Pacifica Beach Activities

Surfing Pacifica Waves

Surfing is popular at all of Pacifica's beaches. While Linda Mar (Pacifica) Beach draws surfers of all abilities, Rockaway and Sharp Park are best attempted by experienced surfers. Big waves are common in the winter and treacherous rip currents can be challenging.

Surfing Lessons

The City of Pacifica has approved the following surfing camps:

• Adventure Out, 3-hour lessons every day, 2-day clinics, at Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar Beach).
• University of Surfing, Group and private lessons, year-round, at Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar Beach). Basic through advanced instruction.
• Surf Camp Pacifica, 3-hour Surf Camps for children 6-18, adult 2½-hour Surf Camps, at Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar Beach).

Surfing Competitions

Pacifica Beaches have been the hosts to a number of surfing competitions in recent years.

Marine Mammal Surf Festival
July or August, Linda Mar Beach
Sponsored by Nor Cal Surf Shop. The goal of the festival is to raise awareness about the slaughtering of dolphins and whales. The event will feature both shortboard and longboard competitions.
Nor Cal Surf Shop

Kahuna Kupuna
July, Linda Mar Beach.
Kahuna Kupuna is Hawaiian Big Chief Grandparent. 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, followed by an evening reception with live music, dinner, and awards. Age group categories beginning at age 40 and extending all the way up to age 79 and older. Stand-up Paddleboard division, team surfing divisions (which include participants under age 40).
Kahuna Kupuna

Big Chill Out Longboard Surf Contest
October, Linda Mar Beach.
Longboard competition, women's and men's categories for all ages, plus Stand-up Paddleboard division.
Sponsored by the Pedro Point Surf Club

Uncle Dick's Surf Fest
November or December, Rockaway Beach.
Two-day event, longboard division, junior and senior divisions
Sponsored by the
Nor Cal Surf Shop

Snowy Plovers

Pacifica City Council is supporting plans to provide protection for Western snowy plovers on Linda Mar Beach. Snowy plovers are listed as an endangered species and their nesting grounds are protected on beaches all along the California coast. Pacifica will be placing signs to educate the public about snowy plovers and tighten enforcement of regulations such as leash laws.

A buffer zone will be set up to keep beach activities away from their nesting areas. Activities such as fireworks, kite flying, and ball sports can be disruptive to the birds.

Coastal Trail

A 7-mile waterfront trail connects Pacifica's waterfront from Sharp Park Beach to Linda Mar Beach. The trail passes through Mori Point, along the Calera Creek valley, on to Rockaway Beach and down to Linda Mar Beach.

Mori Point

The land at Mori Point was acquired by the National Park Service in 2004. Since then they have been working to preserve the natural habitat and develop hiking trails for public use. Among the improvements on Mori Ridge are

• A system of trails that replace a spider web of previous informal foot paths
• Protection and restoration of 33 acres of wetlands and other ecosystems
• Installation of a raised wooden deck along Mori Road to permit wildlife to pass underneath.
• Establish connections to the Coastal Trail, routing it through Mori Point