Bolsa Chica State Beach

Bolsa Chica State Beach

A sunset from Bolsa Chica State Beach
Location Orange County, California, USA
Nearest city Huntington Beach, California
Area 169 acres (68 ha)
Established 1960
Governing body California Department of Parks and Recreation

Bolsa Chica State Beach is a beach in the state park system of California, USA. It is located in the Huntington Beach community of Sunset Beach in Orange County.

The state beach is a popular place for surf fishing. Perch, corbina, croaker, cabezon and Shovelnose guitarfish are among the fish that can be caught there. The most popular location for fishing is around the recently opened channel, Tidal Inlet Channel, located at the southernmost end of the beach.[1]

During the summer months near new and full moons, grunion (a sardine-sized fish) come to sandy beaches such as Bolsa Chica to spawn. State law requires a fishing permit for adults, and the fish must be caught by hand.

The beach extends 3 miles (4.8 km) from Warner Avenue in Sunset Beach south to Seapoint Avenue, where the Huntington City Beach begins. The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is located across the busy Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from the beach and is a popular spot for birdwatching.

Lifeguard Services at Bolsa Chica State Beach are provided by the California State Parks Lifeguard Service. Lifeguards patrol the beach year round while lifeguard towers are staffed roughly Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Contents

History

The area that is now Bolsa Chica State Beach used to be called "Tin Can Beach" by locals.[2] The 169-acre (68 ha) property was added to the state park system in 1960.[3]

Recreation

Bolsa Chica State Beach provides recreational opportunities such as surfing, fishing, bicycle riding, RV camping, basketball, kite flying, etc.

Bicycle path

The Bolsa Chica bicycle path is a multi-use path that runs adjacent to the sand along the length of Bolsa Chica State Beach through Huntington City Beach. It is designed for leisurely cruises, and riders will be stopped by the lifeguards and told to slow down for exceeding the 5 mph (8.0 km/h) limit.

A bridge takes the PCH and multi-use trail over a "Tidal Inlet Channel" which was built as part of the 2004-2006 Bolsa Chica wetlands recovery project. An informative display of the recovery effort and massive project can be seen at the Bolsa Chica State Beach Visitor Center.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Bolsa Chica SB". California State Parks. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=642. Retrieved 2010-05-28. 
  2. ^ "The History". Huntington Beach City Guide. http://www.orangecounty.net/cities/HuntingtonBeach_history.html. Retrieved 2008-02-21. 
  3. ^ California State Park System Statistical Report: Fiscal Year 2009/10. California State Parks. p. 28. http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/795/files/09-10%20statistical%20report%20final%20online.pdf. Retrieved 2011-09-24. 

External links