Bolsa Chica State Beach
Bolsa Chica State Beach is a public ocean beach located in Orange County, California. It is situated north of Huntington Beach and south of Sunset Beach. The beach stretches for 3 miles (5 kilometers) south from Warner Avenue in Sunset Beach to Seapoint Avenue, where the Huntington City Beach begins. The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is a popular birdwatching location located across the busy Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from the beach. The Bolsa Chica cycling trail passes through Huntington City Beach and runs the length of the park.
Surfing, sunbathing, and water sports are among the activities available. Bolsa Chica State Beach does not allow tent camping. There are fire rings accessible.
Surf fishing is possible for perch, corbina, California corbina, croaker, cabezon, shovelnose guitar fish, and sand shark. California grunion is a fish that only eggs on sandy beaches in southern California. These fish may be caught by hand with a fishing permit under state legislation. This state beach is also known for wildlife and bird watching.
The beach is patrolled year-round by lifeguards from the California State Parks Lifeguard Service, and lifeguard towers are staffed during the summer.
Amenities
On a first-come, first-served basis, there are public restrooms, outdoor showers, wheelchair accessible, a Visitor Center, beach volleyball courts, basketball courts, year-round RV camping (reserve with Reserve America), a concrete beach path, picnic ramadas, BBQ grills, and 200 fire rings.
Concessions
Bolsa Chica State Beach is your happy place if eating delicious Californian food and sipping cocktails by the sea sounds like your ideal beach day. SeaLegs at the Beach, located at the most northern tip, serves wine and beer as well as a champagne breakfast, trademark flatbreads, and other dishes. “It’s not your average burger shack,” as they claim. Continue south to Beach City Provisions, a one-stop shop catering to RV campers with comfort cuisine, local craft beer, and a small basic store. Finally, at the southernmost point, Pacific Kitchen serves sustainably produced fish, acai bowls, coffee, and beer.
History
Locals used to refer to the area that is now Bolsa Chica State Beach as “Tin Can Beach.” In 1960, the 169-acre (68-hectare) property was added to the state park system.
A nuclear power and desalination facility was planned for Bolsa Island, a man-made island off the coast, in 1967. It was expected to generate more power than the Hoover Dam. However, Southern California Edison’s chairman, Jack K. Horton, abandoned the plans in 1968 because the company was unable to raise sufficient funds, despite rate increases and the sale of common stock.
Next Point of Interest: Huntington Harbour