Restore the Land, Connect the Community.
A careful approach to restoration can re-create much of the historic natural landscape, including coastal grasslands and shrub-lands on the hills and healthy, productive wetland habitat in the lower elevations.
As important, restoration will strengthen recreational networks — such as the coastal trail leading northward to Mori Point or links eastward to Sweeney Ridge — that connect Pacifica to its spectacular coastline.
The majority of the property — including the Calera Creek corridor, hillside areas, the central wetlands, and the quarry bowl — will be maintained as open space.
The unstable quarry bluffs are crossed by steep informal trails. Grading of the site for reclamation will result in safer trails and dramatic viewpoints for the public, consistent with the intent of the California Coastal Act.
The restored landscape will provide habitat for wildlife, including threatened species such as the California red-legged frog and San Francisco garter snake. Wetlands will support nesting habitat for regionally important birds, such as marsh hawks and wood ducks, and wintering habitat for ducks, shorebirds and wading birds.
The Quarry offers residents and visitors a newly activated destination that complements Pacifica’s coastal, small town character. An oceanfront Quarry Hotel & Conference Center will host community events and help support costs of site restoration while sparking economic benefits for the City. A mixed use Quarry Village, with shops clustered around an oceanfront plaza, will extend the Rockaway Beach district. And a new internal roadway will provide a safe frontage road along Highway One.
Rejuvenated wetlands and other natural areas offer enormous opportunities for environmental education. New interpretive walks and explanatory signs — even a small nature center — can enliven field trips for school children and others.
Landscape restoration will reintroduce a diversity of native and site-adapted plants, including trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses. Santa Barbara sedge, creeping wild rye, field sedge and arroyo willow are among the natives that may be planted.