SUNDAY DRIVE
What you’ll see: This can be an easy, spectacular trip. Payoffs include a panoramic ocean view from the bluff-top parking lot, a beach that spans miles set against high cliffs, and tide pools with a tunnel near Mussel Rock. What’s more, on weekdays, there are times when you can have the beach virtually to yourself for miles. You also can bring your dog and let it run off leash.
Location: Mussel Rock Beach extends from the Manor District of Pacifica north for miles of wilderness-like beach to San Francisco.
The view: The parking lot (paved a few years ago) is set on a bluff-top perch with a great view across the ocean. Some visitors come just for the sunsets, and the inevitable cigarette butts on the ground are proof of
that.
Caution: At the left north-facing edge of the parking lot, you’ll see a foot trail that leads to the brink of the cliff for big-time views; note that from this winter’s heavy rains, these cliffs have eroded and are subject to fail; keep your distance and don’t die.
When you get there: Beyond the north edge of the parking lot, you’ll find a gravel-type service road. This leads (with a series of intersections) down to the beach. To the left goes to Mussel Rock and the tunnel. To the right extends on beachfront for miles to Center Hole and beyond.
Paragliders: A launch point for paragliders called “The Dump,” named after a closed transfer station near the trailhead, is located on the bluff-top about a quarter-mile north of the parking lot. Spring winds out of the west sail across the Pacific, hit the cliffs and are then pushed straight up to create lifting force for the gliders.
The tunnel: At low tides, a series of tide pools is revealed near Mussel Rock. There is a cool tunnel in the rock that has been gouged out by erosion over the years.
Center Hole: About halfway from Mussel Rock to Thornton Beach is a spot we call Center Hole, I think based on the hole in the face of the cliffs there, that is a good fishing spot for perch during low tides in the spring, striped bass at times in the early summer.
Dogs/warning: Dogs are permitted off leash on the beach, a great place to let them run free. If your dog is not socialized to other dogs, or will not respond instantly to voice commands, keep it on a leash. Coyotes have been known to hunt small dogs here.
Cost: Parking, access are free. Contact: Pacifica Visitor Center, (650) 355-4122, www.pacificachamber.com HOW TO GET THERE From San Francisco to Pacifica: Take Interstate 280 south to Daly City and exit on the right for Highway 1/Pacifica. Bear right on Highway 1 (signed for Pacifica) and proceed as detailed for each destination.
From South Peninsula/East
Bay to Pacifica: From Highway 92 or Highway 101, take 101 to San Bruno and the exit for Interstate 380 West (toward San Bruno/I-280). Take that exit, merge on I-380 and drive 1 mile to a fork for I-280 North. Keep
right at the fork, drive 0.9 of a mile and merge with I-280 North. Drive 4.1 miles to Daly City and the exit for Highway 1/Pacifica.
How to get to Mussel Rock
Beach: From the junction of I-280 and Highway 1, take Highway 1 (signed for Pacifica) for 2.6 miles (up hill and down) to Exit 507 for Palmetto Avenue toward Manor Drive. Take that exit 0.1 of a mile to Monterey Road/Manor Drive. Turn right on Palmetto and drive 0.7 of a mile to Westline Drive. Turn left on Westline and go 0.4 of a mile to parking on the left.
Distances: 12 miles from downtown San Francisco, 18 miles from Sausalito, 18 miles from San Mateo, 25 miles from Berkeley, 33 miles from Hayward, 36 miles from Walnut Creek, 46 miles from Dublin, 109 miles from Sacramento.