A private beach on the Central Coast?
A private school claiming to have a private beach
California is known for its rugged coastline and beautiful beaches. And something that makes it special, anyone can access them. The problem comes when people try to make them private
Linda Locklin with California Coastal Commission says, “You shouldn’t be describing it “private beaches,” the beaches in California belong the public.
It’s an issue you have probably heard of. The California Coastal Commission has had an ongoing battle with the Opal Cliffs Recreation District over “Privates Beach,” in Capitola. But another self-proclaimed “private beach” might have slipped under your radar. It’s a bit of a hike to get to, but the Monterey Bay Academy has signs marking it “private.”
“We are very concerned with making sure that the California beaches are open to the general public. This particular sign you are talking about is not correct, it shouldn’t be there. Uhm, but I also don’t think it’s impeding the public’s ability to walk from the state beaches on either side, and use that beach,” says Locklin.
While in some cases businesses or companies can own part of the beach, the mean tide line is off limits. That line is arbitrary, but is generally where high tide caps out. Locklin says, “you can just generally say that sandy teaches are open to the public, and if you can get there through legal means like a public access way, public stairway, coming in from the shoreline, you should just enjoy the California beaches.”
And that seems to be the case for this beach. Yalden Rockman is visiting the area. She doesn’t mind the signs, and says it hasn’t turned anyone away. “No no, the beach is packed with people, with the surfers. People really enjoy the beach.”
The issue often comes with access to beach. And that is one of the issues with this beach. There isn’t any parking, just a long walk.
Nearby resident, Jacob Campos says, “You know, you’ve got to walk quite a ways. But I mean, ya know there are other places you can go and park right up next to the beach if you want to.”
And as far as “Privates Beach” in Capitola… the battle continues.
“Well moving forward is, we have an active violation case against them. So
what steps we take next, we are still determining that,” says Locklin.
