Chewing out a rhythm on my bubble gum
The sun is out and I want some
It’s not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach...

--The Ramones

Pacifica, CA is one of my favorite haunts. Perched on the rocky cliffs and sandy beaches of the Pacific Ocean just south of San Francisco, CA, Pacifica seems like a town trapped in a time warp with a definite 50’s small-town feel. Last year, my boyfriend Bob and I drove out to the coast on the 4^th of July and found the beach aflame with safe and sane fireworks brought down to the waterline by hundreds of local families. The thick fog gave the multitude of colored flaming fountains an eerie glow, as if the beach was under attack. At that moment, we decided to spend this year’s 4^th of July weekend in Pacifica at the Sea Breeze Motel on Rockaway Beach. (Cue Ramones music here.)

Fortunately, I made the reservations before I got laid off for the second time this year, (hence the title of this new travel feature). But I hardly should have worried. An ocean view room at the Sea Breeze Motel goes for just under $100. It’s not a five-star resort by any means, but the small family-owned motel is clean, cute, and comfortable with great service. Reminiscent of road-side motels on Route 66, anyone interested in retro-style accommodations should definitely plan a trip to the Sea Breeze. Close your eyes, listen to the surf, and you can instantly forget what year it is. And these days, that might not be such a bad idea.

The Sea Breeze motel is literally attached to Nick’s, one of the best restaurants in Pacifica. A resident of the sea-side town since 1927, Nick’s is definitely doing something right. With seafood fresh from the water, authentic pasta dishes, and broiled entrees, dinner prices are reasonable and range from about $12 to $35. My favorites are the famous crab sandwich and the chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta, lightly fried. But because we were on a much reduced recession budget, we decided to splurge on breakfast instead of dinner. With prices ranging from $6 to $12, breakfast seemed like a bigger bang for the buck. For dinner, we planned on the traditional 4^th of July barbeque: hot, fast, and on the cheap. And hey, everything tastes better on the beach.

Our 4^th of July Saturday started at 3:00 pm when we got into town and checked in to the motel. We reserved a room with a queen size bed and a view of the ocean across the small parking lot. The room itself was a good size. If you’re looking for better-than-home linens and towels, you won’t find them at the Sea Breeze. The bed was firm but comfortable, but with the smell of the salt sea spray coming through the open window and the lull of the crashing surf, you won’t miss the luxury linens. The bathroom included a stand up shower without a tub, but the water pressure alone made up for any lacking luxury, acting like a warm massage. Who needs an on-site masseuse?

Once we’d explored the room thoroughly (I always feel like a kid in a new motel, bouncing on the bed, and opening every drawer and cabinet to see what’s there) we headed just across the parking lot and down the rocky bluff to Rockaway beach with our folding chairs and barbeque grill. The weather was warm for Pacifica, about 70 degrees, but this is still Northern California. The water is cold! The sky was overcast with occasional sun breaks. But the chilly weather didn’t stop the kids from playing in the surf and building sandcastles. Fishermen cast their lines into the water hoping to land a striped bass for dinner. A local told me he’d caught a 35 pounder just a couple weeks ago. No wonder Nick’s fish is so fresh.

As Bob grilled our hot links, I just chilled out sipping beer and watching the rolling surf. I caught sight of a seal playing in the waves, challenging the many diving pelicans to a duel for fish. Just the day before, I’d seen of a pod of dolphins down the coast at Pedro Point, and a small pod of whales a couple weeks before that. So if you visit Pacifica, definitely bring your binoculars. You never know what you’ll see in the bright blue Pacific water.

The fireworks started just before sunset. Families with kids descended on the beach and set up their stations with folding chairs and coolers. We spent about $50 on our safe and sane fireworks, purchased at one of the many stands in town benefitting local civic groups. But with the offshore wind, we had a hard time getting them lit. From an experienced local dad, we learned the best way to light fireworks in windy Pacifica is to bring a pack of cigarettes -- whether you smoke or not. Once our fireworks were spent, we stuck around to watch the many other displays on the beach.

When it got too cold, we headed inside Nick’s Lounge for some liquid heat, and found the house band playing funky disco hits. What a way to warm up! With a voice like Otis Redding, vocalist Caesar Young really rocked the house. After a couple glasses of cheer, we headed out to the dance floor for the band’s version of “Billie Jean,” “Brick House,” and “Play that Funky Music White Boy.” I was soon warm and feeling grateful for independence and freedom. And even in this bad economy, I think Caesar’s fabulous rendition of “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” made everyone in attendance glad they were in the greater San Francisco bay area. What a perfect ending to a great 4^th of July.

The clock was only striking midnight when we got back to our room, but we only made it through the first half hour of local TV 20’s Creepy KOFY Movie Time showing of “The Giant Gila Monster” before the crashing surf had lulled us to sleep.

Ocean view room at the Sea Breeze motel: $90.

An evening of drinks and dancing at Nick’s lounge: $50.

Falling asleep to the sound of the ocean just outside your window: priceless.

After a good night's sleep and a lazy morning in bed, breakfast started with a mimosa for me and a Bloody Mary for Bob. Bob had the tasty Italian omelet with zucchini and tomatoes, while I had the pancake combo with eggs and some awesome breakfast links. After lounging over Nick’s good coffee and fabulous grilled sourdough toast, we made it home before noon to feed the cats. Even though it was only a night away, to me I felt as relaxed as if I’d spent a week away. I guess that’s the benefit of vacationing close to home. No need for an after-vacation vacation.

I’m still looking forward to a real trip sometime soon, but until the economy heats up again, a little recession recreation is better than a staycation any day. And for a fun, old fashioned, and family-style 4^th of July weekend, it’s not hard, not far to reach, we can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach…