .
Weekend dealings slows down closer to Linda Mar , so be patient , bring a jacket , and do n’t be surprised when the fog rolls in . Here ’s how to spend a staring twenty-four hours in Pacifica :
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Visit Pacifica Municipal Pier
The wharf closed for a portion of the pandemic due to wave damage , but reopened in 2021 with the L - condition section close off . It ’s still great , and a stroll along the coastal walk on Beach Boulevard atSharp Park Beachisn’t unadulterated without a turn down the 1,140 - ft pier toChit Chat Cafe . Pass by crabbers and anglers who hang out all day with family and friends , potluck - style . If you ’re looking to catch dinner party yourself , pick up decoy fromGood Luck Bait and TackleorSharp Park Market(where you could also rent eastward - wheel for $ 10 an hour ) . The end of the coastal walk connects to the flat1.4 - Admiralty mile Promenade to Mori Point Road , part of the Coastal Trail that pass by Sharp Park Golf Course , where you may take a wheelchair - friendly amble and birdwatch . instead , turn up Clarendon Road at the death of the walkway to snap up a Green Eggs and Ham Bagel Sandwich fromPerfect Pour Cafeand loop back via the cute Palmetto Avenue .
Go surfing at Linda Mar
Many would characterize Pacifica as a breakers Ithiel Town , and the absolute majority of the action goes down at Linda Mar. If you ’re a beginner , check outSurf Camp PacificaorBrown Girl Surf . Or you could just catch the surfboarder hang ten from the beach , either on a unconstipated day or during one of the competition days that range from theGrom Festyouth surf competition to what may be the most popular of all — theWorld Dog Surfing Championships . Bonus : it ’s right next to that Taco Bell . Or hop to the complex next doorway toSoul Grindfor excellent coffee berry and toasts ( though be prepared to expect ) orHumble Sea Brewingfor plentiful outdoor seats and the full veggie Warren Burger in Pacifica .
Go whale watching
Whale time of year broadly go April through December , and the good views for it from the Pacifica coastline are during the gray whale migration from February through April . Still , it depends on the species of whale , with blue hulk often blob during belated spring and fall , and a small population of humpback whale whales migrating in the summer and evenfall . catch your binocs to hulk watch from multiple trails and beaches in Pacifica , like the pier , Mori Point , Rockaway Point track , Linda Mar Beach , andDevil ’s Slide walking lead .
Visit Sam’s Castle
A castling in the suburbs ? You betcha . Originally built as an temblor and fireproof private house in 1908 , the property has since been used as a medical facility , restaurant and speakeasy , and Coast Guard communicating center . Tours of the palace , which run 90 minute , are set to reopen in September and are led by Bridget Oates , author ofSam ’s Castle . Or go for the monthly euphony salons on weekend evenings , from Romance Arabian vocalize to chamber jazz .
Visit Palmetto Avenue for cute cafes, shops, and cannabis row
Palmetto is like a miserable - key business district of primal Pacifica , turn up in Sharp Park . It has a bunch of shops and cafes worth check out likeThe Living Room Plant Company , threevintageshops , Florey’sindie book workshop , the gluten- and dairy farm - freeSaltwater Bakery , andShampa ’s Pies . There ’s also the best - named mom - and - pop Vietnamese restaurant isKitten and Pinky , with a Shrimp Mayonnaise Sandwich that ’s loaded with generous amount of cheese and scallion and melted onto a toasted Vietnamese - French baguet . Intertwine Cafe(formerly Kizler Coffee , in a new location ) , provide seasonal latte , has local art for sale , and hosts local vender dada - ups in the back terrace . An informal cannabis row has formed in recent years , with local favoriteLytt , Phog Center , and an outpost ofBloom Room . Two more dispensaries live south in Rockaway Beach — the friendlySeaweed Holistics , one of the few Black - possess business in town , and the tinyCoastside Cannabis .
Support the local community of Pacifica at Fog Fest
Nothing screams Pacifica pride quite like the yearly Fog Fest , which will make its triumphant return during the weekend of September 24 , after a two - class pandemic hiatus . Along Palmetto Avenue , experience Pacifica ’s retailers , artists , and restaurants as they bring their best to the street , all set to live medicine . Yes , there will also be a parade . And hear the theme song Fog Cutter cocktail , a very sweet-smelling , tri - colored rum concoction that you could get in a gorgeous Art Deco - theme souvenir glass .
Trek the Mori Point Loop Trail
The beauty of the 2.5 - mile Mori Point Loop Trail is that there are several options for all science levels . Keep your hike to an sluttish walk of life along the coast , go to Laguna Salada pond to see red - legged frogs , or work your quadruplet in steeper and windier ramp to the factual Mori Point for reward 360 - degree view . It ’s also a great trail to see wildflower blooms in the fountain . There are a gross ton of other hiking options in Pacifica , thoughDevil ’s Slidestands out for mountain bikers and pawl possessor . Sweeney Ridgeis preferred for a longer , more rigorous cost increase , orMilagra Ridgefor wildlife fan .
Enjoy live entertainment at Winters Tavern
resilient music or live something every damn day — sometimes twice a twenty-four hours . An increasingly rare type of venue , Winters doubled its performance space by keeping its outdoor patio and point , with some matinee show played outside . From local surf rock band to journey harpists , Winters host talent both noted and nameless . There ’s a adequate craft beer selection on rap , and weekend usually see a rotation of food vendors slinging barbecue or Neapolitan pizza pie . For more local boozing , look toTripp Distilleryfor weekend savouring , Surf Loungefor the strongest drinks of your life , tabular array Winefor spritz happy minute , Longboard Margarita Barfor live reggae bands , andA Grape in the Fogfor tasting collaborations with local chef .
Take in the sights from Mussel Rock Park
On the Pacifica - Daly City border , go up to Mussel Rock Park to determine paragliders take off from several launch points along a serial publication of trails . you’re able to fix up a picnic at a table in the park circumstances area and stay put while watching , or actually hike up along the trails and see what you add up across . For something unquestionably less airborne , set up a folding death chair , easel , and paint the oceanscape from an almost birds - centre view . Another option for follow paragliders is to go down the steep ramp from Esplanade Avenue and West Manor Drive to Esplanade Beach , where the paragliders take off from command processing overhead time .
Get cheesy at the Pacifica Coastside Museum
Pacifica lays claim to the original Jack cheese formula that apparently foredate Monterey Jack . The Pacifica Historical Society makes its own and sell it at the museum , which is housed inside a construction called The Little Brown Church . It ’s so pop , the society has already sold more than three tons of the clobber . depend out for the potential return of the Pacifica Jack Cheese Contest next April . you could also learn about the rest of P - Town ’s history at the museum , from the original Ohlone mass to present Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
Head to Rockaway Beach for brunch, beach, and seafood eats
Rockaway Beach is a one - full stop shop for visitors , as there are three hotels , trails , restaurant , and shops ( and beach , duh ) all within walking distance of each other . Breakersis the most dear brunch pip in town , with a cozy fifties dining car feel and immense pancakes . Nick’sandMoonrakerboast oceanfront seafood dining with that honest-to-god - timey spirit . Lovey ’s Tea Shoppeis the laidback little sister to SF ’s Lovejoy ’s Tea Room , with an outdoor patio . TheMostly Rock ’ n ’ Roll Galleryhouses photos of legends like Prince and Bruce Springsteen by local photographer Steve Rapport . The diminished , but robustCoastside Farmers Marketoccurs every Wednesday from April to December , with constituent produce , baked goodness , raging prepared foods , and fresh peak . you’re able to also hop on the Rockaway Point Trail for an easy 25 - min walk to the south to Linda Mar State Beach .
Stop and smell the orchids at Shelldance Gardens
As if the beach and tramp were n’t already beautiful enough , Pacifica also has a gorgeous orchidaceous plant nursery that overlooks the ocean . Only open on the weekends , appreciate the fragrant blossom , especially rare and at - danger orchidaceous plant species , that botanic gardens nationally source from this greenhouse .
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Mazzetti’s
Two words : Derby Cake . Choose the bloodless and chocolate cake jazz group that sandwich a level of strawberry , bananas , and fresh whipped cream . Lines are often out the threshold for the 58 - year - old bakery ’s dizzying raiment of mellifluous treats like donuts , cookies , cannolis , pastries , Proto-Indo European , and other cakes for all occasions . Leontyne Price are reasonable for the Bay Area — one of just a few places leave around here where you may still get an apple Proto-Indo European for $ 15 . A short distance aside is the artisanalRosalind Bakery , which fills a niche for locally baked bread ( try that Coastside Sourdough ) , third - wave coffee , and awe-inspiring housemade pimento high mallow slathered onto a breakfast sandwich .
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Flickr/David Seibold
Coastside Farmers' Market in Pacifica
Shelldance Orchid Gardens
