Where is Rockaway Beach?

Rockaway Beach is a public beach in Pacifica, California.

What is the water temperature at Rockaway Beach?

As of October 29, 2026, the water temperature at Rockaway Beach in Pacifica, California is 61°F (16°C), measured by NOAA buoy 46237, 14.5 miles away.

How is Rockaway Beach rated?

Rockaway Beach in Pacifica, California has an average visitor rating of 4.7 out of 5, based on 940 reviews.

Updated August 16, 2026

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Photo: Rockaway Beach Pacifica California - panoramio by Noah_Loverbear (CC BY-SA 3.0) License

Rockaway Beach

Public beach · Pacifica, California

4.7(940 reviews)

Read reviews

Use caution — an official advisory is in effect

Use caution

Use caution — an official advisory is in effect: water temperature is 61°F, cool enough to cause cold-water shock on a sudden entry.

Water temp 61°F (16°C)

Live data from NOAA buoy 46237 (14.5 mi away), as of Oct 29, 8:30 AM UTC.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore; San Francisco Peninsula Coast. — NWS San Francisco CA

Why, sources & official advisories

Water temperature is 61°F, cool enough to cause cold-water shock on a sudden entry. — NOAA buoy 46237, as of Oct 29, 8:30 AM UTC
No official beach advisory posted (California Water Boards — FHAB Reports checked).

Official advisories

Checked against California Water Boards — FHAB Reports — no advisory posted.

Can I swim today? →Live map near here →

Get an email when it’s warm enough

It’s 61°F at Rockaway Beach now. We check the water daily and email you once when it reaches your temperature.

Public restroomPublic showerWheelchair accessible entranceWheelchair accessible parking lot

Editor's Notes

A narrow, curving cove in southern Pacifica, about seven miles south of San Francisco, backed by bluffs reaching a 175-foot headland. The old Rockaway Quarry just inland supplied limestone ballast for the Ocean Shore Railroad trackbed from 1907; restrooms and a public shower serve the beach.

What’s swimming here?

Fish recorded within 2 km: Threespine Stickleback, Mosshead Sculpin, Fluffy Sculpin and 7 more species.

10 fish species in 17 public records within 2 km of Rockaway Beach since 2000.

Threespine Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus
5 records · 2026
Mosshead Sculpin Clinocottus globiceps
2 records · 2024
Fluffy Sculpin Oligocottus snyderi
2 records · 2024
Woolly Sculpin Clinocottus analis
2 records · 2020
Shiner Perch Cymatogaster aggregata
1 record · 2025
Northern Anchovy Engraulis mordax
1 record · 2024
Western Mosquitofish Gambusia affinisNon-nativenative elsewhere in the US
1 record · 2022
Rockweed Gunnel Apodichthys fucorum
1 record · 2007

Show all 10 species

Monkeyface Prickleback Cebidichthys violaceus
1 record · 2007
Black Prickleback Xiphister atropurpureus
1 record · 2007

Non-native: the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database lists the species as introduced to the San Francisco Coastal South watershed.

Caught one? Make it a card.Snap your catch in Reelio and collect every species. Free on iPhone.

Data: GBIF.org occurrence records, CC0 and CC BY only (iNaturalist research-grade observations, GBIF dataset). Common names: USGS NAS; GBIF.org (The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)). Non-native flags: USGS NAS. These are sightings and specimens people reported, not a survey: a fish missing from the list may still live here.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Rockaway Beach?: Rockaway Beach is a public beach in Pacifica, California.
What is the water temperature at Rockaway Beach?: As of October 29, 2026, the water temperature at Rockaway Beach in Pacifica, California is 61°F (16°C), measured by NOAA buoy 46237, 14.5 miles away.
Can you swim at Rockaway Beach?: Use caution — an official advisory is in effect: water temperature is 61°F, cool enough to cause cold-water shock on a sudden entry. Checked October 29, 2026.
How is Rockaway Beach rated?: Rockaway Beach in Pacifica, California has an average visitor rating of 4.7 out of 5, based on 940 reviews.

Gear for today

Location & Contact

100 Rockaway Beach Ave, Pacifica, CA 94044

Pacifica, California 94044

Get Directions

🏖️ Best times & visiting tips

›Arrive early for best parking and beach spot selection
›Check for lifeguard schedules and swim only in designated areas
›Bring reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life
›Watch for beach flags indicating water conditions

Features & amenities

Highlights

⭐ Picnics

Accessibility

♿ Wheelchair accessible entrance♿ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Amenities

🚻 Public restroom🚿 Public shower

Family & Children

👶 Good for kids

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