Formerly Martins Beach in Half Moon Bay; with the road closed, I suppose that now we should call it Billionaire’s Beach. (But you’re welcome to go there by boat if you don’t mind the shark-infested waters!)
This isn’t an Orange County story — except that it sort of is an Orange County kind of story, if you know what I mean, even though it’s taking place in Half Moon Bay. A billionaire has used an 1848 treaty to close public access to the public beach for which he owns the sole road access. Because there’s still access to the beach from the shark-infested waters, if you start from across two gigantic rock formations, a judge has said “sure, you don’t have to recognize an easement just because people have been using this pathway for over 100 years. Here’s CNNs video — I found it almost impossible to find, by the way, from the site itself!
When Silicon Valley billionaire venture capitalist Vinod Khosla purchased 53 acres of pristine beachfront property in the community of Half Moon Bay, avid surfer Mike Wallace feared that public access to one of the most scenic beaches on the central California coast would be closed permanently.
Wallace’s fear came true when Khosla indeed closed access and a judge ruled in his favor, a decision that hinged on a court ruling from the 1850s. The dispute raises questions about the balance between private property and public domain, as well as the tech titan’s commitment to the environment as a well-known investor in renewable energy.
Khosla, who co-founded Sun Microsystems, purchased the coastal estate for $37.5 million in 2008. When the sale closed, so did a gate along Martins Beach Road and the only accessible trail to the sand. Locals were outraged, and lawsuits have been flying back and forth ever since.
…
“One of the unique aspects is it’s also protected by strong north swells and winds and there aren’t too many spots up here north of Santa Cruz that your able to have beautiful clean waves,” said Wallace, who coaches the Half Moon Bay High School surf team.
I believe that you’ve been warned about this thing before now. (“First they came for the fire rings….”)
So what do you think, Orange Countians? “Billionaires Barricade Beaches” OK with you, or not?
Wow. Did’nt think you’d catch this! I am impressed. I spent a fee days last month front and center in this battle. It illistrates one of the scariest trends in society: the increasing ease which monied powers can buy the judiciary.
After the bridge benefit Saturday Jack Johnson joined protesters at the gate and sang. Really cool stuff.
Admitting that I am not that familiar with this issue – who is Jack Johnson?
back in the day, we did not need court orders and fences,,,,if someone from the valley or the 909 showed up at our beach, we would simply slit their tires, put sugar in the gas tank or engage in some other form of non-violent protest to let the interloper know that it was our beach…good thing i bought that land up at hollister
on a serious note, it is a tough issue. growing up, you had to dodge the coyotes and the irvine company to get down to salt creek..now the montage is there. is either alternative good, probably not. the walk to trestles used to be fraught with snakes and marines, now baby strollers navigate the asphalt paths.
growing up here and having spent a lot of time surfing santa cruz and half moon bay, beach access is important but, at the same time, the commercialization of the coast and a declining respect for those very beaches that people demand to visit, gives one pause.
I am (not) embarrassed to say —-, I know who he is through my college aged kids, sort of a modern day Bob Dylan. But he is unique to the Southern California surf culture of which remnants (thankfully) remain.
Of perhaps interest to you: following the BOSOX world series victory last month, his fellow Hawaiian resident and Catholic Shane Victorino (whose Father is the long time Knights Of Columbus (Gay HATING GROUP) leader on Maui), hooked up for a great session.
But just like Jim Irsay, when Shane was asked about his Fathers militant anti-gay views, he said “You guy’s like to say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree….But. what if that tree sit’s on a hill?”
Be careful —-, your views may not be your children’s.
In other words, for you, he like a Joey Bishop!
[NOTE TO NAMELESS: If you want to keep being nameless, you don’t get to address other anonymous commenters by name, even if the whole county DOES know who skallywag is. – VN]
Willie Deville been there on all those places surfed the coast from Santa Cruz to Cabo from the mid 60’s for 30 years.
My question is were is the Costal Commission when you need them or that matter the Surfrider Foundation?