If you love fishing and want to immerse the entire family in food gathering, stop by Coastside Bait

The Pacifica coastline has some great walking trails, many of them are dog-friendly. (Courtesy of the Pacific Chamber of Commerce) Seasoned travelers frequently complain that many U.S. destinations auto trailer rentals have lost their individuality. It s true that many cities resemble one another. The shops, the restaurants, the hotels many are fashioned from cookie cutters. Without a GPS in your airplane or automobile, you might not know where you are.
For many years, Pacifica, Calif. has resembled auto trailer rentals a neglected child. A mere 20-minute drive from San Francisco and just north of the exquisitely developed Half Moon Bay, Pacifica, on U.S. 1, barely appears on a road map. As far as private pilots are concerned, the city is virtually invisible. Look on a Sectional Chart or a San Francisco IFR Area Chart. Pacifica does not have a VOR named after it not even an intersection on V-27. Most egregious, the city does not have an airport.
How does a city, within a mere stone s throw from world-class urban sophistication and modernity, remain in the past? The answers to these sociological, geographical auto trailer rentals and/or anthropological questions behind this phenomenon are beyond my pay grade. I don t know the answers. But it doesn t even matter. The absence of these modern urban gifts is Pacifica s blessing in disguise.
You might conclude I m emphasizing negative things about Pacifica. Please keep reading. Pacifica s anonymity is its virtue. Many destinations attempt to lure visitors with a host of amusement parks, kid s game halls, casinos, corporate-owned restaurants and fancy-schmancy shopping. The lure of Pacifica is that it is fundamentally bereft of these urban trinkets. Visitors, for the most part, are elevated to an atmosphere of natural beauty, sprawling beaches, nature paths, quaint neighborhoods and mom-and-pop restaurants. Some may see this as relegated. I regard it as elevated.
I have periodic discussions with my son on the subject of my general distaste for large amusement parks, video games and other retreats to fantasy. These pastimes seem to comprise most of the entertainment for today s children. During the year, he and his wife love to take the toddlers, my grandkids, auto trailer rentals on multiple trips to amusement parks. To me, these places are departures from reality. auto trailer rentals I contend that these pastimes teach little or nothing.
(Courtesy of the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce) An occasional trip to Disneyland is perhaps tolerable, but how about a ride in a real boat on a real lake? How about roaming along the beach and learning more about seashore wildlife in an hour than one could derive from a book over a semester? How about spending an evening on a beach or in an open field gazing at the stars how many constellations can you recognize? How about making hunter s stew over an open fire? Rather than taking a bus to view the homes of movie stars, how about walking up and down the streets of Pacifica or some other village to view the genuine craftsmanship found in many of the mid-century homes? Instead of riding in a teacup, I d rather make or paint one.
Since Pacifica is just 14 miles from San Francisco International auto trailer rentals Airport, you could land your plane at SFO and rent a car. However, that would reduce the opportunity to enjoy one of California s greatest breakfast spots. Half Moon Bay Airport (KHAF) is located just ten miles south of Pacifica along Highway 1. At an elevation of 66 feet above sea level, the field has the one runway, 12/30, auto trailer rentals which is 5,000 feet long. Several GPS approaches are available. The FBO is San Mateo County, 650/573-3701.
Legendary airport restaurants are disappearing with alarming speed. There was a time when the best breakfast in town was served at airport cafes. That s still the case at the Three-Zero Caf (650/728-1411) auto trailer rentals at Half Moon Bay. The joint was packed when we arrived and this was during a weekday morning. The caf is housed in an ancient airport building, which sits along Runway 12/30. Huge portions of delicious traditional breakfast items are served every morning. auto trailer rentals My favorite is chicken fried steak with eggs and hash browns.
The Quarry Path. (Courtesy of the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce) Pacifica offers a host of activities that involve bonding with nature or challenging your child s athletic skills. I recommend a course in archery lessons at Sharp Park. Pacifica, with one of the top skateboard parks in the U.S., offers skateboarding and or paddleboard lessons at Nor Cal Surf Shop. The shop also provides surfing lessons.
If you love fishing and want to immerse the entire family in food gathering, stop by Coastside Bait and Tackle Shop, pick up some fishing gear, a crab trap and bait and try your hand at fishing off the Pacifica Pier no fishing license required! After you ve caught your limit, release the fish, or drop them in a freezer or refrigerator, head over to Rockaway Beach and climb over the rocks at Pacifica Quarry and discover exotic plant and marine animal life.
Of course, the activities designed for kids are open to adults as well. Plus, there are many other outdoor and indoor attractions. For example, Sharp Park Golf Course is a par 72 public facility with ocean views. If you have never tried a ride on a Segway, you can take a tour of the town on one of those self-balancing two-wheel vehicles. Visit a theater for a current performance of a local play, opera or blues concert. Stop in at the Chamber of Commerce office for an art class.
Spend a romantic afternoon strolling around Mori Point, a 100-acre park that contains wetlands, small ponds, a host of trails and spectacular ocean views. This region is the habitat for vast spring wildflower displays, the California red-legged frog and the endangered garter snake.
Many of the outstanding restaurants in Pacifica are owned and operated by longtime residents. An example is Vallemar Station (2125 Coast Highway, 650/359-7411). Owned by the local Ash family (and at least one of the group is generally on the premises), the building once served as the railroad station. Looking much as it did when it was built in 1905, this classic structure houses a warm and cozy bar and restaurant with some mid-20th-century memorabilia adorning the walls.
Breakfast is the best in town. Ham and eggs are presented with a slice of the porker that approximates the size of a Frisbee. The eggs are farm fresh and the hash browns are hand cut and made from scratch. For lunch, the juicy, succulent hamburgers are similar in size. Homemade soups, garden fresh salads, chili and an array of sandwiches are also served for lunch.
A special entr e is prepared each night for dinner. You just can t beat the old fashioned pot roast, auto trailer rentals chicken auto trailer rentals fried steak, the braised short ribs or roast pork loin with dressing. Other entrees for lunch or dinner include fish and chips, huge steaks, pasta and fresh fish.
Salada Beach House. (Courtesy of the the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce) auto trailer rentals The years 1905-06 auto trailer rentals must have ushered in a building boom. Another charming landmark now houses auto trailer rentals Salada Beach Caf (220 Paloma Avenue, 650/557-1356). The building opened as a general store. A century later, when it evolved into a restaurant, the new owners were required to preserve most of the exterior and interior. The result is an inviting ambiance with the handcrafted store shelves serving auto trailer rentals as gorgeous wall decorations. There are only nine tables, plus seating for three at the bar. The good news is that you can expect, and will receive, attentive service, made-to-order selections fashioned from local farmer s market and other local farm and seaside ingredients. In addition to breakfast items, lunch dishes include a Mexican lasagna, chicken pot pie, pasta with tomatoes and mushrooms plus a ham, turkey or chicken sandwich. My dinner recommendations include a four-cheese macaroni, seafood stew, lamb brochettes, an organic roasted chicken, steamed clams and don t miss the pan roasted Brussels sprouts.
A new, lively spot with happy crowds, attractive service personnel and colorful drinks is Puerto 27 (525 Crespi Drive, 650/733-7343). The Peruvian-inspired food is spicy, robust and extremely flavorful. The staff brings platters and platters of colorfully presented entrees and most parties share family style. Flat iron steaks with black beans and chimichurri, lamb chops and lentils, pan roasted duck breast with cilantro rice and salsa, plus a plump rotisserie chicken were some of the delightful dishes we enjoyed.
Lovey s Tea Shoppe (Courtesy Stuart J. Faber) If you like tea, scones, crumpets and dainty tea sandwiches, by all means, stop in at Lovey s Tea Shoppe (4430 Coast Highway, 650/359-1245). This is a cutsie place with fancy China, glassware, colorful linens and a variety of teas.
Nick s Dining Room (100 Rockaway, 650/359-3900), is a Pacifica institution. Nick s offers breakfast, lunch and dinner daily in a relaxed atmosphere with extraordinary views of the Pacific Ocean. Fresh seafood is always available. Lunch items include outstanding soups, salads, sandwiches and hamburgers. Don t overlook the onion rings. For dinner, auto trailer rentals I suggest the Dungeness cracked crab, saut ed scallops, juicy prime rib, filet mignon, chicken livers, half roast chicken, rack of lamb or a half roasted chicken.
Rockaway Beach (Courtesy of the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce) Hotels are moderately priced and all within walking auto trailer rentals distance to the beaches. At Rockaway Beach is The Holiday Inn Express Hotel Suites auto trailer rentals (519 Nick Gust Way, 650/355-5000) with a pool, ocean views, free internet auto trailer rentals and complimentary breakfast. The Best Western Lighthouse (105 Rockaway Beach, 650/355-6300) has ocean views, complimentary breakfast, auto trailer rentals meeting rooms and a pool.
Pacifica auto trailer rentals Motor Inn (200 Rockaway Beach Avenue, 866/538-8430, 866/539 8430) is a pet-friendly hotel, auto trailer rentals which could use some sprucing up. Sea Breeze Motel (100 Rockaway Beach, 650/359-3903) is a Pacifica landmark next to the popular Nick s Restaurant.
For those occasions when you want to leave your fancy attire at (Courtesy of the Pacifica Chamber of Comme