Beaches
Nothing soothes the mind, body and soul like heading out for fresh air and sunshine. And, Pacifica’s coastline is certainly one of the most beautiful places in the Bay Area to take it all in. Visitors will enjoy hiking, biking, surfing, beachcombing and relaxing amidst the misty, rugged shores, picture perfect sunsets and spectacular views.
Linda Mar Beach
Linda Mar Beach is the southernmost of Pacifica’s large beaches. This picturesque, long, crescent-shaped beach is located at the mouth of the San Pedro Valley off the scenic and world-famous Pacific Coast Highway.
This classic California beach marks the northern gateway to the coastline, stretching south of San Francisco, and is widely regarded as the best beach for surfing, kayaking and water play in the Bay Area.
A variety of retailers offer rentals of surfboards, kayaks and lessons all year around. Private surf camps for children and adults operate during the summer.
Linda Mar Beach also offers a bike and walking trail along the ocean, restrooms, showers and whale watching in the spring. It is also very popular with dog owners who must keep their pets on a leash.
Sharp Park Beach
Sharp Park Beach is just a 15-minute drive from downtown San Francisco. Known for its rare black sand, which gets its color from iron oxide magnetite, the sand ranges from fine grains inland to pebbles at the water’s edge.
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 top fishing and crabbing, with salmon and striped bass in summer and Dungeness crabs in winter.
No fishing license is needed for pier fishing, but is required for surf fishing at the beach. The Department of Fish and Game monitors catch limits.
There’s a large picnic area, public restrooms, and free parking near the pier on Beach Boulevard. Dogs are allowed on leash at the beach but not on the pier.
Pier hours: 4 am – 10 pm. Beach hours: sunrise to sunset. Entrance and parking are free.
Rockaway Beach
Rockaway Beach is located south of the Pacifica Pier along the Pacific Coast Highway. Its narrow strand, crashing surf and dramatic headlands makes it a popular walking, dining, shopping and hotel destination.
Offering the only beachfront hotels between Pacifica and San Francisco, several lovely properties offer comfortable, attractive rooms and suites where guests can hear the sound of the ocean’s rolling waves. On Rockaway Beach, visitors can find hotels, restaurants, quaint shops - featuring the work of local artisans, scenic walking trails and the Pacifica Visitor Information Center, which provides maps, directions, brochures and postcards–everything needed for an enjoyable stay in Pacifica.
Esplanade Beach
While each of Pacifica’s beaches is dog-friendly,
Esplanade Beach is the only one that is officially 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.
