San Gregorio Ranch, a well-known nudist beach along the San Mateo County coast, has operated as a private clothing-optional destination for more than six decades. That will soon change after the property officially becomes part of the neighboring San Gregorio State Beach.
The transition follows a change in ownership and is expected to expand public access while bringing the site under California State Parks regulations. The beach is scheduled to reopen on July 29 after undergoing maintenance and safety improvements.
State Park Rules Will End the Beach’s Clothing-Optional Status
Once San Gregorio Ranch becomes part of the California State Park system, visitors will be required to follow state park regulations that prohibit nudity or any purposeful “state of undress.”
According to The Sun, anyone found violating these rules may be charged with a misdemeanor. The maximum penalty includes a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both.
State officials said park rangers will initially focus on educating visitors about the new regulations before issuing citations.
A Privately Managed Beach for More Than 60 Years Changes Ownership
The beach, located near Highway 1 and Highway 84 on the San Mateo County coast, had been privately managed by Walter Bridge and his family since the 1960s.
The 238-acre oceanfront property was sold last year to the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), a conservation organization based in Palo Alto, for $10 million.
POST later donated the half-mile stretch of sandy shoreline and its walking trails to California State Parks. The transfer was intended to support continued coastal conservation while improving public access to the area.
Expansion of San Gregorio State Beach set for July reopening
The addition of the former San Gregorio Ranch property will increase the size of the existing San Gregorio State Beach by more than 50 percent.
The site has been temporarily closed while maintenance work and safety upgrades are completed. The beach is expected to reopen to visitors on July 29 under its new management as part of the California State Park system.
The reopening will mark the end of the beach’s long-standing clothing-optional status and the beginning of its operation under statewide park regulations.
