China Camp
- Visitor center
- Picnic
- Accessible Restrooms
- Accessible Parking
Features
- Visitor center
- Picnic
- Accessible Restrooms
- Accessible Parking
Information
- Website:
- friendsofchinacamp.org
- Address:
- 730 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael, CA, 94901
- Region:
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Phone:
- Info: 415-456-0766
- Hours:
- 8 am to Sunset
- Dogs:
- On leash
Allowed in developed areas on-leash. Not allowed in the following areas: trails, dirt roads, backcountry areas, historic buildings, and historic gardens. - Last Visited:
- November 2020
Nestled along the shore of San Pablo Bay in Marin County, China Camp State Park surrounds an historic Chinese American shrimp-fishing village and a salt marsh. Visitors can enjoy wildlife-watching, hiking (limited accessible trails), camping and picnicking.
Trails and Pathways
- Trail:
- Turtle Back Trail
- Time to Complete:
- .5
- Trailhead Location:
- N. San Pedro Rd. about .3 miles from Back Ranch Meadows Campground
- Trail Length:
- Under one mile total
- Typical Width:
- 4 ft. & above
- Typical Grade:
- Gentle
- Typical Terrain:
- Firm
Trail Overview: This pleasant ¾- mile loop trail travels the perimeter of a hill offering views of San Pablo Bay and the East Bay beyond, a tidal marsh, and bay and oak woodlands. There are interpretive panels with raised representations of items found in the marsh and bay. While the trail is slightly wider than four feet I found myself hugging the trail on the inside because there is no edge protection and there’s a significant drop-off much of the way. We practically had the trail to ourselves.
More Info: The trail is mostly flat with some slopes that are less than 8%. During my visit some areas had a thicker layer of gravel than others which wasn’t problematic for my motorized chair but may be problematic for manuals. You’ll encounter a small rock swale half way around that is bumpy to cross depending on the degree of soil erosion.
- Trail:
- Shoreline Trail
- Time to Complete:
- .5
- Trailhead Location:
- N. San Pedro Rd. about .3 mile from Back Ranch Meadow Campground
- Trail Length:
- Under one mile total
- Typical Width:
- 4 ft. & above
- Typical Grade:
- Gentle
- Typical Terrain:
- Firm
Trail Overview: At the trail sign I followed left towards Miwok Meadow and was able to comfortably navigate about ¼ mile. If you follow the trail towards Back Ranch you quickly come upon a long stretch of rock swale which I found uncomfortable to cross so I turneed back.
To start there’s a gentle uphill which soon levels out. There’s lovely views of the bay to the east. Native grasses and oaks are the predominate flora on the rolling hills. After nearly ¼ mile you cross a bridge where due to erosion there’s about a two inch transition at either end. I turned around shortly afterwards because of a bumpy rock sway and the trail then quickly narrows and the terrain becomes more uneven and rutted.
More Info: Likely muddy after rains There's no shade or benches. State Parks websites says that 1.5 miles of Shoreline trail is accessible from the Back Ranch Meadows Walk-in Campground to San Pedro Road (where I started), I didn't try this section because of the long bumpy rock swale.
- Trail:
- Shoreline Trail to Miwok Meadows
- Time to Complete:
- 30 minutes
- Trailhead Location:
- San Pedro Rd. between Buckeye Point and Turtle Back Hill
- Trail Length:
- Under one mile total
- Typical Width:
- 4 ft. & above
- Typical Grade:
- Level
- Typical Terrain:
- Firm
Trail Overview: Starting from the parking space on San Pedro Rd. this section of the Shoreline Trail travels for .3-mile one way on a wide, level fire trail through oak and bay trees to Mewok Meadows Day Use. The trail then continues another .5 miles to the parking area for Turtle Back Trail (reviewed above) but narrows and has significant ruts and cross slopes so I didn’t continue past the picnic area.
Accessibility Features
The facilities listed below meet all of our access criteria unless otherwise noted.
- Accessible Parking:
- Yes – designated accessible parking, van accessible, firm, level or slope no greater than 2%;
Day-use lots are asphalt, the others at Miwok Meadows day-use and the accessible space located directly across San Pedro Rd. from Turtle Back Trail, are dirt and gravel and have a disabled parking sign but no striping so you could get blocked in by other vehicles. The access aisle at the accessible space at both Buckeye Point & Weber Point is located on the driver side; Bullhead Flat aisle is on the passenger side.
- Accessible Restroom:
- Yes – All restrooms in the park are accessible
- Camping:
- Yes – reservations: (800) 444-7275
- Accessible Picnic Table:
- Yes – firm & stable path to tables, firm & stable surface, 27" or greater knee clearance
- Accessible Visitor Center:
- Yes
- Good to Know:
- Park Brochure
