Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
No
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Mussel Rock area on the border of Pacifica and Daly City is best-known as a popular hang gliding spot. The on-shore area is quite riddled with gravel roads, trails, drainage ditches and debris, making it less attractive for hiking than other nearby areas like Mori Point and Pedro Point. The area has had significant mudslides over the years, and the city of Daly City has done a lot of work to prevent homes from falling into the ocean. In the meantime, this area is best used as an access to the beach on the north end of the park, which at low tide allows hikers to walk for miles to Thornton State Beach, Ocean Beach, and all the way to Lands End if the tide is right.

The area near Mussel Rock is quite interesting, both historically and geologically. It is best known as the point at which the San Andreas Fault crosses onto land from the northwest. It is also the site of the second-largest active slide area in California (the first being Devil's Slide) which collapsed quite dramatically during the 1906 earthquake. The location was involved in a 19th century railroad project and a short-lived coastal highway project, and a tunnel through the bluff near Mussel Rock itself that is still visible was once used by bootleggers and smugglers during Prohibition to hide contraband liquor.

Mussel Rock is a large sea stack just off shore at the south end of the park below the parking area. There is a nice viewing area quite close to Mussel Rock where the crashing waves, birds, and seals can often be comfortably observed without a lot of company.

Note: Dogs are allowed on-leash in the park and on the beach, and it is a very good idea to observe this regulation. There have been dogs attacked and killed here in daylight by coyotes as recently as spring of 2015!

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Access to many miles of beach walking. Nice coastal views. Dogs allowed on leash.

Cons

Shore area is very degraded. Potential danger to dogs from coyotes.

Features

Fishing
Whale watching
Wildlife
Bird watching

Location

Nearby Adventures

San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, California
San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, California
San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, California

Nearby Lodging + Camping

San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, California
Golden Gate National Recreation Area

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