| Pacifica State Beach | |
|---|---|
 | |
   | |
| Location | San Mateo County |
| Nearest city | Pacifica, California |
| Coordinates | 37°36′4″N122°29′57″W / 37.60111°N 122.49917°W /37.60111; -122.49917 |
| Visitors | 1 million (annually) |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Pacifica State Beach is the southernmost ofPacifica,California's large beaches. It is a 0.75-mile-long (1.21 km) crescent-shaped beach located at the mouth of the San Pedro Valley in downtown Pacifica offState Route 1, inSan Mateo County.[1] Over one million people visit this beach annually.[2]
Pacifica State Beach is one of the most popular beginnersurfing spots in theSan Francisco area. Among surfers it is commonly known asLinda Mar Beach because it fronts Pacifica's Linda Mar neighborhood. It is a State Beach managed by the City of Pacifica through an operating agreement withCalifornia State Parks. ThePacifica Skatepark is located directly across from the beach.
The beach is accessible viabus fromDaly City station onSamTrans line110.[3]
Between 1989 and 2005, Pacifica State Beach was the focus of an extensive beachhabitat restoration program, in association with theSan Pedro Creekflood control and habitat restoration. In 2002, as part of a partnership with the Pacifica Land Trust and theCalifornia Coastal Conservancy, this involved the $2.2 million purchase and removal of two oceanside homes and surrounding acreage for the purpose of beach and estuary restoration.[4]
This project was identified as a Top Restored Beach by theAmerican Shore and Beach Preservation Association in 2005, cited as "...an example of a well-planned, well-executed coastal project that is the product of cooperative efforts of the local community, state and federal agencies, scientists, engineers and citizens. The complex beach and habitat restoration project involved over 10 regulatory and permitting agencies, funding from eight granting agencies and the active participation of eight environmental groups. It is one of the first beaches to utilizemanaged retreat as a method of shoreline protection. In addition tobeach nourishment, it has restored habitat for four threatened and endangered species and enhanced community access with expanded parking lots, trails and new restrooms.
TheWorld Dog Surfing Championships have been held at Pacifica State Beach since 2016.[5]
Pacifica State Beach provides habitat for thewestern snowy plover, a shorebird which is designated as threatened under theEndangered Species Act.[6][7]
TheTaco Bell restaurant on the beach side of the highway is reputed to be the world's most scenic Taco Bell location.[8][9] The structure was built in the late 1960s and originally operated as anA&W Restaurant.[10] In 1972, California voters passed Proposition 20, which established theCalifornia Coastal Commission and barred buildings west ofHighway 1; however, the Taco Bell was allowed to continue operations after beinggrandfathered in.[11] The Pacifica Taco Bell first gained national recognition in the 1990s, whenCondé Nast Traveler listed it as one of the world's most scenic fast food restaurants.[11]
In 2019, the location underwent major renovations, including installing a fireplace and beginning to serve alcohol.[12][13] In 2020, the location wentviral onTikTok after the travel influencer Megan Homme posted a video that gained several million views.[14][15]
ALos Angeles Times article addressingcoastal erosion pointed out that the Taco Bell, which still boasts prime oceanfront views, could be seen as a sign that theclimate-vulnerable Pacifica may be exceeding its intended lifespan.[16]
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