Sea Bowl, which has been among the best non-Taco Bell reasons to visit Pacifica for more than six decades, has announced that it’s closing forever as of May 31.
The retro-fabulous bowling alley, actually an entertainment center with billiards and an arcade, is such a staple of the Peninsula city that it’s on Sea Bowl Lane, just east of the Pacific Coast Highway. The site of numerous birthdays and other parties—along with glow-in-the-dark Astro Bowl every Friday night—Sea Bowl opened in 1958, so close to the ocean that the salt air is palpable. Its restaurant, the Rockaway Grill, with its quesadilla- and nachos-heavy menu, will cease operations we well.
Perennially packed with bowlers, the alley and its 32 lanes became Pacific Coast Lanes at some later date, then came under the current ownership in 1996.
This sucks. I spent a lot of time at Sea Bowl in Pacifica as a kid, and still regularly attend with friends. Why have a bowling alley when you could just have more condos! pic.twitter.com/9LCDSamxkO
— Steven Rissotto (@StevenRissotto) March 25, 2023
“We have cherished the many years that we’ve been able provide a fun and exciting space for you to enjoy,” owner David Szeto said in a written statement to Bay Area bowling fans. “We have had many great memories and countless hours of laugher, competition and camaraderie. We know how much our league bowlers have come to love the sport and the community that comes with it.”
Although an employee was unable to provide additional information, The Standard was able to confirm the closing date on Friday evening.