Bolsa Chica State Beach

Bolsa Chica State Beach is a popular state beach, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to its location south of the community of Sunset Beach in Orange County. This area was once called "Tin Can Beach" and became a state beach in 1960. Bolsa Chica is a perfect place to go surfing, sunbath, play volleyball, enjoy water sports, hold family outings, or to watch the sun set.

Average summer temperatures range in the high 70s, while winter brings slightly cooler mid-60- degree weather. The beach consistently draws prime waves and the surf breaks in shallower water, causing incoming waves to form a desirable curled shape as they crest.

Additional Information

Good For

Wheelchairs

Families

Activities

Swimming

Rv Camping

Picnicking

Fishing

Birdwatching

Road Biking

Hiking

Windsurfing

Geocaching

Dog Walking

Body Surfing

Sunbathing

Sand Volleyball

Basketball

Rules & Regulations

Dogs On Leash

Dogs Permitted With Restrictions

Accessibility Description

Bolsa Chica has two wheelchair accessible ramps with fire rings.

http://access.parks.ca.gov/parkinfo.asp?park=214&type=0

Hours

Sunrise to sunset, no camping.

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.

Location

Bolsa Chica State Beach is located in Huntington Beach, California and extends three miles from Sunset Beach to Seapoint Avenue along Pacific Coast Highway.

Beach Restrictions

No alcohol allowed
No balloons or piñata type things allowed anywhere on the beach (think environmental awareness). We do have wildlife that like to eat edible things they find.
No enclosed tents; ez-ups and open tarps only

RVs: No Pop-outs or Awnings Allowed

You may bring your recreational vehicle but you must be inside it or on the beach. Each parking space must be available for a paid parked vehicle at all times.

Parking Fees

Standard Vehicle Rates:

Day Use: $15.00
Senior Day Use: $14.00
Disabled Day Use: $7.50*

Oversize Vehicle Rates:

Day Use: $30.00
Senior Day Use: $28.00
Disabled Day Use: $22.50*

Buses:

10-24 passenger: $50.00
25+ passenger: $100.00

* Valid CA State Park and Disabled Discount Pass required. Note: Golden Bear, Limited Use Golden Bear, and State Parks Annual Pass prices remain unaffected.

* Your purchased ticket gets you in and out of the park and into any other State Park on same day until closing as long as parking is still available.

Fire Rings

Yes we have them! There are 200 on Bolsa Chica State Beach and they are first come, first served unless reserved with a picnic area. Coals and Wood can be used inside the Fire Rings only (no charcoal grills allowed). Large fires are permitted as long as wood pallets are not used. Bonfires can remain until 9:30pm; at that time all visitors must exit the state beach. The beach entrance closes at 9:00pm, and the state beach officially closes at 10:00pm.

You may bring your own PROPANE GRILL. It must be at least 18" off the ground and can be put anywhere on the beach behind the line of Lifeguard Towers.

Dogs

No dogs on sand, they can be on a leash on paved multi-use trail (bike path) only. See "Service Animals in State Parks".