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. 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!
Currently, the Coastside Museum is open on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 1 pm to 4 pm. Docents will be on hand to answer questions and to interpret the exhibits.
Before television and the internet, people would tune into the radio for news and entertainment. What was it like to produce a radio show? In keeping with the spirit of Halloween, the museum will present a recreation of a 1930s radio broadcast of 3 spooky stories by Edgar Allan Poe in the "The Edgar Allen Poe Afterlife Radio Show", read by voice actors along with music and sound effects. Intended for ages 13 to adult. Admission $10. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Download flyer here.
The Pacifica Historical Society, the City of Pacifica, and the National Park Service commemorate the arrival of the Portola expedition from Mexico into what is now Pacifica, and their sighting of San Francisco Bay on November 2, 1769. Why was this so important? Find out at a talk given by a board member of the Historical Society, and a National Park Ranger, at 9 a.m. at the Pacifica Community Center. This will be followed by a hike to the top of Sweeney Ridge at 10 a.m. starting at the end of Fassler Avenue.
The last rummage sale of the year will be absolutely filled with holiday and Christmas decorations at bargain prices, along with the usual household goods and clothing items. Special preview on Thursday November 7 from 5:30 - 7:30, with $5 admission (which is refunded with any purchase)
Take the self-guided History Walk through Sharp Park, formerly known as Salada Beach. For more information, click on the button below.
Learn about Pacifica's places, people and history through the Historical Society's videos on YouTube! For more information, click on the button below.
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.