Mori Point
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The Mori Point promontory, a recent addition to the Golden Gate National Parks, juts out between Sharp Park and Rockaway beaches in Pacifica. By virtue of longevity, Stefano Mori, an Italian farmer and guesthouse owner, bequeathed his name to the point that he settled in the late 1800s. Mori Point's open bluffs and hills lie at the western end of Mori Ridge, where visitors can stroll through wildflower fields or marvel at the dramatic coastline, visible as far north as Point Reyes.

Currently, the 105-acre Mori Point area has no official trail system; a lattice of fire roads and social footpaths lead to bluffs and vistas. Looking down from the point, you may see Sharp Park Beach and the seawall separating the beach from Laguna Salada, a salt marsh lying just inland. The beach, wall, and marsh are all accessible from the point. The fault line between the North American and Pacific plates runs along Skyline Boulevard and then offshore near Mussel Rock, an outcrop about three miles north of Mori Point.

Hikers on Mori Point, view looking north
Tips for Visitors
  • The terrain here is varied; walks around Mori Point range from a level and easy 0.5 mile stroll to a steep and challenging 1.5-mile hike.
  • Parking is available on Mori Point Road or Bradford Way.
  • Walk to the tip of the promontory for stunning views or a picnic.
  • Stroll down to Laguna Salada and listen for the croaking of the endangered red-legged frog.
  • Walk barefoot on the black sands of Sharp Park Beach.

Nature

Limestone, Gravel, and Sand
In the 1700s, the Spanish mined the limestone quarry near Mori Point to supply whitewash for San Francisco's Presidio buildings. One of the only limestone sources in the area, Mori Point also was the site of a gravel and sand extraction operation during World War II. Workers crushed gravel from a quarry on the point's eastern side and dredged sand from the sea bottom. Using a pulley system of long cables attached to cement anchors, buckets of sand were brought ashore; several of these crumbling blocks remain on the western hillside. The Kaiser Company, which constructed cargo ships and shipyards, was the operation's primary customer. After World War II, the industry flagged, and it closed in the 1950s.

San Francisco garter snake, an endangered species Restoration Work
Quarrying and off-road vehicle use have left this site heavily scarred. The focus of restoration work here will be to protect the endangered San Francisco garter snake and the threatened red legged frog. Most of this work will be focused on invasive species removal and enhancing endangered species habitat.

History

From Notorious Dancehall to National Park
After arriving from Italy in 1888, Stefano Mori purchased 19 acres of farmland on a cape protruding into the Pacific. Mori raised Brussels sprouts and artichokes, and also built a rambling 21-room guesthouse with a bar, dancehall, restaurant, and an Italian deli. The Mori Point Inn, which had a notorious reputation during Prohibition days, was operated by the Mori family until the 1940s. After its decline as a farm, a guesthouse, and a gravel-and sand-mining site, Mori Point's future remained in limbo for decades. In 2000, with the help of the Pacifica Land Trust, the Coastal Conservancy, and concerned community members, Mori Point was purchased by the Trust for Public Land and added to the Golden Gate National Parks.

Maps and Information

For a map, driving directions and satellite views of this park from Google™ Maps, click here.

Address: Pacifica, CA 94044

Phone: (415) 561-4323

The following links to the Golden Gate National Recreational Area’s website provide more information about:

If you enjoy Mori Point

  • Explore Lands End for more intriguing history and sweeping ocean views
  • Visit Point Bonita for more truly memorable sunsets
  • Pitch in on the revitalization of Mori Point through trail and habitat work
  • Volunteer to grow the native plants you see at Mori Point and throughout the parks