Fun Day Trip Itinerary to Pacifica (20-mins from SF)

When people start planning a coastal day trip from San Francisco, they usually head straight for Half Moon Bay. And while I absolutely love it there, there’s another soulful little beach town sitting just up the coast that often gets overlooked: Pacifica.

It is just about 20 minutes south of San Francisco along scenic Highway 1, and after spending some time there I want to share why it’s a place to add to your list. If you’re searching for the best things to do in Pacifica, California, this itinerary combines beautiful coastal scenery, local history, art, hiking, and great food into one memorable day.

Here’s how I’d spend a full day there.

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Pacifica Day Trip Itinerary

Have Brunch at Soul Grind Coffee Roasters

I am a firm believer that every good day trip begins with a really good breakfast. Not a granola bar in the car. A real, sit-down, take-a-breath breakfast that sets the tone for everything that follows. Soul Grind Coffee Roasters is that place in Pacifica. It sits directly across from Pacifica State Beach, so you’re already in the right neighborhood the moment you walk in.

The vibe is relaxed and unpretentious. It’s the kind of place where surfers wander in after an early morning session, locals catch up over coffee, and visitors settle in before exploring town.

I ordered the avocado toast, which came topped with bacon, cream cheese, tomatoes, and arugula, and it was exactly the kind of meal that makes you feel like you made great choices. Start here, and you’re already winning.

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Walk Pacifica State Beach

One of the best things about starting at Soul Grind is that Pacifica State Beach, also known as Linda Mar Beach, is literally steps away. You can walk right from the same parking lot onto the sand, which is my favorite kind of transition between activities.

This beach is one of the most popular in San Mateo County, and it earns that reputation. The shoreline is wide and crescent-shaped, and the surf conditions are gentle enough that surf schools operate right along the water. And it’s common to see first-timers giving it a try. Personally, I was perfectly happy staying on shore simply watching the surfers. 

Be sure to stroll toward the neighborhood side of the beach where you’ll find some of the cutest beachfront homes in town. Plus, dog lovers will also be in heaven. Throughout the day you’ll see dogs sprinting through the sand, chasing tennis balls, and generally living their best lives.

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Go to Sanchez Adobe

After you’ve had your fill of the coast, head inland to one of Pacifica’s historical sites: Sanchez Adobe. It’s a window into California long before any of the things we associate with this state existed, before the Gold Rush, before Silicon Valley, before the version of San Francisco we know today.

Built between 1842 and 1846 by Don Francisco Sánchez, the adobe home is the second-oldest building in San Mateo County. It was originally part of a vast Mexican land grant ranch called Rancho San Pedro, and it represents the layered history of the Ohlone, Spanish, and Mexican peoples who shaped this region. You can tour the restored adobe, walk the grounds, and spend time in the small museum that helps bring all of it to life. 

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Visit Sanchez Art Center

From the outside, Sanchez Art Center looks modest. That’s part of its charm. Step inside and you’ll find a genuine hub for local artists, with three separate gallery spaces featuring everything from contemporary paintings and photography to mixed-media installations and multicultural exhibitions. The mission of the center is beautifully simple: create community through art.

Depending on when you visit, what you see will be completely different, which means this is a place worth returning to. But here’s a tip: before you even walk through the door, pause outside and look at the colorful tiled archways. They are stunning and completely photogenic, and I am not the least bit embarrassed to say I spent several minutes taking pictures of them before going inside.

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Explore Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach is located just south of the Pacifica Pier along Highway 1, and it has a completely different energy from Pacifica State Beach. This beach is smaller, more dramatic, and a little more tucked away. The headlands that surround it create some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the area.

Beyond the sand, there’s a small, walkable commercial district worth exploring. You’ll find local boutiques, gift shops, and casual eateries nestled between coastal inns and oceanfront restaurants. Because Rockaway Beach sits right along Highway 1, it’s also one of the easiest places in Pacifica to simply stop, park, and spend an hour wandering without any particular agenda.

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Mori Point Hike – Coastal Trail Parking

Mori Point is a 110-acre coastal bluff that’s part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It offers some of the most spectacular ocean views on the Northern California coast, and the trail I recommend for beginners is only 1.7 miles round trip. I chose the route starting from the Coastal Trail Parking area, and it took me and my husband just under an hour from start to finish. You’ll walk with the ocean stretching out on one side and the beautiful Sharp Park Golf Course on the other, which creates this surprisingly lovely contrast of blue water and green grass.

Note: To get to the top of Mori Point, there will be some fairly steep stairs. They are absolutely manageable at a normal pace, and you can stop whenever you want because the view from the trail is already beautiful before you even reach the point.

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Late Lunch/Early Dinner at Humble Sea

After all that fresh air and those stairs, you have absolutely earned a meal, and Humble Sea Brewing is where you should have it. Originally founded in Santa Cruz, Humble Sea has become beloved throughout California for its coastal-inspired craft beers and genuinely no-fuss atmosphere. The Pacifica location sits near Linda Mar Beach, next to Soul Grind Coffee Roasters, with both indoor seating and a spacious outdoor beer garden.

I ordered the summer salad topped with strawberries and feta, which was exactly what I wanted after being outside all day. My husband went straight for the burger and declared it a success before he’d even finished the first half.

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Make it an Overnighter at  Anchor Inn Pacifica

Pacifica makes a wonderful day trip, but I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t mention that it also makes a wonderful overnight escape. If you decide to stay, Anchor Inn Pacifica offers a completely different experience from a standard hotel. These modern cottage-style accommodations are located just a short walk from Pacifica State Beach, and they feel more like your own private coastal retreat than a room you’re renting.

The units are clean, thoughtfully designed, and come with full kitchens. Self check-in makes arrival simple and low-stress, especially if you’re coming later in the day. Each studio has its own design theme, which gives the whole experience a more personal, considered feel. 

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