Visit The Colorful Cliffs At Mussel Rock Park In Pacifica

If you are lucky enough to be in the area and have the chance to visit the colorful cliffs at Mussel Rock Park, the maps will likely say that the park is in Daly City, as I believe it is located on the northern border of Pacifica, and access is also from Pacifica, I think, so not to worry, this is the place! The ice plant covered hills are truly stunning, in shades of rust and green, and the colors especially pop on a foggy day, which is the norm for Pacifica in August. We walked to the access point for the trails, which is at the top of the cliff leading down to the beach, and enjoyed the view, but you can also get there in a car, and then decide whether to do a bit of exploring, certainly well worth it! We love Pacifica for its cool and foggy summer weather, and proximity to San Francisco, and even closer, SFO!

So do check out all my posts about Pacifica, and do some armchair traveling, or plan a visit yourself to this understated and undeveloped Northern California beach town. 

Mussel Rock is a rock formation that consists of one large and numerous smaller rocks of a type known as a stack, where a headland is eroded unevenly, leaving small islands. The rock itself is located 15 meters from the shore of Mussel Rock Park and stands 18 meters tall.

The coastal area adjacent to the rock is Mussel Rock Park, consisting of 250 acres of land stretching along the coastline. The park includes a beach area, a paragliding launch pad, hiking trails, and a parking lot.

A little known fact: It is best known for being the closest point to the epicenter of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and where the San Andreas Fault enters the San Francisco Peninsula from the northwest. An additional minor fault, the Mussel Rock Fault, was identified in 2000.

The area above Mussel Rock consists of steep cliffs with frequent landslides, sadly threatening homes in a subdivision above.

Interestingly enough, there is sand on the tops of the cliffs!

A truly stunning view!

At the top left of this photo you can get a good look at Mussel Rock, and take a look at my post about Esplanade Beach to enjoy more.

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