Pacifica Pier
Location: Pacifica Municipal Pier, intersection of Beach Blvd. and Santa Rosa Ave., Pacifica, CA 94044
Starting Point: Street parking near the pier, located at the intersection of Beach Blvd. and Santa Rosa Ave. in Pacifica, CA
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Pacifica Municipal Pier info link (City of Pacifica):
https://www.cityofpacifica.org/departments/public-works/field-services/pacifica-pier
Sharp Park Beach info link (Visit Pacifica):
https://www.visitpacifica.com/sharpparkbeach
Pacifica Fishing and Crabbing info link (Visit Pacifica):
https://www.visitpacifica.com/fishingandcrabbing
Distance:
Pacifica Municipal Pier is 1,140 feet long. Those who wish for just a pleasant seaside visit and a short walk along the pier can enjoy that short walk out and back or sit on a bench looking out at the ocean. Those who wish can walk along the beach (safer on the pathways above the beach). For those who want to make a longer hiking day, a visit to Pacifica Pier can be combined with other nearby hikes: Mori Point, Pacifica Pier from Mori Point, Pacifica Esplanade Beach, Mussel Rock and Paragliders, Rockaway Beach via Calera Creek Path, and Rockaway Beach to Pacifica State Beach
Considerations:
• Use street parking in the vicinity of Pacifica Municipal Pier. Check parking rules.
• The pier has public toilets.
• There is no fee for walking on the pier, or for fishing. This is a popular place for fishing, so watch for fishhooks and debris at fish cleaning stations.
• There are cafes and restaurants in walking distance of the pier.
• The wind and waves can be rough enough to close off the pier for safety. Also use extra caution if walking on the beach itself due to powerful surf and rip currents.
The trail:
Pacifica offers a range of hikes and walks, extending over a long north-south stretch of coast. Hikers can enjoy short beach walks, hilly bluff walks with ocean views sometimes featuring whales in sight, as well as meadow and hilly forest hikes.
What if you just want to soak in the feel of being at the ocean and don’t walk to climb a hill or walk a long distance?
Pacifica Municipal Pier juts straight out from the shore, offering those who want a flat surface and a short walk with glorious views an easy option. Watching the waves crash along the shore is always exciting on this stretch of coast.
Looking north, we see the coastline heading toward San Francisco blend across the water into the contours of Marin, including the East Peak of Mount Tam.
Look to the south and the iconically triangular-shaped San Pedro Rock of Pedro Point looms in view past Mori Point. Look straight out over the ocean and you may see whales.
Pacifica Pier is also a great place to see fisherman fishing for crabs and a wide variety of fish. Charts posted at the start of the pier give a detailed list of local fish.
Sometimes just stopping for the view and a short walk is enough. Public toilets, benches, beach path access and nearby cafes make Pacifica Pier an easy visit spot.
A visit to Pacifica Pier can be combined with other nearby hikes: Mori Point, Pacifica Pier from Mori Point, Pacifica Esplanade Beach, Mussel Rock and Paragliders, Rockaway Beach via Calera Creek Path, and Rockaway Beach to Pacifica State Beach.
(Pacifica Pier Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Iconic Forms” 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
Location: Pacifica Municipal Pier, intersection of Beach Blvd. and Santa Rosa Ave., Pacifica, CA 94044
Starting Point: Street parking near the pier, located at the intersection of Beach Blvd. and Santa Rosa Ave. in Pacifica, CA
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Pacifica Municipal Pier info link (City of Pacifica):
https://www.cityofpacifica.org/departments/public-works/field-services/pacifica-pier
Sharp Park Beach info link (Visit Pacifica):
https://www.visitpacifica.com/sharpparkbeach
Pacifica Fishing and Crabbing info link (Visit Pacifica):
https://www.visitpacifica.com/fishingandcrabbing
Distance:
Pacifica Municipal Pier is 1,140 feet long. Those who wish for just a pleasant seaside visit and a short walk along the pier can enjoy that short walk out and back or sit on a bench looking out at the ocean. Those who wish can walk along the beach (safer on the pathways above the beach). For those who want to make a longer hiking day, a visit to Pacifica Pier can be combined with other nearby hikes: Mori Point, Pacifica Pier from Mori Point, Pacifica Esplanade Beach, Mussel Rock and Paragliders, Rockaway Beach via Calera Creek Path, and Rockaway Beach to Pacifica State Beach
Considerations:
• Use street parking in the vicinity of Pacifica Municipal Pier. Check parking rules.
• The pier has public toilets.
• There is no fee for walking on the pier, or for fishing. This is a popular place for fishing, so watch for fishhooks and debris at fish cleaning stations.
• There are cafes and restaurants in walking distance of the pier.
• The wind and waves can be rough enough to close off the pier for safety. Also use extra caution if walking on the beach itself due to powerful surf and rip currents.
The trail:
Pacifica offers a range of hikes and walks, extending over a long north-south stretch of coast. Hikers can enjoy short beach walks, hilly bluff walks with ocean views sometimes featuring whales in sight, as well as meadow and hilly forest hikes.
What if you just want to soak in the feel of being at the ocean and don’t walk to climb a hill or walk a long distance?
Pacifica Municipal Pier juts straight out from the shore, offering those who want a flat surface and a short walk with glorious views an easy option. Watching the waves crash along the shore is always exciting on this stretch of coast.
Looking north, we see the coastline heading toward San Francisco blend across the water into the contours of Marin, including the East Peak of Mount Tam.
Look to the south and the iconically triangular-shaped San Pedro Rock of Pedro Point looms in view past Mori Point. Look straight out over the ocean and you may see whales.
Pacifica Pier is also a great place to see fisherman fishing for crabs and a wide variety of fish. Charts posted at the start of the pier give a detailed list of local fish.
Sometimes just stopping for the view and a short walk is enough. Public toilets, benches, beach path access and nearby cafes make Pacifica Pier an easy visit spot.
A visit to Pacifica Pier can be combined with other nearby hikes: Mori Point, Pacifica Pier from Mori Point, Pacifica Esplanade Beach, Mussel Rock and Paragliders, Rockaway Beach via Calera Creek Path, and Rockaway Beach to Pacifica State Beach.
(Pacifica Pier Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Iconic Forms” 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
