Pacifica

Pacifica was originally nine separate, unincorporated communities; in 1957, they formally incorporated into the city of Pacifica. These neighborhoods have maintained their distinct personalities and unique characteristics through the years, making Pacifica an incredible mix of quintessential surf town with oceanside cottages, a sunny San Francisco suburb with beautiful single-family houses, and collections of highly unique homes tucked away among forested drives or sitting atop the mountainside, majestically overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

• A coastal-focused lifestyle with beautiful sights.
• Surfing, fishing, hiking, and other activities in the great outdoors.
• Small-town feel with easy access to the big city.
• Only a 10-mile drive from SFO International Airport, and 15 miles from downtown San Francisco.

A mild climate and some of northern California’s most beautiful geography make it hard to turn down time spent outdoors. Locals will often hit Pacifica State Beach for an early morning surf, followed by a handcrafted beverage at Soul Grind Coffee, where the beans are roasted in-house. 

Trips up the Sweeney Ridge Trail and to Mori Point are popular weekend activities and reward hikers with stunning, panoramic views from the top of the Bay and the sea. 

Pacifica is situated near California’s most famous culinary regions. San Francisco is famous for its revolutionary farm-to-table cuisine, while the Coastside (Pacifica to Pescadero) boasts some of the best seafood restaurants in the nation. 

The best-known restaurant in Pacifica? Taco Bell – on the beach! The Taco Bell Cantina at Lindamar Beach, located on Pacifica State Beach, is so much more than a regular chain restaurant. It has surfboard resting areas and a walk-up window for those with sandy feet. Diners enjoy an elevated setting inside and panoramic ocean and mountain views on the deck. This location serves all your favorites, plus a selection of boozy favorites like margaritas and frozen rosé.

Craft beer and wine has taken a hold of this small coastal community. Humble Sea Brewing Co’s Pedro Point location is a favorite for its fun, eclectic selection of brews and large outdoor patio. Pacifica Brewery, just east of Highway 1, brews on-site, has a full bar –complete with unique cocktails – and offers a thoughtful, locally-driven menu. Grab a well-curated wine flight at A Grape in the Fog, just steps away from Rockaway Beach, or visit Table Wine for their wine-on-tap and an incredible selection of well-priced bottles to drink any night of the week.  

For a morning pick-me-up, Rosalind Bakery is a can’t-miss for their chocolate croissants, peanut butter and jelly toast, and breakfast sandwiches. Get there early to snag a loaf or two of their delicious, San Francisco-style breads and baguettes. In Sharp Park, Saltwater Bakery’s muffins, donuts, cookies, and more are all completely gluten and dairy free, best enjoyed with one of their delicious wellness lattes.

Once a year, the community of Pacifica gathers to celebrate the best of the region at Fog Fest. Arts and crafts, street food and cocktails, amusement park rides, and a parade are anticipated by residents. Fog Fest promotes the city of Pacifica, encourages tourism, and raises funds for the “Gift for Pacifica Fund.” As of 2021, over $1 million has been raised. 

Pacifica is home to a great concentration of top-performing schools, both public and private. A few options include:

• Cabrillo Elementary School, kindergarten-8th grade; CES is a California Distinguished School, an award given to less than 10% of California schools for exemplary educational programs.
  
  
• Vallemar Elementary School, kindergarten-8th grade; in addition to several enrichment programs, Vallemar features a school garden, tech lab, science lab, and modern library to better prepare students for tomorrow.
  
  
• Oceana High School, grades 9-12; a California Distinguished School, OHS students have consistently scored higher on the SAT and ACT compared to other California high school students.
  
  
• Pacific Bay Christian School, kindergarten-12th grade; PacBay caps class sizes and 17 and boasts a low 7:1 student-teacher ratio to ensure the success of each student.