Situated just off California’s Highway 1 is the picturesque and one of the most underrated beaches along the California’s coast – Linda Mar (Pacific State Beach). Just under an hour’s drive from the East Bay, we decided to escape the summer heat with Jay, our senior pooch, and mosey on over to Linda Mar.
These days, most of our travels are planned around Jay and we like to take him to places that are easily accessible and dog friendly (preferably on-leash).
Driving into Pacifica is a vision: the coastal fog blanketing the mountains and descending onto the little homes dotted among the trees.
We arrived at noon on a Friday and there was ample parking space. You have to pay for parking. We paid $7.00 for 4 hours parking.
As we laid foot on the sandy beach, we noticed only a few families and surfers enjoying the space without the crowds, which was absolutely fine by us.
While Jay and his daddy explored the beach, I decided to just chill and enjoy watching the world around me.
A variety of birds can be found in the area. Here are a few that were around:
Pacifica State Beach is dog friendly. Though there is a leashed dog only ordinance, you will occasionally come across off-leash pooches having the time of their lives, not really bothering anyone and no one being bothered by that. For those of us who adore those furry muffins, it is a joyful sight to see the dogs, happy as can be, walking/playing/trotting/doing whatever their cute little hearts desire.
Pacifica State Beach is also host to the Kahuna Kapuna Amateur Surf Competition and the World Dog Surfing Championships.
Today, most of the action was on the side nearest to the famed Taco Bell, the fast-food restaurant with a wraparound porch and the best scenic view.
As I scanned the rocky borders nearby, I spotted a fisherman setting up his fishing rod, half hidden from the world.
Nearby, many surfers were doing their thing. The waves, on this particular day, were not too rough and therefore a good day for beginners.
Moving my gaze across the waters to the other end of the cove, cormorants could be spotted skimming across the water as they flew to their resting place on the rock, sharing it with the sea gulls.
Meanwhile, an approaching boat, enveloped by the fog, can be seen as a distant ghostly spectre emerging through the ocean mists.
Sensing, perhaps, that the folks onshore needed more entertainment (or maybe it was feeding time), a pelican and his buddies put up quite a show for us – one of them circling leisurely, barely above the water, before divebombing, disappearing into the waves. Just as I began to worry about it, imagination creeping in, the winged one reappeared before repeating the scene. Thus, a very entertaining spectacle unfolded.
After taking in the cool breeze and laid-back vibes, we decided to go to Soul Grind Coffee Roasters which was just past the Taco Bell.
The parking lot at this shopping center filled up quickly.
The coffee shop’s interior was casual where folks could relax and partake of the café’s many baked goodies along with their famed varieties of fresh ground coffee.
We had the Matcha Chai Latte and Cubano. The coffee was very good and lived up to the hype.
It was finally time to head back home with a very happy pooch who really was quite reluctant to get back into the car. We’ll certainly bring him back again.
To all the volunteers and staff who keep our beaches clean and accessible, to all the public who pick up after themselves and their dogs – THANK YOU! My family and I appreciate you, you awesome people!
Beautifully written Dora!🩷
Thank you, Polly, for your encouraging words.