Friends of China Camp

Junior Rangers: Scavenger hunt
2026-05-23 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | China Camp Village, 100 China Camp Village Rd, San Rafael, CA, CA, 94901, United States
What kid doesn’t love a scavenger hunt? Let your little ones search for natural treasures at this fun event at China Camp Village. As they explore, children will be encouraged to observe, notice, and ask questions about the natural world around them. Along the way, they’ll engage in activities to earn special prizes.
Each child will receive an official California State Parks Junior Ranger Logbook—an interactive way to explore and learn at this and other parks statewide. At the end of the event, your child can take part in a special Junior Rangers ceremony, recognizing each participant’s effort and commitment to learning about and caring for the environment.
Drop-in event; no registration required. Cancellation will be posted on our website events page.
Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Village deck
Cost: free to FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 10 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

Birding walk: Things that go bump in the night
2026-05-23 20:00 - 21:00 | Back Ranch Meadows Campground
Are you curious about the creatures that come alive after dark? Join us for an exciting night hike in the park. As dusk falls, we’ll explore the trails around the campground, keying in the sounds of the darkening forest. We hope to catch the hoot of a great-horned owl, or the soft chur of a tiny Western screech owl. And we will look up into the twilight, catching the silhouette of bats as they whirl through the air, using sonar to locate flying insects. Experience the hidden side of nature that only comes alive after the sun sets.
Space is limited; registration is required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Back Ranch Meadows Campground kiosk
Difficulty: easy (1 to 2 miles on a gently rolling trail)
Cost: free to FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 10 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
RESERVE NOW

Speaker series: An artist's inspiration
2026-05-29 18:00 - 19:00 | China Camp Village, 100 China Camp Village Rd, San Rafael, CA, CA, 94901, United States
Catherine Wang McMahon is an artist who explores what connects people across family, place, and time. Using natural, plant-based materials and pigments made from soils and minerals, Catherine creates images that explore relationships between people, land, and history and how they are shaped by memory and passed down through generations.
Catherine’s recent work focuses on China Camp and Angel Island, touching on the histories of the environment, labor, migration, poetry, and government policy. Catherine aims to show how those histories are still present in the landscape today, shaping how we live and understand these places.
Space is limited; registration is required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Friday, May 29
Time: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: China Camp Village museum
Cost: free to FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 16 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
ADA accessible
RESERVE NOW

Give-back morning at China Camp
2026-05-30 09:00 - 12:00 | China Camp Ranger Station, 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, 94901, United States
Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization, works hard to keep our park safe and beautiful—but we can’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Join us for a fun and rewarding morning of giving back. This is a great time to meet fellow nature enthusiasts, get some fresh air and exercise, and maybe even pick up a new skill along the way.
No previous experience or long-term commitment required. Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes (no sandals!). Bring a filled water bottle, work gloves, and wear sunscreen (bug spray optional). For groups of five or more, contact our volunteer maintenance coordinator at kjsmead@comcast.net.
Cancellations will be posted on our events calendar.
Dates: Saturday, May 30 (no need to register; just show up)
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: easy to strenuous (you choose)
Ages: 14 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

Community science: Sudden Oak Death bioblitz
2026-05-30 10:30 - 12:00 | China Camp Village, 100 China Camp Village Rd, San Rafael, CA, CA, 94901, United States
Are you interested in the health of California live oak trees in our region? Join us for a pop-up community science event focused on measuring the impact of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) at China Camp.
Our on-site team will provide a brief training on how to identify trees infected by the Phytophthora ramora pathogen, which has devastated live oak forests in Northern California. You’ll then receive a special kit for collecting leaves from and documenting suspect trees. We’ll take your important data and share it with researchers at U.C. Berkeley, who are working to better understand and control this destructive pathogen. No prior experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Data can be collected over the course of one week. Your collection kits will need to be returned to the box next to the China Camp Ranger Station door by Saturday, June 6.
Pop-up event; no registration required. Cancellation will be posted on our website events page.
Date: Saturday, May 30
Time: 10:30 a.m. – noon
Location: Turtle Back Trail trailhead
Ages: 16 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

Bonus full moon hike: May's not-so-blue moon
2026-05-30 19:30 - 22:00 | China Camp Ranger Station, 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, 94901, United States
We all like special bonuses, right? This month’s night sky brings us a spectacular second full moon in May. This “blue moon,” the term used to describe this type of two-for-one moon, promises to be as striking as ever—though it won’t be blue. As the moon lifts above the horizon, it should appear unusually large and tinted gold or amber, a phenomenon caused by viewing the moon through a thicker layer of Earth’s atmosphere. Join naturalist Harold Hirsch as he leads this hike to the perfect vantage point for this month’s special bonus moon.
Space is limited; registration is required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Saturday, May 30
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: moderately strenuous (3.5-mile round-trip hike)
Cost: free to FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 10 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
RESERVE NOW

Naturalist's Bookclub: A Most Remarkable Creature
2026-05-31 19:00 - 20:00 | CA
We’re venturing south of the border (or at least California’s southern border) for this month’s read. The focus is on the caracara, a distinctive raptor with nine species, including one, the crested caracara, that lives in the deserts of Baja (as well as southern Texas and Arizona).
Author Jonathan Meiburg’s book, A Most Remarkable Creature: The Hidden Life of the World’s Smartest Birds of Prey focuses on this fascinating yet unlikely hero, which Meiburg describes as “curious, social, and brave, with many interests and few skills.” Journey across South America as the author dives into the world of these opportunistic scavengers, and learn about their surprising problem-solving abilities and other unique traits.
Registration is required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Sunday, May 31
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: virtual event; login details sent with confirmed reservation
Cost: free to FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 10 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
RESERVE NOW

Give-back morning at China Camp
2026-06-02 09:00 - 12:00 | China Camp Ranger Station, 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, 94901, United States
Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization, works hard to keep our park safe and beautiful—but we can’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Join us for a fun and rewarding morning of giving back. This is a great time to meet fellow nature enthusiasts, get some fresh air and exercise, and maybe even pick up a new skill along the way.
No previous experience or long-term commitment required. Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes (no sandals!). Bring a filled water bottle, work gloves, and wear sunscreen (bug spray optional). For groups of five or more, contact our volunteer maintenance coordinator at kjsmead@comcast.net.
Cancellations will be posted on our events calendar.
Dates: Tuesday, June 2 (no need to register; just show up)
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: easy to strenuous (you choose)
Ages: 14 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

"Brush with Nature" plein air event
2026-06-06 10:00 - 15:00 | China Camp Village, 100 China Camp Village Rd, San Rafael, CA, CA, 94901, United States
Join us for a plein air painting event, where art and nature come together in real time. Talented plein air artists will be scattered throughout the park, capturing its beauty on canvas. Pick up a map in China Camp Village and set out to find the artists in the field, and experience how they transform a vista into a work of art.
Then return to the village to view more beautiful plein air art—and maybe find something special to take home—at a one-day silent auction. (A portion of the proceeds will go to Friends of China Camp.) Also at the village, join an art class to try your own hand at plein air painting—no previous experience required, and we’ll provide all the supplies to get you started. Special kids’ painting classes will also be offered. Whether you’re here to create, learn, or simply be inspired, you’ll have a chance to connect with art—and artists—in an unforgettable setting.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Plein air artists stationed throughout the park Free map available at China Camp Village Cafe, Back Ranch Meadows Campground kiosk, and Turtle Back Trail parking area.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Plein air art sale (China Camp Village)
11 a.m. Children’s plein air painting class for children ages 6 to 12 (China Camp Village)*
1 p.m. Plein air painting class for adults (China Camp Village)*
2 p.m. Plein air painting class for children ages 6 to 12 (China Camp Village)*
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Meet artists (China Camp Village)
Self-guided walking tour to visit plein aire artists in the field is open to all. Registration for aur classes is required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Saturday, June 6
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (see below for class times and registration)
Location: China Camp Village
Cost: free to FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: all ages welcome to event (see below for classes); under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult
Children’s Class A (ages 6 to 12): RESERVE NOW
11 a.m. – noon
Adult class, watercolor sketch painting class taught by Qinqin Liu: RESERVE NOW
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Children’s Class B (ages 6 to 12): RESERVE NOW
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Give-back morning at China Camp
2026-06-10 09:00 - 12:00 | China Camp Ranger Station, 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, 94901, United States
Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization, works hard to keep our park safe and beautiful—but we can’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Join us for a fun and rewarding morning of giving back. This is a great time to meet fellow nature enthusiasts, get some fresh air and exercise, and maybe even pick up a new skill along the way.
No previous experience or long-term commitment required. Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes (no sandals!). Bring a filled water bottle, work gloves, and wear sunscreen (bug spray optional). For groups of five or more, contact our volunteer maintenance coordinator at kjsmead@comcast.net.
Special Brown-Bag Lunch Day: After our work morning, bring your own lunch for an informal gathering with fellow volunteers at China Camp Village. Cold drinks provided by Friends of China Camp.
Cancellations will be posted on our events calendar.
Dates: Wednesday, June 10 (no need to register; just show up)
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: easy to strenuous (you choose)
Ages: 14 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

Junior Rangers: It's a shore thing
2026-06-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Turtle Back Trailhead
Let your little explorers become nature detectives at China Camp. On this fun adventure, we’ll walk around the edge of a salt marsh, using all of our senses to uncover clues about the animals that call our shoreline home. Expert guides will help your kids look for tracks, peek under rocks, and search for other signs of life, all the while explaining why salt marshes are so important.
Kids and adults can team up with fun activity sheets to compare pickleweed and other salt-tolerant plants with grasses found higher along the shoreline. Along the way, explorers big and small will sharpen observation skills and discover new ways to experience and describe the natural world.
Space is limited; registration required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Friday, June 12
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: Turtle Back Trail trailhead
Difficulty: easy (¾-mile mostly flat loop)
Cost: free to FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 7 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
REGISTER NOW

Wild words: Nature journaling in Miwok Meadows
2026-06-13 10:00 - 13:00 | Miwok Meadows Picnic Area, https://maps.app.goo.gl/4hXk4amjPvRVWkuj8, San Rafael, CA, 94901, United States
Take a soul-stirring walk beneath the trees, then stop to reflect on your experience—be it with a poem, a sketch, or whatever feels right.
This month, come celebrate California State Parks Week at a special event with nature journalist Shirley Austin-Peake. She’ll help you experience the art of slowing down, noticing details, making observations, then capturing the magic and resilience of the natural world. Journals, pens, and light refreshments will be provided. Bring your creativity, wonder, and curiosity.
Space is limited; registration required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Miwok Meadows
Cost: free to FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 14 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
REGISTER NOW
Photo: Joe Burns/USFWS Midwest/Wikimedia Commons

Campfire Program: Legends of our leafy world
2026-06-13 19:30 - 20:30 | Back Ranch Meadows Campground
What is the link between lupine and wolves, or yarrow and Achilles? What do teasel weed, wool, and love potions have in common? What do woodbine and leprechauns, bracken fern and invisibility have in common? Learn about the legends and lore of some of the native and introduced plants that grow at China Camp at this special evening presentation, held at our outdoor amphitheater at Back Ranch Meadows Campground.
After the presentation, gather around the campfire to roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and watch the stars come out overhead.
Space is limited; registration required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Back Ranch Meadows Campground amphitheater
Cost: free to FOCC members; $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 8 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
RESERVE NOW

Give-back morning at China Camp
2026-06-18 09:00 - 12:00 | China Camp Ranger Station, 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, 94901, United States
Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization, works hard to keep our park safe and beautiful—but we can’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Join us for a fun and rewarding morning of giving back. This is a great time to meet fellow nature enthusiasts, get some fresh air and exercise, and maybe even pick up a new skill along the way.
No previous experience or long-term commitment required. Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes (no sandals!). Bring a filled water bottle, work gloves, and wear sunscreen (bug spray optional). For groups of five or more, contact our volunteer maintenance coordinator at kjsmead@comcast.net.
Cancellations will be posted on our events calendar.
Dates: Thursday, June 18 (no need to register; just show up)
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: easy to strenuous (you choose)
Ages: 14 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

Birding walk: Nesting time
2026-06-20 08:00 - 10:00 | Turtle Back Trailhead
Whether it’s an osprey coming in for a landing atop a tangle of sticks on a bay front piling, or a California quail tucked into a feather- and grass-lined bowl beneath a coyote bush, birds are in full nesting mode at China Camp. Species of all makes and models are busy feeding and fledging their young, introducing the next fine-feathered generation to life at China Camp.
This month, naturalist and expert birder Jerry Coe will be on the lookout for nests big and small, as well as young birds that have already left the nest. Along the way, Jerry will go over the basics of birding, focusing on helpful techniques for identifying birds in the wild. All abilities are welcome.
Space is limited; registration required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Saturday, June 20
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Turtle Back Trail trailhead
Cost: free to FOCC members; $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 12 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
RESERVE NOW

Give-back morning at China Camp
2026-06-24 09:00 - 12:00 | China Camp Ranger Station, 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, 94901, United States
Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization, works hard to keep our park safe and beautiful—but we can’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Join us for a fun and rewarding morning of giving back. This is a great time to meet fellow nature enthusiasts, get some fresh air and exercise, and maybe even pick up a new skill along the way.
No previous experience or long-term commitment required. Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes (no sandals!). Bring a filled water bottle, work gloves, and wear sunscreen (bug spray optional). For groups of five or more, contact our volunteer maintenance coordinator at kjsmead@comcast.net.
Cancellations will be posted on our events calendar.
Dates: Wednesday, June 24 (no need to register; just show up)
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: easy to strenuous (you choose)
Ages: 14 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

Naturalist's Bookclub: The Enduring Wild
2026-06-27 19:00 - 20:00 | CA
In this month’s book, The Enduring Wild, author Josh Jackson takes us on a California road trip to discover the stories behind our state’s sprawling public lands. Jackson’s journey spans thousands of miles, crisscrossing the Golden State to seek out the 15 million acres overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. The journey takes us from the North Coast shores of the King Range south to the Mojave Desert. Jackson tells of the indigenous people who called these lands home for millennia, and of the current mining and other extractive threats to BLM areas. Jackson also spotlights the grassroots organizers and political champions who have rallied to defend BLM lands, and to uphold the radical mandate to protect these natural treasures for generations to come.
Registration is required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Sunday, June 27
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: virtual event; login details sent with confirmed reservation
Cost: free to FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 10 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
RESERVE NOW

FULL MOON HIKE: Strawberry Moon
2026-06-28 19:00 - 21:30 | CA
Whether it rises on a clear night, with its reflection glistening in the bay below, or if it plays hide and seek with strands of fog, the full moon always takes our breath away at China Camp. This month, we’ll watch the ascent of the Strawberry Moon, named for its timing at the height of strawberry season.
FOCC naturalist Harold Hirsch will lead you on a vigorous hike to a special spot, where you’ll watch the moon peek above the East Bay hills, then ascend into the night sky—the first full moon of summer. On the hike back, Harold will keep his eyes peeled for interesting nocturnal creatures, like scorpions.
Space is limited; registration required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Sunday, June 28
Time: 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: moderately strenuous (3.5-mile round-trip hike, with 500-foot ascent)
Cost: free for FOCC members; $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 10 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
REGISTER NOW

Give-back morning at China Camp
2026-06-30 09:00 - 12:00 | China Camp Ranger Station, 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, 94901, United States
Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization, works hard to keep our park safe and beautiful—but we can’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Join us for a fun and rewarding morning of giving back. This is a great time to meet fellow nature enthusiasts, get some fresh air and exercise, and maybe even pick up a new skill along the way.
No previous experience or long-term commitment required. Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes (no sandals!). Bring a filled water bottle, work gloves, and wear sunscreen (bug spray optional). For groups of five or more, contact our volunteer maintenance coordinator at kjsmead@comcast.net.
Cancellations will be posted on our events calendar.
Dates: Tuesday, June 30 (no need to register; just show up)
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: easy to strenuous (you choose)
Ages: 14 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

Give-back morning at China Camp
2026-07-08 09:00 - 12:00 | China Camp Ranger Station, 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, 94901, United States
Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization, works hard to keep our park safe and beautiful—but we can’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Join us for a fun and rewarding morning of giving back. This is a great time to meet fellow nature enthusiasts, get some fresh air and exercise, and maybe even pick up a new skill along the way.
No previous experience or long-term commitment required. Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes (no sandals!). Bring a filled water bottle, work gloves, and wear sunscreen (bug spray optional). For groups of five or more, contact our volunteer maintenance coordinator at kjsmead@comcast.net.
Cancellations will be posted on our events calendar.
Dates: Wednesday, July 8 (no need to register; just show up)
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: easy to strenuous (you choose)
Ages: 14 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

SPECIAL EVENT: Night sky summer spectacular
2026-07-11 20:30 - 21:30 | CA
As ancient as it is stunning and mysterious, the night sky is surely one of humanity’s oldest sources of wonder. Join Kathryn Daskal, a retired ranger for the National Park Service, to explore the resplendent night sky on a dark, moonless night. Kathryn will delve into the science of astronomy, and reflect upon diverse cultural perspectives on what we see in the night sky. No telescopes or other equipment will be needed for this stargazing experience—just bring your sharp eyes and a keen sense of wonder. The program site provides limited seating at picnic tables. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on the ground.
“Astronomy compels the soul to look upward and leads us from this world to another.”
—Plato
Space is limited; registration is required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Saturday, July 11
Time: 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: China Camp Point
Cost: free for FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: all ages welcome; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
RESERVE NOW

Give-back morning at China Camp
2026-07-16 09:00 - 12:00 | China Camp Ranger Station, 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, 94901, United States
Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization, works hard to keep our park safe and beautiful—but we can’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Join us for a fun and rewarding morning of giving back. This is a great time to meet fellow nature enthusiasts, get some fresh air and exercise, and maybe even pick up a new skill along the way.
No previous experience or long-term commitment required. Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes (no sandals!). Bring a filled water bottle, work gloves, and wear sunscreen (bug spray optional). For groups of five or more, contact our volunteer maintenance coordinator at kjsmead@comcast.net.
Special Brown-Bag Lunch Day: After our work morning, bring your own lunch for an informal gathering with fellow volunteers at China Camp Village. Cold drinks provided by Friends of China Camp.
Cancellations will be posted on our events calendar.
Dates: Thursday, July 16 (no need to register; just show up)
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: easy to strenuous (you choose)
Ages: 14 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

BIRDING WALK: Shorebird migration
2026-07-18 08:00 - 10:00 | CA
July is one of the most anticipated months for shorebird migration. Along China Camp Beach, we’ll be on the lookout for assorted shorebirds, such as marbled godwits (shown here), plus belted kingfishers and Western and least sandpipers.
We’ll also be on the lookout for a variety of duck species, as well as gulls, which can be challenging to identify. Juvenile gull plumage changes over a five-year period, often progressing through mottled brown and black patterns before reaching full adult coloration.
If time allows, we’ll head for the slopes above the village, prime habitat for smaller birds, including dark-eyed juncos, California towhees, Bewick’s wrens, and Anna’s hummingbirds.
Space is limited; registration is required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Saturday, July 18
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: China Camp Village museum
Difficulty: moderately strenuous (up to 2 miles walking, including an inclined portion on paved roadway)
Cost: free for FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 10 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
RESERVE NOW

SPECIAL SATURDAY Give-back morning at China Camp
2026-07-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Biscayne Drive at N. San Pedro Rd., 14-24 Biscayne Drive, San Rafael, 94901, United States
Do something special this Saturday. Join other dedicated volunteers like you to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildlife in China Camp State Park. This event, cosponsored by the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF), will focus on fire-fuel reduction, removing invasive weeds and dead vegetation. No special skills needed; just bring your can-do spirit and your desire to help.
These fire mitigation events are some of the most important work days at China Camp, offering a chance to help the park and meet like-minded volunteers, and reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire to surrounding communities.
Come enjoy a great day at China Camp, which absolutely depends on volunteers like you. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy closed-toe shoes. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a filled water bottle. (Please leave pets at home.) For more details, and to register, visit the CSPF website.
Cancellations will be posted on our events calendar.
Date: Saturday, July 18
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Location: intersection of Biscayne Drive and N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael
Difficulty: easy to moderately strenuous (you choose)
Ages: 14 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

Give-back morning at China Camp
2026-07-22 09:00 - 12:00 | China Camp Ranger Station, 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, 94901, United States
Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization, works hard to keep our park safe and beautiful—but we can’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Join us for a fun and rewarding morning of giving back. This is a great time to meet fellow nature enthusiasts, get some fresh air and exercise, and maybe even pick up a new skill along the way.
No previous experience or long-term commitment required. Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes (no sandals!). Bring a filled water bottle, work gloves, and wear sunscreen (bug spray optional). For groups of five or more, contact our volunteer maintenance coordinator at kjsmead@comcast.net.
Cancellations will be posted on our events calendar.
Dates: Wednesday, July 22 (no need to register; just show up)
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: easy to strenuous (you choose)
Ages: 14 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

JUNIOR RANGERS: Nature ramble for little ones
2026-07-25 10:30 - 11:30 | CA
Is your pint-size explorer always turning over rocks, making discoveries, and asking questions? Then he or she will love this mini-adventure, a kid-friendly ramble around our campground. Along the way, we will keep an eye out for baby animals and their homes, such as white-tailed deer fawns and turkey chicks, and other cool stuff, like the remarkable stick nests of dusky-footed wood rats. Kids will learn why parks are so important for protecting wildlife and native plants—a great way to inspire curiosity and conservation in our next generation. The event will end with an official Junior Ranger ceremony, with participants receiving a special badge and a stamp in a California State Parks Junior Ranger workbook.
Date: Saturday, July 25
Time: 10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
Location: Back Ranch Meadows Campground
Difficulty: easy, (up to 1-mile walk on mostly flat ground)
Cost: free for FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 7 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
RESERVE NOW

CAMPFIRE PROGRAM: The story of China Camp
2026-07-25 19:30 - 20:30 | CA
Join a lively, engaging, and interactive presentation about the history of China Camp. As a program participant, you’ll get the chance to join in the fun, taking on a speaking role as part of the experience.
Bring your own fixings for s’mores after the presentation (we’ll bring stakes for roasting marshmallows) and settle in for a memorable evening by the campfire. And if you’ve never visited the park at night, this is a great way to experience the magic of our beautiful campground after dark.
Drop in event, no need to register
Date: Saturday, July 25
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Back Ranch Meadows Campground amphitheater
Cost: free to FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 6 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

NATURALIST BOOKCLUB: Other Minds
2026-07-26 19:00 - 20:00 | CA
In this month’s fascinating book, Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness, author Peter Godfrey-Smith tells a bold new story of how subjective experience crept into being—how nature became aware of itself. The book’s story largely occurs in the ocean, where animals first appeared. Tracking the mind’s fitful development, and focusing on octopuses and other cephalopods, Godfrey-Smith ponders big questions: What kind of intelligence do these animals possess? And how did the octopus, a solitary creature with little social life, become so smart? We’ll discuss these questions and more as we share this engaging book.
Space is limited; registration is required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Sunday, July 26
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: virtual event; details sent with confirmed reservation
Cost: free to FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 10 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
RESERVE NOW

Give-back morning at China Camp
2026-07-28 09:00 - 12:00 | China Camp Ranger Station, 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA, 94901, United States
Friends of China Camp, a non-profit organization, works hard to keep our park safe and beautiful—but we can’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Join us for a fun and rewarding morning of giving back. This is a great time to meet fellow nature enthusiasts, get some fresh air and exercise, and maybe even pick up a new skill along the way.
No previous experience or long-term commitment required. Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes (no sandals!). Bring a filled water bottle, work gloves, and wear sunscreen (bug spray optional). For groups of five or more, contact our volunteer maintenance coordinator at kjsmead@comcast.net.
Cancellations will be posted on our events calendar.
Dates: Tuesday, July 28 (no need to register; just show up)
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: easy to strenuous (you choose)
Ages: 14 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

FULL MOON HIKE: The Buck Moon
2026-07-29 19:30 - 22:15 | CA
Join us for this popular China Camp hike to catch the monthly moonrise. This month’s full moon, named because it rises in the season when male deer are just starting to show off their velvet-covered antlers, will hopefully be a summer stunner (if it’s not fogged out).
Starting our hike at dusk, we’ll climb the ridge above the Ranger Station, we’ll be on the lookout for the park’s numerous bucks. Once darkness falls, we’ll look to the east toward Mt. Diablo to watch the Buck Moon rise, casting a glow across the bay. On our way back down, we will keep our eyes peeled for nocturnal creatures, such as coyotes and (cross your fingers) owls.
Space is limited; registration is required. Cancellation notified via email.
Date: Wednesday, July 29
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10:15 p.m.
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Difficulty: moderately strenuous (3½-mile round-trip hike with moderate inclines)
Cost: free for FOCC members, $5 donation appreciated for non-members
Ages: 10 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
RESERVE NOW
