Pacifica, California, just south of San Francisco, has a relaxed coastal feel and a strong connection to the outdoors. Formed in the 1950s when several small towns joined together, it now has multiple districts that feel distinct but share the same low-key pace. Surfing at Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar Beach) is one of the standout things to do, along with boating, fishing, and swimming. San Pedro Valley Park provides miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails, and viewpoints like Mori Point, Sweeney Ridge, and Pedro Point look out over the ocean. Smaller parks add sports fields, playgrounds, picnic spots, and dog-walking paths, and Sharp Park’s historic 18-hole golf course dates to 1931.
Homes tend to reflect each part of Pacifica. Pedro Point has custom houses built into the hills, most with ocean views, while Linda Mar has more modest 1950s and 1960s homes within walking distance of the beach. Fairmont and Edgemar sit on the north end and are convenient for commuting to San Francisco, and Rockaway Beach and Vallemar feel more woodsy with custom-built homes. Pacifica does not yet have a defined town center, though there are plans to grow Sharp Park into more of a downtown, and Rockaway Beach has locally owned restaurants and shops featuring seafood, Asian, and Latin food. High school students attend the well-regarded Jefferson Union High School District. Highway 1 runs through town, putting downtown San Francisco about 15 miles away, Daly City BART under 5 miles away, and San Francisco International Airport about 12 miles away.
