Phillip Burton Memorial Beach

Phillip Burton Memorial Beach is the name of the beach between Thornton State Beach and Fort Funston Beach. Burton Beach is at the foot of a large open hillside next to the Olympic Club Golf Course which straddles the line between San Francisco and San Mateo County.

This is a remote beach that is becoming increasingly difficult to access due to erosion of the bluff and the trails. The best way to get to this secluded spot is to walk south on the sand from Fort Funston Beach.

Unfortunately access to nearby Thornton State Beach has been closed to the public and now Daly City operates the parking area as Thornton Beach Vista, an overlook and picnic spot on the bluff top. However, it is still possible to step over the cords and walk north from the overlook to the horse stables and then down the equestrian trail which eventually reaches Phillip Burton Memorial Beach.

With with the light on your phone you can explore a deep cave at Burton Beach. At low tides, many picturesque wooden posts stick up out of the sand which make for stunning sunset photos (see tide tables).

Note that maps at Fort Funston misspell the name of Phillip Burton as Philip Burton. The beach bears his name to honor his work in Congress during the early 1970s to create Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Address

John Daly Blvd and California 35
Daly City, CA 94015

Pet Details

Dogs allowed on leash

Fees

Free parking at Fort Funston or Thornton State Beach

Activities

Fishing, Hiking, Beachcombing, Photography

Amenities

Cave, Trails, No Facilities

Links

Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps
Tide Chart