Thornton State Beach

Okay so heres the deal, i dont Unilocal review like ever but i found it necessary to give you guys some advice.
1) do not attempt to climb down to the beach after it has rained.
2) if you do attempt to climb down post rain (like myself) dont wear white shoes.
3) be prepared to have to make a 7ft jump at the bottom (i wasnt even gonna jump i was gonna turn around but i just slipped and that was that).
4) getting back up it a bit of a hike, but after walking a few miles north on the beach i found a mildly easier path up.
5) okay so it took me 2 ½ hours total to get down walk around and get back up, so make sure you have nothing planned later
5) it’s so worth it!
Anyways it’s actually really cool down by the water and I’d totally recommend persevering through the non-​existent paths to get there.

One of the BEST places to watch the sunset.
Trust me on this one; Maxie says so.

My boyfriend is just a whiz at finding these little hidden gems. We were in the area and decided to stop by the Thornton Beach Vista Point. There’s a small parking lot (you may have to wait for someone to leave before you park in a spot).
Bring a jacket! It gets windy. There is a paved trail to a look out point where you can see the cliffs and the coastline. Starting from the parking lot, there’s an unpaved trail (over the rail) that will lead you towards the coast. Keep following the trail and you’ll find yourself walking down the side of the hill/​cliff and closer to the coastline.
From the top of the trail, we enjoyed the view and saw several people parachuting and hang gliding. They looked so peaceful! It was neat to see how they navigated the winds in the sky.
There’s also a horse ranch or something right near here where people horseback ride down to the coast. Pretty cool! We saw some groups hike all the way down to the beach. There looked like there were several trails that lead you down there (take your pick!)
Will probably come back one day to hike down and check it out.

This place is amazingly beautiful and very enjoyable. I had ran the trails here every day last summer while eating healthy in order to achieve my body transformation going from 235, 32% body fat to 180, 12% body fat. The scenery made the journey every one bit easier as I was genuinely excited to come back to my «hidden gem» as many people stated. This beach is not over-​crowded, which is an aspect I enjoyed due to my prior self being self-​conscious. The only thing that should be done, is to have police patrol the beach point at late night due to car party goers who pollute with their cigarettes and alcohol bottles and ruin a nice thing for everyone else.

Like John said, a hidden gem. There are trails, but they are past the ropes. Great place for a picnic or just a hike

Watch out for the homies smoking blunts and drinking 40’s that watch you leave and rob your car with easy get away access. look at all the glass on the ground. also don’t let your dog eat any condoms or chicken bones scattered throughout the parking lots. lots of car dates after hours so make sure your windows are tinted. all and all weirdos sitting in there cars doing shady 49ers winnable thugz
You have been warned

beautiful place to go with family! the beach looks beautiful the trails are fun and It feels like a mission you can also see horses.

Read about this on Unilocal so I gave it a try. To be honest, it’s not worth the effort to climb up/​down from the parking area at the end of John Daly Blvd. I’d use Fort Funston next time.
It took me a couple attempts to figure out how to get down to the beach from the parking area. I originally tried going south — mistake unless you literally want to climb down the rocks. So I backtracked a bit and headed north from where I was which eventually took me to the bluff overlooking the ocean. I walked this for maybe ½ mile before finding a fairly easy way down to the beach. Saw a nude sunbather while I was trekking down … she was shy and covered up by the time I passed by. I really don’t understand that since she was nude; why bother covering up? Heck, I don’t care if you’re clothed or necked. I digress… Once on the beach I walked north up to the beach below Fort Funston. Beautiful walk and stretch of beach. I then returned back south along the beach but found an easier way back up to the parking area via a trail that leads to the horse stables. Still, more difficult than it needs to be. Skip the trail from the stables/​parking area; instead park at Fort Funston and head down the stairs there. Much easier and you get the same beach access.
I’m glad I found this beach. I’ve watched the hang gliders at Fort Funston so many times and wondered how the beach below is/​was. Now I know. It’s not crowded except right around the hang glider «runway». Definitely a nice stretch of beach!

I’m seeing a lot of reviews that claim this park is kinda lame because everything but the overlook point is cordoned off. Fortunately, there is a series of steps that will allow you to experience the rest of Thornton State Beach:
1. Step over the cord.
By following these admittedly complex instructions, you will once again be able to enjoy all of the natural beauty that this park has to offer. And there’s quite a bit of it!
Seriously, this place is gorgeous. It looks like something that shouldn’t even exist in the real world, but in some animated movie or video game unbound by nature’s constraints. And yet, there it is!

Although this is just over the border in San Mateo County, this is my absolute favorite place in all of San Francisco (ok, Daly City). Love — Love — Love.

I drove by after getting lost. It was a beautiful, clear and warm day in mid-​June. I was surprised that not too many ppl walked from the parking lot to the beach. There is beach access but it’s there isn’t signage. It’s right next to the stables so there is a part where you will be seeing alot of horse poop. It’s all sand walking so it’s prob best to have hiking boots (I tried tennis shoes the 1^st time, sandals the 2^nd time & neither was ideal). It’s very tranquil and peaceful down there.
The next day, I brought my neighbor over. It was a very warm and clear day in SSF, SB, and Pacifica, however while we were driving and getting close, we were engulfed in FOG! so it’s really a hit/​miss deal. Disappointed, we parked and started walking slowly. The fog lifted, fortunately, but it was still very cold and we didn’t dress warmly. I’d recommend having jeans, hiking boots and LAYERED clothing. I’d love to come regularly if only it weren’t so foggy all the time. :(

Sure would have been nice to see the beach itself, but as of right now, the vista is the only point that you have access to and can see. The other areas and trails are cordoned off for safety reasons. However, you can still see quite a bit from your vantage point.

Pretty cool to see where the san adreas fault is.
NO BEACH ACCESS at all, sounds like Christian R. is talking about fort funston.
There’s always people flying models planes here, and the closed path to the left of the parking is pretty cool just dangerous.

One of my favorite spots in daly city :). just abt a few blocks frm home! A great place to clear the mind. View is always breathtaking!

Awesome park!
You can watch the dogs run around (like watching Animal Planet, live).
Watch the hang gliders or kites fly above you.
Walk down the stairs to the beach while enjoying the sunset (very romantic!). But catch your breath on your way up.
or just walk around and see the beauty of God’s gift and then decide to take photos.

Tried to go, but as far as I can tell, the trails are closed — the vista point is surrounded by fencing. Quite a disappointment because you can see how nice it must have been. If you click the link in the description up above you get to a site that says its closed as well.

One of the most beautiful places in California.

Vista is ok. But this review is more for the hike down past the stables and to inbetween the cliff before the beach and the cliff in front of the viewpoint. Amazing little space. Great for kite flying and riding horses. :)

A nice spot to have lunch and take in the views. It gets cold and windy so bring a jacket. The path to beach can be daunting so bring appropriate footwear.
I prefer this spot to Funston or Ocean Beach. Quite with sweeping views.

After driving by so many times, I finally stopped to check out Thornton Beach Vista. Located at the end of John Daly Blvd., Thornton Beach Vista has a similar look and feel to Fort Funston up the road, but it’s smaller and less crowded. I think Thornton Beach is a far prettier spot. The ocean views are worth stopping for and you’re close enough to hear the waves (but not far enough away to not hear traffic).
There are some multi-​purpose trails (covered with vegetation, sandy dunes) that seem to wind down closer to the ocean but they haven’t been maintained and are badly eroded.
The lookout area was recently renovated. They added some interesting signs about the history of the area (e.g., there was a railroad line), including the coastal dune invasion. There are a few benches and garbage cans. Parking is easy. There are no amenities. It’s mainly a lookout/​observation point.