Although the adobe wasn't restored and designated as a historic landmark until 1953, its history stretches back to the mid-18th century and before.
In 1769, the expedition led by Spanish Captain Gaspar de Portola (who would come find the San Francisco Bay) camped in Pacifica's San Pedro Valley, near the Sanchez Adobe site. Before Portola's arrival, an Ohlone Native American village was located in the area, and some of the tools made of shell, stone, wood and bone that they used can be seen in the Sanchez Adobe Museum, located on the historic site grounds.
Later, Spanish missionaries would use the site as an agriculture hub, as they could not farm very well on the sand dunes where they lived and worked in present day San Francisco. Missionaries also converted Native Americans living near the adobe to Christianity, and records from 1792 indicate that many Native American deaths, attributed to an epidemic, occurred around the same time.
Today, visitors to the site can see where the foundations of the original structures rested (they're outlined with logs), take a tour of the site, view historic shows of craft and cooking and peruse the museum inside the current adobe structure.
Oddstad Park has a playground, some grassy areas and benches, perfect for grilling outdoors. It's also the home of the playhouse and performing arts school of the local Pacifica Spindrift Players.
Pacifica State Beach is the most popular among visitors to the city thanks to its location on Highway 1 and its easily accessible stretch of sand untouched by the surf. This park is great for picnics, relaxing and more rarely, due to fog and overcast, sunbathing. The beach is also popular with beginner and intermediate surfers. The Log Shop, which rents and sells surfboards and gear, is located nearly on the beach at its southern limit, as are several restaurants and cafes. Bikers can cruise the paved trail adjacent to the highway and take in Pacifica State Beach's panoramic views on their way to Devil's Slide to the South or Pacifica's more northern districts. Dogs are allowed on leashes, and outdoor showers allow both man and beast to keep sand and salt out of the car. There's also a Taco Bell located literally on the beach with a 'wet' walk-up window.
Fairway Park is almost entirely devoted to Little League Baseball, with the exception of a couple of grills, picnic tables and a playground at its southern end. The main field is called Piccolotti Field and it's one of two that feature a light-up scoreboard, bleachers and dugouts at Fairway Park. Batting cages sit alongside the fields. Dogs are allowed in the park but must be leashed. Beware: parking near the baseball fields could end in a broken windshield or dented hood, depending on which way a foul ball flies.
Pacifica Skatepark is a huge complex with a large pool, including two bowls, a half pipe, small freestyle area and tons of coping. Skating events and contests are occasionally held at the park, but most of the time its open to anyone on skates (bikes are not allowed). The park is rarely crowded, and skill levels of its users range from novice to expert. Helmets, elbow pads and kneepads are required at all times.
Fairmont Park claims far reaching views of northern Pacifica and the Pacific ocean from its westernmost edge and an expansive playground and grass area further inland. The park is clearly designed for family use, especially considering it's nearly buried inside a single-family home neighborhood and the playground takes up a good half of the open space. That said, the hiking and biking trails veining the park near its vantage of the coastline are perfectly suitable to anyone seeking beautiful scenery and a peaceful walk.
A quiet green space tucked away in Pacifica's Fairmont District, Edgemar Park contains something for everyone, whether it's shade from massive trees towering around and inside the park in which to read, picnic tables and a grill for get-togethers with friends and family or a playground for children. The park is open later than most in Pacifica --11pm-- and dogs are allowed but must be leashed.
Seven distinct trails of varying difficulty, 1,150 acres of coastal mountain woods and panoramic views of the Pacific ocean make San Pedro Valley County Park ample relief from the suburbs and city for any outdoor enthusiast.
Three freshwater creeks span the park, providing both cool places for hikers to rest and one of the few spawning grounds for migratory steelhead trout left in Northern California. The south fork of the San Pedro Creek, one of those that cut the valley, is used as as a seasonal water source by Pacificans and was previously a trout farm.
The dense flora of the San Pedro Valley, which was once used by Spanish missionaries as an agriculture hub because they could not grow the food they needed or graze their cattle on the sand dunes of eastern San Francisco, offers amateur or serious botanists a trip. Common plants such as Creek dogwood, watercress and species of fern populate the area while, during the springtime, wildflowers crowd sunny meadows.
Like most parks in this area, there are no dogs, ground fires (barbecues only), or smoking permitted.
Fairmont West Park is dominated by a soccer field and an asphalt basketball court, marking it as an area primarily designed for sports. However, the Fairmont West Child Care Center and preschool, which provides full-day childcare and preschool, makes it home there. A lack of tree cover in Fairmont West make this one of the sunniest parks in the city. Dogs are allowed on leashes.
Milagra Ridge, part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is known as an island habitat, meaning it is a unique ecosystem surrounded by human development. In fact, it is one of the last remaining habitats for the Mission Blue Butterfly and the San Bruno Elfin Butterfly, both federally endangered species. This 239-acre expanse of land, criss-crossed by well-maintained, mostly-paved trails, is a place of striking, almost surreal views. Fog from the Pacific Ocean hits the ridge and whips over its crest, slowing as it heads East amidst thick, low-lying brush and squat shrubs accented by vibrant wildflowers. On clear days, hikers can see westward for miles. Although the ridge teems with native wildlife, including coyotes, many species of birds and several kinds of plants, human development, off-trail use, and invasive non-native plant species continue to threaten the habitat. Milagra Ridge has therefore become the focus of local conservancy and stewardship efforts. Visit its Web site for more information and volunteer opportunities.