There are three places I'm getting familiar with: Linda Mar, Rockaway, and Pacifica SB(Pier Area). Important for older guys is they have restrooms open 24/7. Parking is free at Pacifica SB and Rockaway. After 8:00 AM parking is $5 at Linda Mar. I like that you can fish all three place at daybreak and the area seems safe. When I get a striper its been at Linda Mar. There are a lot of small perch and medium size perch at Rockaway lately. I'll try Pacifica SB next time.
I like Pacifica because lately I always seem to catch a lot of something at daybreak, high or low tide. The Rockaway/Pacifica SB have a deep trough at the water line so the fish are in close.
Drawbacks. Linda Mar is a surfer's beach so sometimes your area is limited. At Pacifica SB the waves always seem huge even at low tide though a swell report might say other wise. At Rockaway and Linda Mar the seaweed can be a problem but seems like the north side of Rockaway is clearer.
~February/March either the sand moves out and exposes rocks or the sand is extremely soft because any weight (triangle or sliding) will get stuck at all three places so you might need a water bobber or just pitch lures. The dungeness crabs are a pain because I almost always fish bloodworms. I'll be snaring the muthas 11/4. A Rockaway photo is attached. Masa is the man in the picture. He fishes the Rockaway/Linda Mar daily and I always see him catch a lot if I go to Rockaway. He uses sandcrabs.
Nice write-up Edward! It makes me want to go out perch fishing!