PRESERVING AND CELEBRATING PACIFICA'S PAST
ABOUT US
The Pacifica Historical Society
The Society preserves, enjoys and educates about Pacifica's past. In addition to historical research, we host regular events about local history, and run the Pacifica Coastside Museum. The museum and gift shop hours are Thursday and Saturday, 1-4 PM. We hope you will visit us!
Pacifica has a fascinating history. It was the site of an Ohlone village over a thousand years ago. It was the site where Europeans first saw the San Francisco Bay. It has been part of Spain, Mexico and the United States. During Prohibition, Pacifica was the home of rolicking speakeasies. Pacifica's incredible view of the Pacific Ocean brought military lookouts missle silos during the Cold War. Today Pacifica attracts visitors from around the world, drawn to our natural beauty, amazing hiking trails, legendary surfing, a castle, and the world's most beautiful Taco Bell (seriously!).
Current exhibits include a working model of the Ocean Shore Railroad, the Portola Expedition, Pacifica in WWII, the Ohlone People, and more!
MUSEUM OPEN TO VISITORS DURING THE WEEK
Currently, the Coastside Museum is open on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 1-4 pm. Docents will be on hand to answer questions and to interpret the exhibits.
MARCH 16: LOST GAS STATIONS OF SAN MATEO COUNTY 3 pm
The county had many more gas stations and brands of gas than today. Hear about them in this interesting talk and book signing by the authors. See Events page.
MARCH 29: WALKING TOUR OF HISTORIC SHARP PARK 1 pm
This one-hour walk through the historic area of Sharp Park with one of our historians will explain the history behind some of the houses and buildings along the way. Free. Rain cancels.
APRIL: SCOUTING IN PACIFICA
We are planning to have an event on April 27 with displays featuring the history of scouting in Pacifica. Do you want to participate in the planning? Do you have photos, uniforms, badges, or other scouting memorabilia that you would like to loan to the museum for display? If so, please contact Pat Kremer: pat@pacificahistory.org.
Explore Pacifica
OCEAN SHORE R.R. CAR RESTORATION PROJECT
OCEAN SHORE R.R. CAR RESTORATION PROJECT
OCEAN SHORE R.R. CAR RESTORATION PROJECT
Help Us Restore the only existing OSRR Passenger Car to its former glory. Over 100 years ago, the motto was: "It reaches the Beaches!" The car, when completed, will be open to visitors, and include interactive features. For more information, click on the button below.
SHARP PARK HISTORY WALK
OCEAN SHORE R.R. CAR RESTORATION PROJECT
OCEAN SHORE R.R. CAR RESTORATION PROJECT
Take the self-guided History Walk through Sharp Park, formerly known as Salada Beach. For more information, click on the button below.
FOOTPRINTS VIDEOS
FOOTPRINTS VIDEOS
FOOTPRINTS VIDEOS
Learn about Pacifica's places, people and history through the Historical Society's videos on YouTube! For more information, click on the button below.
PACIFICA HISTORY
FOOTPRINTS VIDEOS
FOOTPRINTS VIDEOS
We reveal the history of Pacifica before and after incorporation, from the first known natives to the present day - and more. Many of the materials here are recovered from our old Wiki site. For more information, click on the button below.