Is Pacifica State Beach good for swimming today?
Pacifica State Beach has BeachFinder Score: 65/100. Use this as a planning signal only, then check local flags, lifeguards, closures and current beach conditions.
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US-W - US
Pacifica State Beach
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Quick answer
Quick answer: Pacifica State Beach today
Pacifica State Beach is a BeachFinder spot in US-W, US. Today, compare water temperature 15°C, wind 4 km/h · W, uv 7.5, waves 1.7 m, water quality Check official advisories before leaving. BeachFinder Score: 65/100. Always check official flags, closures and lifeguard advice before swimming.
Water temperature
15°C
Wind
4 km/h · W
UV
7.5
Waves
1.7 m
Water quality
Check official advisories
Last updated: Aug 27, 02:15 AM local forecast timeBeachFinder Score: 65/100
Sources: Open-Meteo weather and marine forecasts, OpenStreetMap place context and BeachFinder spot data.
This is planning information, not a safety clearance. Conditions can change quickly.
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Live conditions on the site
Surfers can check wind, wave height, currents and surf cues here before opening the full BeachFinder app.
Updated: Aug 27, 02:15 AM
Water temp
15°C
Air temp
15°C
Feels like
16°C
UV index
7.5
Wind
4 km/h · W
Gust 12 km/h
Waves
1.7 m
Current
1 km/h · S
Parking
...
Shower
...
Accessible access
...
Toilets
...
Restaurants
...
Weather and marine data: Open-Meteo
Pacifica State Beach
Pacifica State Beach extends along the Pacific coast of Northern California, about 40 kilometers south of San Francisco. This stretch of coastline is characterized by steep coastal cliffs and spectacular rock formations that frame a semi-protected bay. The Pacific Ocean, cold and often rough, shapes a typical coastal landscape here for the San Mateo Peninsula, where salt spray and sea fog dominate much of the year. The beach itself consists of a strip of fine sand extending between rocks and cliffs. Unlike San Pedro Beach, only 200 meters away and often more crowded, Pacifica State Beach retains a wilder and less developed character. Rockaway Beach, 1.1 kilometers away, offers a similar exposure but a slightly different bay configuration. The site has a gentle slope towards the ocean, with regular waves that attract surfers and experienced swimmers. The sand, fine and damp after tides, reveals rock pools and brown algae typical of this coastal region. No lifeguard services are provided on the beach. Access for people with reduced mobility is not provided. Blue Flag status has not been awarded to this site. Visitors should come equipped and aware of the often unpredictable oceanic conditions of the Northern Californian Pacific.
About this spot
Pacifica, a municipality founded in 1957 by the merger of several small coastal communities, owes its name to the ocean that borders it. The region, long isolated by impassable cliffs, was truly integrated into the Bay Area metropolitan region only with the opening of the coastal road in the 1930s. Pacifica State Beach represents one of the last direct public accesses to this stormy ocean, where winter storms regularly sculpt the coastline and where, according to local lore, surfers of the 1960s came to tackle legendary waves away from prying eyes.
Updated 5/9/2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the water temperature at Pacifica State Beach today?
15°C. Marine temperature is shown when forecast coverage is available for this location.
How windy is Pacifica State Beach today?
4 km/h · W. Wind can change comfort and surface conditions, especially on exposed beaches.
What should I check before swimming at Pacifica State Beach?
Check official safety flags, lifeguard advice, closures, water-quality advisories, UV, wind, waves and currents before entering the water.
Before you go
Conditions
Compare water temperature, air temperature, feels-like temperature, UV index, wind, waves and currents. Surf-focused data appears when a marine model covers the spot.
Amenities
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Other nearby spots
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Activities nearby
Things to do around San Francisco
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Hotels and rentals near Pacifica State Beach
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Pacifica State Beach
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