Donate to the Pacifica Historical Society and Coastside Museum

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!

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

UPCOMING

ANNUAL OHLONE-PORTOLA HERITAGE HIKE

The annual Ohlone-Portola Heritage Hike is Saturday, November 1, 2025.

From 9:00 - 10:00 am, there will be a program and discussion, including videos and displays, at the Pacifica Community Center, 540 Crespi Dr. From 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, there will be a hike to the Heritage Site. The hike begins at the top of Fassler Ave, where there is a small parking lot. This hike includes a 750 ft climb, and a 3.3 mile round trip. We hope you can participate in either or both of these activities!

Explore Pacifica

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.

Ocean Shore Project

SHARP PARK HISTORY WALK

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.

SELF-GUIDED HISTORY WALK

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.

Footprints Videos

PACIFICA HISTORY

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.

Pacifica History

PRESERVING AND CELEBRATING PACIFICA'S PAST

ABOUT US

The Pacifica Historical Society

MUSEUM OPEN TO VISITORS DURING THE WEEK

UPCOMING

ANNUAL OHLONE-PORTOLA HERITAGE HIKE

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

FOOTPRINTS VIDEOS

FOOTPRINTS VIDEOS

FOOTPRINTS VIDEOS

PACIFICA HISTORY

FOOTPRINTS VIDEOS

FOOTPRINTS VIDEOS

PHS Newsletter