China Camp State Park San Rafael California

China Camp State Park is named after a Chinese shrimp-fishing village on San Pablo Bay. During the 1880s, nearly 500 people lived in the the village that is now China Camp State Park. There were three general stores, a marine supply store and a barbershop. Now, all that remains of the village are a few buildings along the waters edge. Several historic structures have been preserved, and and A small museum is open daily (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) and provides information on China Camp. China Camp State park is a very popular place for mountain bikers. During the summer months the park can get very busy. Off season the park can be a quiet and peaceful place to spend the day. China Camp State Park is one of the least disturbed natural watersheds remaining along the shores of San Pablo Bay. A variety of facilities help park visitors enjoy the recreational opportunities available in the park. Hikers can travel trails along inter tidal, salt marsh, meadow and oak habitats, and even encounter some small redwood groves that are home to a variety of wildlife: deer, squirrels, foxes and many kinds of shore and water birds. A number of fishing access spots along< North San Pedro Road enable anglers to fish for striped bass, flounder, perch and sturgeon.

Camping at China Camp - There are 30 developed campsites (several accessible) located on the northwest side of the park at Back Ranch Meadows Campground. Each site has a picnic table, food locker and fire ring. Wood gathering is not allowed in the park, but firewood is available for purchase. Campers must carry their own equipment from the parking lot to the campsites in the walk-in campground some 50 to 300 yards away. Self-contained recreational vehicles may stay for one night (from 6:00 p.m. through 9:00 a.m.) in the parking lot. Access to the campground varies seasonally. Camping reservations can be made up to seven months in advance through Reserve America. Unreserved sites are available first-come, fist-serve.

China Camp State Park is about a 30 minute drive from San francisco depending on traffic. The park is four miles east of San Rafael on the shore of San Pablo Bay. From Highway 101, go east on North San Pedro Road for five miles until it enters the park.
Latitude/Longitude: 38.0144 / -122.4600