The City of Pacifica documents surfing, surf camps, showers and restrooms at Pacifica State Beach, commonly called Linda Mar. Visit Pacifica’s surfing guide distinguishes it from Rockaway and Sharp Park, which it describes as more demanding. That distinction is useful; it is not a promise that Linda Mar stays suitable for a beginner on every swell.
Mavericks is an atlas reference, not a progression exercise generated by a favorable colored number. Do not compare it with a lesson beach as though both labels describe the same activity. The map’s colored height communicates a numerical range; it does not assess your readiness, access, rescue support or the behavior of the breaking wave.
PureSurfers comparison guidance, not a measured local forecast.
Plan one useful stretch
Use the official beach page for practical access and facilities before building a route through several coastal towns. Start with the closest pair that actually suits your plans. An accurate choice between two beaches beats a frantic drive past six.
PureSurfers comparison guidance, not a measured local forecast.
A useful first comparison
Compare Linda Mar and Rockaway only after understanding the difference in the type of session you are considering. Farther south, use the individual guide’s source references and current access information. Keep tide, model and forecast hour consistent when comparing entries.
PureSurfers comparison guidance, not a measured local forecast.
The inherited spot descriptions below have their own provenance and uncertainty. This context update does not independently verify every takeoff, access status or historical claim.
Regional significant wave height and modeled breaking-face height are different quantities. Check each source and unit label.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Año Nuevo
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.11, -122.31. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.11, -122.31. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Ano-Nuevo/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Bean Hollow State Beach
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.24, -122.42. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.24, -122.42. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Bean-Hollow-State-Beach/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Francis Beach
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.45, -122.44. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.45, -122.44. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Francis-Beach/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Gazos Creek
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.16, -122.36. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.16, -122.36. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Gazos-Creek/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Gray Whale Cove
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.56, -122.52. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.56, -122.52. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Gray-Whale-Cove/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Linda Mar
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.6, -122.5. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.6, -122.5. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Linda-Mar-1/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Mavericks
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.5, -122.5. NOT a verified takeoff. Specialized big-wave reef. Inclusion is a catalogue reference, not a recreational recommendation or an entry route.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.5, -122.5. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Mavericks/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Montara
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.54, -122.52. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.54, -122.52. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Montara/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Pedro Point
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.6, -122.52. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.6, -122.52. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Pedro-Point/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Pescadero State Beach
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.27, -122.41. NOT a verified takeoff. Distinct from the Pescadero surf name in San Diego and El Pescador in Malibu.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.27, -122.41. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Pescadero-State-Beach/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Pomponio State Beach
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.29, -122.41. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.29, -122.41. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Pomponio-State-Beach/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Princeton Breakwater
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.5, -122.48. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.5, -122.48. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Princeton-Breakwater/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Rockaway — Pacifica
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.61, -122.5. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.61, -122.5. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Rockaway/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
San Gregorio State Beach
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.33, -122.4. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.33, -122.4. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/San-Gregorio-State-Beach/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
Regional waves, wind, water temperature, NOAA tides and nearby buoy observations. Requires JavaScript and a working data connection.
Not yet verified / Not yet verified
Sharp Park
Documented surfing area. The marker is an approximate source-area reference, not a verified takeoff or a live surf report.
Reported direction
Not yet verified
General swell window
Not yet verified
Reported tide preference
Not yet verified
Bottom
Not yet verified
Statewide research draft / San Mateo County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.63, -122.5. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 37.63, -122.5. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Sharp-Park/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Things to check: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Location: Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.. Access not independently verified. Check current access independently.