Pacifica State Beach(Linda Mar Beach, Taco Bell Beach)

Located on the southern part of the town of Pacifica, Pacifica State Beach is a state park area situated in a large cove along the San Mateo County shoreline. There is a large beach in this state park which is three-quarters of a mile long and has light brown sand. Pacifica State Beach is also known as Linda Mar Beach and Taco Bell Beach (due to a Taco Bell Restaurant present nearby). The northern part of Pacifica State Beach has large sand dunes while the southern part is narrower and rockier. The San Pedro Creek meets the ocean on the southern part of the beach. Pacifica State Beach is open from 5:00 am to 10:30 pm during Daylight Savings Time (usually between second Sunday of March and the first Sunday of November) and from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm during fall and winter. 

Although the beach has does not have lifeguards, it does offer showers and restrooms and also allows dogs on leash. 

Pacifica State Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, swimming, surfing, tide pooling, sailboarding, kayaking, canoeing, kite surfing, bodysurfing, paddle boarding, boating, wildlife-watching, and tide pooling. The waves in the water here are mild yet great for surfing, making it popular with surfers of varying experience. Many surfing instructors often organize surfing classes and surfing camps here. However, if you are planning to go into the water at Pacifica State Beach, we recommend being careful as the water is known to have dangerous rip currents. We also recommend avoiding swimming in the southern part of Pacifica State Beach due to possible microbial water contamination by San Pedro Creek. You can find tide pools along the southern part of the beach shoreline. The water near the beach is also home to a variety of animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating whales (between December to April). The northern part of the beach is also a wintering spot for the western snowy plover which is listed as endangered in the 1973 federal Endangered Species Act. Portions of the beach are closed off to public access during mid-August to mid-April to ensure the safety of these endangered birds. To the north of the beach is the blufftop rocky Rockaway Point which can be explored via hiking trails. Also present near the beach across the Pacific Coast Highway is the Pacifica Skatepark which is a great place for skateboarding or watching amazing skateboarders.

Getting to Pacifica State Beach is easy - it’s located near 5200 Pacific Coast Highway. There are paid parking lots near the beach that are open during the same hours as the beach.

There are many attractions near Pacifica State Beach. San Pedro Valley Park is set within the Santa Monica Mountains around the San Pedro Creek and offers numerous hiking trails highlighting the vibrant coastal California landscape. The park features picnic spots, a visitor center, and a seasonal waterfall. La Nebbia Winery features vibrant wine gardens which are open for tours and wine tasting sessions on weekends. The winery also features a bocce court and picnic areas. If you like shopping, Linda Mar Shopping Center offers an exciting variety of shopping stores and restaurants.

If you are hungry, there are many restaurants near Pacifica State Beach. Moonraker is an upscale restaurant offering a pleasant oceanfront dining experience and serving great seafood dishes. A more family-friendly restaurant is Breakers Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch which offers excellent breakfast dishes including pancakes, omelets, eggs benedict, and waffles which are served in generous portions. It was also awarded Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award in 2020. If you’re looking for a modestly-price restaurant, Luigi’s Italian Restaurant offers a delicious range of pizzas, pasta, and Italian desserts.

If you are looking for a hotel near Pacifica State Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Oceano Hotel & Spa Half Moon Bay Harbor offers numerous amenities including a restaurant, a spa, and a fitness center. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Pacifica Beach Hotel which offers many amenities including a Peruvian restaurant, a hot tub, and a pool. Another good and affordable option is the modestly priced 2-Star Americas Best Value Inn San Francisco Pacifica which is located conveniently close to some of the major attractions in Pacifica and San Francisco and offers complimentary breakfast.