California Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Pacifica, California

Population: 37,670

Located in San Mateo County

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/b|acifica is framed by the ridges of the Coast Range on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. With over six miles of beaches punctuated with tiny pocket coves, rolling dunes and rocky headlands, Pacifica offers a dramatic and ever-changing scenic panorama.

Over half of the land in this small city is protected open space with numerous city, county and state parks. One thousand acres belong to the famed Golden Gate National Recreation Area. These bountiful parklands give Pacifica a spaciousness rarely found in suburban areas, yet it is only three miles from San Francisco's southern border and less than 20 minutes to downtown.

The natural world of beaches, headlands and hills provides a wide range of recreational opportunities. These include surfing, scuba, fishing, paragliding, hiking, birding, mountain biking, boating and horseback riding. Pacifica also offers golf, tennis, bowling, archery and loads of team sports. Several miles of coastal and ridgetop trails tie Pacifica to neighboring communities.

Because Pacifica evolved as several separate beach communities, there is no town center but rather a string of small shopping centers and commercial areas. Many of the homes are hidden along peaceful valleys tucked away from the busy Coast Highway. To see Pacifica, you'll follow Highway 1 but to discover its secrets, you'll need to exit the main road and explore its byways.