San Gregorio State Beach, a well-known coastal destination in San Mateo County, California, is expanding and becoming part of the state park system, which will end its decades-long tradition of clothing-optional use. The adjacent 245-acre property, known as San Gregorio Ranch, will officially be incorporated into the state park system on July 29, bringing more than a half-mile of shoreline, coastal bluffs, trails, and a pond into public ownership.
With the land's transfer to California State Parks, visitors will be required to adhere to statewide regulations mandating appropriate beach attire. Park officials typically educate visitors about rules before issuing citations.
The Peninsula Open Space Trust, a conservation group, purchased the property last year for $10 million and is donating it to California State Parks. This acquisition is intended to permanently protect the coastline and expand public access.
San Gregorio Ranch is located just north of the existing San Gregorio State Beach, near the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 84. For many years, this stretch of coastline has been a popular spot for Bay Area residents seeking to enjoy the coast. The beach historically gained a reputation as one of California's oldest nude beaches, with generations of visitors embracing its clothing-optional status. The family of the longtime owner, Walter Bridge, maintained the property and charged for parking beginning in the 1960s.
The newly acquired section will be accessible to the public daily from 8 a.m. until sunset. An entrance fee of $8 per vehicle will be collected by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks staff, while state park employees will manage maintenance and patrols. The full transfer of ownership is expected to be completed within the next year.
Social media users have expressed mixed reactions to the news. Some voiced sadness over the potential loss of the beach's unique character, while others noted the change in its long-standing tradition.