Pacifica, A Stop in Time

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High school was an interesting time. Especially if you went to high school when physical education was still a mandatory class or, well, existed at all.

Exploring Pacifica, a small town south of San Francisco and west of San Jose (way more space and cheaper than staying in either of the two big cities)

You see, dodgeball was the game of kings. It separated the heroic and the champions from the cowardly and…well, whatever was left.

Exploring Pacifica, a small town south of San Francisco and west of San Jose (way more space and cheaper than staying in either of the two big cities)

Every once in a while, something miraculous happened, though. There's always been a person picked last. More often than not, it's someone who is commonly looked over and passed on for a number of reasons. Too short, too slow, too fat, too skinny, too…has glasses. But, every now and then, they have a little miracle. Their moment comes and they rise to the challenge. They catch the ball mid-flight eliminating their aggressor and return fire striking that one elusive appointment. The game is won and they are immortalized…at least until the end of the week.

Exploring Pacifica, a small town south of San Francisco and west of San Jose (way more space and cheaper than staying in either of the two big cities)

Enter Pacifica. This is a small coastal town just south of San Francisco and west of San Jose, two big jocks of travel.

With three young boys, Chelsea didn't want to deal with the hustle and bustle of a big city and the chaotic confusion of family life. So we opted for a place she discovered recently – a little alcove hidden from space and time.

They say I'm old-fashioned... Dr Seuss quote

If you blink twice you'd miss it on the freeway. You wouldn't notice its mid-20th century charm accompanied by a thick nightly blanket of coastal mist and thundering waves.

Exploring Pacifica, a small town south of San Francisco and west of San Jose (way more space and cheaper than staying in either of the two big cities)

There's not a lot to do here, and then in a way that's its draw.

Exploring Pacifica, a small town south of San Francisco and west of San Jose (way more space and cheaper than staying in either of the two big cities)

This is not the busy town where you'll find a slew of distractions. No, it's just comfortable.

Exploring Pacifica, a small town south of San Francisco and west of San Jose (way more space and cheaper than staying in either of the two big cities)

Walking around, it reminded me of one of my favorite beaches on the Oregon coast. The sand is dark and driftwood washes up on the shore to make natural benches for wave watching.

Exploring Pacifica, a small town south of San Francisco and west of San Jose (way more space and cheaper than staying in either of the two big cities)

For the boys, the dog friendly beach was the perfect place to challenge white foam to a race.

Exploring Pacifica, a small town south of San Francisco and west of San Jose (way more space and cheaper than staying in either of the two big cities)

We enjoyed our time in Pacifica. The side trip on our way back from Mendocino centered the focus straight on our experience with family as we meandered its quiet little roads and quaint little beaches. If you're ever passing through the bay area and looking for a quieter place to stay, this might just be the respite you need.

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