THINGS TO DO

Break a sweat by hiking, running or biking our trails.  Relax and enjoy the views from picnic areas or at our little beach.  Get a saltwater spa treatment by kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding or swimming in our calm bay waters. Experience California history at our lovingly preserved Chinese fishing village.  Make the acquaintance of the salt marsh on our interpretive Turtleback Trail.  For the adventurous, you can even get married here.

CAMPING / PICNICKING

Choose among 30 walk-in camping sites to experience the sights and sounds of the park at night. Or take a break from your busy day at one of 4 picnic areas with beautiful views of the bay. If you’re planning a special event, there are five picnic areas that can be reserved.

Natural History

China Camp State Park is not only a home for endangered species, but is also a resting stop for migratory waterfowl and a playground for more deer and wild turkeys than you can count.  In season, wildflowers abound.  Our rich tidal marshes are among the most pristine in the bay area, and their transition to grassland and oak ridges is a rare surviving remnant of a classic California landscape.

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Cultural Heritage

People have considered China Camp a special place for thousands of years. The first people here, the Coastal Miwok, built villages and harvested the abundant shellfish.  In the 1800s, the area was part of the “Rancho San Pedro, Santa Margarita y las Gallinas” land grant.  Later, this was the home of the McNear ranch. Immigrants from China developed a thriving shrimping village; the few buildings that remain are the last evidence of an important era in California history.

Get Involved

Friends of China Camp is a volunteer group that has been operating the park since July of 2012, when the park was threatened with closure. A strong community of supporters has kept our park open and thriving. Volunteers are the heart of Friends of China Camp. They lead tours, repair trails, patrol the trails on bikes and foot, welcome visitors, and manage park operations. We are always looking for new volunteer ambassadors with a passion for the park. Take a look at what we do, and consider joining our volunteer team.