Martin’s Beach has been ground zero for beach access activists, surfers and those on the Coastside with fond memories of walking or driving the path from Highway 1 to the relatively small and protected beach.
For more than a decade, Coastsiders and visitors have satisfied their kitchen cravings at the Main Street store.
The Peninsula region lies immediately south of San Francisco in San Mateo County. While many residents in Daly City, Half Moon Bay, Moss Beach, Pacifica and Pescadero work and play to the north or south, the Peninsula has its attractions, including some beautiful wilderness areas. The Santa Cruz Mountains divide the region in half north-south, with a large wilderness area that’s great for hiking and mountain biking.
Highlights and Headlines.
Martin’s Beach – Ongoing Story Beginning in 1918
Vinod Khosla’s granting of partial access to Martins Beach called ‘insufficient’
Although Khosla said he planned to open the gate, he did not do so until Wednesday, two days after lawyers for the Surfrider Foundation filed papers urging the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco to enforce its August ruling that Khosla could not block access to Martins Beach without a permit. The Surfrider Foundation sued Khosla in 2013, arguing that the shoreline had been open to all comers since at least 1918 and belonged to the public.
Billionaires don’t get to decide when and how Californians reach the beach
But last week, the gates suddenly opened. Had Khosla finally done the right thing and restored access to Martins Beach? Not exactly. His representatives told Coastal Commission officials that they would open the gates from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., provided someone on the property was available to do so. Sorry, but that’s not the “maximum access” the law requires, as Coastal Commission officials have rightly pointed out.
Appellate court reaffirms access for Martin’s Beach
Martin’s Beach has been ground zero for beach access activists, surfers and those on the Coastside with fond memories of walking or driving the path from Highway 1 to the relatively small and protected beach. Khosla bought the property from a Coastside family in 2008. A year later, the new owner closed the gate and painted over a billboard that once advertised access to the beach.
Ana Nuevo State Park
Año Nuevo offers intense volunteer experience
“Docents work hard at Año Nuevo State Park, but they say the work is rewarding.”
Domoic Acid and Sea Otter
“Yankee Doodle munches on a snack at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. The sea otter was recently rescued in Half Moon Bay after becoming sickened by an exposure to domoic acid. Photo courtesy Bill Hunnewell / Marine Mammal Center”
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival 2017: Your guide to food, events
They changed the name of this long-running festival some years back to the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival, but let’s face it: If you loathe pumpkin, you’re not the most likely candidate to make the trek to the coast.
Big Wave Competition at Mavericks
Mavericks sale to World Surf League hits a snag
“A surfer takes advantage of big waves at the Maverick’s surf break near Half Moon Bay in January. The sale of the permits to the World Surf League to host a contest at the break may have hit a snag after a company filed an objection to the sale Wednesday. (Patrick Tehan/Bay Area News Group)”
WSL paddles into choppy Mavericks waters
In a 95-page “motion to sell” submitted to the court on Wednesday, the former surf contest organizers detailed their wishes to turn over the reins to the World Surf League.
Marriott Moments: Luxury at The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
This screams wealth – no surprise, at a base cost of high $600s to $800-$900s. Note that this does not include valet parking ($49 for overnight guests) or resort fee ($35/night) which covers the below:
Downtown Half Moon Bay kitchen ware closes
“For more than a decade, Coastsiders and visitors have satisfied their kitchen cravings at the Main Street store where they could find a pour-over coffee kettle from San Francisco, cutting-edge stainless steel knives from Japan, clay cookware from Colombia and even fine linens from France.”
Crumbling Romeo Pier in County Harbor
Romeo Pier demolition to cost $2.3 million
“The San Mateo County Harbor District put out a bid for demolition of the beloved but crumbling Romeo Pier, but received only one bidder. That bid came in at nearly double the $1.5 million the district envisioned.”
Hiking Pacifica at Mori Point in San Mateo County
Hiking San Mateo – Golden Gate National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)
“The main entrance to Mori Point is located at Bradford Way in Pacifica. At this entrance you will find two accessible parking spaces and an accessible restroom. There is an accessible entrance to the left of the trailhead gate. Old Mori Road is relatively flat which makes for a nice, leisurely stroll. You will encounter lots of native vegetation and wildlife. The surface material is a compacted natural material. After about a ¼ mile to your left will be the entrance to the Lishumsha trail. You may choose to take this route which will provide more of a strenuous hike or you may choose to continue on Old Mori which becomes an elevated boardwalk.”
