China Camp SP (2024)

FAQs

Why do they call it China Camp? ›

How China Camp Got Its Name. By the mid-1880s, Chinese Americans had established a settlement of about 500 people in a village they called China Camp. Many of these villagers were originally from Canton, China, and supported themselves and their families here by shrimp fishing in San Francisco Bay.

China Camp Village, the historic center of the park, has a museum with exhibits of early Chinese settlement. The village is on a family-friendly swimming beach with picnic tables and easy launch of kayaks and paddle boards.

Hot showers are available at two of the campground restrooms.

Discover the park's history and natural treasures

China Camp State Park is a 1,514-acre park nestled along the shoreline of San Pablo Bay in San Rafael, California. The park boasts panoramic views, lush oak woodlands, and over 100 acres of protected tidal salt marsh.

Historical Landmark

Reportedly founded about 1849 by a group of Englishmen who employed Chinese as miners, Chinese Camp was headquarters for stagelines in early 1850s and for several California Chinese mining companies. Much surface gold was found on hills and flats.

That said, dog are allowed on a leash in the campground and in the day/use areas, including the beach. With over 200 fog-free days per year, the beach is definitely worth checking out, as is the adjacent Visitor Center and the Quan Bros. Snack Shop at China Camp Village (open on weekends).

There is a variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels, coyote, fox, bats, and numerous birds. The California clapper rail and the salt marsh harvest mouse are endangered species that live in the marsh areas of the park. A Chinese shrimp-fishing village thrived on this site in the 1880s.

A Trail-Only Day Pass is $3 per person. A Parking+Trail Day Pass is $5 per vehicle, which includes trail access for up to four people. Purchase day-use passes at one of our Electronic Pay Stations, located throughout the park. Pay stations accept cash (no change), or credit and ATM cards.

No pets, fires, and glass containers are allowed. No lifeguards are on duty. Due to unpredictable surf conditions, swimming is not recommended. Take a low-tide walk from China Beach to Baker Beach and find starfish, anemones, and mussels clinging to the rocky crevices of the cliffs.

Gravity-fed camping showers use the force of gravity to move water from a bag or tank to a showerhead. The bag or tank is filled with water and hung with a handle from a tree or other high point, and the water flows through a hose and showerhead via gravity.

How do you shower when camping for free? ›

If there is a lake or stream along your trail or near your campsite, take a bath in nature. Just rinsing off in fresh water will remove excess dirt and oils. If that's not your thing or there is no water, bring extra water and biodegradable soap in order to bathe yourself.

Sponge baths are popular while camping because they use the least water. Wet a sponge or washcloth with water and a touch of biodegradable soap to “wipe” off dirty skin. Then, rinse the cloth or sponge and repeat wiping and rinsing a few times over until you feel clean.

The Xinjiang internment camps, officially called vocational education and training centers (Chinese: 职业技能教育培训中心) by the government of China, are internment camps operated by the government of Xinjiang and the Chinese Communist Party Provincial Standing Committee.

China owns 384,000 acres of American agricultural land. That's a 30% increase just since 2019. And on top of that, they own land near an air force base in North Dakota.

Chinese Summer Camp provides action-packed Chinese immersion programs for kids and keens aged 10 to 17. Different camp options can include Chinese classes, cultural activities, field trips, and sports events. Camp programs are available in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and online.