Pacifica State Beach
Pacifica State Beach | |
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Location | San Mateo County |
Nearest city | Pacifica, California |
Coordinates | 37°36′4″N 122°29′57″W / 37.60111°N 122.49917°WCoordinates: 37°36′4″N 122°29′57″W / 37.60111°N 122.49917°W |
Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Pacifica State Beach is the southernmost of Pacifica, California's large beaches, it is a 0.75 mile long crescent shaped beach located at the mouth of the San Pedro Valley in downtown Pacifica off State Route 1, in San Mateo County.[1]
Pacifica State Beach is one of the most popular beginner surfing spots in the San Francisco area, among surfers is frequently known as Linda Mar Beach, because it fronts Pacifica's Linda Mar subdivision. It is a State Beach managed by the City of Pacifica through an operating agreement with California State Parks. Reputed to possess the world's most scenic Taco Bell restaurant location, which is on the beach side of the highway with the public parking lot.[2]
Pacifica State Beach provides habitat for the western snowy plover, a shorebird which is designated as threatened[3] under the Endangered Species Act.[4]
Between 1989 and 2005, Pacifica State Beach was the focus of an extensive beach habitat restoration program, in association with the San Pedro Creek flood control and habitat restoration. In 2002, as part of a partnership with the Pacifica Land Trust and the California Coastal Conservancy, this involved a $2.2 million purchase and removal of two ocean side homes and surrounding acreage for the purpose of beach and estuary restoration.[5] This project was identified as a Top Restored Beach by the American 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 utilize managed retreat as a method of shoreline protection. In addition to beach nourishment, it has restored habitat for four threatened and endangered species and enhanced community access with expanded parking lots, trails and new restrooms. Over 1 million people visit this beach annually".[6]
Gallery
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A trail behind and around Pacifica State Beach
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Fragaria chiloensis at Pacifica State Beach
References
- ↑ Ostertag, George; Ostertag, Rhonda (2001). California State Parks : A Complete Recreation Guide. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books. p. 107. ISBN 0-89886-762-2.
- ↑ Jan Friedman (2005). Eccentric California (Bradt Travel Guide). Bradt Travel Guides. p. 95. ISBN 1-84162-126-9.
- ↑ "Western Snowy Plover Species Profile, Fish and Wildlife Service". Retrieved 2010-01-23.
- ↑ "SF Chronicle: Help save endangered snowy plovers @ Pacifica State Beach in Linda Mar". Retrieved 2010-01-23.
- ↑ "NOAA Case Study: Pacifica State Beach Adopts Managed Retreat Strategy". Retrieved 2010-01-23.
- ↑ "PWA - Project Detail - Pacifica State Beach Managed Retreat, Beach and Estuary Restoration". Retrieved 2010-01-23.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pacifica State Beach. |
- California State Parks webpage
- 1990 General Plan
- California Coastal Records Project
- Pacifica State Beach Surf Reports
- San Pedro Creek Watershed Coalition
- Pacifica Shorebird Alliance
- City of Pacifica - Linda Mar Beach (Pacifica State Beach)