A town known for its incredible surf scene, perpetual fog, and charming small-town atmosphere, Pacifica is one of California’s most cherished gems.
Pacifica is a surfer’s paradise, providing cool, beachy vibes. You can still, however, take scenic hiking trails, spot exquisite wildlife, and witness breathtaking sunsets over the tranquil ocean waters if you prefer to stay dry. Pacifica is home to one of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in the world, which is also one of the most rugged. To get the most out of your Pacifica visit, take a hike along the bluffs on foot. Fuel your eventful days at one of Pacifica’s many beachside restaurants, offering everything from scrumptious tacos to finer dining options. Choose between a stunning sea-view hotel room or a more cozy cottage option amongst the myriad of accommodation options in Pacifica.
Whether you are looking for thrilling outdoor activities or enriching indoor experiences, Pacifica is sure to satisfy your needs. Check out some of the best things to see and do in this Californian paradise in the list below.
The 64 Most Popular Things To Do In Pacifica, California
64. North Peak
4.0 (1 review)
Credit: 1Flatworld, License, Flickr
63. San Bruno Mountain Ridge Trail
4.0 (1 review)
Credit: Kathleen Chen, Google Maps
Location: Brisbane CA
Web Address: https://trailspotting.com/2021/07/san-bruno-mountain-summit-loop.html
62. Pilarcitos Creek
5.0 (1 review)
Credit: Robert Anderson, Google Maps
61. Gray Whale Cove
5.0 (4 reviews)
Credit: Tony Webster, License, Wikimedia commons
60. Vallejo Beach
4.5 (4 reviews)
Credit: Ken Kellogg, Google Maps
59. San Pedro Creek
4.2 (5 reviews)
Credit: SaltyBoatr, License, Wikimedia commons
58. San Bruno Mountain Watch
4.2 (5 reviews)
Location: 44 Visitacion Ave Suite #206 Brisbane CA
Tel: 415 467 6631
Web Address: http://mountainwatch.org/
57. Sierra Point
4.6 (5 reviews)
Credit: Franco Folini, License, Flickr
56. Point Montara Lighthouse
3.1 (7 reviews)
Location: 8800 CA 1 Montara CA
55. San Pedro Rock
4.9 (7 reviews)
54. San Pedro Mountain
4.9 (7 reviews)
53. Colma Historical Association
4.6 (7 reviews)
Location: 1500 Hillside Blvd Colma CA
Tel: 650 757 1676
Web Address: https://colmahistory.com/
52. Pilarcitos Lake
4.1 (7 reviews)
Credit: Running Jesus, Google Maps
51. SkyTerrace
5.0 (9 reviews)
Credit: Kerry Scharfglass, Google Maps
Location: Terminal 2 San Francisco CA
Web Address: https://flysfo.com/skyterrace
50. Shelter Cove Beach
4.1 (9 reviews)
Credit: surfcrs, License, Flickr
Location: 108 198 111 199 Shelter Cove Pacifica CA
Web Address: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelter_Cove,_Pacifica,_California
49. Phillip Burton Memorial Beach
4.8 (11 reviews)
Credit: Julie Taeko, Google Maps
48. Bayshore Roundhouse
4.0 (11 reviews)
Credit: Greg Bullock, Google Maps
Location: Brisbane CA
47. Brisbane Lagoon
4.2 (13 reviews)
Credit: Kevin Vliet, Google Maps
Location: 007143110 Brisbane CA
46. Mussel Rock
4.2 (17 reviews)
Credit: Christopher Michel, License, Wikimedia commons
45. Half Moon Bay Distillery
4.3 (18 reviews)
Credit: Half Moon Bay Distillery, Google Maps
Location: 103 Harvard Ave Half Moon Bay CA
Tel: 650 392 5355
Web Address: http://hmbdistillery.com/
44. Devils Slide Beach
2.6 (20 reviews)
Credit: Carwil, License, Wikimedia commons
43. Trojak’knier Winery
4.1 (21 reviews)
Location: 151 Harvard Ave Half Moon Bay CA
Tel: 650 728 3613
Web Address: http://trojakknier.com/
42. Montara Mountain
3.4 (23 reviews)
41. San Bruno Mountain
4.7 (24 reviews)
Credit: John Game, License, Wikimedia commons
40. Pacifica Coastside Museum at the Little Brown Church
4.4 (28 reviews)
Credit: Sandra Yoshiko, Google Maps
Location: 1850 Francisco Blvd Pacifica CA
Tel: 650 355 1909
Web Address: http://pacificahistory.org/
39. San Andreas Lake
4.9 (29 reviews)
38. Pacifica Skatepark
4.4 (36 reviews)
Credit: Miles Gehm, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 540 Crespi Dr Pacifica CA
Tel: 650 738 7381
37. Wyatt Earp gravesite
4.8 (36 reviews)
Credit: Matt Brock, Google Maps
Location: 1301 El Camino Real Colma CA
Tel: 650 755 4700
Web Address: http://jewishcemeteries-sf.org/
36. Oddstad City Park
4.2 (37 reviews)
Credit: Ian Montgomery, Google Maps
Location: 1053 Crespi Dr Pacifica CA
35. San Pedro Beach
4.6 (42 reviews)
Credit: Oliver Enders, License, Wikimedia commons
34. Sam’s Castle
4.2 (44 reviews)
Credit: Chris Pitta, Google Maps
Location: 900 Mirador Terrace Pacifica CA
Tel: 650 355 0272
Web Address: http://sammazzafoundation.org/the-castle/overview/
33. Esplanade Beach Overlook Trail
4.7 (60 reviews)
Location: 544 Esplanade Ave Pacifica CA
32. Sánchez Adobe Park
4.4 (61 reviews)
Credit: BrokenSphere, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1000 Linda Mar Blvd Pacifica CA
Tel: 650 359 1462
Web Address: http://parks.smcgov.org/sanchez-adobe
31. Carolands Chateau
4.7 (64 reviews)
Credit: Маргарита Бургар, Google Maps
Location: 565 Remillard Dr Hillsborough CA
Tel: 650 343 0613
Web Address: http://carolands.org/
30. Fairmont Park and Recreation Center
4.4 (67 reviews)
Credit: Tiffany Lin, Google Maps
Location: 649 Parkview Cir Pacifica CA
Tel: 650 355 1455
29. Mori Ridge Trailhead
4.6 (68 reviews)
Credit: Vanessa Follys, Google Maps
Location: Mori Ridge Road Pacifica CA
28. Pedro Point Headlands
4.7 (81 reviews)
Credit: Carnaval.com Studios, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Old Pacific Coast Highway Trail Pacifica CA
Web Address: https://pacifica-land-trust.org/
27. Rancho Corral de Tierra
4.3 (106 reviews)
Credit: Varun Soni, Google Maps
Location: Frenchmans Creek Road Half Moon Bay CA
Tel: 415 561 4700
Web Address: http://nps.gov/goga/rcdt.htm
26. SFO Museum Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum and Library
4.4 (114 reviews)
Credit: Mohammed Ishaq, Google Maps
Location: International Terminal Departures Level San Francisco CA
Tel: 650 821 6700
Web Address: http://sfomuseum.org/
25. Mirada Surf Beach
4.5 (132 reviews)
Credit: Manfred Oggier, Google Maps
Web Address: https://parks.smcgov.org/mirada-surf
24. Shelldance Orchid Gardens
4.7 (152 reviews)
Credit: JordanEightySeven, License, Flickr
Location: 2000 CA 1 Pacifica CA
Tel: 650 355 4845
Web Address: http://shelldance.com/
23. Sellick Park
4.3 (158 reviews)
Credit: Hering Cheng, Google Maps
Location: South San Francisco CA
Tel: 650 829 3800
Web Address: http://ssf.net/departments/parks-recreation
22. Quarry Park
4.7 (190 reviews)
Credit: Major Willis, Google Maps
Location: Santa Maria Ave & Columbus St Half Moon Bay CA
Tel: 650 355 8289
Web Address: http://parks.smcgov.org/quarry-park
21. Brisbane Community Park
4.5 (232 reviews)
Credit: Linda Jacqueline, Google Maps
Location: Community Park 11 Old County Road Brisbane CA
Web Address: http://brisbaneca.org/
20. Westborough Park
4.3 (248 reviews)
Credit: Barbara Daszkiewicz, Google Maps
Location: 2350 Galway Dr South San Francisco CA
Tel: 650 829 3800
19. Sharp Park Golf Course
4.1 (259 reviews)
Credit: Allie_Caulfield, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1 Sharp Park Road Pacifica CA
Tel: 650 359 3380
Web Address: http://sfrecpark.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Sharp-Park-Golf-Course-42
18. Crystal Springs Golf Course
4.0 (261 reviews)
Credit: Crystal Springs Golf Course, Google Maps
Location: 6650 Golf Course Dr Burlingame CA
Tel: 650 342 4188
Web Address: http://playcrystalsprings.com/
17. Pillar Point Bluff
4.8 (266 reviews)
Location: Airport Street Moss Beach CA
Tel: 650 355 8289
Web Address: http://parks.smcgov.org/pillar-point-bluff
16. Sweeney Ridge Trail
4.6 (468 reviews)
Credit: Travis Wise, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Pacifica CA
Tel: 415 561 4323
Web Address: https://nps.gov/goga/sweeney.htm
15. Gellert Park
4.5 (547 reviews)
Location: 50 Wembley Dr Daly City CA
Tel: 650 991 8001
Web Address: http://dalycity.org/
14. Classic Bowling Center
4.3 (608 reviews)
Credit: Alexthebest 823, Google Maps
Location: 900 King Dr Daly City CA
Tel: 650 878 0300
Web Address: http://classicbowling.com/
13. McNee Ranch State Park
4.7 (664 reviews)
Credit: Dhinal Chheda, License, Flickr
Location: N Peak Access Road Montara CA
Tel: 650 726 8819
Web Address: http://parks.ca.gov/
12. San Bruno Mountain State & County Park
4.6 (695 reviews)
Location: 555 Guadalupe Canyon Pkwy Brisbane CA
Tel: 650 589 5708
Web Address: http://parks.smcgov.org/san-bruno-mountain-state-county-park
11. Mussel Rock Park
4.7 (1,172 reviews)
Credit: Christopher Michel, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Parking lot Skyline Dr & Westline Dr Daly City CA
Tel: 650 991 8000
Web Address: http://californiabeaches.com/beach/mussel-rock-park-beach/
10. Gray Whale Cove State Beach
4.7 (1,215 reviews)
Credit: Tony Webster, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Half Moon Bay CA
Tel: 650 726 8819
Web Address: http://parks.ca.gov/
9. J V Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
4.7 (1,332 reviews)
Location: 200 Nevada Ave Moss Beach CA
Tel: 650 728 3584
Web Address: https://parks.smcgov.org/fitzgerald-marine-reserve
8. Golden Gate National Recreation Area
4.7 (16,642 reviews)
Credit: Golden Gate National, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Mill Valley CA
Tel: 415 561 4700
Web Address: http://nps.gov/goga/index.htm
Our Top picks
7. Sanchez Art Center
4.6 (42 reviews)
Credit: Maxmarsh2021, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1220 Linda Mar Blvd # B Pacifica CA
Tel: 650 355 1894
Web Address: http://sanchezartcenter.org/
6. Sharp Park Beach
4.8 (44 reviews)
Credit: VirginiaBeach78, License, Wikimedia commons
5. Rockaway Beach
5.0 (92 reviews)
Credit: Allie_Caulfield, License, Wikimedia commons
4. Frontierland Park
4.6 (276 reviews)
Credit: VirginiaBeach78, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 900 Yosemite Dr Pacifica CA
Tel: 650 738 7381
3. Pacifica Esplanade Beach
4.6 (426 reviews)
Location: 360 Esplanade Ave Pacifica CA
Tel: 650 738 3760
2. San Pedro Valley Park
4.7 (570 reviews)
Credit: Vicki Moore, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 600 Oddstad Blvd Pacifica CA
Tel: 650 355 5454
Web Address: https://parks.smcgov.org/san-pedro-valley-park
1. Pacifica State Beach
4.6 (3,655 reviews)
Credit: VirginiaBeach78, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 5000 Pacific Coast Hwy Pacifica CA
Tel: 650 738 7381
Web Address: http://parks.ca.gov/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Pacifica, California! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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