San Mateo County Parks are closed from sunset to 8 AM under the County Parks Department Rules & Regulations (Chapter 3.68 County Parks and Recreation Areas — Rules). After-hours presence is an infraction prosecuted as unlawful entry/trespass. Camping is allowed only at designated campgrounds with a reservation (Memorial Park, Sam McDonald Park, Huddart Park group sites). State Parks (Año Nuevo, Butano, Half Moon Bay State Beach) have their own hours and rules under California State Parks authority.
County Code Chapter 3.68 authorizes the County Parks Director to establish rules, fees, and closing hours for all County Parks. Standard park hours are 8:00 AM to sunset; gates are locked at sunset. After-hours presence — whether on foot, in a vehicle, or camping without a permit — is an infraction under Chapter 3.68 and can also be charged as trespass under Penal Code §602. Specific park prohibitions include: no camping outside designated campgrounds, no fires except in provided pits/grills, no alcohol in day-use areas (varies by park), no drones, no hunting, no off-trail mountain biking, no unleashed dogs (6-ft leash required, and several parks including Edgewood and San Bruno Mountain prohibit dogs entirely). Reservation-required camping at Memorial Park, Sam McDonald Park, and group sites at Huddart, Junipero Serra, San Pedro Valley, and Pescadero Creek. California State Parks within the County (Butano, Año Nuevo, Half Moon Bay State Beach) are under CDPR jurisdiction — hours and rules differ, typically 8 AM to sunset with some beaches open 6 AM to 10 PM.
After-hours presence: infraction $50-$250. Unauthorized camping: $100-$500 plus removal. Fires outside designated areas: $250-$1,000 plus responsibility for any suppression costs if a fire spreads. Drone use: $50-$500. Alcohol in prohibited areas: $100-$250.
San Mateo County, CA
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See how San Mateo County's park curfew rules stack up against other locations.
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