The City of Pacifica strives to provide a historically rich system of beaches, parks, trails, and natural areas that will serve residents of all ages, abilities, and interests. A reservation and/or permit is required for the following areas and events. For more information about facility rentals and Frontierland Park reservations, please click on the links below.

Community Center Facilities Rentals | City of Pacifica

Civic Center Facilities Rentals | City of Pacifica

Frontierland Park | City of Pacifica

Major or Special Events

A Major or Special Event is an activity that occurs upon public property (City parks, beaches, and trails, etc.) that will affect the standard and ordinary use of public spaces, public streets, right-of-way, or sidewalks, and/or requires extraordinary levels of City services. A Major Event is 251 or more attendees and/or participants. A Special Event is 250 or fewer attendees and/or participants.

A Major or Special Event includes but is not limited to; auctions, bike-a-thons, carnivals, dances, exhibitions, fairs, festivals, foot runs, markets, marches, motion picture filming, parades, photography shoots, sporting events, surf events or contests and tournaments.

A Major or Special Event permit application must be submitted 60 days prior to the event and received by the Parks, Beaches and Recreation department Admin. Assistant. A Major or Special Event may require additional review prior to approval and any exceptions must be approved through the Parks, Beaches and Recreation department management team. Other requirements include event insurance, site map for event, safety plan, trash and recycling plan. Additional fees or permits may be required.

Please contact Administrative Assistant II Sabrina Krenn at skrenn@pacifica.gov for more information.

Beach, Pier & Recreation Trail Permits

Here is the process for obtaining a permit for beach, pier, trail, park, and skatepark permits for special or major events, including beach weddings, surf contests, parking lot rentals, trail races, etc. (please see below for film and photo productions permits).

Please note that parking lot rentals and surf events are approved on a case-by-case basis.

Parking Lot Information | General Beach Information | General Pier Information | General Trail Information

• Fill out the Special/Major Event Application Form with as much detail as possible, including where your event will be held, the date, the time, who is holding the event, a description of the event, and relevant set-up and layout details. Applications must be received at least 60 days before the event date.
  • Please note that the process will be delayed if not enough information is provided - it will take staff more time to reach out to seek clarity of event details
• Email this form to skrenn@pacifica.gov or mail it to 170 Santa Maria Ave, Pacifica CA 94044 with Attn: Sabrina Krenn
• Please allow staff at least 10 business days to review the application (for complex or Major Events that require coordination of multiple departments, this process may take longer). Staff will then follow-up about location availability, cost of the permit (refer to the fee chart below for reference; additional fees may be required depending on event requirements), and required additional documents to receive the permit
• Most Special/Major events require the following documents no later than 30 days before the event:
  •  A site map delineating where the event will be held
  • A safety plan with relevant safety and medical information
  • Insurance with the City of Pacifica listed as additionally insured
    • $1,000,000 Personal Injury or Death
    • $1,000,000 Per Occurrence
    • $1,000,000 Property Damage Liability
•  Please note that final approval will not be granted until all conditions including payments, insurance, and supplement documents have been received and processed by the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation department
• Once the department has received all required documents, payment, and insurance and processed the request, a copy of the permit will be sent to the permittee for signature. Once the permit is signed and approved, a final copy will be sent to the permittee. One the day of the event, the permittee should have a digital or physical copy of the permit on hand.

Film and Photo Productions Permits

Are you interested in obtaining a film or still photography permit to shoot on a Pacifica beach or in one of our parks? Let our reservation team members assist you. Application must be submitted 60 days prior to an event - the process is the same as listed above for beach, pier, and recreation trails applies, but please submit the PB&R Photo - Film Application Form instead of the Special/Major Event Application Form.

Fees as of July 1, 2025

Event	Fee
Recreation Trail Use Permit	$183.00 per day
Beach Events less than 50 people	$220.00 per day plus $25.00 Non-refundable deposit
Beach Events 51-300 people (Max)	$305.00 per day plus $25.00 Non-refundable deposit
Beach Weddings less than 99 people	$262.00, plus $25.00 Non-refundable deposit.
Beach Wedding 100-150 people (Max)	$368.00 plus $25.00 Non-refundable deposit
Film/ Photo Shoots- Small Commercial (less than 3 support vehicles)	$630.00 per day plus $25.00 Non-refundable deposit
Film/Photo Shoots- Major Commercial plus additional fees for City services or staff	$1261.00 per day plus $25.00 Non-refundable deposit
Film/ Photo Shoots - Non-profit or student	$104.00 per day plus $25.00 Non-Refundable deposit
Skatepark Event - Whole day	$388.00 per day plus $251.00 Refundable cleaning deposit
Skatepark Event- Half Day (4 hours or less)	$235.00 per day plus $125.00 Refundable cleaning deposit
Surf Event -Commercial and out-of-town groups	$840.00 per day plus $251 Refundable deposit
Surf Events- Local & Non-profit	$380.00 per day + $25 non-refundable deposit

Insurance

Insurance is required for all events over 50 people as specified in Section 4-10.113(b) of the Pacifica Municipal Code (depending on the event logistics, insurance may be required even if attendance is under 50 people). The minimum coverage is as follows:

• $1,000,000 Personal Injury or Death
• $1,000,000 Per Occurrence
• $1,000,000 Property Damage Liability

The following insurance companies are provided as a convenience only. The City of Pacifica does not endorse or recommend any specific insurance provider. Renters may obtain insurance from any carrier that meets the City’s insurance requirements. 

HUB International Insurance Services

Eventsured

The Event Helper

Event Insurance Now

Markel Event Insurance