Thornton State Beach
Daly City, CA
Thornton State Beach connects Fort Funston to Mussel Rock City Park, a stretch of sand reachable only by walking the beach itself from either end since there's no direct parking. Sliding, unstable bluffs above have kept this stretch undeveloped, a genuinely wild in-between beach for the edge of the city.
Genuinely uncrowded thanks to the lack of direct access, held back only by the fact that reaching it requires committing to a walk from one of its neighbors.
How we score beachesTime your walk to a lower tide, some sections of this connecting stretch narrow considerably when the water's up.
No fee, though the CCC records no formal parking area; access is on foot from Fort Funston or Mussel Rock City Park.
Foot access only via the beach from Fort Funston or Mussel Rock City Park; there's no direct vehicle access.
Dogs on leash are allowed in the day-use and bluff-top areas, but are not permitted on the beach itself, which has also been closed to the public due to erosion.
Fog is common most mornings year round, with water staying cold regardless of season.
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