Most people head to Pacifica for the surf at Linda Mar. About a mile inland, on the north bank of San Pedro Creek, is one of San Mateo County's most layered historic sites.
The Ohlone village of Pruristac
Before the Spanish arrived, the site was Pruristac, a village of the Ramaytush Ohlone. A shell midden near today's ranger building marks the village. Gaspar de Portolà's expedition camped about a mile west in 1769. In the early 1780s, many Pruristac residents were relocated to Mission Dolores in San Francisco.
A mission outpost
In 1786, Mission Dolores set up a farm outpost here. According to the county, its irrigated fields and grazing land supplied much of the mission's food for a time. Wikipedia lists crops including wheat, corn, beans, barley, peas, grapes and peaches. As the Native population declined from relocation and disease, farming at the outpost faded. Archaeologists have found its remains in the northeast part of the park.
The adobe
Francisco Sánchez, a former commandant of the San Francisco Presidio and alcalde of San Francisco, received the 8,926-acre Rancho San Pedro in 1839. He started building the adobe in 1842. Wikipedia calls it the finest example of Mexican-era architecture in the county. Later owners used the building as a residence, a roadhouse and an artichoke packing shed until it fell into disrepair. San Mateo County bought the site in 1947 and restored it.
Today the 5.46-acre park includes the restored adobe, furnished with period pieces. It is California Historical Landmark No. 391 and a National Register historic district.
Visiting
- Where: 1000 Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica, with parking on site
- Events: The county hosts a Rancho Day each September, with demonstrations such as brick making and corn grinding.
- School trips: The San Mateo County Historical Association runs field trips here. Booking for the following school year opens each April 15.
Check the county parks page for current hours before you go.