A new beach park has opened near HMB. Here’s what to know before you go

A vision nearly a decade in the making was realized this week with the opening of Don Horsley County Park at Tunitas Creek Beach, a 58-acre property midway between Half Moon Bay and Pescadero. Originally slated to open in fall 2022, the park’s debut was pushed back due to pandemic-related delays, the CZU Fire in 2020 and two unexpected landslides.

With sandstone cliffs and panoramic ocean views, Tunitas Creek Beach is easily accessible off Highway 1, with overlooks at the upper bluff parking area for motorists (or cyclists – there’s a bike rack and a bike repair station) who want to pull off the road to take in the view.

Accessibility was key to the park’s design – there’s an accessible path leading down from the parking lot to the mid-bluff area, where visitors can access picnic tables, an amphitheater and other amenities. There’s no entry fee, and the park opens at 8 a.m. every day, with closure times changing seasonally.

The park’s opening sheds light on the history of the place known to locals as Don’t Eat Me Beach because of past shark sightings and as the former spot of a home previously owned by singer Chris Isaak.

The property also demonstrates how climate change is factoring into infrastructure decisions on the San Mateo County coast, as erosion and sea level rise projections played a significant role in the project’s final design.

Read my feature to learn more about the ecology and history behind the new beach park before its first weekend open to visitors.

Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com

A new beach park has debuted on the San Mateo County coast. Here’s what to know before you go

Known for its dramatic sandstone cliffs and panoramic ocean views, Don Horsley County Park at Tunitas Creek Beach is a new recreation destination south of Half Moon Bay.

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Congrats to Monica S., who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s the IDES Hall in downtown Half Moon Bay!).

The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win a gift card from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!

Tōrō Nagashi Lantern Floating Ceremony: Through Aug. 21 Hakone Estate and Gardens hosts the ceremony in which participants write personal messages of hope or in remembrance of a loved one on illuminated lanterns that are released in the koi pond. Each night also features traditional Japanese folk dancing.

‘Ideal Life’ Launch Party: Aug. 22 Fireside Books & More hosts the launch party for local author Evelyn Skye’s newest novel, the Silicon Valley-set “Ideal Life.”

Sign Hill Community Hike: Aug. 22 Hike up the iconic Sign Hill in South San Francisco with Councilmember James Coleman and City Manager Laura Snideman and learn about the work of the Sign Hill Stewards.

Palo Alto Festival of the Arts: Aug. 22-23 Spanning nine blocks of downtown Palo Alto, the annual festival includes artist booths, live music, an Italian street-painting expo, art demos from Pacific Art League and Chopin & Chandeliers’ interactive “Play Me” piano.

Whiskies of the World: Aug. 28 Find more than 200 distilled spirits from around the world at this event in Half Moon Bay, including single malts, scotch and bourbon. Tickets include snacks and a nosing glass in addition to spirit tasting.

Bay Area Lebanese Festival: Aug. 29 The annual celebration of Lebanese culture, featuring entertainment, vendors and foods, returns to downtown Redwood City.

Exploring Plankton & Friends at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve: Aug. 30 Microscopic plankton may be small, but it has a big role to play in the health of marine ecosystems. Learn all about plankton and more at this event, led by volunteer naturalists.

Train Day: Aug. 30 Interact with train enthusiasts, build your own LEGO train, watch old train films and check out a robotics demo at the Los Altos History Museum’s 15th annual event showcasing steam and electric model trains.

Plan Ahead:

Los Altos Hills Hoedown: Sept. 5 Head to the hills for square dancing, live bluegrass music, equestrian exhibitions and demonstrations, and BBQ and ice cream food trucks.

Belmont Greek Festival: Sept. 5-6 Greek culture is the star of this long-running annual festival, which features live performances, guided church tours and plenty of Greek cuisine.

Kings Mountain Art Fair: Sept. 5-7 A Labor Day weekend tradition, find art and food under the redwoods at this event, which supports the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade and Kings Mountain Elementary School.

Book Bash: Sept. 11 Peninsula Book Collaborative’s annual Book Bash will feature a panel with Nicole Wong and Olivia Allen-Price, food and drinks, and silent and online auctions. Proceeds support the organization’s community literacy work.

Mountain View Art & Wine Festival: Sept. 12-13 A dozen California wineries are featured at Mountain View’s annual festival, plus live music, hundreds of artist vendors, family-friendly activities and a bounty of food options.

Summer’s End Music Festival: Sept. 19 Say goodbye to summer at this Coastside festival featuring live music (including Moonalice), face painting, henna tattoos, caricatures and more.

September Arts & Culture Fest: Sept. 26: The annual festival returns with live music and cultural performances, a mural-painting competition, local artists and poets, and family-friendly activities.

Behind the screens: Meet the Palo Alto native making custom screen prints and hand-painted signs from his Coastside art studio
After teaching himself screen printing in college, Eric Kneeland went on to start Black Stamp Studios out of his grandmother’s garage in 2009

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