Pacifica, California, is a scenic coastal suburb of San Francisco, in the county of San Mateo. Pacifica is 15 miles south from the heart of San Francisco, and the surrounding areas include Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, San Bruno, and Burlingame.
The discovery of Pacifica goes back to the European expedition of Gaspar de Portola in 1769. Pacifica, CA, was officially incorporated as a city on November 22nd, 1957.
Pacifica means “peaceful,” but the suburb didn’t get its name from the Spanish ancestors. According to the city’s website, there was a contest in 1957 to figure out a name for the new town, and it was the result of that day.
This stunning coastal city is specifically known for its beauty, hiking trails, and scenery overlooking the ocean.
Rob Schneider, a well-known comedian for his stints on Saturday Night Live, Grown Ups, The Benchwarmers, and The Animal, grew up in the suburb in Pacifica.
Another well-known person from Pacifica is Greg Reynolds. He was a former professional baseball player that played for both the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds during his career.
Pacifica Population & Demographics
The population of Pacifica is 39,000. Even though the number of residents hasn’t grown significantly throughout recent years, it’s a wonderful place to settle down.
With an average age of 43 years old, there is an equal amount of men (50.4%) and women (49.6%) within the community. The median household income is around $125,000 per year. The most common way to get to work is by car due to the average travel time being 30 minutes each way.
Here’s a breakdown of the ethnic groups
- 60% White
- 21% Asian
- 18% Hispanic
- 1% Native Hawaiian
Pacifica is a very safe and family-friendly place to live. The Pacifica crime rate is 1,572 per 100K people, which is 43% lower than the state and 37% lower than the national average. The Pacifica Police Department has 44 full-time officers working hard to serve and protect the community.
Cost of Living in Pacifica
Pacific is an expensive place to live. The cost of living is 124% higher than the national average, with utilities being the only category coming in below it.
How expensive is it to live in Pacifica, CA? According to Numbeo, the closest city, San Francisco, shares some examples of everyday expenses.
Pacifica CA Everyday Expenses:
- Meal for 2 People, Mid-Range Restaurant $85.00
- Imported Beer $8.00
- Milk (regular, 1 gallon) $4.76
- Beef Round (1lb) $7.48
- Bread (1 loaf) $3.59
- Apples (1 lb) $3.01
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $15.00
- Average Cost of Utilities (per month) $210.81
- Average Cost of Gasoline per gallon $4.54
- Average Apartment Rent (1 bedroom) in City Centre $2,929.14
If you have a family of four, the Economic Policy Institute estimates that you will need to be bringing in a whopping $173,000 per year to afford to live in Pacifica.
When it comes to buying a place, Pacifica’s median home price is $1,305,000. If you don’t want to buy a house, Pacifica’s average rent is between $2,930-$6,800+. The price all depends on the size of the apartment you need.
Pacifica Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Pacifica
Here are some of the best places in Pacifica to consider moving to:
- Linda Mar
- Park Pacifica
- Pedro Point
- Marina Pacifica
- Rockaway Beach
Pacifica, CA, is 15 miles away from San Francisco. If you plan on commuting, click here for directions.
There are plenty of lovely homes for sale in Pacifica, CA.
Pacifica Weather & Climate
The summers in Pacifica provide comfortable, mild, dry days, an ideal climate for spending time in the sun. Winters are cold, rainy, foggy, and cloudy, allowing you to curl up by the fire and catch up on your favorite show.
During the fall and winter months, grab an extra jacket or beanie because the temperatures can range anywhere from 58-62 degrees. When the weather warms up, you can expect it to get up to 72 degrees, perfect for exploring your favorite trails (like Pedro Point Highlands) or lying on the beach.
Things to Do in Pacifica
You’ve decided that relocating to Pacifica is the best decision for you. Congratulations! Here are some fun things to do in Pacifica, CA.
Mori Point
There are 110 acres of beautiful and scenic views. There are endless places to explore. Whether you want to sit in front of the ocean, hike on a trail, look over the bluffs, or find creatures in the ponds, there’s something for everyone– making this a family favorite and the perfect place to end the day.
Mori Point Rd, Pacifica, CA 94044, (415) 561-4323
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Frontierland Park
Frontierland Park is a place for everyone. In addition to the playground structure for the little kids, there are fun things to do for all ages. With views of the rolling hills, enjoy a picnic at the picnic tables, play horseshoes, or get there early and save a BBQ pit for a Friday night cookout.
900 Yosemite Dr, Pacifica, CA 94044, (650) 738-7381
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Pacifica State Beach
One of the most popular places to visit is Pacifica State Beach. It’s dog friendly, has gnarly waves (make sure to bring your surfboard), and has beautiful trails!
500 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacifica, CA 94044, (650) 738-7381
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Additional Places To Visit In Pacifica
- Pacifica Municipal Pier, 2100 Beach Blvd, Pacifica, CA 94044
- Sánchez Adobe Park, 1000 Linda Mar Blvd, Pacifica, CA 94044
- Sam’s Castle, 900 Mirador Terrace, Pacifica, CA 94044
- Sea Bowl Entertainment Center, 4625 CA-1, Pacifica, CA 94044
There are more city and county-owned parks than you can count in Pacifica. The Field Service and Park Maintenance Department works to maintain the safety of the structures.
If you’re looking for more activities to do, check out these additional fun events in Pacifica.
When it comes to shopping, there’s a wide variety of stores in Pacifica, like Oceana Market, In The Attic, Plato’s Closet, and Coastside Comics.
Pacifica Restaurants
Food is an essential part of our culture. Here are some of the most popular restaurants in Pacifica that will have your mouth watering!
Moonraker
Fancy, ritzy, romantic, and elegant are just a few words to describe Moonraker. Moonraker is an oceanfront Pacifica restaurant known for its selection of California wines and their local seafood cuisines. While you eat the delicious food, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the waves crashing down as the sunset paints the sky.
105 Rockaway Beach Ave, Pacifica, CA, 94044, (650) 557-7025
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Puerto 27 Restaurant
With Peruvian-inspired dishes, Puerto 27 is one of the top restaurants in Pacifica due to its quality ingredients, flavors, and homemade dishes. Their most popular items are their Lomo Saltado, Chicken Empanadas, and Toro Steak Salad. When you taste these, nothing will compare.
525 Crespi Dr, Pacifica, CA 94044, (650) 733-7343
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Additional Restaurants In Pacifica
- Nick’s Rockaway, 100 Rockaway Beach Ave, Pacifica, CA 94044
- Breakers Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch, 145 Rockaway Beach Ave, Pacifica, CA 94044
- Gorilla Barbeque, 2145 Coast Highway 1, Pacifica, CA 94044
- Camelot Fish and Chips, 70 W Manor Dr, Pacifica, CA 94044
Jobs in Pacifica
If you’re interested in moving to Pacifica, there are plenty of job opportunities. Here are the top five employers:
- Pacifica School District
- City of Pacifica
- Safeway
- Jefferson Union High School District
- Oceana Market
In Pacifica, there is an average hourly wage of $24.30 an hour, and the yearly salary will be $50,544 per year. The income tax rate for Pacifica, CA is 9.3%, and the unemployment rate is 5.2%, which is below California’s rate of 5.8%.
Pacifica Schools
There are two school districts in Pacifica, CA. Pacifica School district is for Elementary through Junior High, and Jefferson Union High School District is for High School age students. Both of these districts provide an excellent education that prepares students for college.
When it’s time to start attending college, some of the closest driving options from Pacifica are: San Francisco State University, Mills College (private college), Stanford University, and the University of California Berkeley.
Residents can check out books, movies, and music for free at the Pacifica Sharp Park Library.
Pacifica Statistics & Information
- Square Miles: 12.6
- County: San Mateo
- Zip Codes: 94038 and 94044
- Area Code: (650)
- Time Zone: PST (standard time) and PDT (daylight time)
- The Closest Airport: San Francisco International Airport (SFO/KSFO) is only 12 miles away.
- Elevation: 82 feet above sea level
Map of Pacifica
To find new places to explore, restaurants to try, or sites to see, this map of Pacifica can help.
Pros & Cons of Living in Pacifica
- Pro: The scenery is paradise
- Pro: A family friendly neighborhood
- Pro: Excellent Schools
- Con: It’s an expensive place to live with it being 124% above the national average
- Con: There is an income tax rate of 9.3%
Moving to Pacifica, CA
There are countless benefits of moving to and living in Pacifica, CA. Whether you’re a young adult, have a family, or looking to retire, there’s something here for everyone. AMS Relocation is a professional moving company that provides one-of-a-kind services. Check out our website to learn more about what we offer, or call us at 650-284-2931.
