Bolsa Chica State Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bolsa Chica State Beach |
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 Bolsa Chica State Beach
Location in California
Bolsa Chica State Beach
Location in the United States
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| 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 popular public beach in Orange County, California. It is located along the Pacific Ocean, between the cities of Huntington Beach and Sunset Beach. This beautiful beach is a great place for many outdoor activities, from fishing to surfing and even camping.
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Fun Things to Do at Bolsa Chica State Beach
Bolsa Chica State Beach offers lots of ways to have fun outdoors. It's a perfect spot for a day trip or a camping adventure.
Fishing and Grunion Runs
Many people enjoy surf fishing here, especially in the tidal channel at the south end of the beach. You might catch fish like perch, croaker, cabezon, and California corbina.
A really cool event happens here during summer nights: the grunion run! These small fish come out of the ocean onto the sand to lay their eggs. This usually happens during new and full moons. If you have a fishing permit, you can even catch them by hand!
Surfing and Biking
The beach is also a great place for surfing. The waves here are often perfect for riders of all skill levels.
If you love to bike, the Bolsa Chica bicycle path runs right along the beach. It's a smooth path that connects Bolsa Chica State Beach with Huntington City Beach. It's designed for a relaxed ride, so lifeguards make sure everyone keeps a speed limit of 5 mph (8 km/h).
Camping by the Ocean
You can even go camping right on the beach! Imagine falling asleep to the sound of the waves. It's a unique way to experience the California coast.
Exploring Nature Nearby
The beach stretches for about 3 miles (5 km), from Warner Avenue in Sunset Beach down to Seapoint Avenue. Right across the busy Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from the beach is the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. This reserve is a protected wetland area and a fantastic place for birdwatching. You can see many different kinds of birds there throughout the year.
Beach Safety with Lifeguards
Your safety at Bolsa Chica State Beach is important. Lifeguards from the California State Parks Lifeguard Service watch over the beach all year long. During the busy summer months, lifeguard towers are staffed to help keep everyone safe in the water and on the sand.
A Look Back in Time
The area we now know as Bolsa Chica State Beach has an interesting past.
From "Tin Can Beach" to State Park
Long ago, local people used to call this area "Tin Can Beach." In 1960, this 169-acre (68 ha) property became part of the state park system, protecting it for everyone to enjoy.
A Power Plant That Wasn't Built
In 1967, there were plans to build a huge power plant on a man-made island called Bolsa Island, just off the beach. This plant was supposed to make a lot of electricity and even turn ocean water into fresh drinking water. It was designed to produce more power than the famous Hoover Dam! However, the company planning it, Southern California Edison, couldn't get enough money to build it. So, the plans were stopped in 1968.
