Pacifica, CA 94044
Best Things To Do

Pacifica is a little old town along the Pacific Ocean coast just south of San Francisco so it’s very accessible. It’s older, not at all gentrified and mainly known for foggy weather.  So, at first glance as you drive by there doesn’t seem to be much activity. However, upon further investigation there is in fact a lot of beauty and interesting little local things to do.  We are spending more and more time there lately ourselves just to avoid tourists.  See map of best things to do in Pacifica for exact locations.  Also check out our map of Montara, a nifty little town just south of Pacifica.

Scenic Hikes & Views

• Mussel Rock Park – A secluded park at the north end of Pacifica (in Daly City actually).  Good ocean views and a favorite location for paragliding.  We hear that you can actually walk on the beach from here to Fort Funston (4 miles) and from here to Cliff House (9 miles) but haven’t tried ourselves.  See yelp.
• Milagra Ridge Park – Good place to take your dog for a walk.  We actually like the newer access from the west side better.  It’s called the Milagra Battery Trail and provides access to Milagra Ridge from a small parking lot at the east end of Connemara Drive in Pacifica.  It resembles Mori Ridge Trail but is better developed and not as steep.
• Municipal Pier – A quarter mile pier built in 1973 where the locals come for free fishing & crabbing.  During salmon season it will be packed shoulder to shoulder and hundreds of salmon are caught each day.
• Mori Point – Beautiful point that is fairly easy to climb up; on a clear day it’s fantastic.  You can walk here from Municipal Pier via Sharp Park Beach.
• Mori Ridge Trail to Sweeney Ridge – A great trail that will take you from Pacifica up to the Portola Discovery Site (discovered 1769).  It’s a long walk so consider the Milagra Battery Trail if you are looking for something easier but with similar views.
• Rockaway State Beach –  A few tourist spots and access to the beach and trails.   Some of our friends go here when the waves are big to watch them break up close.  We like Breakers Cafe there for breakfast.
• Linda Mar Beach – A favorite spot for beginning surfers.  See yelp. We like the Taco Bell located right on the beach itself.
• Pedro Point – Another beautiful point which is more difficult to access.
• Devil’s Slide – World class views of the rugged Pacific Coast from what used to be part of Highway 1 before it was closed.  There are two trailheads, the northern trailhead and the southern trailhead.  The trail is big, flat & fabulous but parking is very limited, especially on weekends.

Eats & Drinks

There are several local coffee shops and local food businesses once you start looking around. Most are older but interesting.

• Mazetti’s Bakery – A very popular and good Italian bakery that’s been there for 40 years.
• Kizler Coffee (330 Pametto Ave) – The best coffee shop in town that we have found.  See yelp.  Newer, cleaner, bigger than most located in the north end of town near McDonalds.  Perfect Pour Coffee is a nice little place (see yelp) but it only has a few seats.  Some of the other coffee shops (e.g. Chit-Chat Cafe) are a bit dingy.
• Salada Beach Cafe – A popular breakfast & lunch spot.  Mainly locals know about it.  Closes mid afternoon.  See yelp.
• Breakers Cafe – Basically just a great little old breakfast spot in Rockaway Beach.  Probably the most popular breakfast and lunch spot in Pacifica.

Related Links:

• Pacifica Map of Best Things To Do
• Montara Best Things To Do and Map – just south of Pacifica
• Half Moon Bay area Best Things To Do and Map
• Half Moon Bay area beaches & trails and Map
• Top of page and Home page