Martins Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Martins Beach |
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Pelican Rock at Martins Beach
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 Martins Beach
Location in San Francisco Bay Area
Martins Beach
Location in California
Martins Beach
Location in the United States
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| Location | San Mateo County, California, US |
| Coordinates | 37°22′31″N 122°24′31″W / 37.37528°N 122.40861°W |
| Elevation | 0 m |
| Geology | Beach |
Martins Beach is a beautiful beach in San Mateo County, California. It is famous for its stunning views and also for a long legal fight over public access. The only way to reach the beach is by a road that goes through private land. The beach was named after Nicholas Martin, an early landowner and farmer.
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About Martins Beach
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Martins Beach has two shallow coves. These coves are surrounded by tall, steep cliffs. A unique rock formation called "Pelican Rock" divides the two coves. This tall, pointed rock is surrounded by small tidepools.
The land around Martins Beach was once part of a large ranch called Rancho Cañada de Verde y Arroyo de la Purisima. In the 1850s, Nicholas Martin bought the beach and the nearby land. For many years, Martins Beach was a popular spot for families and surfers.
A Popular Spot for Families
Since the early 1900s, the Deeney family owned the land. They allowed people to visit the beach for free. However, they charged a small fee to park cars.
In the 1920s, the Deeneys leased the beach to the Watts family. The Watts family managed the beach and its services. They even ran a popular place called "Watts Inn" right on the beach. This inn is still there today. They also managed the paid parking area near the highway.
In the early 1990s, the Deeney family took over managing the beach again. They continued to allow public access in exchange for a parking fee.
The Legal Battle for Access
In 2008, a very rich person named Vinod Khosla bought the 53-acre property next to the beach. He paid $53 million for it. After buying the land, he blocked the road, stopping public access to the beach. Since then, there has been a big legal battle to reopen the beach to everyone.
The main argument for public access is based on something called "implied dedication." This idea suggests that if land has been used by the public for a long time, it should remain open.
What is Implied Dedication?
"Implied dedication" is a legal idea. It means that if private land has been used by the public for many years without being stopped, it might be considered public land. This is especially true if the owner allowed this use. In the case of Martins Beach, people argue that because the Deeney family allowed public access for so long, the beach should stay open.
The California Coastal Act
Another important law in this case is the California Coastal Act. This law protects public access to California's coastline. Many people believe that blocking access to Martins Beach goes against this act. The California Coastal Commission, which enforces this act, has also been involved in the legal fight.
Private Property Rights
However, Vinod Khosla's side argues that he has the right to control his private property. This argument is based on the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Fifth Amendment says that private property cannot be taken for public use without fair payment. Khosla's lawyers argue that forcing him to open the beach would be like taking his property without paying him.
In 2016, Khosla offered to sell a small part of his property. This part would create a public path to the beach. He asked for $30 million for this small piece of land. This amount was almost as much as he paid for the entire property in 2008.
See also
In Spanish: Martin's Beach para niños
