Great place to come crab fishing .... the swells are huge and the waves crash along the rockaway path.... mixture of locals , bums and not so many tourists. Dress layered and beware of flocks of seagulls and crows ... wish it felt safer and had more security. read more

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I love the pier/pier area. If you want, you can hike all the way over to linda mar, or just take a nice walk down the levvy trail and up the stairs/or switchback trail. There's chit chat cafe right on the pier or you can walk down to some nearby cafes / shops the next street over. With all the incoming tourists, it can be pretty packed on weekends, but as a local - I enjoy coming on the foggy days and just taking a stroll with a friend or coffee and watching the waves. Perfect place to whale watch during whale season too. Perfect romantic spot as well in my opinion! read more

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Great Pier, Great People, Great City. Ya that about wraps it up. But I need 85 characters. On a sunny day this place is too amazing. Don't go on a sunny day. You shouldn't spoil yourself that much. read more

When I was a kid, Sharp Park was known as the 'stinky' part of town because that was where the wastewater treatment plant, what we locals simply referred to as the 'sewage plant', was located. The treatment facility was just across the street from the Pacifica pier in a residential neighborhood. Unable to contain its odorous output, on certain days of the week most of Sharp Park simply stank. It's been at least 5 or 6 years since the wastewater treatment facility closed (couldn't find actual closure date, so if anyone knows, then let me know), moving its operation elsewhere, but I still expect Sharp Park to smell everytime I visit. I am surprised that it doesn't, and, of course, glad. The parking lot of the still-standing treatment plant office building is now used for visitors of the pier and beach to park in & will probably remain so until the city figures out what to put in the plant's stead. I can imagine that the city is desperate for some mixed-use, tourist-friendly buildings to be erected on the old treatment facility site. The added revenue from a hotel, shops and what-not certainly couldn't hurt Pacifica's coffers, but would make visiting the pier a wholly different experience. There has already been a recent spate of posh condominums going up near the pier. They stand in sharp contrast to the sand-worn apartment complexes and wee wooden bungalows that still dominate the area. The sight of which, might I add, I am still particulary fond. I'm glad that Sharp Park has outgrown its unappetizing reputation, but I wonder what the fresh, ocean air might bring to this beach front area & to the Pacifica pier. I'd wager more 'grand designs' and Porsche SUVs are to come. And won't that, too, be 'stinky', but in a different way? *no booze, skateboards, dogs, glass containers allowed on pier *toilets located at the Chit Chat Cafe at base of pier *no permit needed for crabbing/fishing read more

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Beautiful spot to watch the waves but be aware, rouge waves have washed people away here. Respect the ocean. Benches on pier to sit and relax. Good pier for fishing. read more

Pacifica Pier - Beaches Near Me - Pacifica, California

This is a great place for crabbing or fishing. We went for the experience and saw others caught some good catches from halibut to Dungeness crabs back when it was still crab season. Some are more lucky than others. We caught one Dungeness crab but let it back in the water Bc it wasn't big enough. Know the rules. They have a huge sign to let you know what and what not to do and what is acceptable in size to take. They have a restroom there it's not the cleanest but it's nice they have something around better than nothing. Can't wait for crab season to start so we can try our luck again. read more

This beach my mom really loves. She loves the large waves and taking pictures. There is a walking path and many people bring their dogs. They have picnic tables or you can eat on the sand. They have bathrooms by the pier and you can fish off it. The sunsets are so beautiful. There are mountains and boulders...it is a very peaceful place to lay in the sun or have lunch on the beach. So beautiful.... read more

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Amazing spot to watch the whales, great local eateries. Friendly neighbors, easy to park. Great shops, enjoy the hidden gem.

Waves here are gnarly! However, awesome pier to watch the waves and water. Also, extremely cool to watch the variety of fisherman fish - very unique and fun to see their talent. Seal lions surrounding as well. read more

Pacifica Pier - Beaches Near Me - Pacifica, California

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Sea spray shining in the sunlight! I love beach days! What a beautiful way to spend a sunny sunday! read more

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This pier would be nicer if they would patrol it. 20 something year-olds BLASTING and I mean BLASTING & BLAIRING vulgar music and acting a fool smoking weed scuffing around with each other. Such a turn off! This is a great pier with beautiful ocean views. Many families out fishing and such. Some catching fish, cleaning it right there on cement bench and frying it! Yes! Frying it up right then n there! There are a few cleaning stations but it looks as if nobody cleans up after themselves. Saw many people catching fish...nobody checked the length. Big or small it was thrown into a cooler or gutted n fried right then. The farther out you walk on pier the more freaky it gets! I was there during the day around 1-2pm. Saw a man n woman verbally fighting over a broken fishing line or something. There were beer bottles amongst them. Out on the right end of pier there was more obnoxiously loud music and what I assumed was a drug deal going on in plain sight. A few of the dudes sure didn't look like they had fishing clothes or shoes on. Money and baggies were exchanged and they fist bumped then bounced. Walking back I kept my head down and was really watching where I was walking and just noticing how many fishing hooks were on the pier walkway, my gosh! I would absolutely not bring my family to fish off this pier....if I were to fish with my family in the first place. read more

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Check it out on a rainy day - a marvel to see the Pacific Ocean flexing its muscle against the dark sandy beach. But, be wary of huge waves - and a drenching - along the walkway that leads to the pier. Expect a constant stream of visitors who stopped by to take pics and have their lunch or just relax for a few minutes before going back to their lives. Note no fishing license is required. read more

Pacifica Pier - Paved walkway along the waters and to/from the pier. - Beaches Near Me - Pacifica, California

The locals with crab or fish in their bucket said to come here as the tide is rising. So pay attention to the tide charts. But beware that weekends with ideal conditions will draw hordes of diehard fisherman even if you arrive early because this pier does not require fishing licenses. I am told that being out at the deep-end maximizes the chance of catching the best crab since they come in with the tide. Practice your casting on your lawn as this is a high traffic and dense pole environment. Even a slight error here elicits groans from your neighbors--a seemingly small error casting means several poles have to be reset. Bring shade, plenty of hydration and sunscreen. There is a good restroom and water fountain for public use at the beginning of the pier. A note of safety. As the tide comes up, do not be caught on the beach at the beginning of the pier. A rogue wave can easily sneak up on you, slam you into the sea wall then wash you out to sea. Apparently the coast guard knows this well even if tourists don't, and have helicopters on standby to pluck you from the ocean. Clearly, this is not the recommended way to make headline news or score a ride in the Coast Guard Helo. read more

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Down in the ocean next to a little bitty pier Were three little fishes and their mommy fishy too "Swim!" said the mommy fishy, "Swim if you can!" And they swam and they swam right under the pier Boop boop dittum dattum wattum, choo Boop boop dittum dattum wattum, choo Boop boop dittum dattum wattum, choo And they swam and they swam all under the pier! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN2WJCqZt9M&feature=related I'm not sure what else I can say about the Pacifica Pier (see photos). It sure is fishy. Not like suspicious. Really, I mean fishy. That's what people come here to do. Not to take in the salty ocean air. Not to look back on the yawn-inducing view of Pacifica. Nope, people come here to fish, and they look like they take it very, very seriously. They also catch dungeness crab in wire baskets. There's no ferris wheel, no dollar arcade, no hot dog on a stick stand. Just dead fish and the people who killed them. If this appeals to you, take Highway One down to Pacifica and look for the Pacifica Pier sign. Take the exit to the stop sign, make a right, and keep driving until you hit water. You make a left, and there it is in all its fishy glory. I ain't got nothing against fish when it's on a plate with a little wasabi, but flipping around on its last breath on a dirty wooden pier just doesn't do it for me. Just catch me at the Chit-Chat Cafe at the start of the pier bragging about the big one that got away. And always remember... Boop boop dittum dattum wattum, choo And they swam and they swam all under the pier! read more

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The pier was a fun spot to visit today, the conditions were just okay, but it was very scenic regardless. This is a great spot for those who are into fishing although it can get quite crowded and you are limited to 2 lines per angler. The crabbing season looks like a blast and I am looking forward to returning and giving it a try later this year. Parking is easily accessible through a lot of one way streets and there are restrooms on site. read more

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What can I say? Mother nature at her best!! There is nothing better than just to take it all in and enjoy your view. Even though it was windy a** hell, I still enjoyed my time. I mean who wouldn't in the beach! Surf's Up kids! read more

Pacifica Pier - Breathtaking!! - Beaches Near Me - Pacifica, California

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How can you give a pier less than 5 stars? It's a pier, on the Pacific Ocean, along Highway 1. I mean it's beautiful. Thankfully a sturdy one because at high tide you may get blasted with a wave. The cleanliness leaves something to be desired on some days but that's because unkind people litter. Pacifica employees come clean it up however. There is Chit Chat cafe so you can get a good cup of coffee while enjoying the locals crab and fish off the pier. At low tide you are able to walk under but that's not too many days a week so check tides if you want to see under it. Mori point is a good walk down the beach if you're interested in going on a hike too. If you don't live here, parking may be tricky on some days. But, you can always park up on Palmetto, where there's more parking available, and walk down. There are benches and seats along the walkway of the pier so you can sit, read, have a beer or a glass of wine, watch the whales and enjoy the sunset and the beautiful Pacific in Pacifica. Enjoy! read more

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Considering all the times that I've come down here to do some light fishing when I don't feel like commuting farther or putting on waders, I'm really surprised I've never taken the time to write a review about this place! Outside of the unusually warm weather we had last year, Pacifica is usually pretty cold. So I definitely recommend anyone coming down here to dress warmly. On non-foggy days, the view here is amazing. A large stretch of beach to either side of the pier, and as you walk farther down, you'll see beautiful mountains behind you and off in the distance to either side. Basic facilities and amenities are provided here including: bathrooms, benches, trashcans, pots for use as ashtrays, fish cleaning stations, and light posts when it gets dark. The locals here are usually pretty friendly. Most people are fairly willing to engage you in conversation and answer any questions you may have if you're either curious or are a beginner fisher(wo)man / crabber. As you start to get down to the bottom of the pier near where the L shape is located at is typically where many of the regulars hang out at and where you'll usually get overwhelmed by the smell of weed. Hours of operation for the pier is from 4am-10pm everyday. Typically someone will come out at 10pm to kick everyone off the pier and lock the gates. Though I've been told by some regulars that they forget to do so on some days so they will fish/crab through the night. If you do plan to do any night fishing, make sure to buy headlamps so you can actually see what you're doing and what you're catching. In terms of fishing/crabbing, 90% of the people who frequent this pier for non-touristy reasons are here for the crabbing during crab season. As for fishing, you will typically find the beginning of the pier congested with people jigging for perch or fishing for stripers. The middle of the pier typically consists of people fishing for jacksmelt, perch, kingfish, mackerel, or sanddabs. While the end of the pier is usually dominated by regulars crabbing or fishing for larger fish such as sharks or rays (both rather rare nowadays at this pier). Although this is a public pier, if you are planning to come here to fish/crab, make sure that you are aware of DFG regulations regarding the various species that you can catch. A fishing license is not required here, however you are limited to a combination of 2 rods/crab nets per person. And keep in mind that crabbing season for both dungies and rock crabs is closed this season due to the domoic acid poisoning. If you are uncertain about anything, just ask one of the people fishing here (or several just in case you run into a noob who also does not know and gives you misleading information). If you get hungry, there is a café at the beginning of the pier that sells food and refreshments. Free public parking is also available either on the street or in a nearby lot. Keep in mind that Sundays here typically gets pretty packed during crabbing season. read more

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What a great view. People were out fishing and walking their dogs. There are a few snack places right there. It's a great place to get sand in your toes. read more

Not bad place to go crabbing or fishing. You don't need to have a permit but there are limits you need to be aware of. This beats getting old seafood at the market. Fresh crab is the best!!! It may be packed out there but there are spots on the pier deck you can still get or hang out with friends. The people are pretty friendly here. The parking here is always packed so you have to come early or you'll park far. There is a cafe for food and a bathroom to use. I recommend to bring a friend to alternate watching your spot. Some people actually bring cooking gear to cook or bring music...but as long as you like their music! Will be back! read more

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This is our escape from Sacramento when it's hot or allergy season! We always come mid week and it's so quiet and peaceful. Plenty of parking and a nice clean beach. Lots of picnic tables and a long straight beach to walk on. Bring your lunch and your folding chairs and stay the day!!! read more

Worse time ever ! Went there thinking if we get there early we can get a good spot to fish at the end of the pier but no!!! Got there at 3:45 the pier was already open and people already flocking to the end and note this is during covid! Get to the end set up and as minutes go buy then a few hours we were crowded with people that set their poles right next to yours no social distance and really bo space to relax and fish or crab literally shoulder to shoulder! Feeling claustrophobic we had to leave! And as we left more and more people and families headed to the pier!! read more

Pacifica Pier - Crowded pacifica pier! - Beaches Near Me - Pacifica, California

I love this place, it is hard to say bad things about the sceneries here, it is just beautiful. The reason I only give this place three stars is that the problem of over fishing/crabbing. I come here for crabbing mainly on weekend, guess what, people are everywhere, shoulder to shoulder and can't even find a place to set up the rod. I know it is a place where you don't need a license to catch anything, but I saw that some people here brought like more than 5 rods to catch crabs, making the place crowded and not giving other people space and some older fishermen here thought they own this place and not allowing other to step in. Most of the time I keep getting my fishing line tangled with others every two minutes after I casted out. Man that's not fun at all to take 10 mins untangling the line. With the problems of over crabbing, if you are not here early enough, you will go home with an empty bucket(unless you want to take home with some salt water). My suggestion is try to come here on weekday, you will get a higher chance of catching big crabs or fish, otherwise you will need to wake up early on weekend to come here and "occupy your own territory". My other suggestion for crabbers, do not use the crab trap or net here because waves are pretty strong here, your cages will just keep getting push around in the water. Also I keep seeing people got there cage or net stuck under the pillars, and there is no way to pull it up unless you go down to the pillars lol. Overall it is a nice place, I will come here to watch the sunset, but for crabbing, I already found a better place with more crabs. I will still come here to crab unless I have a day off on weekdays :) :) read more

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Our first choice spot for crabbing when the season starts. Such an amazing view. It can get quite crowded, but we don't really mind. As long as your polite and practice fisherman etiquette you'll have no problems. If you are a beginner or not prepared to crab there are seasoned vets that are willing to help a little and sell you a snare or two. Be advised that the pier does have painted language on the walls stating no overhead casting. You can also fish for perch from the pier closer to shore. Try to aim for where the waves break. read more

My cousin recently visited here and so I thought I'd take my husband during Labor Day. We got to the pier around 6am and stayed until 10:30am. You definitely get some bites here and the people are all so friendly. Parking wasn't bad. There was a lot of it. Considering it was a holiday, I expected it to be a lot more crowded than it was. A lot of older men there hanging out with their buddies, grilling fish caught. Lots of smokers and a few families. I'm 9 months pregnant and I was so happy that there were restrooms at the beginning of the pier. They aren't the cleanest, but they will do. Seat covers and toilet paper are a plus. Not so happy there wasn't any soap. Bring a sweater or a blanket, it really does get cold way out on the pier! I especially loved watching the waves crash in and admiring the sunrise! read more

It's been a beautiful week out at the pier. You only wish to were here too. read more

Pacifica pier is a beautiful beach it's very scenic, the doc juts out in an L shape into the sea so people can do fishing and crabbing. You don't need a license to crab there - but that can also be a problem because there's so many people there everyday, the crabs tend to be on the smaller side and trying to catch them with a net is extremely difficult since there is some overfishing. There's sinks to wash your hands and the doc has a ledge with juts to hold fishing poles/ropes, etc. I came on Fathers day to crab and most of the crabs were tiny and mostly caught with fishing lines. Anyone who came out with a net that day was extremely unlucky and didn't seem to catch anything from what I saw. While people there are friendly, as a crabbing/fishing spot it's a bit weak. You are probably going to catch something with a fishing rod and line but probably not anything huge or worth bringing home. If you do go fishing here though - May the odds ever be in your favor! - Marilyn Nguyen read more

Pacifica Pier - I can dig it. - Beaches Near Me - Pacifica, California

This year's Thanksgiving Day turned out to be the worse time during crab season. This morning, my family and I were driven into the beautiful and foggy scenery of Pacifica. When we arrived at its pier, the roaring tides of the sea green ocean was louder than we twice came. Then, we see so many people before us, fishing for crabs. We chose an even further left side of the pier, that's where we were crabbing at that spot. After some improvements we pour for crabbing, both our crab cage and crab net were stuck beneath the pier. I wouldn't assume the sea kelps (we once caught them a couple of times) were the culprit, nor the sea lion (we once saw it under or beneath the pier twice). While some of the fisherman caught their best catch, we spent hours attempting to pull our cage and net from the waters, but our attempts failed. Two other fisherman had helped us out, but we thanked them for trying. Waiting for the low tide didn't make any difference at all. We had no idea what got stuck beneath the pier. At least I caught two barnacle covered clams and a baby Dungeness crab using the other crab net (none are keepers). The first time we went crabbing on Tuesday using our crab cage, 3 males, 1 female, 0 keepers. Our perfect crab cage cost $80. Unfortunately we had to leave it behind for someone else. Good grief! There goes $80 down the drain. The next time you go crabbing, be careful for crabbing in the same spot we were in. read more

Pacifica Pier - A flock of mini birds on a late morning. - Beaches Near Me - Pacifica, California

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Since my family and I moved to Pacifica, the Pier has become a central point of our regular walks. Going to the Pier never gets old (or not within two months). The first couple of weeks after moving here, whale season was on its peak. This meant that the ocean provides us with numerous whales at any given time. Some of them where far others very close to the pier. Whenever a whale popped up in proximity of the Pier, all the Fisher-People cheered. This cheering was only topped by them celebrating each other's catches. When whale season is over the Pier stays a great place to go. Standing on each side of Chit Chat cafe and enjoy the view onto the picturesque coast of the Pacific Ocean is a good way to spend a minute or two and wind down. One one side the rolling hills of Mori Point and on the other side the view towards the North Bay. And don't forget Chit Chat cafe ... a very honest place with decent coffee. read more

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Over the past three years, this has become my one and only fishing spot in the Bay Area. The fishing is usually decent with a few crabs or small perch being hauled in every trip. A couple of years ago, I pulled up a 25 pound ray with the help of some nearby fishermen. Even if I don't catch anything, I always leave Pacifica Pier in a great mood because the view of the ocean and the surrounding cliffs is gorgeous. We also see some amazing wildlife every time we're here with sightings of dolphins, whales, huge jellyfish and all sorts of sea birds being very common. One time we even spotted a gigantic shark swimming in the waters near the pier. A few things to keep in mind if you plan on fishing here: 1) If you have a crab net, always bring a bait cage. There are sea lions that hang out next to the pier that will poach any unsecured bait as soon as your crab net hits the water. 2) Bring extra layers of clothing. Sometimes the weather is amazing, and sometimes the marine layer and winds roll in and stay for the day. 3) The tide here is really powerful some days. Unless you bring bowling balls for weights, plan on enjoying the view and the abundant wildlife a little more than the prospect of catching anything on high tide days. 4) Some days, especially at the beginning of crab season, this pier can get really crowded. 5) Alcohol is not permitted on the pier. Bring a non see-through cup and sip discreetly. There's a small cafe at the beginning of the pier where you can get coffee and snacks. On weekends, they also have a guy outside grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. On my last trip, I saw a group of guys get pizza delivered to them on the pier from Round Table Pizza! Who knew they delivered to the pier? Always nice to have options. The crowds here are always diverse and everybody is super friendly. Lots of people just walk through to see the sights and enjoy the ocean and will usually chat you up about what you are catching that day. Can't recommend this spot enough! read more

Pacifica Pier - Beached whale near the pier. - Beaches Near Me - Pacifica, California

Peaceful, at least on weekdays. Worth visiting for the view, if the weather is forgiving. Even considering the length of the pier, you may have to fight tourists taking photos, or fishermen. Go crabbing here, or grab a sandwich by the cafe at the end of the pier. (Meditation's an option, but it might smell fishy.) read more

Such amazing views, open air, and the sound of the waves! This place is fantastic, and unlike a lot of other viewpoints of the Pacific, the Pier is: 1. not in a no-fly zone, which means drones are legal to fly if you take off from an open area a couple blocks north of the pier 2. a place with functional and open bathrooms! 3. a place with a small cafe serving hot drinks and food! 4. a place with ample parking! All in all, this is a fantastic place to visit around sunset. The waves are super fun to watch and the surfers that ride the waves are daring and talented. Seeing the fisherman there at all times of day is also a neat aspect, as people are at the pier for all sorts of different activities. Finally, if you want you can go down to the beach and play "avoid the waves" since it's a relatively steep beach and the waves encroach all the way up to the sea barrier, depending on the tide. I can't wait to go back! read more

Pacifica Pier - Beaches Near Me - Pacifica, California

I've been fishing & crabbing here since I was a little kid with my parents, Aunties, and Uncles!!! I love being outdoors and breathing fresh air!!! This place is awesome. There are so many lessons on life you can learn out there by being self- sufficient, patient, and rewarded with good hard work!!! Not to sound too cheesy, but I've learn to get my hands dirty, how to respect the Ocean & elements, and how to create your own luck!!! ========================== Some tips: *Crabbing season is November 1 through June 30 * Dress in layers: the weather changes from cold to rainy to sunny in hours *Have fun and learn some fishing etiquette *RESPECT others, and enjoy the stories from the OGs out there *It's OK to bring some food & drinks (just No alcohol) (I will post photos later) read more

Pacifica Pier - 5/2011 - Beaches Near Me - Pacifica, California

My BFs newest hobby is fishing so we brought one of my friends out to fish for her first time. He didn't get a fishing license this year but you don't need one to fish from piers! It was super cold when we went (middle of the summer too!) and both my friend and I ended up getting sick. Everybody at the pier was super nice, people gave us some bait on their way out and a couple found my phone that I left in the bathroom and waited with it while I drove back. very friendly people lost my phone and people gave us bait. read more

CALL ME CORNY... but i love long walks on the beach (5 stars) Whenever Pacifica is not foggy and the sun is beaming, I love taking a walk around the beach and pier after a long day from work. The view of the sun/sunset and ocean is stunning. Whenever i need space or a place to catch-up with myself, this is one place I like to go. Something about nature really connects with you at these times. Until the next review.... read more

2 stars for the pier in general 4 for the crabs this place needs an upgrade, old and dirty, always foggy year round, being a bayarean we have become accustomed to the fog it is like a staple for us, several fisherman year round, beginning of november is the beginning of dungenous crab season, no license needed, some rope, some nets, some raw chicken you good to go visited this place regularly during crabbing season, mostly night time only once during the day, they close the pier now at 10 pm I believe due to some graffitti work by some adolescents years back, if you catching dungenous make sure they are regulated size if a ranger comes by and checks your stash last i remember it was $250 per crab that is not of size 5 3/4 across per department of fish and game. here is there link: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news04/04109.html bring a chair, bring some smokes, bring some type of drinks non alcoholic they will confiscate it, definitely bring a sweater and a hat for the dedicated crabbers and fishermen i dont need to tell em what to bring they got everything on lock haha, they will even tell you what they are catching and what bait they using fishing *** win some lose some crabbing **** i go for the crab ambiance **-**** in the dark cant see much so 4 stars during the day you can see they need to clean or do something to make it look better watch for the rangers if you got crabs and they are under regulated size be prepared to pay also for the girls that go hand sanitizer is a must, sweater or triple down jacket must, warm hat a must, foldable chair and magazine a must. last thing these are crabs closer to the pier so they will have things attached to them, not sure how to explain it but when you pull one or two up you will see. read more

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This pier is pretty long and the view is beautiful, especially when there's some sun out! When I went, in the early afternoon, it was foggy and chilly, so it wasn't that pretty. But later the sun came out and the view was amazing! People catch crabs here. Be prepared with your bait and equipment! It's pretty good, I saw a couple of people take home a whole bucket! Make sure to know the regulations too before you start catch crabs. The sea lions were also swimming around which were nice to see, but they took our bait, so I was pretty sad about that :[ Good place to go spend an afternoon, enjoy the view or catch some crabs. read more

I really like this place and clearly I am not alone. It was a beautiful afternoon, filled with sunshine for all to bask in. We were running around like those planning weddings tend to do and decided we needed to take a stroll on the beach. It was about 4:45 p.m. when we arrived and as we pulled into P Town, the fog was dense and thick. The air was chilly and moist. This is the point when a normal couple would count their losses, turn the rig around and head for higher ground. Have I mentioned that the fiance and I are far from normal?? Well, we are. We walked down on the beach and the moment our bare feet hit the sand, we knew it was gonna be fun. The sand was damp and with each step, our toes dug further in. We made it to water's edge, knowing that Maverick's had just past us by. The waves were strong, powerful and again, normal folks would be scared away. Nah, not us. We stepped closer and closer and with each step we took, this sense of fear began to arrive. The foam of the water rose to our toes and we felt the icy cold of the Pacific Ocean. As the second wave came in, we got another touch of the icy cold and we began to feel the freeze from our toes to our nose. It was pretty gnarly, but in a good way. As we stared down the barrel of mother nature's ever dangerous gun, I heard a voice. It was faint, but I could make it out for sure. Johnny Utah was speaking to Bodhi but my subconscious could hear him whisper "he's not coming back." In that moment, a wave was on us and we were waist deep in the coldest water I'd felt in years. My pants, soaked. My phone, luckily in the car. My fiance, shorty that she is, nearly neck deep. The rush we felt was incredible. So incredible that we stumbled back to safety just in time to make it out alive. Alas, Johnny was wrong and we came back to the car soaking wet, sandy and feeling like we'd live another day. Yet another reminder of how fortunate we are to live in the greatest area in the country. The ability to head to the beach at the back end of January is truly a gift and I encourage you to get down there and brave the cold water for an experience you will not forget. read more

If you really want to enjoy Pacifica Pier, come late in the evening when the temperature is nice and cool. The pier extends pretty far out to the ocean, so walk out and just take it all in- the bright visible stars above you, the vast ocean beneath you, and the beauty of Northern California spread all around you. When the waves are big enough, you can feel an ocean spray on your face. Absolutely amazing. Nighttime or not, you'll see people out on the pier crabbing. I've come twice myself and it's always an enjoyable experience. Just chill out on the pier with a couple friends or make some chit chat with the crabbers around you. Everybody's friendly and willing to talk a bit or lend a hand. I've gotten more than a couple crabbing tips just by hanging out here. Be warned that it can be cold and smelly here, but that's a trait Pacifica Pier shares with many other ocean piers. read more

When Salmon and crabbing season comes around, this place gets crazy. All these people coming to be part of the action. The pier looks like a tennis court with all the floaters in the water. Just all these people bringing all kinds of crap like glass bottles and overhead casting makes it dangerous. And police does nothing to enforce it. Fish and game are around but are mainly focused on catching people with undersized salmon. read more

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