Bolsa Chica State Beach
The Park is currently OPEN.
Please check the hours of operation.Park Facilities
Trailer: 40 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: 40 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: 40 Feet
Family Campsites
RV Sites w/Hookups
RV Dump Station
RV Access
RV Sites w/Hookups
RV Dump Station
RV Access
Food Service
Parking
Restrooms
Outdoor Showers
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
Outdoor Showers
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Welcome to Bolsa Chica State Beach!
Bolsa Chica State Beach is a popular beach destination, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. This area was once called "Tin Can Beach" before it became a state beach in 1960. Bolsa Chica is a perfect place to surf, sunbathe, play volleyball, enjoy water sports, hold family outings or watch the sunset. Average summer temperatures range in the high 70's-80's, while winter brings slightly cooler temperatures to the mid-60's. This beach consistently draws prime waves and surf breaks in shallower water, causing incoming waves to form a desirable curled shape as they crest.
Explore the Beach!
Beach Cleanups
Volunteer to keep your local beaches clean
Upcoming Events
Attend one of our upcoming public programs
Special Events & Picnic Reservations
Host an event at the beach
Filming & Photography
Apply for a California film permit for your upcoming media project
Basic Information
Day Use Fees
- Regular: $15.00 per vehicle
- Senior: $14.00 per vehicle (ages 62+)
- Disabled Day Use: $7.50 per vehicle (Valid CA State Parks Disabled Discount Pass required)
- Oversize: $30.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer) (See Oversized Vehicle Parking Regulations)
- Senior Oversize: $29.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
- Disabled Oversize: $22.50 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
Summer Weekend and Holiday Fees
(Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
- Regular: $20.00 per vehicle
- Senior: $19.00 per vehicle (ages 62+)
- Disabled Day Use: $10.00 per vehicle (Valid CA State Parks Disabled Discount Pass required)
- Oversize: $40.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer) (See Oversized Vehicle Parking Regulations)
- Senior Oversize: $39.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
- Disabled Oversize: $30.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
- *Fees are subject to change on major event days or holidays*
Note: In the event of a full park closure, only those vehicles that have a reservation in the campground will gain access to the park. All other vehicles will not be allowed into the park until the closure has been lifted. Day use fees allow for re-entry for that day only, subject to parking availability.
RV Camping Fees
- Front Row (Beach Side): $70.00 per night
- Back Row (Highway Side): $60.00 per night
Reservable through Reserve California
$2.00 off per night for Seniors (62+)
RV sites are 20 ft wide and 30-40 feet long.
Factory-built, self-contained RV’s only. Must include running water, internal flushable toilet with holding tank, shower and cooking facilities. No conversions, tent camping or cassette toilets allowed.
Passes
The following State Park Passes are accepted at Bolsa Chica State Beach:
- California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass*
- Golden Bear Pass
- Limited Use Golden Bear Pass (not valid Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day)
- Disabled Discount Pass
- Distinguished Veteran Pass
- State Parks Library Pass (must have Library hang tag)
* Can be purachased at the entrance kiosk
Bolsa Chica State Beach is located in Huntington Beach, California and extends three miles from Warner Avenue to Seapoint Avenue along Pacific Coast Highway.
Physical Address:
17851 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
(not a USPS mailing address)
Fishing
Bolsa Chica is also a great place for surf fishing of perch, corbina, California corbina, croaker, cabezon, shovelnose guitar fish and sand shark. At new and full moons during the summer, visitors can enjoy bare-handed fishing for California grunion, a species that only spawns on sandy southern California beaches. Under state law, these fish may be caught by hand with a fishing permit. Wildlife and bird watching are also popular at this state beach.
Interpretive & Educational Programs
The Bolsa Chica State Beach Visitor Center features year-round educational displays in our Visitor Center (open 9:00am - 4:00pm, everyday) and programs. Don't miss out! To see what programs are coming up, please visit our Upcoming Events Page!
Camping
This State Beach has 50 campsites with electric and water hookups for self-contained RVs (Note: Tent camping is not allowed at Bolsa Chica State Beach).
Check availability and make a reservation at Reserve California.
Accessibility
Picnic tables, outdoor showers and restrooms are accessible. A beach wheelchair is available for loan, with ramps for sand access. Ask a park aide at our entrance kiosk or in our visitor center for instructions on how to reserve one.
Multi-Use Trail
There is a paved beachside trail that runs for 8.5 miles between Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beaches. Beach-goers are welcome to walk, run, skate, bike, scooter, etc. on this trail.
Please note that non-human powered equipment, with few exceptions, are subject to restriction on Orange Coast District Trails. Please see District Superintendent's Posted Order No. 925-23-14 for full details.
Enjoy a beach sunset around the bonfire with friends and family any time of year! Bolsa Chica State Beach offers close to 200 fire rings year-round, every day from 6:00am - 10:00pm. Unless reserved with a picnic area through our Special Events Department, all fire rings are first come, first serve.
Fire Rings: Bonfires are only allowed within State Park designated fire rings. Our 200 fire rings are first come first serve, unless reserved with a picnic area through our Special Events Department.
Grills: NO charcoal grills allowed. Coal and wood may be used in the fire rings only. You may bring your own propane grill but it must be at least 18" off the ground. Propane grills can be put anywhere on the beach behind the line of Lifeguard Towers.
Alcohol: Alcoholic beverage consumption PROHIBITED, unless approved through a Special Events Permit through our Special Events Department. Violators are subject to citation and possible dismissal from the park (CCR T14 4326).
Party Items: Balloons and piñatas type items are prohibited. Please help us keep our space clean and our wildlife safe from mistaking these items for food.
Tents: No enclosed tents or ez-ups allowed. Tent camping is not offered at Bolsa Chica State Beach.
Dogs: Pets are NOT allowed on the sand or in the water, with the exception of service animals. Pets ARE allowed on the multi-use trail and parking lots so long as they are on a leash and under control. Please consider visiting the Huntington Dog Beach if you are seeking an area where you may bring your dog onto the beach.
RVs: Pop-outs/awnings are not allowed. Each parking space must be available for a paid parked vehicle at all times. If bringing an RV, you must be inside it or on the beach at any given time.
Oversized Vehicles: All vehicles must be properly parked at all times in accordance with governing regulations and bear in mind that Department personnel may specify the arrangement of your recreational equipment at any time. (See Oversized Vehicle Parking Regulations)
Drones: The use of powered unmanned aircraft, drones, or other remote controlled aerial devices is prohibited within the park's boundaries. Use for filming may be requested under a California film permit.
Vending/Concessions: The vending and selling of items, food, or services within park boundaries is prohibited without a permit or contract with the State.
Inflatable Rafts: Non-U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation devices such as inflatable floats, boats, pool toys, tubes, rafts, loungers and kayaks are prohibited.
A full list of Orange Coast District Posted Orders is available here: District Superintendent's Posted Order No. 925-23-14
Educational Programming: For all educational and interpretive programming, please contact Elizabeth Bailey.
- Elizabeth.Bailey@parks.ca.gov
Special Events, Picnic Reservations & Filming: For all activities that fall outside the scope of a normal beach day, please contact our Special Events Department.
- Megan.Gierhart@parks.ca.gov
- Natalie.Nunez@parks.ca.gov
- Phone: (714)377-9422 (M-F, 9am-4pm)
Camping Reservations: To reserve an RV campsite at Bolsa Chica, please contact Reserve California.
- Reserve California
- Phone: 1-800-444-7275
Court Liason: For law enforcement or medical service records, please contact our legal team.
- Parks.PRA@parks.ca.gov
General Inquiries: For all other inquiries, please contact the Bolsa Chica State Beach Reception Office.
- Phone: (714)377-5691 (Daily, 9am-4pm)
The Prjkt Concessions LLC
Food and Beverage Concession Stands
- SeaLegs at the Beach - A stunning ocean front restaurant offering beer, wine, and wonderful live entertainment.
- SeaSalt Beachside Burger - Great food and live entertainment.
- Beach City Provisions - An outdoor, family-friendly venue with live music, delicious food, snacks and drinks. Stop by the Beach Store to stock up on beach essentials, souvenirs, merchandise, RV supplies, bonfire supplies, and more. Bike and beach rentals available.
- Pacific Kitchen - Exciting changes coming soon!
City of Huntington Beach
The City of Huntington beach manages the property from Seapoint St. to Beach Blvd. along Pacific Coast Hwy
The Holidays Delivered
Camp Trailer Rentals
LUV-2-CAMP, LLC
Camp Trailer Rentals
Lifeguard Service
Lifeguard Services at Bolsa Chica State Beach are provided by the California State Parks Lifeguard Service. Lifeguards patrol the beach year round while lifeguard towers are staffed roughly from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
The Bolsa Chica Wetlands
The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is located across the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from the beach and is operated by the California Department of Fish and Game. For more information regarding the Bolsa Chica Wetlands, please visit our partner pages by clicking the logos below:
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