An 8-foot chain-link fence capped with a hand-drawn warning that "trespassers will be shot" has suddenly appeared along the bluffs above Thornton State Beach, cutting off the trail that locals use to reach the sand from Olympic Way. San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa says he has asked state officials to force the fence's removal after learning it also blocks vehicle access for Daly City fire and police, creating what he calls a serious safety issue.
According to SFGATE, the barrier went up within the past two weeks while developers were floating proposals to build on land next to the 58-acre state park. Canepa responded with a letter to the chair of the California Coastal Commission, urging the agency to press the property owner to take down the fence and restore public access.
"There is only one trail down to the beach from Olympic Way in Daly City," Canepa wrote, describing the multi-use path as a popular recreation corridor that is now effectively cut off, according to SFGATE. He argued that the menacing signage and the loss of emergency vehicle access to the bluff top are exactly the kinds of problems that should prompt the Coastal Commission to step in.
How the Coastal Commission Can Respond
The California Coastal Commission states on its enforcement page that it can seek administrative penalties of up to $11,250 per day for violations that block or limit public access. Staff can also pursue cease-and-desist orders or restoration orders if a property owner refuses to comply.
In some situations, the commission may give an owner a short window to fix an unlawful closure. If that does not happen, it can move ahead with fines or require removal of any structures that interfere with public access to the coast.
Neighbors Rally, Petition Launched
Neighbors are not waiting on regulators. A Change.org petition titled "Save Beach Access: Thornton State Beach" went live on January 17 and has already drawn dozens of signatures. The campaign, hosted on Change.org, lists lost emergency access and curtailed recreation as immediate harms, and local coverage has highlighted both the fence and its threatening sign. Patch reported that KRON4 initially brought the barrier to wider public attention.
The dispute echoes earlier battles in San Mateo County over private attempts to wall off the shoreline, including the long-running Martins Beach fight that drew statewide attention and court action, as covered by the San Francisco Chronicle. The Thornton State Beach conflict could similarly spur the Coastal Commission to open a formal enforcement case if officials conclude that a public right of way has been unlawfully blocked.
So far, no agencies have announced enforcement action regarding the fence. This story will be updated as regulators and the property owner respond.
