Location: County: Marin. Nearest City: San Rafael.
Campsites, facilities: There are 30 walk-in tent sites.
Campground reservations recommended during summer and weekends
(Friday-Saturday). Picnic tables and fire grills are provided.
Piped water, showers, and a rest room are available. Leashed
pets are permitted.
Reservations, fees: Reserve by phoning 1-800-444-PARK/7275
($7.50 reservation fee); $15-$16 per night, $5 for each additional
vehicle.
Contact: Phone park at 1-415-456-0766 or 1-415-456-1286.
China Camp SP
Rte. 1, Box 244
San Rafael CA 94901
Operating hours, seasons: The park is open 8:00 a.m.
to sunset; Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily;
open all year round.
Park Kiosk Hours:
Directions: From San Francisco, drive north on U.S.
101 to San Rafael and take the North San Pedro Road exit. Drive
west on North San Pedro Road for five miles to the park entrance
station at Back Ranch Meadows. Shortly after passing through
the entrance station, bear right and drive a short distance to
the campground parking lot. Reaching the sites requires a one-minute
walk.
Weather, clothing: Coastal/Temperate - winter 50s,
summer 70s-80s.
Trip notes: Once the site of a thriving fishing village
on San Pablo Bay, China Camp State Park is not only the historic
remains of the village, but also 1,640 acres of natural watershed
along the shores of San Francisco Bay. The park features extensive
inter-tidal, salt marsh, meadow and oak habitats that are home
to a variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels and numerous
birds. Visitors not only enjoy wildlife-watching, but also hiking,
swimming, boating and windsurfing. The park has some of the best
weather in the San Francisco Bay Area, with an average of more
than 200 fog-free days per year. This is one of the Bay Area's
prettiest campgrounds. It is set in woodlands with a picturesque
creek running past. The camps are shaded and sheltered. Directly
adjacent to the camp is a meadow, marshland, and then San Pablo
Bay. Hiking is outstanding here, either taking the Shoreline
Trail for a pretty walk to the edge of San Pablo Bay, or the
Bay View Trail for the climb up the ridge that borders the park,
in the process gaining spectacular views of the bay and miles
of charm. 15 miles of hiking trails, water access, beach access,
historical exhibit, 25 developed picnic sites, group picnic area
for up to 200 people.
© 2001, Miwok Lodge 439, Order of the
Arrow, Santa Clara County Council Inc., BSA
Revision 1.2
