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.
September 13 - 14 — Rummage Sale at the museum. Books, household items, jewelry, clothes, shoes, and Halloween decorations can be found at this fundraiser for the restoration of the last passenger car of the Ocean Shore Railroad.
(note new times) Members of the Pacifica Historical Society are encouraged to attend our annual general meeting on October 20th. At 5:00 there will be a talk in front of the open tent about the current restoration of the OSRR train car 1409. At 5:30, in the museum, there will be elections, followed by a presentation showing the highlights of the Society's activities during the year, and goals for the coming year. Then we will all enjoy a potluck dinner.
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.
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.