The Issue

***Please share on social and Next Door to help spread the word! Not many know about this plan yet. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE EL GRANADA COMMUNITY PARK PARKING.

The San Mateo County Harbor District is planning to build a maximum-capacity parking lot and a crosswalk to Sam's restaurant on the north end of the historic Burnham Strip (between Highway 1 and El Granada), across from Sam's restaurant.

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot... Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone.

—Joni Mitchell, "Big Yellow Taxi," 1970

❗ Our Concerns

  • An east side parking lot will worsen traffic as users repeatedly cross Highway 1, creating congestion that would frustrate visitors and deter coastal access.
  • This project would block iconic ocean views from Avenue Alhambra and permanently alter one of the Coastside's most cherished open spaces, while also accommodating visually intrusive tour buses.
  • It would degrade the natural character of the Burnham Strip and eliminate the green space buffer that defines El Granada's coastal identity.
  • The Harbor District is pushing forward despite significant public opposition while disregarding community concerns.

We, the undersigned residents and visitors of the Coastside, strongly oppose this plan and urge the Harbor District to preserve the natural, scenic, and cultural value of the existing Burnham Strip.

✅ We Request that the Harbor District

  • Evaluate parking options exclusively on the west side of Highway 1, preserving the historic Burnham Strip and eliminating traffic and safety impacts that would be caused by an east side parking lot and crosswalk just north of Sam's restaurant.
  • Respect the Burnham Strip as designated park space, in keeping with its historic and scenic importance. The historic grading of the Ocean Shore Railroad path should also be considered.
  • Require that any future proposals include full community engagement and adhere to:
    • Scenic corridor protections
    • Local park and open space plans
    • Current zoning regulations

🌊 Why It Matters

The historic Burnham Strip was designed in 1905 by Daniel Burnham, visionary of the City Beautiful Movement, who prioritized public views and access to nature when planning El Granada. This space is a defining part of our community's charm and coastal ecology. We believe this buffer zone is critical to the open space feel that attracts visitors to the Coastside and is extremely important to the community.

Once it's paved, it's gone—for good. Let's protect what makes the Coastside beautiful, accessible, and worth visiting.

Parcel APN numbers associated with the proposed lot are: 047-251-040 and 047-251-140.

SEND A LETTER TO THE HARBOR DISTRICT AND SUPERVISOR MUELLER TO SHARE YOUR CONCERN (CLICK HERE FOR SAMPLE LETTER AND CONTACT EMAIL)

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