Swimming & Lifeguards

Yes, you can swim at Bolsa Chica State Beach. Swimming is one of the park's listed activities, and the California State Parks Lifeguard Service patrols the beach all year. The lifeguard towers are staffed roughly from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, so in summer you can swim in front of a staffed tower. Rafts and floats that are not Coast Guard-approved are banned.

Lifeguards

Lifeguard service at Bolsa Chica is provided by the California State Parks Lifeguard Service, not the city. Lifeguards patrol the beach year-round, and the towers are staffed roughly from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Outside summer there may be no staffed tower near you, even though a patrol is out.

State Parks also offers group tours of its Lifeguard Headquarters at Huntington State Beach; request at least 15 days ahead, and tour groups park free; see the Visitor Center page.

Ocean Safety Tips From the Park

California State Parks prints these tips in its Bolsa Chica camping regulations and campground brochure:

• Swim near a lifeguard, and only in a lifeguard area during duty hours. Never swim alone.
• Long-distance swimming is best done parallel to the shore.
• Caught in a rip current? Don't panic. Swim toward shore at a 45-degree angle.
• Check with lifeguards about ocean conditions before going in, and report unsafe conditions right away.
• Never dive into shallow water.
• Never fake drowning or call for help as a joke.
• Avoid digging deep holes in the sand; they can cave in.

The brochure sums it up: treat the ocean as a potentially hazardous place and use extreme caution.

What You Can Bring in the Water

Non-U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices are prohibited: inflatable floats, boats, pool toys, tubes, rafts, loungers and kayaks. Surfing and windsurfing are allowed; see surfing.

Pets are not allowed in the water or on the sand, except service animals (dogs).

Water and Weather

State Parks puts average summer air temperatures in the high 70s to 80s, and winter in the mid-60s. It does not publish a water temperature for Bolsa Chica; ask the lifeguards on the day. More on the weather page.

Showers, Restrooms and Shade

Accessible outdoor rinse showers stand between every lot, next to the beach trail and restrooms, and restrooms and drinking water are in each lot. Shade is up to you: sun shelters must have at least one side fully open, and E-Z Ups can be no larger than 10 by 10 feet. Enclosed tents are not allowed.

Accessible Beach Access

Two wide paved Spencer Ramps cross the sand toward the high-tide line, one next to Lot 18 and one beside the campground. A beach wheelchair is available free; call (714) 377-5691 or ask park staff at the kiosk or Visitor Center.

Where Not to Swim

Swimming, wading, boating and diving are prohibited inside the two marine conservation areas in the Bolsa Chica wetlands across PCH, Bolsa Bay and Bolsa Chica Basin. Swim on the ocean beach only. See the wetlands page.