Wildflower Hike
2023-04-08 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Spring is here and China Camp’s landscape is bursting with color. Join our upcoming wildflower hike to experience the beauty. On this mostly level hike, we will traverse deep oak woodlands in search of violet Douglas iris, magenta shooting stars, and of course, lovely orange California poppies. Bring a water bottle, proper hiking shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Date: Saturday, April 8
Location: Back Ranch Meadows Campground Entrance Kiosk
Difficulty: Moderate, 3-4 miles.
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
REGISTER FOR APRIL 8

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Photo: Sheila Coll

Spring Birding Hike
2023-04-22 08:00 - 10:00
Our spring avian migrants have once again made a pit stop at China Camp while racking up frequent flier miles along the North American Pacific flyway. Some of these park guests include Vaux’s swifts, Swainson’s thrushes, and yellow warblers.
How do these species so quickly adapt to survive among drastically different environments on their flightpath? How does their presence affect year-round resident species in the bay area? During our spring birding hikes we will address these and other questions as we explore four distinct habitats in the park: oak woodland; open grassland; and salt marshes. Each habitat attracts different species, both for feeding and nesting.
Additionally, we will review the four keys to identifying birds in the field, and learn about tools such as checklists, field guides, binoculars, and telescopes. Participants will also learn how to identify birds by observing flight patterns, noting body shapes and sizes, hearing songs, and watching behaviors. Bring binoculars, sturdy shoes, and a water bottle.

Date: Saturday, April 22
Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Turtle Back Trailhead
Difficulty: Easy; 1½ miles

REGISTER HERE FOR APRIL 22

Date: Saturday, May 20
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Turtle Back Trailhead
Difficulty: Easy; 1½ miles

REGISTER HERE FOR MAY 20

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Photo: North American Flyway by US Fish & Wildlife Service/ fws.gov

Naturalist Book Club
2023-04-30 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for this month’s naturalist book club as we discuss Leila Philip’s bestselling book, Beaverland.
Summary from author’s website, leilaphilip.com:
“From award-winning writer Leila Philip, Beaverland is a masterful work of narrative science writing, a book that highlights, through history and contemporary storytelling, how this unusual rodent has played an oversized role in American history and continues to feature in its future. She follows fur trappers who lead her through waist-high water, fur traders, and fur auctioneers, as well as wildlife managers, PETA activists, Native American environmental vigilantes, scientists, engineers, and the colorful group of activists known as beaver believers…
What emerges is a poignant personal narrative, a startling portrait of the secretive world of the contemporary fur trade, and an engrossing ecological and historical investigation of these heroic animals who, once trapped to the point of extinction, have returned to the landscape as one of the greatest conservation stories of the twentieth century. Beautifully written and impeccably researched, Beaverland reveals the profound ways in which one odd animal and the trade surrounding it has shaped history, culture, and our environment.”

Date: Sunday, April 30
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Venue: Online Zoom meeting details will be mailed to registrants.

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

CANCELED: Full Moon Viewing Event
2023-05-05 20:15 - 21:00
This event has been canceled due to predicted rain and cloudy weather. Check event calendar for future events.
Full moon by Sheila Coll
Isn’t it a delight to spend an evening with a familiar face? We invite you this spring to spend an evening with the world’s most brilliant and recognized face, the full moon! Did you know that no matter where you are on the earth, you will only ever see the same side of the moon? The rate of the moon’s rotation is in perfect alignment with its orbit around the earth, meaning its “face” is always directed towards earth, leaving the “dark side” only available for direct viewing by satellites (and lucky astronauts). We are delighted to once again come face to face with its dependable presence during our spring full moon events. During this month’s event we will gather at a breathtaking vista point and welcome the glowing moon as it emerges into the night sky. There will be a telescope available for an up-close viewing experience and we will roast marshmallows and make our own “moon pies”.
What to bring: Dress for the crisp, cool night and pack flashlights loaded with fresh batteries.
Note: Strong winds or rain will cancel.

“Flower Moon” viewing
Date: Friday, May 5
Time: 8:15 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: China Camp Point Parking Lot
Difficulty: Easy. Wheelchair accessible.
Note: This event will be a stationary meeting at the China Camp Point parking lot with telescopes and tasty treats. This event is suitable for all ages.
REGISTER FOR MAY 5 EVENT

Free for FOCC members; $5 for non-members.
Space is limited; reservations required.
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Photo: Sheila Coll

ADVISORY: Large Cycling Event
2023-05-06 08:00 - 17:00
There will be a cycling event beginning at Miwok Meadows on Saturday, May 6 from 8am-4pm. Please expect increased mountain bike traffic on Shoreline Trail, Bayview Trail, and Oak Ridge Trail during that time.
Go to the Ales and Trails website for more details.

Junior Ranger Program
2023-05-06 10:00 - 12:00
🎶 Drip drip drop little April shower, beating a tune as you fall all around! 🎶 Are you as excited as we are about the diverse new life the wet weather has brought to the park? For our upcoming spring programs, we invite Junior Rangers to explore the symphony of color and life that is appearing along China Camp’s shoreline. There will be much to observe and learn about: new ferns unfurling their fronds; sprouting leaf buds on buckeye and oak trees; colorful songbirds busily building nests; and birds of prey carefully watching for their next meal.

Dress in layers for the weather. Bring a filled water bottle, snacks, and sunscreen.

Date: Saturday, May 6
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Village Beach
Difficulty: Easy walk, ¾ mile
Ages: 7 to 9

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Cancellations notified via email.

Photo: Sheila Coll

ADVISORY: Large Cycling Event
2023-05-13 08:00 - 17:00
There will be a cycling event beginning at Miwok Meadows on Saturday, May 13 from 8am-4pm. Please expect increased mountain bike traffic and foot traffic on Shoreline Trail, Bayview Trail, and Oak Ridge Trail during that time.
Go to the Bike 4 Buckelew website for more details.

Spring Birding Hike
2023-05-20 08:00 - 10:00
Our spring avian migrants have once again made a pit stop at China Camp while racking up frequent flier miles along the North American Pacific flyway. Some of these park guests include Vaux’s swifts, Swainson’s thrushes, and yellow warblers.
How do these species so quickly adapt to survive among drastically different environments on their flightpath? How does their presence affect year-round resident species in the bay area? During our spring birding hikes we will address these and other questions as we explore four distinct habitats in the park: oak woodland; open grassland; and salt marshes. Each habitat attracts different species, both for feeding and nesting.
Additionally, we will review the four keys to identifying birds in the field, and learn about tools such as checklists, field guides, binoculars, and telescopes. Participants will also learn how to identify birds by observing flight patterns, noting body shapes and sizes, hearing songs, and watching behaviors. Bring binoculars, sturdy shoes, and a water bottle.

Date: Saturday, May 20
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Turtle Back Trailhead
Difficulty: Easy; 1½ miles

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Photo: North American Flyway by US Fish & Wildlife Service/ fws.gov

Wildflower Hike
2023-05-21 10:00 - 12:00
What is your favorite color? Green, yellow, orange, or purple perhaps? The “pineapple express” storms have brought a world of color to China Camp, as we are now seeing a grand show of wildflowers. Let’s look for our favorites during our upcoming spring wildflower hike. For this difficult, three mile hike, we will explore deep oak and redwood woodlands in search of white stalks of Fremont’s star lily, violet brodiaea, red indian warriors and maybe some early buckeye blooms. Bring a water bottle, proper hiking shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Date: Sunday, May 21
Location: Knight Drive Trailhead
Difficulty: Difficult, 3 miles.
Time: 10 a.m. – noon

REGISTER

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Photo: Sheila Coll

Naturalist Book Club
2023-05-28 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for this month’s naturalist book club as we discuss Dan Levitt’s bestselling book, What’s Gotten Into You.

Summary from Dan Levitt’s Website:

“Every one of us contains a billion times more atoms than all the grains of sand in the earth’s deserts. If you weigh 150 pounds, you’ve got enough carbon to make 25 pounds of charcoal, enough salt to fill a saltshaker, enough chlorine to disinfect several backyard swimming pools, and enough iron to forge a 3-inch nail. But how did these elements combine to make us human?
This eye-opening popular science book tells how scientists traced our atoms journeys from the beginning of time. Behind their unexpected findings were investigations marked by fierce rivalries, obsession, heartbreak, flashes of insight, and flukes of blind luck..”

Date: Sunday, May 25
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Venue: Online meeting details will be mailed to registrants.
REGISTER HERE
Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Full Moon Hike
2023-06-03 19:30 - 22:00
Photo: Stephen Schupp
Isn’t it a delight to spend an evening with a familiar face? We invite you this spring to spend an evening with the world’s most brilliant and recognized face, the full moon! Did you know that no matter where you are on the earth, you will only ever see the same side of the moon? The rate of the moon’s rotation is in perfect alignment with its orbit around the earth, meaning its “face” is always directed towards earth, leaving the “dark side” only available for direct viewing by satellites (and lucky astronauts). We are delighted to once again come face to face with its dependable presence during our spring full moon events. During this event, we will travel to a breathtaking vista point and welcome the glowing moon as it emerges into the night sky.
What to bring: Dress for the crisp, cool night. Wear sturdy hiking shoes (expect the possibility of muddy trails), and pack flashlights loaded with fresh batteries.
Note: Event begins at start time noted. Don’t be late or you’ll miss the fun! Strong winds or rain will cancel.

“Strawberry Moon” Hike
Date: Saturday, June 3
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Meeting location details emailed upon reservation.
Difficulty: Moderate, 3.5 miles round trip. Suitable for ages 10 and up.
REGISTER FOR JUNE 3 EVENT
Free for FOCC members; $5 for non-members.
Space is limited; reservations required.
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Photo: Stephen Schupp

Birding Hike
2023-06-17 08:00 - 10:00
Like the ever-changing wardrobe of teenage humans, young fledgling seagulls exhibit a continuous refashoning of plumage in the five years leading up to maturity. During this period, their colors and patterns constantly change, making them a challenge for even experienced birders to correctly identify. We will accept this challenge during this summer’s birding hikes, as we will take to the shoreline to focus on ID’ing shorebirds, waders, ducks, and gulls. We will also explore upland grassland and scrub habitat, which is often filled with small singing and perching birds.
We will also review the four keys to identifying birds (size, shape, overall color, behavior/habitat). Participants will also learn how to identify birds by observing flight patterns, noting body shapes and sizes, hearing songs, and watching behaviors. Please join us for this monthly bird walk, and be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, water, and binoculars.

Date: Saturday, June 17
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Bullhead Flat Parking Lot
Difficulty: Easy; 1½ miles
REGISTER FOR JUNE 17

Date: Saturday, July 22
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Turtle Back Trailhead
Difficulty: Easy; 1½ miles
REGISTER FOR JULY 22

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Photo: Juvenile western gull by Richard Bunn / Macaulay Library

ADVISORY: FOOTRACE
2023-06-17 08:00 - 14:00
There will be a footrace beginning from Miwok Meadows on Saturday, June 17 from 8am-2pm. Please expect increased foot traffic on Shoreline Trail, Bayview Trail, and Oak Ridge Trail during that time.
Go to the Inside Trail Racing website for more details.

Wildflower Hike
2023-06-17 10:00 - 14:00
Up for a challenge with some spectacular rewards? Join us for one of the park’s most challenging hikes–a 5-mile round-trip hike with a 1000-foot elevation gain up to the San Pedro ridgeline. The trip will offer commanding views of the North Bay and the western coastal ranges. Along the way we’ll catch the last burst of spring wildflowers: clarkia, sticky monkey flower, and Franciscan paintbrush. Bring a full water bottle, snacks, proper hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Date: Saturday, June 17
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Bay Hills Fire Road Trailhead. From Knight Drive, turn left at Rollingwood Drive until you get to Beechwood Court. Meet near the end by the trailhead.
Difficulty: Strenuous, 5 miles.

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Photo: Clarkia by Sheila Coll

Friends of China Camp Annual Meeting
2023-06-24 09:00 - 10:00
Want to find out what makes China Camp tick? Got your own ideas on ways to enjoy and improve the park? Join our annual community meeting to learn about Friends of China Camp’s successes–and challenges–over the past year. Get a peek into the year ahead and share your own thoughts about making this amazing park even better.

This event is open to all. We welcome your involvement and input.

Date: Saturday, June 24
Time: 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Location: China Camp Village Museum

Questions?
Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org
Or call (415)456-0766
Check the Friends of China Camp website for cancellation announcements.

Naturalist Book Club
2023-06-25 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for this month’s naturalist book club as we discuss Richard Dawkins bestselling book Flights of Fancy: Defying Gravity by Design .
Summary from Richard Dawkins’s Website:
“The Wonder of Flight. The Science of Evolution. From both, Richard Dawkins weaves a fascinating and beautifully illustrated account of how nature and humans have learned to overcome the pull of gravity and take to the skies.
“Have you ever dreamt you could fly? Or imagined what it would be like to glide and swoop through the sky like a bird? Do you let your mind soar to unknown, magical spaces?

In Flights of Fancy, Richard Dawkins explains how nature and humans have learned to overcome the pull of gravity and take to the skies. From the mythical Icarus, to the sadly extinct but spectacular bird Argentavis magnificens, from the Wright flyer and the 747, to the Tinkerbella fairyfly and the Peregrine falcon. But it is also about flights of the mind, about escaping the everyday – through science, ideas and imagination. Fascinating and beautifully illustrated, this is a unique collaboration between one of the world’s leading scientists and a talented artist.”

Date: Sunday, June 25
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Venue: Online meeting details will be mailed to registrants.

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Volunteer Park Maintenance
2023-07-12 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for a morning of park maintenance. The tasks are variable and range in difficulty from easy to a good work out. Meet at the maintenance area next to the ranger station. Minimum age is 14. Minors ages 14 to 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Bring work gloves and filled water bottles.

Natural History Hike
2023-07-15 08:30 - 12:30
Twenty-thousand years ago, during the late pleistocene, megafauna like giant bears, saber-tooth cats, massive sloths and monstrous mammoths roamed the forests of China Camp. We can only imagine what one of these animals would have seen as it gazed eastward from a rocky perch on what is now the San Pedro hills. Based on historic documentation, they would not have seen a sparkling bay, but rather a network of rolling valleys and deep river channels that eventually emptied into the ocean, 20 miles west of where the Golden Gate is today. At the time, sea level was much lower than today, as much ocean water was frozen into ice age glaciers. How and why were there so many drastic changes to the landscape since then?
During this invigorating hike, naturalist Harold Hirsch will address this question and offer an overview of the geology and biology of China Camp within the broader context of Marin and California’s natural history. The route will have excellent views of the park’s salt marshes, the greater North Bay, and some of the western and northern coastal mountain ranges.
Bring a full water bottle, snacks, proper hiking shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.(warm weather, hat and sun screen.)

Date: Saturday, July 15
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Back Ranch Meadows Entrance Kiosk
Difficulty: Moderately difficult, 4 miles.

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Illustration: Pleistocene Bay Area mammals by Laura Cunningham/ Bay Nature Magazine

Volunteer Park Maintenance
2023-07-20 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for a morning of park maintenance. The tasks are variable and range in difficulty from easy to a good work out. Meet at the maintenance area next to the ranger station. Minimum age is 14. Minors ages 14 to 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Bring work gloves and filled water bottles. After the work event, volunteers are offered one free drink from the Village cafe. Bring your lunch and enjoy the camaraderie of the team.

Birding Hike
2023-07-22 08:00 - 10:00
Like the ever-changing wardrobe of teenage humans, young fledgling seagulls exhibit a continuous refashioning of plumage in the five years leading up to maturity. During this period, their colors and patterns constantly change, making them a challenge for even experienced birders to correctly identify. We will accept this challenge during this summer’s birding hikes, as we will take to the shoreline to focus on ID’ing shorebirds, waders, ducks, and gulls. We will also explore upland grassland and scrub habitat, which is often filled with small singing and perching birds.
We will also review the four keys to identifying birds (size, shape, overall color, behavior/habitat). Participants will also learn how to identify birds by observing flight patterns, noting body shapes and sizes, hearing songs, and watching behaviors. Please join us for this monthly bird walk, and be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, water, and binoculars.

Date: Saturday, July 22
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Turtle Back Trailhead
Difficulty: Easy; 1½ miles
REGISTER FOR JULY 22

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Photo: Juvenile western gull by Richard Bunn / Macaulay Library

California State Parks Foundation volunteer work event
2023-07-29 09:00 - 13:00
Join the FOCC maintenance volunteers in the initial step of restoring the tread on Ridge Fire Trail and the grooming of adjacent trails.

We will remove organics in the areas where rolling dips will be incorporated for proper drainage. We will also be trimming back overgrowth and removing accumulated duff on Bay View Trail and Oak Ridge Trail. The work includes the use of loppers, pruners, and McLoeds and will be moderately strenuous. Please note there are no bathroom facilities at this work site. The closest public bathrooms are at Victor Jones Park on Robinhood Drive. Free tent camping is available to volunteers on Friday. Ages 14 and older are welcome (minors must be accompanied by an adult and bring a waiver signed by their guardian).  Lunch will be provided.

Click here to sign up. Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up.

Volunteer Park Maintenance
2023-08-01 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-08-09 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-08-26 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for a morning of park maintenance. The tasks are variable and range in difficulty from easy to a good work out. No need to sign up, just meet at the maintenance area next to the ranger station and look for a group of people in orange shirts. The address is 101 Peacock Gap Trail San Rafael, Ca 94901. Minimum age is 14. Minors ages 14 to 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Bring work gloves and filled water bottles.
If you would like to receive a weekly email about upcoming volunteer work events, visit our Get Involved / Volunteer website page.

Full Moon Viewing
2023-08-01 20:45 - 21:45
Ready for a night of mid-summer lunar celebration? From the dazzling vantage point of the China Camp Point bayside bluff, we will set up our telescope and get an up close look at the full moon’s shining face as it emerges over the east bay hills. We will learn a little about the fascinating origin of the moon and make homemade s’more “moon” pies. This stationary wheelchair-accessible event welcomes all ages.
What to bring: Dress for the crisp, cool night, and pack flashlights loaded with fresh batteries.
Note: Overcast skies, heavy north bay fog, or strong winds will cancel.

“Sturgeon moon” viewing
Date: Tuesday, August 1
Time: 8:45 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
Location: China Camp Point Parking Lot
Difficulty: Easy. Wheelchair accessible.
Note: This event will be a stationary meeting at the China Camp Point parking lot with telescopes and s’mores. This event is suitable for all ages.
REGISTER HERE
Free for FOCC members; $5 for non-members.
Space is limited; reservations required.
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Photo: Steve Ziman

A walk through time at China Camp
2023-08-12 09:00 - 10:30 | China Camp Village, 100 China Camp Village Rd, San Rafael, CA, CA, 94901, United States
While our park’s name reflects the Chinese shrimping village that once boomed here over a century ago, this land has been home to a wide range of human inhabitants, including indigenous Coast Miwok, Spanish colonizers, Mexican land grantees, and cattle ranchers. For this special Heritage Month event, join Marcie Miller of the Marin History Museum and Friends of China Camp naturalist Harold Hirsch for a 1.5-mile “walk through time.” We’ll unravel the history of the region’s human inhabitants and their impacts on the land, such as Native American middens, once-proposed development, and nearby rock quarries. Come enjoy the beauty of China Camp and learn local history on this easy walk.
REGISTER HERE
Space is limited.
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email info@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Volunteer Park Maintenance
2023-08-17 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for a morning of park maintenance. The tasks are variable and range in difficulty from easy to a good work out. No need to sign up, just meet at the maintenance area next to the ranger station and look for a group of people in orange shirts. The address is 101 Peacock Gap Trail San Rafael, Ca 94901. Minimum age is 14. Minors ages 14 to 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Bring work gloves and filled water bottles. After the work event, volunteers are offered one free drink from the Village cafe. Bring your lunch and enjoy the camaraderie of the team.
If you would like to receive a weekly email about upcoming volunteer work events, visit our Get Involved / Volunteer website page.

Family fun: Chinese Lion Dance performance
2023-08-19 10:00 - 12:00 | China Camp Village, 100 China Camp Village Rd, San Rafael, CA, CA, 94901, United States
Youth Lion Dance Team from the Marin Chinese Cultural Association perform at Heritage Day.
Drummers thump, colorful costumes shimmer in the sun, and fearsome and fantastical lions dip and whirl. It’s time for one of our most popular annual events—a visit from a team of exciting Chinese Lion Dancers. Watch the Youth Lion Dance Team from the Marin Chinese Cultural Association perform traditional dances in spectacular garments and giant masks. Other events for all ages will include kite-making, an origami workshop (make your own paper boat!), and lessons in the classic Chinese game of mahjong. Note that Lion Dances begin promptly at 11 a.m. Don’t be late or you’ll miss the fun!
waterfront.
No need to register—just show up!
Space is limited.
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email info@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

August Bird Walk: Spotlight on creepers and nuthatches
2023-08-26 08:00 - 10:00
Attention birdbrains! Introducing two highly entertaining, year-round natives and the focus of this month’s birding hike: the brown creeper and the white-breasted nuthatch. Both hop up and down tree trunks in search of insects in the bark. Tiny brown creepers have stiff tails, curved beaks, and feathers striped with brown, black, and tan. Larger nuthatches have a blue-gray back and a bright white belly.
New and experienced birders are invited to join naturalist Jerry Coe in search of these and other species. Jerry will help you identify birds by shape, flight patterns, calls, and habitat. He’ll also give tips on using binoculars and bird guides. Meeting location: Turtle Back Trailhead
Difficulty: Easy; 1.5- to 2-mile walk
Cost: Free (donations appreciated)
Space is limited; reservations required.
REGISTER HERE

Milton Quan: Growing up at China Camp
2023-08-26 10:00 - 11:30
Milton Quan as a boy at China Camp Village. Courtesy of Milton Quan.
Ever wonder what it was like growing up at China Camp? Find out from the ultimate source, Milton Quan, who spent his childhood here in the 1940s and ’50s. Join Milton as he leads a tour through China Camp Village, sharing memories of working at his family’s cafe, and helping with the boat rental and shrimp-fishing businesses. Milton will add plenty of anecdotes too, like the 10-day all-boys adventure in a leaky shrimp-fishing junk that led to a late-night Coast Guard rescue. He’ll also share his experience as an extra in the 1955 movie Blood Alley, filmed at China Camp and starring John Wayne and Lauren Bacall. Enjoy these and more of Milton’s entertaining memories of growing up in the “Wild West” of the San Pedro Bay waterfront.
REGISTER HERE
Space is limited.
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email info@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
