Tucked along a six-mile stretch of the Pacific Coast, between San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, lies the chill beach town of Pacifica. Incorporated in 1957, the town got its name from a contest, and means “peace” in Spanish. Only a 15-minute drive from the city, a day trip to the beach feels worlds away as you come into a birds-eye view of rolling ocean waves while cruising down the coastal curves of the Pacific Coast Highway.
Yes, there’s that Taco Bell Cantina, a gorgeous wooden structure on Linda Mar Beach, complete with a beachside walk-up window, patio, and boozy drinks. But there’s so much more, from whale watching to an earthquake-proof castle to one of the best live music venues in the Bay Area. Below are just some of our P-Town favorites, though honorable mentions go to Gorilla BBQ, Puerto 27, Oceana Market, P-Town Birrias, Miss Tomato Sandwich Shop, Colombo’s Deli, Top Pot, and Sunde White Industries’ gift shop.
Weekend traffic slows down closer to Linda Mar, so be patient, bring a jacket, and don’t be surprised when the fog rolls in. Here’s how to spend a perfect day in Pacifica:
The pier closed for a portion of the pandemic due to wave damage, but reopened in 2021 with the L-shape section closed off. It’s still great, and a stroll along the coastal walkway on Beach Boulevard at Sharp Park Beach isn’t complete without a turn down the 1,140-foot pier to Chit Chat Cafe. Pass by crabbers and anglers who hang out all day with family and friends, potluck-style. If you’re looking to catch dinner yourself, pick up bait from Good Luck Bait and Tackle or Sharp Park Market (where you can also rent e-bikes for $10 an hour). The end of the coastal walkway connects to the flat 1.4-mile Promenade to Mori Point Road, part of the Coastal Trail that passes by Sharp Park Golf Course, where you can take a wheelchair-friendly stroll and birdwatch. Alternatively, turn up Clarendon Road at the end of the walkway to grab a Green Eggs and Ham Bagel Sandwich from Perfect Pour Cafe and loop back via the cute Palmetto Avenue.
Many would characterize Pacifica as a surf town, and the majority of the action goes down at Linda Mar. If you’re a beginner, check out Surf Camp Pacifica or Brown Girl Surf. Or you can just watch the surfers hang ten from the beach, either on a regular day or during one of the competition days that range from the Grom Fest youth surf competition to what may be the most popular of all-the World Dog Surfing Championships. Bonus: it’s right next to that Taco Bell. Or hop to the complex next door to Soul Grind for excellent coffee and toasts (though be prepared to wait) or Humble Sea Brewing for plentiful outdoor seating and the best veggie burger in Pacifica.
Whale season generally runs April through December, and the best views for it from the Pacifica coastline are during the gray whale migration from February through April. Still, it depends on the species of whale, with blue whales often spotted during late spring and fall, and a small population of humpback whales migrating in the summer and fall. Grab your binocs to whale watch from multiple trails and beaches in Pacifica, like the pier, Mori Point, Rockaway Point trail, Linda Mar Beach, and Devil’s Slide walking trail.
A castle in the suburbs? You betcha. Originally built as an earthquake and fireproof private home in 1908, the property has since been used as a medical facility, restaurant and speakeasy, and Coast Guard communication center. Tours of the castle, which run 90 minutes, are set to reopen in September and are led by Bridget Oates, author of Sam’s Castle. Or go for the monthly music salons on weekend evenings, from Latin Arabian sounds to chamber jazz.
Palmetto is like a low-key downtown of central Pacifica, located in Sharp Park. It has a bunch of shops and cafes worth checking out like The Living Room Plant Company, three vintage shops, Florey’s indie book shop, the gluten- and dairy-free Saltwater Bakery, and Shampa’s Pies. There’s also the best-named mom-and-pop Vietnamese eatery is Kitten and Pinky, with a Shrimp Mayonnaise Sandwich that’s loaded with generous amounts of cheese and scallions and melted onto a toasted Vietnamese-French baguette. Intertwine Cafe (formerly Kizler Coffee, in a new location), offers seasonal lattes, has local art for sale, and hosts local vendor pop-ups in the back patio. An informal cannabis row has formed in recent years, with local favorite Lytt, Phog Center, and an outpost of Bloom Room. Two more dispensaries live south in Rockaway Beach-the friendly Seaweed Holistics, one of the few Black-owned businesses in town, and the tiny Coastside Cannabis.
Nothing screams Pacifica pride quite like the annual Fog Fest, which will make its triumphant return during the weekend of September 24, after a two-year pandemic hiatus. Along Palmetto Avenue, experience Pacifica’s retailers, artists, and restaurants as they bring their best to the street, all set to live music. Yes, there will also be a parade. And try the signature Fog Cutter cocktail, a very sweet, tri-colored rum concoction that you can get in a gorgeous Art Deco-themed souvenir glass.
The beauty of the 2.5-mile Mori Point Loop Trail is that there are several options for all skill levels. Keep your hike to an easy walk along the coast, go to Laguna Salada pond to see red-legged frogs, or work your quads in steeper and windier inclines to the actual Mori Point for rewarding 360-degree views. It’s also a great trail to see wildflower blooms in the spring. There are a ton of other hiking options in Pacifica, though Devil’s Slide stands out for mountain bikers and dog owners. Sweeney Ridge is preferable for a longer, more rigorous hike, or Milagra Ridge for wildlife lovers.
Live music or live something every damn day – sometimes twice a day. An increasingly rare type of venue, Winters doubled its performance space by keeping its outdoor patio and stage, with some matinee shows played outside. From local surf rock bands to traveling harpists, Winters hosts talent both famous and unknown. There’s a decent craft beer selection on tap, and weekends usually see a rotation of food vendors slinging barbecue or Neapolitan pizza. For more local boozing, look to Tripp Distillery for weekend tastings, Surf Lounge for the strongest drinks of your life, Table Wine for spritz happy hours, Longboard Margarita Bar for live reggae bands, and A Grape in the Fog for tasting collaborations with local chefs.
On the Pacifica-Daly City border, go up to Mussel Rock Park to watch paragliders take off from several launch points along a series of trails. You can set up a picnic at a table in the park lot area and stay put while watching, or actually hike along the trails and see what you come across. For something decidedly less airborne, set up a folding chair, easel, and paint the oceanscape from an almost birds-eye view. Another option for watching paragliders is to go down the steep ramp from Esplanade Avenue and West Manor Drive to Esplanade Beach, where the paragliders take off from overhead.
Pacifica lays claim to the original Jack cheese recipe that apparently predates Monterey Jack. The Pacifica Historical Society makes its own and sells it at the museum, which is housed inside a building called The Little Brown Church. It’s so popular, the society has already sold more than three tons of the stuff. Look out for the possible return of the Pacifica Jack Cheese Contest next April. You can also learn about the rest of P-Town’s history at the museum, from the original Ohlone people to present day.
Rockaway Beach is a one-stop shop for visitors, as there are three hotels, trails, restaurants, and shops (and beach, duh) all within walking distance of each other. Breakers is the most beloved brunch spot in town, with a cozy 1950s diner feel and huge pancakes. Nick’s and Moonraker boast oceanfront seafood dining with that old-timey feel. Lovey’s Tea Shoppe is the laidback little sister to SF’s Lovejoy’s Tea Room, with an outdoor patio. The Mostly Rock ‘n’ Roll Gallery houses photos of legends like Prince and Bruce Springsteen by local photographer Steve Rapport. The small, but robust Coastside Farmers Market occurs every Wednesday from April to December, with organic produce, baked goods, hot prepared foods, and fresh flowers. You can also hop on the Rockaway Point Trail for an easy 25-minute walk south to Linda Mar State Beach.
As if the beach and hiking weren’t already beautiful enough, Pacifica also has a gorgeous orchid nursery that overlooks the ocean. Only open on the weekends, appreciate the fragrant flowers, especially rare and at-risk orchid species, that botanical gardens nationally source from this nursery.
Two words: Derby Cake. Choose the white and chocolate cake combo that sandwiches a layer of strawberries, bananas, and fresh whipped cream. Lines are often out the door for the 58-year-old bakery’s dizzying array of sweet treats like donuts, cookies, cannolis, pastries, pies, and other cakes for all occasions. Prices are reasonable for the Bay Area-one of just a few places left around here where you can still get an apple pie for $15. A short distance away is the artisanal Rosalind Bakery, which fills a niche for locally baked bread (try that Coastside Sourdough), third-wave coffee, and amazing housemade pimento cheese slathered onto a breakfast sandwich.Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat!
Margot Seeto is a Bay Area freelance writer and a contributor for Thrillist.
Dogs are everywhere in SF. You see them brunching at fancy restaurants, riding in backpacks on bicycles, frolicking in the surf of our many beaches, peeking out of expensive handbags, posing for photos atop vistas, and generally living their best lives. In fact, if you feel like you see way more dogs than kids, you’re right-you do. That’s ‘cause there are legitimately more dogs than children in San Francisco. As of a few years ago, that number was around 118,000 minors compared to anywhere between 120,000 and 500,000 dogs (and let’s be real, as of 2020, there are definitely fewer kiddos and way more doggos). So it’s no surprise that SF has lots of great places for pooches of all shapes and sizes (along with their human counterparts) to truly thrive. Here are some of our favorite parks, beaches, bars, restaurants, and boats on which to take our four-legged, three-legged, and sometimes even two-legged fur babies.
Lakeshore If you live in SF and have a canine companion, then Fort Funston is already on your radar but considering this beach with 200-foot high sandy bluffs and all kinds of hiking trails (which range from easy to legit, strenuous-especially if you go all the way down to the water) is probably one of the best dog parks in the entire country, it obviously needs to be included on this list. Even if you don’t feel like breaking a sweat, it’s worth it just to hang on the bluffs and watch the hang gliders soar in the sky. Dogs are allowed off-leash but must be under voice control (and keep in mind you may bump into horses).
Presidio Crissy Field has pretty much everything a dog (or human) could want: a waterfront path with views of pretty much everything that makes SF iconic, grassy areas, beaches with waters that are calm enough for swimming, and picnic areas with charcoal grills. For the most part, dogs are allowed off-leash, as long as they’re under voice control, but just keep an eye out for signs since there are some protected wildlife areas throughout.
Bernal Heights/Mission El Rio should be on everyone’s list of places to hang out just because it’s got a great vibe, invests in social change, local arts, and music, and underserved communities, and allows pets in both the indoor bar and the spacious outdoor garden. Keep in mind, pets shouldn’t attend larger parties where there will be loud music, big crowds, and general chaos, but most dog owners wouldn’t want to put their furry best friend through that kind of mayhem anyway.
Ocean Beach isn’t San Francisco’s most scenic beach (although it does have expansive stretches of sand, crashing waves, and pretty stellar sunsets-it just happens to face extremely stiff competition ‘cause of bluffs and bridges and all of that stuff a lot of other beaches have), but you know what your dog doesn’t care about? Views. You know what your dog does care about? Those expansive stretches of sand and water, which are perfect for frolicking, digging, lounging, and general dog-meets-beach merriment. OB also tends to be the least crowded beach (not just because of the lack of “views” but also because it’s 3.5-miles long), and your pup is free to roam almost all of it off-leash (save for Stairwell 21 to Sloat Blvd) year-round.
Lower Haight The bartenders at this famous beer bar are notoriously surly (know you order, have your cash ready, etc.), but how surly can anyone in a bar that allows dogs really be? (We don’t recommend you try to find out, but you get the gist.) If you love beer, you’ll love Toronado because it has over 40 beers on tap, including many that are popular but elusive. There’s also a good jukebox, outdoor seating, and not only can you bring your dog (indoors and out), you can also bring hot dogs (as in sausages) from Berliner Berliner right next door-or whatever food strikes your fancy! Toronado can get really crowded on weekend nights, so if you’re planning on heading there on a Friday or Saturday and want to be inside, you’re better off leaving any furry friends at home.
Golden Gate Park/Ocean Beach When the sun is shining, Park Chalet’s back lawn is the perfect place to kick back, drink a beer, and eat some fish tacos. It’s also a popular place to bring dogs since the lawn area is spacious and has a super laid-back vibe. (Good to know: It is also a very popular place to bring children, so if your dog is not down with toddlers, you’ll want to keep a close eye on them.) There are tables on the lawn, but if one isn’t available, you’re also welcome to put down a picnic blanket or just find a spot on the grass. Go on the weekend in the summer, and there’s a good chance you’ll also be able to enjoy some live music.
Mission A soccer field, tennis courts, a basketball court, expansive green lawns, a children’s playground, amazing people watching, and not one but two off-leash dog play areas… Needless to say, there’s a reason Dolores Park is one of SF’s most popular green spaces, especially on a sunny Saturday or Sunday. The off-leash play areas are on the slope of the south side and the flatter (usually less crowded) part of the north side by the soccer field. Keep in mind, none of it is fenced in, and Dolores Park is surrounded by pretty traffic-heavy streets, so you’ll want to either keep your dog close or make sure that your voice control commands are dialed in.
Cole Valley You can always bring your well-behaved dog to sit outside with you at this popular French-inspired bistro that draws long lines for brunch, but if you bring Fifi or Fido to dinner on the back patio on Monday night, you’ll also score $10 off a bottle of wine for you and endless treats for them.
Sea Cliff Okay, if your dog is really into views (or you’re really into photos of your dog with great views in the background), then head to Lands End, which allows dogs to be off-leash year-round. The winding trail along the rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean is a little narrow in parts and extremely steep in others, so you’ll want to make sure your pup is friendly or super good with voice control, but it’s one of the most beautiful urban hikes you’ll find in town with lots of cool stops along the way, including turn-of-the-century gun emplacements, views of shipwrecks, and the ruins of Sutro Baths. There’s also a “hidden” beach (Mile Rock) where you can both sink your feet/paws into the sand and Pacific Ocean, assuming you’re both okay with a bit of a steep hike.
What dog isn’t going to love roaming over 1,000 acres of pastoral meadows, winding paths, and wooded groves? Golden Gate Park is a total no-brainer when it comes to human and dog enjoyment as there are seemingly endless areas to explore. Technically, your dog needs to be on-leash except when in designated off-leash areas, but if you’re chilling out on a picnic blanket, the chances that you get called out for letting your pup do a little sniffing of nearby spots is pretty much zilch. If you prefer to follow the rules, the four off-leash areas in the park are an all-sand dog training area in the northwest corner of the park, and play areas in the northeast corner of the park off Stanyan Street, the southeast corner near Kezar Stadium, and the southwest quadrant.
The San Francisco Bay Okay, you know how whenever you’re on a boat, you suddenly feel like you’re living your best life, or at least a pretty good life? Don’t you think your dog deserves to know what it’s like to feel his ears flap and/or tail wag in the wind while soaring across the Bay? Good news: The Blue & Gold Fleet, which runs sightseeing cruises and a ferry service to Sausalito, agrees. You just need to keep your dog on a leash at all times.
Bernal Heights Spend a lazy day drinking hazy IPAs at this brewery and taproom known for its innovative beers and use of local ingredients. The SF location is also known for a pretty sweet game selection, including Killer Queen, shuffleboard, ping pong, table soccer, pinball, and more. Oh, and kids and dogs are allowed, although the rules for kids seem to be a little stricter. Check the schedule to see what food truck is popping up in the parking lot that day.
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Daisy Barringer doesn’t have kids, but she does have a very loveable, very enormous, and very slobbery Saint Bernard named Monkey, who can often be found strolling around Cole Valley, down Haight Street, or in Golden Gate Park. (That is when he’s not rolling around in the snow in Tahoe). Follow her on Instagram for pics of her magnificent floofer-nutter.
By Daisy barringer and leila najafi