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Things to See and Do!Alcatraz the Prison
Alcatraz the Prison
Alcatraz is one of the biggest tourist attractions and most famous landmarks in San Francisco. One million tourists take the Alcatraz ferry every year to visit what was once America’s most famous Federal prison. Small cells, strict rules, and cold foggy nights were the Alcatraz trademarks. Before Alcatraz was a prison it was the site of the first lighthouse and U.S. fort on the West Coast. Over the 29 years of operation, there were 14 separate escape attempts from Alcatraz. Twenty-three convicts were caught and six were shot and killed. The cold waters of SanFranciscoBay and the powerful currents made escaping very difficult. In the escape attempt of June 11, 1962, made famous by the Clint Eastwood movie “Escape from Alcatraz,” Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin vanished from their cells and were never seen again. They were presumed drowned. Reservations are recommended well in advance.
Digital National Park Project
The Parks Project represents a superb realization of digital landscape photography at its highest resolution, executed with extraordinary beauty. Digital photographer Stephen Johnson has traveled 75,000 miles over seven years preparing this collection of photographs from fifty national parks. The photographs have been featured in forty journals in the U.S., Europe and Mexico. View splendid desert views, rugged mountain landscapes, and amazing vistas from wild places at the Stephen Johnson Fine Art Photography Gallery. To reach the Gallery, from Rockaway Beach, go south on Highway One to Linda Mar Blvd. and go approximately two miles east. Turn right at the Sanchez Art Center, drive to the back of the building on the right side. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm. Contact them at (650) 355-7507, or at www.sjphoto.com.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve “The Tide Pools”
There is no better place to see tide pools than at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach, eight minutes south of Pacifica. This is an amazing and fragile habitat. In the tide pools there are hermit crabs, blue sea anemones, limpets, sculpins, sea urchins, snails, starfish and more. Harbor Seals and Sea Lions loll in the sun. One lesson the Rangers teach quickly here: “It is OK to look, but not touch or collect any souvenirs.” An average adult starfish is 15 to 25 years old, and when one is taken, another does not magically replace it. This is a special place where visitors need to respect nature. This area is a favorite for naturalists, photographers and artists. Hours: sunrise-sunset. Call the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Ranger Station at (650) 728-3584 for details.
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the premiere attractions in San Francisco and is only a short drive from Pacifica. The famous Golden Gate Bridge is a single-span suspension bridge that measures 4,200 feet from tower to tower. Until 1964 it was the longest single- span suspension bridge in the world. Although San Francisco Bay averages about 40 feet deep, the depth under the Golden Gate Bridge is as much as 360 feet. The Pacifica Visitor Center can provide you with easy and scenic driving instructions that by-pass the busy city streets of San Francisco, take you along the Pacific Ocean and past the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. Our driving tour will take you over the Golden Gate Bridge and to the Marin Headlands lookout, where you will experience the most spectacular views of the Bridge, Alcatraz, and the entire city of San Francisco. Just one mile beyond the Golden Gate Bridge is the breathtaking Point Bonita Lighthouse. North of the bridge are the artist communities of Tiburon and Sausalito. Just a few miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge is the San Andreas Fault, which runs out to sea for a short distance between Pacifica and the Point Reyes National Seashore.
Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle was the creation of two individuals, William Randolph Hearst and San Francisco architect Julia Morgan. Construction began in 1919 and continued for nearly 30 years. The Hearst Corporation donated the estate to the State of California in December 1957. The main house itself, "La Casa Grande," is a grand setting for Hearst's collection of European antiques and art pieces. Hearst Castle is a blend of historic architectural styles that Hearst admired in his travels around Europe. For example, the main house is modeled after a 16th century Spanish cathedral, while the outdoor pool features an ancient Roman temple. Hearst Castle was furnished with art, antiques, and even whole ceilings that he acquired en masse from Europe and Egypt. Guests of Hearst Castle included President Calvin Coolidge, Winston Churchill, Joan Crawford, George Bernard Shaw, Charles Lindbergh, Charlie Chaplin, the Marx Brothers, Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Bing Crosby, Irving Thalberg, Norma Shearer, and Cary Grant. There are five separate tours that can be booked online or by calling (800) 444-4445. Hearst Castle is located 90 miles south of Carmel at the southern portion of the Big Sur coastline near the towns of San Simeon and Cambria.
Linda Mar Beach
Linda Mar Beach is also known as Pacifica State Beach. It is the crescent shaped beach located at the southern end of Pacifica. It's about 15 minutes south of San Francisco. This is a great beach to watch surfers. Pacifica State Beach is one of the most popular surfing spots in the San Francisco area. Go at high tide most days and you’ll find surfers. The waves usually close out on heights over 7 feet. It’s a very convenient beach, with showers, bathrooms, and a large paved parking lot. Pacifica State Beach is also famous for a Taco Bell right on the beach....probably the only Taco Bell on the beach in California. Though it is technically a California State Beach, it is operated by the City of Pacifica as a public park. The City of Pacifica has made considerable efforts to modernize and upgrade the amenities at the beach.
McNee Ranch State Park
McNee Ranch is only five miles from Pacifica, and provides some of the Bay Area’s best lookouts from Montara Mountain. McNee Ranch is a 625-acre park located on the San Mateo county coast between Montara and Pacifica. Trailhead elevation is about 100 feet, and the highest elevation is 1,840 feet. Most of the trails here are actually long-abandoned ranch or county roads. The trails follow San Pedro Mountain until they connect to the Montara Coastal Range. On a clear day, the Farallon Islands, which are actually twenty-five miles off the coast, look close enough to reach out and touch. To reach McNee Ranch, take Highway One south about four miles past the last Pacifica light (Linda Mar), and turn left into the small parking lot. Most trails are multi-use; two trails are only for hiking. The hikes here are often steep and moderately strenuous. There is no camping at McNee, but picnic areas are available. Sam Trans bus #294 stops in nearby Montara. Dogs are permitted on leash only. For more information, contact the Half Moon Bay State Beach Ranger Station at (650) 726-8820.
Milagra Ridge
Milagra Ridge, 239 acres of open space in Pacifica and part of the 119 square mile Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), is a place of breathtaking views and diverse resources. At one time this area was peppered with WWII and Cold War coast defense installations, including a Nike missile site decommissioned in 1974. In 1984, Milagra Ridge became part of the GGNRA. Milagra Ridge is small, isolated, and considered an island ecosystem area that is exceptionally sensitive to human disturbance. Widespread growth of non-native, invasive plants, urban encroachment in such a small area, and stresses on threatened and endangered wildlife have led to the federal protection of two endangered butterflies here, the Mission Blue Butterfly, the San Bruno Elfin Butterfly. Milagra Ridge can be reached from Highway One or Highway 35, located just off Sharp Park Road at College Drive. Turn north on College Drive and go 1,000 feet to parking adjacent to the Milagra Ridge gate. Hiking is mostly level and mostly paved. Dogs are welcome on leash. To volunteer and help keep this area vibrant, call the Site Stewardship Program (415) 561-3034, ext. 3437.
Monterey Bay Aquarium & Whale Watching
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a scenic two-hour drive from Pacifica down Coast Highway One. It is located at "Cannery Row," where John Steinbeck wrote his famous novel, by the same name. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is home to 35,000 plants and animals and was the first to have a 35-foot tank for viewing sea life and giant kelp. A young Great White Shark was released from the Aquarium in January 2007 and traveled all the way from the southern point of Monterey Bay to the tip of Baja, California - a journey of 2,200 miles! The journey took him 700 miles offshore and to depths of more than 1,000 feet. spring, summer, and fall. Killer Whales can be sighted on your whale watching excursions year-round, but are unpredictable in occurrence.
Mori Point
Originally part of the Spanish San Pedro Land Grant, Mori Point has been the site of many enterprises over the past 120 years. The Mori Point Inn, built in the 1870s, was the last structure on the site. It had a long, colorful history as the Mori’s ranch house, a hotel, speakeasy, restaurant, and dancehall. It mysteriously burned to the ground in 1966. The land itself has been of interest to real estate developers since the early 1900s. The effort to preserve Mori Point is a success story of community involvement. Through the efforts of the Pacifica Land Trust, the California Coastal Conservancy, and the Trust for Public Land, Mori Point was purchased and protected from development. After almost 20 years of fighting to protect Mori Point, Congress finally enacted legislation to add Mori Point to the GGNRA in 2000. Today it is a scenic and natural gem, and a key link to the National Park lands of Sweeney Ridge and Milagra Ridge. You can access Mori Point from the Rockaway Beach Quarry trail, or along the levee at Clarendon and Beach Blvd. The endangered San Francisco garter snake and the threatened red-legged frog are two species that find continued protection on Mori Point. Spring and fall offer the best weather, but fog may appear year-round. Prepare yourself for the elements: wear layered clothes, and bring sunscreen and water. Dogs on leash are welcome on trails. Disabled access: call (415) 556-8371. To volunteer to help keep this area pristine, call the Site Stewardship Program (415) 561-3034, ext. 3437
Muir Woods
Muir Woods is located 27 miles from Pacifica and 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Take the Stinson Beach, Highway One turnoff and travel through the town of Mill Valley. Muir Woods National Monument is known for its giant old growth stand of ancient redwood trees that are Muir Woods uniquely sheltered in a hidden canyon protected from ocean wind. These trees are 254 feet tall and over 1,000 years old. The forest floor at Muir Woods is the home to ferns and a variety of coastal trees such as Douglas Fir, Madrone, Laurel, and a variety of Oak trees, including the California Live Oak. This coastal forest was named after the conservationist and author, John Muir. After your visit to Muir Woods you may also visit Stinson Beach, Bodega Bay, Point Reyes National Seashore, Mount Tamalpias, and the waterfront village of Sausalito. Sausalito is accessible by car, or you can take the Blue and Gold Ferry from Pier 39 at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Tours of Muir Woods are also available from downtown San Francisco.
Napa Valley Wine Country
Napa Valley wine country is a one hour and 15 minute drive from Pacifica. From 2000 B.C. to 1823, the Wappo Indians were the sole inhabitants of the Napa Valley. In 1829 Kit Carson entered the Napa Valley while on a hunting trip. By the 1830's, farmers started settling in the Napa Valley wine country, lured by the rich volcanic soil and an ideal growing season. This region of California is the most famous wine-growing region in the United States and is known for its abundance of wineries, historic buildings, Mediterranean climate, picturesque vineyards, and rolling hills. You can take guided tours of prestigious wineries such as Robert Mondavi, Domain Chandon, V. Sattui, Louis Martini, Charles Krug, Beringer, Beaulieu, Schramsberg, Niebaum Coppola, and Stag’s Leap, just to name few. In the springtime, the vineyards flourish with yellow mustard flowers in celebration of their annual Mustard Festival. Nearby are the wine regions of Sonoma and Mendocino. Located at Greystone in the village of Yountville is the Culinary Institute of America's west coast campus and restaurant. A day trip from Pacifica to the Napa Valley wine country is one of our most popular excursions.
Pacifica Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
The Pacifica Chamber of Commerce is located at 225 Rockaway Beach Avenue. In addition to being the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce, we are proud to host the Pacifica Visitor Center, which is a Chamber partnership with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Gulf of the Farallones Marine Sanctuary, and the California Coastal National Monuments. We are fortunate to have our Visitor Center located just a few feet from the Pacific Ocean, in one of the most the beautiful coastal towns in all of California. Pacifica is where locals as well as out of town visitors can step into the natural world of enchanting hillsides and scenic beaches. The Staff at the Visitor Center can guide you on spectacular hikes, or you can experience the hidden treasures of our majestic beaches and breathtaking coastal bluffs. If fishing is your fancy, we will direct you to Pacifica's world famous fishing pier. If you are just looking for fun, or short excursions, we have just the right outing for you. While you are at the Visitor Center, be sure to look through our local trail guidebooks or choose a souvenir from our selection of Pacifica postcards or memorabilia. We also have a great selection of material featuring areas such as Half Moon Bay, San Francisco, Monterey, Carmel, Muir Woods, Alcatraz, Pier 39, Napa Valley Wine Country, Yosemite, Hearst Castle, and Point Reyes. Don't miss our display of a giant Sea Lion skeleton and our 8-foot-long jawbone from a baby Baleen Whale. We are always happy to help make your visit an enjoyable one and encourage you to take advantage of our many free publications.
Pacific Coast Fog Fest
The Pacific Coast Fog Fest is the largest event in Pacifica and is celebrated annually on the last full weekend in September. The day begins with an old-time local parade, a delightful bit of Americana. Over the course of two days, a crowd of more than 60,000 locals and visitors enjoy many types of good food, arts, crafts, photography, and entertainment. Bands play a variety of music all weekend, including Blues, Jazz, Andean Pan Pipes, Rock & Roll, and Country. Admission is free. Call the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center at (650) 355-4122 for more information, or check the Fog Fest website at www.pacificcoastfogfest.com.
Pacifica Performance
Pacifica Performances is the premiere presenter of world-class music and other performances for Pacifica, San Mateo County, the Coastside and, indeed, much of the San Francisco Bay area. Pacifica Performances produces 4 to 5 performances a month with classical, jazz, folk and world music; drama, dance and poetry. Our concerts are held in the Sanchez Concert Hall within the beautiful community jewel, the Pacifica Center for the Arts. Our performers are the cream of the Bay Area crop from outstanding jazz artists such as Dmitri Matheny, Larry Dunlap and Bobbe Norris, Larry Vauckovich, and Kim Nalley to members of the San Francisco Opera and Symphony Orchestras. Also on our program are musical groups and soloists such as Golden Bough, Viviana Guzman, and Jim and Morning Nichols.
Pacifica Pier
The Pacifica Pier is the only place in the Bay Area and along the California Coast where anglers stand a decent chance of catching salmon without boarding a boat. The price is right (no license is needed to fish off the pier, unlike the beach), the chances are fair, and this is one place where you definitely are not going to get seasick. The pier is located in the Sharp Park area of Pacifica, about fifteen miles south of San Francisco. Several types of fish can be caught from the pier other than salmon, including striped bass, perch, pompano and more. On premium days, when baitfish move in, large numbers of salmon can be caught. Most salmon are in the 6-10 pound class. Adjacent to the pier is a lovely promenade and picnic area along Beach Boulevard, with ample parking. (Bait, tackle, good fishing tips and advice can be had nearby at The New Coastside #2, at 1604 Francisco Boulevard. Their number is (650) 359-9790.) To get to the Pacifica Pier, exit off Highway One at Paloma/Francisco Blvd., follow Paloma west to Beach Boulevard, and follow the road to the pier.
Pacifica Skate Park
The Pacifica Skate Park came about through a combined community effort. It is located on the corner of Crespi Drive and Highway One, behind the Community Center building; ample parking is available. Hours are Monday–Saturday, from 9am to sunset, and Sundays at 10:30am. Entering the skate park prior to opening hours or after closing is not permitted. For safety, all skaters are required to wear a helmet, kneepads and elbow pads at all times. Admission is free. Call the Pacifica Parks, Beaches & Recreation Department at (650) 738-7381 for info.
Pacifica Spindrift Players
Come visit us for the best in local live theatre with a season consisting of five excellent shows. Pacifica Spindrift Players was founded by a group of 10 people eager to assemble a community theatre in Pacifica. They began through the local Parks and Recreation program, and in 1958 the "Pacifica Players" opened their first show, The Tender Trap at the Linda Mar school. Years later, with a following of devoted theatre enthusiasts behind them, the group acquired the old Baptist church at 1050 Crespi Drive, where volunteers shared their carpentry, lighting, and other skills to convert the building into a working theatre. The group soon merged with the local "Spindrift Players" to become "Pacifica Spindrift Players" (PSP). Since then, PSP has been providing volunteer opportunities for people interested in bringing theatre arts to the community of Pacifica and beyond.
Palace of Fine Arts
On land originally belonging to the Presidio, the Palace of Fine Arts was built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Today the site, which belongs to the City of San Francisco, features a classical Roman rotunda with curved colonnades in an idyllic park setting. Visitors may picnic, stroll by the lake, or visit the Exploratorium, a hands-on science exhibit in the adjacent building.
Pigeon Point Light House & Hostel
Located 20 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway One, just south of the quaint village of Pescadero, lies the majestic Pigeon Point Lighthouse. First lit on November 15, 1872, Pigeon Point is the tallest lighthouse on the west coast, measuring 115 feet, and is rich in maritime history. Its five-wick lard oil lamp, and First-order Fresnel lens, comprised of 1,008 prisms, stood 16 feet tall, 6 feet in diameter, and weighed 8,000 pounds. The original Fresnel lamp produced about 70,000 candlepower! The lighthouse is still used for navigation, though the Coast Guard now uses an automated 24-inch Aero Beacon. Pigeon Point’s characteristic flash pattern is one white flash every ten seconds, the same it started with 136 years ago. The lighthouse is visible from the grounds, but is closed due to an exterior cornice piece falling off in December 2001. Half-hour tours and docent-guided history walks around the breathtaking grounds are available from 10am-4pm, Friday-Sunday, except during rain or bad weather. There is a hostel on the grounds, with 52 dorm beds, 4 private rooms, and 4 bungalows (15-30 folks per bungalow). Open daily from 7:30am-10:30pm; check-in is from 3:30pm-10:30pm. It is ADA compliant. They offer Wi-Fi/Satellite, and have self-serve kitchens. A hot tub is available for guests for a fee. It is located at 210 Pigeon Point Rd. in Pescadero, CA. For reservations or for more information, contact the hostel staff on-line at pplhostel@norcalhostels.org, or call them directly at (650) 879-0633. Just north of the lighthouse is the charming village of Pescadero. Visit Duarte’s (do-arts) Restaurant, serving delicious meals since 1894. Life Magazine said that Duarte’s has some of the best pie in America. They are also famous for their artichoke soups. Harley Farms, a nationally award-winning goat dairy, is just down the street. Phipps Ranch has fruits and vegetables, as well as aviaries of birds that the ranch has adopted. Memorial Park, east on Pescadero Road, is home to giant Redwoods.
Point Montara Lighthouse & Hostel
This lighthouse may be the shortest lighthouse on the coast, but Point Montara Lighthouse is a valuable tool for coastal navigation, perched high on the coast above the sea since 1875. Today the fog signal has been replaced by an off shore signal, a white flash every five seconds, which is the specific signal code for this lighthouse. The setting is quiet, with majestic ocean vistas. The grounds include the old Fog Signal Annex, which was converted into a meeting facility. Adjacent remodeled Victorian buildings accommodate a hostel with 36 dorm beds, 5 private rooms and equipped guest kitchens. They offer an espresso bar at the Reception Desk, and Internet/free Wi-Fi is available. Guests can enjoy hiking and biking in a breathtaking coastal setting, where Gray Whales migrate off the coast between December and April. The Point Montara Lighthouse is open from 7:30am to 10:30pm. It is located at 16th Street and Highway 1 in Montara, CA. (Look for the “Hostel” sign.) Call them directly at (650) 728-7177; fax (650) 728-7058; on-line at himontara@norcalhostels.org.
San Pedro Rock
San Pedro Rock is located at the southern end of Pacifica. It can be seen from Linda Mar Beach and the Roberts Road overlook. San Pedro Rock was formed over 61 million years ago. It has been uplifted to a nearly vertical position by the San Gregorio strike-slip fault, the same fault that created Devil’s Slide, to the south. The rock is 300 feet offshore and is over 1,000 feet long. It is now protected as a California Coastal National Monument and is the most western point of North America, south of San Francisco. San Pedro Valley County Park
San Pedro Valley County Park is located at the northern most point of the Santa Cruz Mountain Range in the foothills of Pacifica. The park’s 1,100 acres include abundant wildlife. Two freshwater creeks, the Middle and South Forks of San Pedro Creek, flow year-round and provide some of the few remaining spawning streams for migratory Steelhead salmon. During rainy winter months, visitors can see beautiful Brooks Falls, which has a three-tiered, 175-foot drop. San Pedro Valley played a significant part in early Bay Area history as the site of Ohlone Indian villages, an important link in maintaining the early Spanish Mission System, and was the site of Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola’s camp. It was from this camp in 1769 that Portola’s scouts climbed the ridge to get the first view of San Francisco Bay. Park trails offer a number of easy strolls and some vigorous climbs to the ridges above the valley, with great views. The park offers two group picnic areas, and family picnic sites with barbecue pits. No dog or pets allowed, no fires (except BBQs), and no loud music/noises. Bicycles allowed only on Weiler Ranch Trail. The park is open daily, from 8am to 6pm, and closes at 4pm in winter. Contact the Visitor Center at (650) 355-8289, which is open weekends. For picnic site reservations, call (650) 363-4021.
Sanchez Adobe Historic Site
The Sanchez Adobe Historic Site is a part of the 8,926-acre Rancho
San Pedro awarded to General Francisco Sanchez in 1839. Sanchez
had served the Spanish well and was awarded land for his work. His
adobe home was built between 1842-1846 and stands today largely as
it was when Sanchez built it. This Spanish style adobe building of
classic early California design transports you into old California
as soon as you enter the spacious grounds. It is authentically
refurbished with rooms filled with historic furniture, clothing and
tools from the days of Spanish rule in California. You can tour this
restored adobe, now a state historic landmark, and view relics from
the Ohlone Indians, as well as artifacts of the Spanish Rancho Days. A
living history event, “Rancho Day,” is held annually
on the third Saturday of September, and showcases life as it was
in the early days at the Adobe. Admission is $1.00. The
Adobe is located at 1000 Linda Mar Boulevard, one mile east of Highway
One, on the right, just past Adobe Drive. It is open on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday from 10am-4pm; Saturday and Sunday hours are
1pm-5pm. Contact the site staff directly at (650) 359-1462, or online
at sanchezadobe@historysmc.org,
or at www.historysmc.org. Sanchez Art Center
The Sanchez Art Center has become one of the Bay Area’s finest cultural attractions. It is located on Linda Mar Boulevard, 1.5 miles east from Highway One. Exciting art exhibits change every five weeks in each of the three beautiful galleries. The galleries are open on weekends from 11am to 4pm. This magnificent center houses artist studios with multimedia art, photography, ceramics, paintings and more. Also on the grounds is the very popular ”Pacifica Performances,” a venue that showcases eclectic musical offerings by performers ranging from jazz, classical, Celtic, voice, piano, blues, rock, cabaret, children’s shows, magicians and more. Pacifica Performances offers a comfortable venue where all ages can be entertained. Please call (650) 355-1894 or 359-2978 for art exhibit information, and (650) 355-1882 for more information on Pacifica Performances.
Segway of San Francisco
Call 877-U-SEGWAY . Looking for that special excursion? Segway of San Francisco is right here in Pacifica. Come learn how to operate a Segway, and join one of the many guided tours along the beautiful Pacifica coastline, including “Rockaway & Quarry,” “Beaches & Bluffs,” and “Promenade & Pier.” World-class tours of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and Treasure Island are also offered. This is a popular group activity for families, businesses and other groups visiting the area. Segway of San Francisco is located at 205 Rockaway Beach Ave. #4, in Pacifica.
Sharp Park Golf Course
Sharp Park Golf Course and Restaurant is just off Highway One at the intersection of Sharp Park Road and Francisco Boulevard. The course was designed by the famous Alister Mackenzie, also known for designing the Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia, where the Masters Tournament is played. It is an 18-hole public golf course and is known for being affordable. Par is about 72 for men and 74 for women. Total course yardage is approximately 6,200. The food is excellent at the Sharp Park Restaurant. The historic clubhouse, built in 1932, houses the Starter/golf area, lounge, large main dining room and a private dining room. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served overlooking the surrounding natural beauty and views of the course. A “Golfers Special” is offered Monday through Friday from 6 am to 10 am, and includes breakfast, greens fees, and a power cart. For golf, call the Starter at (650) 359-3380; Restaurant (650) 359-7900.
Shelldance Orchid Nursery
It was really a case of starting out “selling seashells down by the seashore.” Hard to believe this incredible business began on San Francisco’s Union Street selling Tilandsias in shells. They moved to Pacifica to expand their bromeliad collection. About the same time they met an orchid grower from Florida and went with him on many collecting expeditions to tropical rainforests. Still collecting bromeliads, their attention turned to the propagation of rare and endangered orchid species, as well as easy-to-grow-at-home varieties. A magnificent rainforest display highlights their orchid, bromeliad, stag head fern and art collections. The large orchid nursery room is breathtaking. Prices are reasonable and shipping is available. Traveling north on Highway 1, Shelldance is on the right (east) side of the road, just north of Reina Del Mar. Look for the sign on the hill that says ORCHIDS. Open weekends only from 10am to 5pm. For more information, contact them directly at (650) 355-4845.
Sweeney Ridge
Sweeney Ridge offers some of the most spectacular vistas in the Bay Area. The Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola, while searching for Monterey, found himself atop Sweeney Ridge on November 4, 1769, when he discovered San Francisco Bay. Ironically, it took a land expedition to find San Francisco Bay, a place seafaring explorers had yet to discover. The Discovery Spot is just a forty-minute walk from the trailhead at Skyline College (Parking Lot #2), or from the top end of Fassler Avenue in Pacifica. Sweeney Ridge provides remarkable glimpses of varied geography, including three of the largest mountains in the Bay Area. To the north is Mount Tamalpais (“Sleeping Maiden”), to the east is Mount Diablo, and to the south is Montara Mountain. To the west, the Farallon Islands jut out from the Pacific Ocean and look within easy reach on clear days, though they are actually twenty-five miles away. Along the trail visitors can see an obsolete Nike missile site that once stood guard on this 1,200-acre ridge top. Leashed dogs are allowed on trails.
Whale Watching
Whales are much too large to house at the Monterey Bay Aquarium; however, whale watching, led by marine biologists, is available at the Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf and out of Princeton Harbor in Half Moon Bay. Your whale watching tour will bring you face to face with Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, and Blue Whales. Whale watching occurs in the winter and the spring as the entire Gray Whale population migrates past the Monterey coastline. Blue Whales are the largest animals on earth, reaching over 90 feet and weighing 200 tons. The best whale watching for Humpbacks and Blue Whales is late spring, summer, and fall. Killer Whales can be sighted on your whale watching excursions year-round, but are unpredictable in occurrence. Your whale watching tour will range from 3 to 5 hours.
Winchester Mystery House
The Winchester Mystery House is a 45-minute drive south of Pacifica in the heart of Silicon Valley. Sarah Winchester, the widow of gun manufacturer William Winchester, owned the 160-room house. Upon his death, Sarah Winchester visited a medium, which told her that there was a curse on the Winchester family and the spirits of the people killed by her husband’s guns were now seeking revenge. The medium instructed Sarah to move west and build the Winchester Mystery House for her and the spirits. If she kept building the house, she would live. If she ever stopped building the house she would die. The Winchester Mystery House was under construction for 38 years. The haunted Winchester Mystery House continued to grow. Inside of the house, three elevators were installed, as were 47 fireplaces. There are countless staircases that go nowhere, a blind chimney that stops short of the ceiling, closets that open to blank walls, trap doors, and dozens of other oddities. It was also obvious that Sarah Winchester was intrigued by the number "13.” Nearly all of the windows at the Winchester Mystery House contain 13 panes of glass, the walls have 13 panels, many of the wooden floors contain 13 sections, and every staircase, except one, has 13 steps. Sarah’s days at the Winchester Mystery House were soon to come to an end. On September 4, 1922, after a conference session with the spirits in the séance room, Sarah went to her bedroom for the night. At some point in the early morning hours, she died in her sleep. The furnishings and personal belongings at the Winchester Mystery House were removed and the house was sold to a group of investors who planned to use it as a tourist attraction.
Yosemite
Yosemite National Park is located four hours east of Pacifica in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Yosemite National Park is famous for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear rivers, and giant sequoia trees that grow 307 feet tall and 29 feet wide. Granite cliffs, like Half Dome and Glacier Point, rise 3,000 to 4,000 feet from the Valley floor. In 1903 nearly 400 African-American soldiers, called Buffalo Soldiers, made the dusty journey on horseback from the Presidio in San Francisco to Yosemite National Park. They were among the first “Rangers” assigned to protect the Park along with Kings Canyon National Park, the home of the famous General Grant tree. The first residents of Yosemite National Park were Miwok Indians who lived in the Valley 4,000 years ago. Their territory reached as far east as the Owens Valley and Mono Lake. Ansel Adams, the famous photographer, made his first visit to Yosemite National Park in 1916, when he was 14 years old. Visitors are still able to hike out to Taft Point, the famous photo spot, where the cliffs drop 2,000 feet to the Valley floor. Lodging is available at Wawona, Yosemite Village, or just outside Yosemite National Park.
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