Plan Your Visit

A day at Bolsa Chica State Beach is easy to plan: it is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, you park right behind the sand for $15 ($20 on summer weekends and holidays) and pay by phone or card, and restrooms are in every lot with outdoor showers between them. Bring a card, sun protection and, if you want a bonfire, firewood for one of the first-come fire rings.

The Basics

• Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; cars cannot enter after 9 p.m. (hours and fees).
• Where: 17851 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach (parking and directions).
• Paying: cashless park-and-pay. Scan the LAZ QR code in your lot.
• Full closures: State Parks warns the park can close fully; then only campers with reservations get in.
• Questions: reception at (714) 377-5691, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, or the Visitor Center.

What There Is to Do

California State Parks lists these at Bolsa Chica: swimming, surfing and windsurfing, fishing, picnicking, bike and hiking trails, geocaching, family programs, interpretive exhibits and an environmental learning center. Start here:

• Surfing and swimming
• Fire pits for an evening bonfire
• The paved bike path
• Fishing and grunion runs
• RV camping and picnic areas
• The wetlands across PCH (separate agency)

Facilities

Restrooms, outdoor showers, drinking water, picnic areas, food service and parking are all listed by State Parks, along with an RV dump station for campers. Food and drinks come from the beach concessions (food and drink).

The park page also links an interactive map of the park and Google Maps directions.

What to Bring

• A card or phone for parking; no cash.
• Sunscreen, a hat and layers.
• A sun shade that follows the rules (at least one side fully open; E-Z Ups 10 by 10 feet or smaller).
• Firewood or coal for a fire ring, and a propane grill if you want to cook (no charcoal grills).

Rules to Know Before You Go

The full list is on rules and regulations. The ones that surprise people:

• No alcohol without a Special Events permit.
• No dogs on the sand or in the water; leashed dogs are fine on the trail and in the lots (dogs).
• No drones.
• No balloons or piñatas.
• No non-Coast Guard-approved inflatables in the water.
• No enclosed tents and no tent camping.

Accessibility

California State Parks lists these accessible features at Bolsa Chica:

• Accessible parking and restrooms in every day-use lot, and accessible rinse showers between lots.
• Two wide paved Spencer Ramps across the sand toward the high-tide line, by Lot 18 and by the campground.
• A free beach wheelchair; ask at the kiosk or Visitor Center, or call (714) 377-5691.
• The flat, paved 2.9-mile multi-use trail, with its accessible trailhead at the south end of Lot 14.
• Accessible picnic areas at the south end of Lot 19, the north end of Lot 17 and the south end of Lot 14.
• Three accessible RV campsites (#1, #55, #57) with hookups.
• An accessible Visitor Center with interactive marine exhibits.

Make a Day of It

Spend the morning surfing or swimming, ride the trail at midday, walk the wetlands boardwalks across PCH in the afternoon (open until 8 p.m.), and finish with a sunset at a fire ring.