Pacifica carves out its own identity in coastal hills south of San Francisco
Pacifica is a seaside city that straddles the Pacific Coast Highway south of San Francisco. A collection of small towns and neighborhoods found common cause in the early 1950s. They banded together to avoid annexation by San Bruno and incorporated in 1957.
Today, Pacifica is a city of 36,000 with multiple districts that have distinct characteristics but share a common identity as a laid-back coastal community with abundant natural wonders. “It’s a very charming community, close-knit for being so close to San Francisco. A lot of folks like it because it has more of a chill vibe than other suburbs,” says Greta Sieglock, a Realtor with Compass Realty who lives in Pacifica. “We don’t necessarily have amazing restaurants, destinations or buildings, but what we do have are amazing outdoor resources.”
In Pacifica, the school district is the biggest employer, but many residents commute to San Francisco for work in professional, science and tech industries. “Pacifica was originally more working-class with a lot of firefighters, police officers, plumbers and all, who worked in the city or elsewhere,” Sieglock says. “It got really popular during COVID because we have great surfing beaches, and it’s just taken off.”
Pacifica's Sharp Park is a bountiful seaside neighborhood of San Francisco.
Sharp Park has stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and an abundance of nature’s wonders.
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Surfing at Pacifica Beach headlines abundant recreational opportunities
The ocean draws people to Pacifica for boating, fishing, surfing and swimming. Mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding trails meander through the city’s parklands and across ridgetop trails. San Pedro Valley Park has an equestrian center and miles of trails. The ocean is visible from many points in the city, including Mori Point, Sweeney Ridge and Pedro Point.
Pacifica State Beach, also known as Linda Mar Beach, is a popular spot for surfing — some say it has the best surfing in California. The iconic Taco Bell Cantina is there, roundly considered the prettiest Taco Bell in the world, with picture windows and an expansive oceanfront deck. Built in the 1960s, the rustic building was grandfathered into zoning laws; it could not be built on the coast side of Highway 1 today. “People love Taco Bell on the Beach,” says Sieglock. “There have even been weddings there.”
Smaller city parks have sports fields, playgrounds and picnic facilities, as well as paths for dog-walking and biking. Sharp Park 's namesake 18-hole course was designed in 1931 by golf architect Alexander McKenzie.
Pedro Point is defined by its ragged rocks and gorgeous views.
Pacifica's Linda Mar is regarded as the "best surfing spot in the world."
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From Pedro Point to Linda Mar, neighborhoods have distinct characteristics
The average home price in Pacifica is $1.3 million, higher than the national average of $555,000, but lower than many suburbs and cities in the San Francisco metro area. “Pacifica is more accessible,” says Sieglock. “Two million dollars will get you close to the top of the market, whereas in Menlo Park you’re getting a starter home for that.” Home styles and prices fit the character of each neighborhood. In Pedro Point , which overlooks Linda Mar Beach, custom homes are built into the hills, and almost all have ocean views. That neighborhood is on the pricier side, ranging from $1.5 million to $3 million. The Linda Mar neighborhood is walkable from the beach but on the other side of Highway 1, and it has modest homes built in the 1950s and ‘60s. They range from about $1 million to $2.5 million, with some new construction outliers over $5 million. “Linda Mar is really popular with families, and we’re seeing especially the roads that are closest to the beach having really high competition,” Sieglock says.
Neighborhoods on the north end of Pacifica, including Fairmont and Edgemar, have the shortest commutes to San Francisco. In the Fairway Park area, Rockaway Beach and Vallemar are woodsy with custom-built homes. “Vallemar is kind of like a fairy tale woodlands sort of neighborhood. It has charming houses and a creek running through it,” says Sieglock. “It’s got a great sense of community, lots of walking around.”
Homes perch on Pedro Point's cliffs, embracing wild ocean views.
Most of the homes in Pedro Point have an ocean view.
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More shopping and dining options and plans for a downtown in Sharp Park
While Pacifica has no real town center, the city does have plans to build up the Sharp Park area and create more of a downtown. There are some locally owned restaurants and shops, especially in Rockaway Beach on the west side of Highway 1, and seafood, Asian and Latin cuisines are common. “The downside is it’s a little boring when places close early, but that’s easily remedied with a 10-to-15 minute drive to San Francisco,” says Katie Brookshire, a 14-year resident of Pacifica and owner of Table Wine. “In the last five to 10 years, things have finally started popping up and bringing more places to hang out and spend your time and money locally.” One of those is Table Wine, which sells affordable wines with a bar and lounge and hosts community events, fundraisers and LGBTQ+ social meetups. “We do anything we can to better the town and help us all out,” says Brookshire.
Taqueria Pacifica offers amazing Mexican food in sharp Park.
Pedro Point's cafes are local social hubs.
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Annual events include World Dog Surfing Championships
The city holds events year-round, with the World Dog Surfing Championships drawing thousands to Linda Mar Beach in August. The Pacific Coast Fog Fest is a music and arts festival in September that brings in over 60,000 attendees. In June 2021, Pacifica held its first Pride Fest and it has grown bigger in the years since. Other cultural attractions include Pacifica Spindrift Players, a performing arts theatre, and Pacifica Performances, a live music concert hall.
High marks for Pacifica School District
The Pacifica School District serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade and is graded B by Niche. “Pacifica is very family-friendly,” says Sieglock. “The schools are good, just not as high pressure as some of the more expensive areas.” High schoolers head to Jefferson Union High School District, which earns a B-plus. “There isn’t the same waitlist/lottery game to simply get your kid into school like there is in some of the surrounding cities,” says Brookshire. “I know all public schools are underfunded, but these seem to be really trying with what they have. And most parents help and donate a ton because it’s a very invested community.”
Terra Nova High School s above the state average in measures of college and career readiness
Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School sits near the coastline in Sharp Park.
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Pacific Coast Highway runs through the city
Highway 1, or the Pacific Coast Highway, connects Pacifica to San Francisco to its north, and downtown is about 15 miles away. San Jose is 45 miles south via Interstate 280. Pacifica does not have a BART station, but a SamTrans bus connects to the Daly City BART station, under 5 miles away. The city is working to improve its biking paths and pedestrian-friendly features. Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center is 5 miles away, and the San Francisco International Airport is 12 miles away.
Pacifica sees low crime, manages sea rise worries
Crime rates in Pacifica are well below the national average, according to FBI data. Property crime rates have decreased over the past five years. A SmartAsset study ranked Pacifica as the 15th safest suburb in America, based on FBI data and county health rankings. A concern for residents in Pacifica is sea rise, which has caused erosion along the beaches and bluffs. The city is wrestling with how to address the erosion with some in favor of managed retreat, which involves relocating buildings and homes, and others favoring the construction of sea walls.
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