From Parties to Parks
A property once linked to a ’90s singer is set to transform its image as it opens as a free seaside park on August 17.
Don Horsley County Park, situated at Tunitas Creek Beach—about 13 miles south of Half Moon Bay—marks the first significant addition to San Mateo County’s park system in nearly six decades.
The vast 58-acre land was acquired in 1998 for $3.1 million by a company affiliated with Chris Isaak, famous for the hit “Wicked Game.”
Over the years, Tunitas Creek Beach earned a reputation for wild all-night parties and rampant trespassing, turning into a popular site for raves and bonfires, which left the place littered with debris.
Even though the beach has always been public, there wasn’t an official access point. People would often find their way to the ocean via a maze of unofficial trails, including one that ran through Isaak’s property.
This situation posed significant liability risks, especially with the water system frequently failing during winter storms.
In 2016, a tragic incident occurred when a man from San Jose drowned at Tunitas Creek Beach after being caught in rough waves.
Perhaps due to these factors, Isaak’s trust sold the land in 2017 to the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), an environmental organization based in Palo Alto, for $5 million. In 2020, POST sold it to San Mateo County for a lower price of $3.2 million.
Isaak, who hails from Stockton, California, has not publicly commented on the property or its controversial past.
Scott Lombardi, San Mateo County Parks Director, recalls the chaotic days: “We had camping overnight, people lived on the beach, we had a big rave,” he said. “It was unbelievable. Fortunately, it has passed.”
The upcoming park is the result of a $19.6 million revitalization project funded by private donations, county funds, and state resources. Groundbreaking took place in 2023 to create facilities like restrooms, a ranger station, a small amphitheater, accessible walkways, and parking for 80 vehicles.
Beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, visitors will be able to access the beach legally, which features soft sand and impressive 100-foot cliffs.
“This is a place where everyone is welcome,” said Emma Gonzalez, interim director of the San Mateo County Parks Department. “The scenery. The cliffs. There’s so much to see. It’s breathtaking.”
The park’s website describes the area as a sanctuary for sandpipers, perfect for wildlife watching, hiking, and beach exploration.
Located just south of the intersection of Tunitas Creek Road and Highway 1, the park is open daily and differs vastly from its former life of parties and camping, where drugs and alcohol are now explicitly banned.
Rangers emphasize that there will be no lifeguards present and recommend that visitors exercise caution due to dangerous rip currents.
Initially planned to open last year, the park’s debut was postponed because of landslides caused by heavy rains.
This park is named after Don Horsley, a former County Supervisor who was instrumental in realizing this vision. Horsley passed away in November 2023.
“This new park is a gem,” remarked San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller, who represents the area. “This is a place where we can protect the delicate natural resources of our coast while creating new opportunities for people to connect with nature.”
