Guidebook for Pacifica
Food Scene
Mazzetti's Bakery
101 Manor DrGreat family-owned bakery.
Nick's Seashore is the old-school classic. Fun atmosphere and right on the ocean, plus bands (think big band, swing) and a dance floor on weekends. The warm feta and garlic is a great starter, as are the oysters, and the crab sandwich (with avocado) is amazing. I wouldn't recommend the other fish dishes (see Moonraker or Puerto 27 instead).
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Nick's Rockaway
100 Rockaway Beach AveNick's Seashore is the old-school classic. Fun atmosphere and right on the ocean, plus bands (think big band, swing) and a dance floor on weekends. The warm feta and garlic is a great starter, as are the oysters, and the crab sandwich (with avocado) is amazing. I wouldn't recommend the other fish dishes (see Moonraker or Puerto 27 instead).
Tables and comfortable booths overlooking the ocean from the second floor. I always get fish here, usually tuna.
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Moonraker
105 Rockaway Beach AveTables and comfortable booths overlooking the ocean from the second floor. I always get fish here, usually tuna.
Peruvian food, great ceviche. I usually start with the Ceviche Chifa, which seems like it could be a whole meal if you're eating light. The salmon and the lomo saltado, the Peruvian classic, are my favorites.
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Puerto 27 Restaurant
525 Crespi DrPeruvian food, great ceviche. I usually start with the Ceviche Chifa, which seems like it could be a whole meal if you're eating light. The salmon and the lomo saltado, the Peruvian classic, are my favorites.
La Mordida Taqueria
535 Oceana BlvdSimple taqueria. I like their chorizo and veggie burritos.
Not at all fancy, but the staff are friendly and it looks out onto the ocean. On weekend evenings and mornings they have live music, local old-timers and hippies playing mostly Beatles and Grateful Dead stuff.
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Chit-Chat Cafe
5 W Manor DrNot at all fancy, but the staff are friendly and it looks out onto the ocean. On weekend evenings and mornings they have live music, local old-timers and hippies playing mostly Beatles and Grateful Dead stuff.
A nearby coffee shop with good food, though I wouldn't say inexpensive. Check the hours on Yelp before you go; they're open from very early until 2 or 3 only in the afternoon, and not on Tuesdays. I like the seating areas inside and out. This building was, I believe, in fact the train station for the old railroad that came from San Francisco before route 1 was built.
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Salada Beach Cafe
220 Paloma AveA nearby coffee shop with good food, though I wouldn't say inexpensive. Check the hours on Yelp before you go; they're open from very early until 2 or 3 only in the afternoon, and not on Tuesdays. I like the seating areas inside and out. This building was, I believe, in fact the train station for the old railroad that came from San Francisco before route 1 was built.
Simple, fantastic Vietnamese sandwiches. I get the grilled pork with avocado. You can sit down here if you're in a hurry, but best to take out. They close early, so order dinner before 7.
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Dinosaurs
50 Eureka DrSimple, fantastic Vietnamese sandwiches. I get the grilled pork with avocado. You can sit down here if you're in a hurry, but best to take out. They close early, so order dinner before 7.
If you're on your way to the beach, a good place to stop to grab coffee, a breakfast sandwich, or a pastry. I love the owner. Check out the pictures of Pacifica on the walls.
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Perfect Pour Cafe
2500 Clarendon RdIf you're on your way to the beach, a good place to stop to grab coffee, a breakfast sandwich, or a pastry. I love the owner. Check out the pictures of Pacifica on the walls.
Drinks & Nightlife
A 3-minute walk from my house. In a little mall, but nice atmosphere inside. Pool table. Live music, but check the schedule since it doesn't seem to be every weekend night. Get a local beer or the margarita.
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Longboard Margarita Bar
180 Eureka DrA 3-minute walk from my house. In a little mall, but nice atmosphere inside. Pool table. Live music, but check the schedule since it doesn't seem to be every weekend night. Get a local beer or the margarita.
A 7-minute walk from my house. Winters is a quirky dive, slightly rough around the edges in all the right ways. Local beers and "no crap on tap," as they proudly insist. A shuffleboard-like table. Live bands.
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Winters Tavern
1522 Francisco BlvdA 7-minute walk from my house. Winters is a quirky dive, slightly rough around the edges in all the right ways. Local beers and "no crap on tap," as they proudly insist. A shuffleboard-like table. Live bands.
Parks & Nature
Mori Point juts out high above and into the ocean. The views are amazing, and it's a great place to spot whales during spring and fall migrations. Dogs are technically supposed to be on leash, but I've never seen a ranger here, and it's part of the culture that dogs are off leash. From Mori, continue south in a loop that takes you as far as the quarry and back.
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Mori Point
Mori Point RoadMori Point juts out high above and into the ocean. The views are amazing, and it's a great place to spot whales during spring and fall migrations. Dogs are technically supposed to be on leash, but I've never seen a ranger here, and it's part of the culture that dogs are off leash. From Mori, continue south in a loop that takes you as far as the quarry and back.
The first part of this hike is really hard, but the reward is that very quickly you gain elevation and can turn around and see amazing views of the hills, Pacifica, and the ocean. Continue rising for about two miles and you will find yourself, on a clear day, with an incredible 270-degree view of the ocean, San Francisco, and the bay. At the top of the rise you'll find the abandoned buildings and silos that once housed Cold War missiles. The trailhead is a bit hard to find: go south on Rt. 1, past the Pacifica Police on your left, then make a U-turn on Reina Del Mar Ave. Slowly head north on Rt. 1 – you’ll see a sign for “Orchids,” and a bit after that turn right and go up the hill.
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Sweeney Ridge Trail
The first part of this hike is really hard, but the reward is that very quickly you gain elevation and can turn around and see amazing views of the hills, Pacifica, and the ocean. Continue rising for about two miles and you will find yourself, on a clear day, with an incredible 270-degree view of the ocean, San Francisco, and the bay. At the top of the rise you'll find the abandoned buildings and silos that once housed Cold War missiles. The trailhead is a bit hard to find: go south on Rt. 1, past the Pacifica Police on your left, then make a U-turn on Reina Del Mar Ave. Slowly head north on Rt. 1 – you’ll see a sign for “Orchids,” and a bit after that turn right and go up the hill.
Entertainment & Activities
Sea Bowl
4625 CA-1The world needs more bowling.
Essentials
Large, locally-owned market a block from my house. Very good prepared dishes if you don't want to cook, and excellent meat and fish. A fine wine selection and lots of local beers. Very good fruit and produce.
44 locals raden deze aan
Oceana Market
200 Eureka DrLarge, locally-owned market a block from my house. Very good prepared dishes if you don't want to cook, and excellent meat and fish. A fine wine selection and lots of local beers. Very good fruit and produce.