Pacifica Esplanade Beach
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Starting Point:
Esplanade Ave. near the intersection with W Beaumont Blvd., Pacifica, CA 94044
Location: Pacifica Esplanade Beach is toward the north end of Pacifica, and is located just south of Mussel Rock Park and north of the Pacifica Municipal Pier. Look for street parking near the stair entrance leading down to the beach.
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser. (Information links may change. We do our best to update.)
Pacifica Esplanade Beach info link (Visit Pacifica):
https://www.visitpacifica.com/esplanadebeach
Pacifica Esplanade Beach info link (CaliforniaBeaches):
https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/esplanade-beach/
Distance:
I could not find an official listing of the length of Pacifica Esplanade Beach. It is fairly narrow and becomes even narrower when the tide is in. It is long enough to enjoy a vigorous walk up and back, and those looking to rack up mileage or steps can do repeat passes.
Considerations:
• Street parking can be found near the stair entrance (near the intersection with W Beaumont Blvd) on Esplanade Avenue.
• There are no toilet facilities at this beach. (We combined our beach visit with a stop at nearby Pacifica Municipal Pier where there are public toilets.)
• This the only beach in Pacifica that officially allows dogs off-leash, and that only at the northern section accessible from the stair entrance.
• Undertows are powerful and dangerous here. Sneaker waves are also a good reminder to always keep your eye on the ocean.
• Pacifica bluffs are particularly susceptible to erosion, and this beach is no exception. Use caution when walking below the cliffs, and stay away from cliff edges when above.
The trail:
Visitors to Pacifica Esplanade Beach entering from the switchback stair entrance at Esplanade Ave. near W Beaumont Blvd. start with a grand vista from the top of the stairs. The sandy stair path switches back and forth to make the steep drop to the beach easier to walk.
Each turn of the descent gives visitors a different view of the beach, and it opens up a bit more with each turn. When we visited, a group of young people were cleaning up colorful props from an engagement party that just ended. We asked. She said, “Yes.”
The final concrete stairs take walkers down to the beach itself. The stairs open up facing north, but visitors can also walk south.
The view facing south features the Pacifica Municipal Pier and Pedro Point in the distance, and the view facing north follows up the coast opens up to a view across to the Marin coastline.
This is Pacifica’s only beach where dogs are officially allowed off-leash, and we saw plenty of people bringing their dogs to run free.
We have visited many parks and beaches in Pacifica over the years, and this small beach was a hidden treasure we had missed but were happy to find.
(Pacifica Esplanade Beach Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Pawprints in the Sand” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Starting Point:
Esplanade Ave. near the intersection with W Beaumont Blvd., Pacifica, CA 94044
Location: Pacifica Esplanade Beach is toward the north end of Pacifica, and is located just south of Mussel Rock Park and north of the Pacifica Municipal Pier. Look for street parking near the stair entrance leading down to the beach.
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser. (Information links may change. We do our best to update.)
Pacifica Esplanade Beach info link (Visit Pacifica):
https://www.visitpacifica.com/esplanadebeach
Pacifica Esplanade Beach info link (CaliforniaBeaches):
https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/esplanade-beach/
Distance:
I could not find an official listing of the length of Pacifica Esplanade Beach. It is fairly narrow and becomes even narrower when the tide is in. It is long enough to enjoy a vigorous walk up and back, and those looking to rack up mileage or steps can do repeat passes.
Considerations:
• Street parking can be found near the stair entrance (near the intersection with W Beaumont Blvd) on Esplanade Avenue.
• There are no toilet facilities at this beach. (We combined our beach visit with a stop at nearby Pacifica Municipal Pier where there are public toilets.)
• This the only beach in Pacifica that officially allows dogs off-leash, and that only at the northern section accessible from the stair entrance.
• Undertows are powerful and dangerous here. Sneaker waves are also a good reminder to always keep your eye on the ocean.
• Pacifica bluffs are particularly susceptible to erosion, and this beach is no exception. Use caution when walking below the cliffs, and stay away from cliff edges when above.
The trail:
Visitors to Pacifica Esplanade Beach entering from the switchback stair entrance at Esplanade Ave. near W Beaumont Blvd. start with a grand vista from the top of the stairs. The sandy stair path switches back and forth to make the steep drop to the beach easier to walk.
Each turn of the descent gives visitors a different view of the beach, and it opens up a bit more with each turn. When we visited, a group of young people were cleaning up colorful props from an engagement party that just ended. We asked. She said, “Yes.”
The final concrete stairs take walkers down to the beach itself. The stairs open up facing north, but visitors can also walk south.
The view facing south features the Pacifica Municipal Pier and Pedro Point in the distance, and the view facing north follows up the coast opens up to a view across to the Marin coastline.
This is Pacifica’s only beach where dogs are officially allowed off-leash, and we saw plenty of people bringing their dogs to run free.
We have visited many parks and beaches in Pacifica over the years, and this small beach was a hidden treasure we had missed but were happy to find.
(Pacifica Esplanade Beach Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Pawprints in the Sand” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777