Book Your Fishing Charter in Pacifica Pier, CA

Along the scenic coast of the Pacific Ocean is where you’ll find Pacifica. The city, only 15 minutes from San Francisco, consists of several small valleys and is home to Pacifica Pier, one of the best fishing piers in the state. Pacifica lives up to its name, which means ‘peaceful’ as it’s a beautiful beachfront city, perfect for a relaxing and exciting getaway.

Outdoor activities are at the forefront of what Pacifica has to offer. Its numerous beaches offer excellent surfing opportunities, while multiple trails allow you to hike or bike throughout the area. In terms of angling, you’ll find that you won’t need to go far to land an exciting catch as there are plenty of chances to hook fish from the sandy shores and the renowned fishing pier.

Pacifica Pier Fishing: Abundant Pier Fishing in the Bay Area

You must have heard about Pacifica Pier when you visit Pacifica as an angler. It is one of the best fishing piers in California because it offers a vast array of fish with terrific qualities. It is also the only one you’ll find that is free for fishing and crabbing in the Bay Area.

The L-shaped, quarter-mile-long Pacifica Pier can be accessed from Highway 1 and Beach Boulevard. The main draw here is chinook salmon and striped bass. Other fish you may spot and catch are kingfish (white croaker), Pacific tomcod, staghorn sculpin, lingcod, brown rockfish, bocaccio rockfish, jacksmelt, topsmelt, Pacific butterfish, Pacific herring, Pacific sardines, Pacific sanddab, Pacific sand sole, starry flounder, California halibut, leopard sharks, brown smooth-hound sharks, thresher sharks, bat rays, and skate. 

If you’re a keen perch angler, Pacifica Pier offers some of the most diverse selections of the species like barred surfperch, redtail surfperch, calico surfperch, silver surfperch, walleye surfperch, spotfin surfperch, shiner perch, pile perch, white seaperch, sharpnose perch, black perch, striped seaperch, rainbow perch, and rubberlip seaperch. 

A ton of fish is found and caught from the pier because it serves as a fantastic habitat where baitfish gather. The dock is wheelchair accessible, provides free parking, and has restrooms and fish cleaning stations. You can also go crabbing for Dungeness crabs, another popular activity at Pacifica Pier.

Coastal Charms of Pacifica Pier

1. Go Whale Watching

Pacifica Pier, the city, and its beaches and trails are excellent places for whale watching. In December and January, gray whales can be spotted closest to the shore as they migrate from Alaska. Blue whales, you can spot them from late spring to fall. The best whale watching season for humpback whales is in summer and fall.

2. Explore the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area includes numerous hiking and scenic spots in Pacifica; these include Mori Point, Sweeney Ridge, and Milara Ridge. All are great places to explore and hike or bike through. You’ll get the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and panoramic views of the area. You’ll also find historical remnants that have been used during WWII and habitats of endangered species.