McNears Beach, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
McNears Beach
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Private recreational facility
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 McNears Beach
Location in California
McNears Beach
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Marin County |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
McNears Beach was once a very popular beach resort. It was built in the 1880s on San Pablo Bay in Marin County, California. This spot is about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) north of Point San Pedro. It is also 3.4 miles (5.4 km) northeast of San Rafael. Other similar names were suggested for the area, but "McNears Beach" was chosen.
History of McNears Beach
In 1859, a man named John A. McNear bought 700 acres of land. This land was at Point San Pedro. He started a dairy farm there. Over time, he bought even more land. His property grew to 2,440 acres. It also had more than five miles of waterfront along San Pablo Bay.
Chinese immigrants worked at the McNear ranch. They also fished for shrimp along the bay shores. In the 1880s, John McNear and his son opened a fancy resort. It had a hotel, beautiful gardens, and a dance hall. In 1898, he built the McNear Brick Company. He had plans to add a shipping port and a railroad. However, these plans were stopped by the big 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
A post office called "McNear" was set up here in 1897. It closed down in 1910.
McNears Beach Park Today
In 1970, the county bought 55 acres of land at McNears Beach. They wanted to create a public park. Today, this area is known as McNears Beach Park. It is a regional park that offers many fun things to do.
Visitors can enjoy a fishing pier and a swimming pool. There is also a snack bar for treats. You can play sand volleyball or tennis. Many picnic areas are available for families and friends.
The old McNear stables are still here. They are now used as an office for the Park Rangers. These rangers work for the Marin County Department of Parks and Open Space.
Next to McNears Beach on the east is China Camp State Park. This park is part of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
