Thumbs down: The billionaire vs. the beachcombers

California’s constitution guarantees public access to all coastal land below the mean high-tide line. Stripping away the legalese, that means anywhere the sand gets wet. But it isn’t always easy to get there, especially when recalcitrant property owners block trails or put other obstacles between the public and public beaches. Yes, we’re talking about Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla, who bought a coastal compound near Half Moon Bay and closed a road used by the public since the 1920s to reach Martins Beach.

Khosla fought beach access requirements at the California Coastal Commission and in multiple state courts, losing every time. We applauded when Khosla briefly opened the gates last year, but he’s headed back to the courthouse, this time asking the U.S. Supreme Court to deny California residents access to public land. The court should bury this appeal in the sand.