State park
Thornton State Beach
Thornton State Beach is a state park in San Mateo County, California. Hours: None listed.
Thornton State Beach map
Thornton State Beach boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Sites can be reserved in advance.
- Hours: None listed.
- No, day use at Thornton State Beach does not need a reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
- No, dogs are not allowed at Thornton State Beach.
Before you go
Day use needs no reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
Camping at Thornton State Beach
Sites can be reserved in advance.
What to see
- Feature Parking
- Feature Camping
- Feature Beach
Public lands next to Thornton State Beach
- National Park Service unitThornton State Beach borders Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
- BLM unitCalifornia Coastal National Monument is 1.5 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=530 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_state_parks (accessed 2026-09-28)