Three Perfect Days In Pacifica

Located just 15 minutes from San Francisco, the beautiful beachfront town of Pacifica is the perfect destination for a quick, three-day getaway.

For the best values, visitors are advised to opt for a mid-week visit, during the busy summer months. Otherwise, the fall is a lovely, quieter time to get lost in all that Pacifica has to offer for a weekend road trip.

While there are so many attractions and things to do in Pacifica, it’s important to build in plenty of quiet time to unplug, relax and rejuvenate. So, take it easy and understand that this list of suggestions for three perfect days in Pacifica is merely a summary of some of the visitors’ favorite pastimes. Whether staying for the day or an extended visit, Pacifica is the perfect mini-vacation destination.

DAY ONE

• Check into one of seven hotels, there’s something for everyone’s taste and budget (please see hotel reference guide below).
• Enjoy lunch at Nick’s Restaurant and be sure to order the signature grilled crab sandwich or one of the hand-cut steaks.
• Take a guided Silicon Segway tour around the town and along the ocean bluffs to get your bearings and background of the area.
• To rejuvenate, take a brief power nap or leisurely walk along Rockaway Beach.
• Have a pre-dinner glass of wine, complemented by live music, at A Grape in the Fog. 
• Book a table with a spectacular, panoramic view for the sunset and dinner at Moonraker Restaurant, Pacifica’s finest beachfront dining establishment.

DAY TWO

• First thing in the morning, head out to the Pacifica Pier with fishing gear, crab trap, tackle and bait, which are all available at Good Luck Live Bait & Tackle, (previously Coastside Bait & Tackle).  They also provide instruction about set-up needs to catch fish and crab (in season). As a public pier, a fishing license isn’t required to fish on the pier but, once you step onto the beach one will be needed. 
• For a hearty breakfast, check out the menu at Ash’s Vallemar Station, which features large portions of the best, freshest fare.
• Hike/walk the gentle path of Devils Slide Trail.  Interpretive signage and stunning views of the Pacific are the focus.
• Once back from Devil’s Slide Trail, stop off at Humble Sea Brewery Co., in the Pedro Point Shopping Center. Enjoy craft beers and outdoor seating. 
• After lunch, take a short walk to Linda Mar State Beach where you’ll see surfers and paddle boarders testing their skill at mastering one of the most revered surfing spots in Northern California.
• The afternoon beckons for a short nap on the beach or just gazing out upon the ocean where several whale sightings have been spotted – maybe you’ll get lucky and not only see the whales spouting but see porpoises and dolphins playing just offshore as well.
• For dinner, head to Puerto 27 Peruvian Kitchen and Pisco Bar and be sure to sample a variety of menu items, tapas style.
• Check out who’s performing in town at www.pacificaperformances.org.  The Mildred Owen Concert Hall features everything from opera and tango to blues and folk….weekends only.
• Another favorite entertainment spot in Pacifica is the local theatre group, which offers year-round performing arts that include revivals of favorite plays and musicals as well as some contemporary productions. For show dates and times, go to www.pacificaspindriftplayers.org.   

DAY THREE

• Enjoy breakfast (or lunch) at Breakers in Rockaway Beach where choices range from healthy to homey.
• After breakfast, head out to one of three Golden Gate National Recreation Areas: 
  
  • Mori Point is an easy hike that takes you right along the levy of the Sharp Park Golf Course on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other – venture up to the top of Mori Point for the feeling that you’re “on-top of the world.”
  • Milagra Ridge offers impressive views of the coastal bluffs of Pacifica and the vast ocean that hugs the coastline.
  • Sweeney Ridge beckons you to enjoy a “hike for the more experienced hiker”…in 1769, a scouting party led by Gaspar de Portola became the first Europeans to see San Francisco Bay from this ridgetop. A monument marks the approximate location.
• Wherever you end up walking or hiking, be sure to lunch “al fresco” at Pacifica Brewery and enjoy gastropub food with a pint of your favorite brew.
• Then, as the getaway winds down, take a pick from the several adventure options…bowling at Sea Bowl Entertainment Center; walking between Rockaway Beach and Linda Mar State Beach; powering up and down some of the most intriguing mountain bike terrain in California; paddle boarding at Linda Mar State Beach; hitting the links at the Alister MacKenzie-designed Sharp Park Golf Course; or surfing the popular beaches of Pacifica (surf lessons are available for those that need a refresher).