The Esplanade & Palmetto Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project will provide a variety of bicycle and pedestrian improvements on portions of Palmetto Avenue, West Avalon Drive, and Esplanade Avenue in the City of Pacifica. A map of the project limits is shown below:

The entire route is part of nationally recognized U.S. Bicycle Route 95 and part of the California Coastal Trail network. The route will connect northern Pacifica with Pacifica’s historic downtown Sharp Park area where there are schools, a library, beach access, recreational hiking, shopping, the Pacifica Municipal Pier, and more.

The improvements being installed on the project are part of the City of Pacifica’s 2020 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The Master Plan included an extensive outreach process with the community including a series of public workshops, presentations to and participation from the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission, multiple pop-up events, and online participation through an interactive web map. Throughout the update process, many Pacifica residents were able to voice their opinions and provide feedback on proposed projects and policies.

The Esplanade & Palmetto Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project will install new and improve existing Class 2 (dedicated), Class 2B (buffered and dedicated), and Class 3 (shared) bike lanes along Palmetto Avenue and a portion of Esplanade Avenue, and install new Class 3B bicycle boulevards (shared with traffic calming elements) along West Avalon Drive and portions of Esplanade Avenue where right of way and coastal public parking constraints exist. Photos of examples of existing bike lanes of the classes described above are shown below:

Class 2 Bike Lanes

Class 2B (buffered) Bike Lane

Class 3 Bike Lane

Class 3B Bike Lane

The Project will improve road surface conditions by repairing and resurfacing the asphalt roadways which will encourage more bicycling and ensure a smoother surface for use by all users.

The Project will also enhance pedestrian safety by installing quick-build painted bulbout safety zones, new curb ramps, new high visibility crosswalks, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons at key intersections along the Project area that connect high use centers with beaches. New or improved crosswalks are planned at Palmetto/Westline, Palmetto/Esplanade, Esplanade/Bill Drake, Esplanade/West Manor, Esplanade/West Avalon, Palmetto/West Avalon, Palmetto/SB Hwy 1 On-Ramp, Palmetto/Surf, and Palmetto/Shoreview.

Funding for the project is being provided by the City/CountyAssociation of Governments (C/CAG) of San Mateo County through Measure W, approved by San Mateo County voters in 2018, and TDA Article 3.

Project Status (updated on 4/24/2024)

The project is currently in the latter stages of design and an application for a Local Coastal Development Permit has been submitted to the City’s Planning Department for consideration by the City of Pacifica Planning Commission. Pending permit issuance, construction of the project is anticipated to begin in Summer/Fall 2024 and be completed by Winter 2024/Spring 2025.

If you have any questions about the project, please contact the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department at 650-738-3767.