Bolsa Chica State Beach: The Ultimate RV Camping Experience

Bolsa Chica State Beach is situated in Huntington Beach, California. Camping at Bolsa Chica is restricted to recreational vehicles; overnight tent camping is prohibited on the beach. You will park your RV in a section of the parking lot adjacent to the beach and the bike trail. The wide, sandy Bolsa Chica Beach is only steps from the RV. There is some traffic noise from Pacific Coast Highway; despite this, it remains an excellent location for an overnight stay in your RV.

Bolsa Chica Campground Facilities

Bolsa Chica is not an off-the-beaten-track experience. However, you will only find a few places along the coast where you can get so close to the beach. There are 55 campsites available. These sites are arranged in a parking-lot style, with some directly facing the beach (odd-numbered sites) while others are slightly back, closer to Pacific Coast Highway. Each site has electric and water hookups. Campsites can be reserved through the Reserve California website. They are highly sought after, especially during peak times, so booking well in advance is recommended. Bolsa State Beach Website.

Campground Rules & Details

RV Only Camping: No tents are allowed; all RVs must be self-contained with running water and a flushable toilet.

Dog Policy: Pets are permitted in the campground but not on the beach; only leashes are allowed on the multi-use trail.

Parking: Fees include an entry for one vehicle and one legally towed vehicle or trailer; additional vehicles will be charged per night at the park.

Hookups: There is no sewer connection, but a dump station is available nearby for campers.

Campground Hours: The entry gate closes at 9:00 PM, and the park closes at 10:00 PM. Campers arriving after the gate closure must make arrangements with the park service.

Accessibility: There are accessibility features for those with disabilities, including ramps for sand access and beach wheelchairs available for loan.

Huntington Beach Multi-Use Trail

A paved bike trail runs along the beach, extending south past the Huntington Beach Pier to the Wedge in Newport Beach and north to Sunset Beach. Beachgoers can walk, run, skate, bike, or ride scooters on the multi-use trail. Class I and II e-bikes are allowed on the trail, but riders must walk their bikes during the busy summer season in certain areas.

Bolsa Chica Beach Fire Rings

Fire rings are available along the beach, and it’s advisable to claim one early during the summer. By noon, most fire rings are usually occupied. These fire rings are free to use on a first-come, first-served basis. Only coal and wood may be used in the fire rings. If you bring your propane grill, it must be at least 18 inches off the ground.

Bolsa Chica Beach History

This area has a rich history, having served as a duck hunting ground, and during WW2, gun emplacements were built there by the United States military. Bolsa Chica also had an extensive oil production field. For thousands of years before these uses, Native Americans inhabited the Bolsa Chica wetlands and surrounding bluffs. Bolsa Chica Beach was once called “Tin Can Beach” due to its litter problem, but it has since been cleaned up and became a state beach in 1960. More about the wetlands.

Getting to Bolsa Chica Beach

Bolsa Chica State Beach 17851 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach California. Across Pacific Coast Highway from the beach is the beautiful Bolsa Chica Wetlands, a must-see for campers and day-trippers. The beach stretches 3 miles from Warner Avenue in Sunset Beach to Seapoint Avenue, where it transitions into Huntington City Beach. It’s easily accessible from the Pacific Coast Highway.

Bolsa Chica State Beach combines natural beauty with recreational opportunities, making it a beloved destination for locals and tourists looking to enjoy Southern California’s coastal lifestyle.

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