ARMED Threat Blocks California Beach

Revolvers and bullets on a dark surface.

A Bay Area property owner has erected an 8-foot fence blocking public access to a California beach, posting a handmade sign threatening to shoot trespassers on sight—sparking outrage and raising serious questions about government overreach by private landowners seeking to undermine constitutionally protected public rights.

Story Snapshot

Olympic Way LLC installed an 8-foot chain-link fence in January 2026 blocking the only trail to Thornton State Beach in Daly City, featuring a threatening sign with a gun drawing
The property owner’s 2021 proposal for a private religious retreat was rejected by the California Coastal Commission, leading residents to suspect retaliation
San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa has formally requested the California Coastal Commission enforce removal of the illegal barrier
Local residents have launched petitions and public meetings to pressure officials, with some calling for the state to purchase the property to guarantee permanent access

Property Owner Blocks Historic Beach Trail With Threatening Barrier

Olympic Way LLC erected an 8-foot chain-link fence across private property adjacent to Thornton State Beach in Daly City during January 2026, completely blocking the public multi-use trail from Olympic Way bluffs down to the shoreline. The barrier features a crude handmade cardboard sign displaying a gun drawing with the warning “trespassers will be shot on sight.” This trail has served hikers, dog walkers, horseback riders from nearby Mar Vista Stables, and beachgoers for decades as the primary access point to this section of California’s coastline. The California Constitution and Coastal Act explicitly protect public access to beaches below the high tide line, making this obstruction a direct violation of state law.

Pattern of Retaliation Following Development Rejection

The fence installation appears connected to Olympic Way LLC’s failed 2021 development proposal for a private religious retreat on the coastal bluffs. The California Coastal Commission rejected the project, prioritizing public access and environmental protections over private development ambitions. Local residents and officials now view the fence as retaliatory sabotage designed to punish the community for regulatory enforcement. This mirrors similar high-profile coastal access battles, including tech billionaire Vinod Khosla’s decade-long effort to gate off Martins Beach after purchasing the property for $32.5 million in 2008. After the Supreme Court denied Khosla’s 2018 appeal, the Coastal Commission successfully sued to restore public easement rights, establishing legal precedent that property ownership does not override constitutional beach access guarantees.

Community Mobilizes Against Illegal Obstruction

San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa sent a formal letter to the California Coastal Commission chair on January 23, 2026, demanding immediate removal of the fence and sign. Canepa urged the Commission “to oppose any efforts to restrict access and have the property owner disassemble the fence.” Local residents launched a Change.org petition describing the action as “sabotage to intimidate and seek revenge,” with organizers encouraging community members to attend Daly City Council meetings scheduled for January 26, 2026. Some advocates are pushing for California State Parks to purchase the property outright, permanently securing public access and eliminating future threats from vindictive landowners. This represents common-sense action to protect rights that belong to all Californians, not just wealthy property owners seeking to exploit regulatory loopholes.

Threatening Sign Raises Legal and Safety Concerns

The handmade threatening sign distinguishes this case from typical coastal access disputes by introducing potential criminal liability. While some speculation suggests a squatter or unstable individual installed the sign rather than Olympic Way LLC directly, property owners remain legally responsible for conditions on their land regardless of who erected the barrier. The crude nature of the threat—featuring a gun drawing alongside violent language—creates genuine safety concerns for families, children, and outdoor enthusiasts who have used this trail for generations. This undermines both constitutional property rights protections and the reasonable expectation that public lands remain accessible without intimidation tactics. As of late January 2026, the fence remains standing with no confirmed removal order issued, though public pressure continues mounting through media coverage and grassroots organizing efforts.