Pacifica is a coastal city situated in San Mateo County, California, within the United States. It lies on the Pacific Ocean coast between San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, straddling San Pedro Creek which flows from Sweeney Ridge. The city occupies a part of the Mexican land grant Rancho San Pedro and serves as a distinct municipality in the San Francisco Bay Area Peninsula region.

Before European arrival, the area hosted Ohlone villages Pruristac and Timigtac. In 1769, Gaspar de Portolà sighted San Francisco Bay from Sweeney Ridge, accelerating Spanish colonization. The site later held the San Pedro Valley Mission Outpost and the Sánchez Adobe. Pacifica incorporated in 1957, uniting nine communities like Sharp Park and Rockaway Beach, with Jean Fassler becoming one of California's first women mayors.

The city comprises roughly eleven districts including Fairmont, Westview, and Linda Mar. It features numerous public beaches such as Pacifica State Beach and Gray Whale Cove State Beach. The landscape includes the Pacifica Quarry protected as an environmentally sensitive habitat and the historic Sharp Park Golf Course. The terrain is defined by coastal headlands and creeks like Calera Creek.

Pacifica offers a mix of hippie and blue-collar culture, known for its surfing spots and fog drip ecology. Residents enjoy unique traditions like consumer fireworks, which are legal here, and an annual Fog Fest in September. The city provides dining options ranging from Nick's to Gorilla BBQ, attracting visitors with its hiking trails at Mori Point and scenic coastal views.

As of the 2020 census, Pacifica had a population of 38,640. The economy features a median household income of $156,819 according to 2023 estimates. Access is available via Route 1 or Samtrans buses from nearby BART stations. The climate is warm-summer Mediterranean with average January temperatures ranging from 45.8 to 56.7 °F and annual precipitation averaging 30.29 inches.