Chris Isaak's Former Property Set To Become SMC's Newest Public Beach

HALF MOON BAY, CA — A long-planned project to transform a scenic beach into a regional coastal park received its final greenlight Tuesday in a unanimous vote from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

Visible from Highway 1 and hugged by beautiful cliffs, Tunitas Creek Beach sits about 8 miles south of Half Moon Bay, spanning 58 acres. The coastal property, formerly owned by musician Chris Isaak, was purchased by the Peninsula Open Space Trust in 2017 and sold to the county in 2020. According to the county, the trust has put millions toward development and construction costs.

A state coastal conservancy grant paid for design and permitting costs, and the county will tap the capital projects fund, Measure K fund and money from the Prop. 68 grant. While the beach is currently open to the public, it offers no on-site amenities.

According to The Mercury News, construction will move forward next month with the county's preferred design, which will add parking, trails, restrooms, signage and a ranger station. The lowest —and winning — bid for the project came in at $11.6 million, with the county authorizing up to $1.1 million for cost overruns.

Due for completion by next summer, Tunitas Creek will be San Mateo County's first new coastal beach since 1969.

>> Keep track of the project on the county's website.