Bolsa Chica State Beach

Excellent Spot for Beginners. There werw a lot of dolphins. I was stung on the foot by a stingray, and it was incredibly painful—so intense that it made my whole body go weak. The pain only started to ease after I soaked my foot in hot water at home. This beach is ideal for novice surfers. The water remains shallow quite far out, allowing you to comfortably stand, which provides extra confidence when learning. The waves are just the right size—not too powerful, but still enough to practice and enjoy. There’s ample parking available, though I recommend avoiding Saturdays. I arrived at 10:40 AM and had to wait about 40 minutes just to enter the parking lot due to heavy traffic.

Getting into this location is very slow as it’s credit card only and their processing is very slow. Typical line to get in on a weekend is 30 to 60 minutes. Typical state run facility where everything is kind of backwards. The positive side to this speech are the privately owned businesses that are obviously run very well The sea salt honky-tonk, and Sea Legs are great additions to the beach. Parking is a little tough.

This was a nice stop as my wife had always wanted to have a fire on the ocean at night. We came back the next day and had a picnic and a fire at sunset! They did not have firewood so we just stopped at a Lowe’s and picked up two bundles for about $10. The beach was kept pretty clean although the bathrooms were probably the best for outdoor public bathrooms in CA that we ran across. This is about a 30 minute drive from Disneyland but worth it!

Massive beach lengthwise. Lots of parking. Lifeguards, big waves at times. Party atmosphere, everyone is enjoying life. YOU NEED A CREDIT or DEBIT CARD to get in, or you"re done. Bring your any size RV! North end sand berm blocks ocean view from the parking lot. Get there b4 10am on summer weekends or the line to get in gets atrocious.

Parking lot is super close to the water. So not making ridiculous long trips. About 45 seconds from car to beach. Bathrooms are clean and stocked. They have pits for bonfires. It does get windy around 3pm so bring sand bags for your canopy and tents. No litter. So if coming please bring all your trash with you.

A Perfect Family Day at Bolsa Chica! We had an amazing time at Bolsa Chica State Beach with our big family group of 20! The whole day was filled with sunshine, laughter, and great memories. The beach was clean, the waves were refreshing, and the view was absolutely stunning — blue skies and ocean as far as the eye can see. The kids had a blast splashing in the water and digging in the sand, and the parents enjoyed relaxing and soaking up the peaceful vibe. The bonfire pits were a huge highlight for us! We roasted hot dogs and shared stories as the sun set — such a cozy and fun way to end a beach day. The fire rings are well-maintained and spacious enough for big groups like ours. We also explored the hiking trails and bike paths nearby. The trails were easy and scenic, with ocean breezes and beautiful coastal views. Whether you want to walk, bike, or just take it slow, there’s something for everyone. Parking was easy, restrooms were clean, and the entire area felt safe and family-friendly. Honestly, this spot is perfect for a full day of beach fun with loved ones. Highly recommend for groups, picnics, or even just a quiet walk by the water. Can’t wait to come back again soon!

Great alternative to the surrounding beaches. Less crowded and better parking options.

We had to wait in line to get in, but we got a late start to the day. You really do have to get there early to avoid waiting for a while. Good restroom facilities. A lot of lifeguards and plenty of trash cans.

What can I say, this is my go to beach when I want to have a gathering and stay all day to enjoy an amazing bonfire night. I would say you have to get there early or else you will be in line for at least an hour just to enter. We got there around 5am and the line was already forming. We were about 20th in line. Our friends got there around 9 and waited a long time just to get in. Upon entering gate, I would recommend driving down to end because everyone tries to go to the first lots and you don't want to fight to get a pit. Lifeguards are on location so that is a plus if you have kids or anyone who wants to catch some waves or just swim in the water. Beach itself is pretty clean too so a great place to hang out for the day. Looking forward to summer again to come back and enjoy the sun and water!

4.5 stars My go to beach when I want a relaxing day. I love the fact that the walk from the parking lot to the water is so close. Whenever I am there I can see my car from where is it on the sand. - parking can get crazy on peak days / weekends + bathrooms tend to be fairly clear + not a long walk from parking lot + plenty of fire pits + volleyball nets - food/drink stands aren't open everyday + pretty clean beach

On a hot week in October, we decided to escape from the valley and go to our favorite beach. Bolsa Chica has been our go-to for a long time. We enjoy the less crowded vibe that you won't get next door at HB. There is camping for the overnighters and a great walking/biking path that is super busy all year long. It's always easier to go here and we've enjoyed having day excursions and bonfires at night. I highly recommend it here. It's pretty clean and super family friendly. The walk from the parking lot to water is not too bad, when comparing next door beach's walk. This is just to note especially when you are trying to drag umbrellas, chairs and other goodies closer to the water. Also, you can take your dogs for a walk on the path but they are not allowed on the sand. *Another reason to avoid Huntington Beach: Holiday weekends, and planned events. This weekend was the air show, a great family outing. Unfortunately, HB and PCH have lately become an active haven for people to turn the place into a political warzone. It's just tacky. Can we just have the beach back people? Go home, or just enjoy the beach for what it's for. Beach, sand, and fun in the sun.

Beach Day and Bonfire! Summer is in full swing and a visit at Bolsa Chica State Beach made for a perfect summer beach day with friends. Bolsa Chica has over 200 fire pits! Though that seems like a lot; they are first come, first serve and they go fast! My friends showed up before 6am to snag a pit and there was already a line. Speaking of lines; one should also be prepared to get in line to enter the beach itself. Sometimes there is no line but when there is; you can get stuck on PCH for quite some time. We waited in line about 30 mins but I had friends who waited over an hour. Once you get in parking is $20. The wait and parking fee is worth it though as a beach day here is pretty fun. From enjoying the water, to playing games on the sand to watching the sunset and finally enjoying a bonfire with some smores and hot dogs; it really does make for a perfect summer day. I've always thought Huntington Beach is beautiful and I'm so happy to have been able to experience another part of Surf City here at Bolsa Chica State Beach.

This is nice beach with lots of fire pits and bathrooms. The beach itself is unique because once you get to the sand, it is a very short walk to the water- unlike at Huntington Beach, for instance. The beach was quite clean here too. Keep in mind, if you arrive after noon, especially on a weekend, the line to get into Bolsa Chica is literally miles long. On Saturday, 8/3/24, I waited 3 hours to get inside and meet with my family. I'm not exaggerating- it was at least 3 hours. Turns out, they close the gates periodically throughout the day. What's interesting is that they don't have any electronic traffic signs to notify people when the gates have been closed. After waiting an hour, you start to think, "well, I waited this long... what if I leave now and the line starts picking up?" While I waited, I saw people leave their cars and climb the fence (both over and under) to get to the bathrooms. I was so desperate to go to the bathroom that I seriously considered just putting my car in park and hopping the fence too. Make sure to show up extra early if you plan to come here on a weekend! If you go early, you can claim a fire pit and find a spot for your camper.

I have lived in Huntington Beach for 12 years now. I love our State and City beaches. I have walked the whole stretch from the river mouth to dog beach over and over again. It is my personal little slice of paradise. This summer, my friend and I, decided to expand our horizons. We went all the way up to Bolsa Chica State Beach. My eyes have been opened! I think it may be even better as a pure beach experience. First, it is less crowded, second it is a less exhausting trudge across the sand to the water. The parking is easy, and there are inviting looking restaurants/venues that I have not tried yet. So let's review; Same sun Same waves Same lifeguards Less crowded Easy water access Bolsa Chica is a winner!

The place is clean and the parking so convenient. I walk along the beach with my little doggy in the mornings , when a need a break from the noisy city.

This beach is always clean, and the water is beautifully clear. Whenever we visit, we park in the lot near SeaLegs, which is close to the beach and very convenient. I recommend arriving early, especially on weekends, as the parking line can get quite backed up if you arrive after noon. There are fire pits available on a first-come, first-served basis, adding to the fun. Parking costs around $15, though it may be more if you have a camper. I love coming here--it's one of my favorite beach spots!

I have went to this beach for years. You will find the bike trail clean and the concession stands are each unique and offer great entertainment. Not as touristy at Huntington next door and they have a great museum and ride pool display at the headquarters building.

I wanted to say THANK YOU to the two lifeguards who very gently rescued the Pelican today. I saw him there struggling and then the female lifeguard drove by and noticed him too. She got out to see if he was ok. Immediately could see he was not ok and called for backup. The guy came with the crate and the pelican walked over to them! When they tried to get him, he tried to fly away but of course could not. They didnt lunge at him or scare him but instead ever so gently continued their rescue mission to get him into the crate towards help. THANKS FOR LOOKING OUT FOR OUR BIRD FRIENDS!

Only two stars from me bcos I did not get in. My family and I waited in line for three hours simply to try to get into the parking lot. I was within 50 cars away from the entrance when the parking lot was completely closed due to maximum capacity. The 3 hour wait was due to soooooo many cars cutting in line and keeping those of us doing the right thing from moving forward even 50 feet for very long periods at a time. I don't know how the city can control such chaos from taking place but it is definitely a HUGE problem

It was my first time coming to this beach. Parking was $20. The parking lot is very close to the sand and ocean which is the main reason why we came to this one. Do we didn't have to walk miles with the ice chest and such back and forth. It's a nice beach, but there's many shells and seaweed and such all throughout the sand. As soon as you step in the water you'll be stepping on shells it's not smooth so it might be uncomfortable, that is until you go down a slope in the ocean then u will get to the super soft sand. Overall I had a good day but it was so windy here I was freezing basically the entire time

Went on a Friday night for a little bonfire. Beach was nice and clean. Plenty of fire pits all along the beach which is nice when it gets crowded like in the summertime. Staff were friendly at the entrance and the workers at the convenience store were also very helpful when we needed to purchase an extra bundle of firewood. Great place to spend the day or an evening by the fire!

This beach is always clean and not a far walk from the parking lot to the water. We got there early and was able to get a fire pit and that was nice. Bolsa chica beach is my go to beach just remember to bring soap to wash your hands after a bathroom trip. :)

The beach is fine during the off-season. I used to love running and biking along the path, but now you have to compete with E-Bikes and drunk people from the restaurants (or as I like to call them, concert venues). Parking is a nightmare half the time and super expensive. Not to mention now you not only have to compete with beach goers, but also the stupid concert venues. There are now several of them, and they have events sometimes 2-5 times per week (of course weekends)!!!! They take over at the beach as far as sound goes. The concerts are way too loud, especially if you go into one. And the people are absolutely bombed out of their minds drunk half the time. The prices for those places are overpriced too. I miss having the old beach snack shacks. I'd even take the original SeaLegs back before they added concerts. When I go to the beach, I want to do my own thing, not have to hear music I didn't choose to see. We've asked the state staff to have them turn it down a little, and nothing changes. I would actually go to the restaurants more if they didn't have the concerts (or at least if it was just a casual band where you could still hear someone talking next to you). And I'm not a super environmentalist, but I can't imagine the animals of the wetlands just across the street like the constant concerts. I feel like they also took out a ton of the fire pits back in the day, so now it's way harder to get any.

Love this beach! wish I could come here everyday! :) Usually on the weekdays during the afternoon there's not much people here. Which is so nice! :) can be chilly so bring a sweater !!

We came on a random weekday afternoon. It was easy to get a fire pit, but we are also pretty much at the end of summer at this point too so it wasn't as crowded as it usually is during the height of summer. Parking was $15 and plentiful, so I'm really glad we didn't go on a weekend and have to deal with any crowds. Awesome way to spend the evening, don't forget the firewood and fixings for s'mores!

Beach is awesome. What is not awesome is having a parking pass and there only being 1 lane to get into the park. So we have to sit for 30-60 minutes for nothing. So aggravating and makes zero sense! Why would you kit gage an annual pass holder lane?

Lived in California for 63 years, this is suppose to be a State Park Beach. The parking lot is in need of repair and new striping. The bathrooms are atrocious on busy weekends, what ever happened to court trustees cleaning. It seems no one ever cleans the sand off the bikeway anymore. It's really sad to see this beautiful section of the beach go to hell. Also did I mention it's $20.00 per car during the summer, $40.00 for a RV. I highly recommend buying the yearly pass. Forgot to mention they have concrete fire pits on the beach . Get here early to stake out one of these gems, park is open from 0600-2200 hours. State Lifeguards and park rangers patrol beach.

It is one of my favorite places for a day at the beach and making smores over the bonfire In the end, it was a great day. So if you are trying to get a bonfire pit of your choosing, you have to get there at opening, and it's usually along line to get in by 7am. All the pits are taken because its the only way you can get a bonfire on beach here if you using pits dont risk digging a hole ine sand might get you kicked our or fined alao no alcohol allowed they will kick you spot as well be safe leave the beach better than you found it take all your trash.

Such a beautiful place to visit and relax with your loved ones or with friends. This is a family friendly beach and everyone is welcomed. I have recently been going to the beach a lot and I like Bolsa chica in particular because it's less crowded and you always find a good spot to park so you don't have to walk so far to get to the beach. The Beach has some decent waves if you wanna go surfing or just go for a swim to cool off on a hot summer day. I also love having a bon fire pit to enjoy and watch the sunset while staying toasty when it's night time.

Great beach, terrible service. Careful with the parking entrance, the attendant girl scammed the entrance ticket. I purchased daily pass and she charged me for the annual pass. Found out afterwards that she forged signature and kept the receipt. Be aware of scammers and fraudulent activity by "Ms. Barnes" and other employees. Management could not and would not do anything about this. Investigation is ongoing.

Bolsa Chica State Beach is a beautiful, clean beach that is walkable and very beautiful. It was my first time going to any beach since Covid. People are wearing a mask and also keeping their distance from one another. It was quite enjoyable and pretty empty during the weekday. If you want someplace to relax and chill I would recommend this beach! Parking is I believe $16.00 or so but walking on the beach is free! The sunset is nice and honestly wouldn't mind coming back here again.

3 hour line to get in the parking lot. People cutting in and making it even worse. No type of monitoring.

Love this beach, but parking is a hit or miss.. today was the worst! I'm still waiting to get in 2.5 hours in line, so close. Clean restrooms and lots of fire pits.

Fun in the sun. If evening bon fire and s'mores are desired, arrive early ( opens at 6 am) because fire pits are first come first serve and they get claimed right away. There are some areas that can be reserved ( prices vary) and some have fire pits. Parking is $20- I got a state parking pass at my local LA County library and parked for free. Beach is well maintained. We were by station 20 - little store- and food stand nearby; live music - alcohol sold in designated area.

The lines were a little bit long, but we went on Saturday so it was to be expected. We picked a great day to go to the beach. It was gorgeous.

We started our day off headed to the Beach but made a few stops along the way. It's so Beautiful here. I'm so Grateful

We went on a Sunday to beat the heat in the San Gabriel Valley. Got to the parking lot around 12:30 and there was a line but it was moving. Parking was $20, which at this point I find to be a steal. After you enter there is plenty of mini-lots for you to choose from. I parked in lot 20 and got out of the car, walked about 20 yards and camped right next to lifeguard tower 22. It was perfect. I like staying near the lifeguard towers just in case my kids get a little more brave than I can handle. It was a gorgeous day and once we were done, the car was right there. I think this will be our new go to beach spot.

Very accessible beach since there is parking on the side that is free behind Jack in the Box (though you may have to hunt for it sometimes). There is also plenty of parking in the paid spaces, $15 for the day. Long bike/walk path and huge stretches of sand and water. There are also fire pits here for BBQ and smores! Fly a kite here, it gets windy. Not huge on surf at this particular spot but it is possible and go towards the pier if that's what you're looking for.

Had a birthday bonfire here for my 30th birthday. Great area to sit in the evening with a fire, enjoying the salty breeze, ocean sunset, and Californian dream! Bring firewood, coal and lighter fluids, beach chairs. Arrive early in the evening to grab a pit. In terms of social distancing: it's variable depending on where on the beach you are. The fire pits are more than 6 feet apart, but the many people biking on the sidewalks or are walking near the beach without masks. Ample amount of paid parking - parking is $15.

My niece loves going to the beach and play in the sand, but as she was playing in the sand, we found a broken glass! This beach needs to be cleaned every single day! Ppl walk around barefooted and play in the sand, anyone can get injured by broken pieces of glass and other things.

Went for a walk here in the morning. Nice beach for relaxing, enjoying the sun and water. There was a surfing event that day. Looks so much fun. The beach was clean but we saw a large broken glass on the sand which somebody might step on (we removed it). I don't recommend walking barefoot in the sand.

Great place to people watch while jogging! Did about a 5 mile run here in the mid morning and it didn't really feel that way with all the people around. Great place to go for a run and then relax on the sand after!

Free parking off PCH. Went early in the morning. It was close to 8am. It seemed like a nice walk , I remember coming here in elementary with my school. I enjoyed ibsck then. Unfortunately, I didn't stay long this time . There was a suspicious looking nan with a van, that was partially open. I've been watching too many cold case files. Not for me today. Come with a friend!

I enjoy this beach because it's clean well not 100 percent but it's enjoyable. The parking is close to the beach not much walking to do to get to the water. The restroom is easily accessible as well as the area where you shower. The weather was nice and enjoyable. The water was cold but manageable... hmmm what else can I say. A lot of people riding bikes and roller blading!!! Yes that's is still a thing. The best part is my kids enjoyed it and they had fun Ooo wait the parking is 15.00 dollars on the weekend unsure of the week if it's a different price.

Oh yea super! Always a pleasure to chill at Bolsa, been here for camping and just day trips with the bonfire.

We wanted to go to the beach on our recent trip to Anaheim area. After researching different beaches we opted to go to this state beach park. There is a $15 entrance fee but going to a normal beach would have cost us to park anyway. The beach was decent. We went on a Monday so there was lots of parking and it was not crowded. The beach area was okay - the bathrooms were pretty gross and I did not see the lifeguards they claimed to have. All in all the visit was fun for our girls and we enjoyed playing in the sand and waves.

I have been to every state park in CA. .....This is the WORST run park in the system! Incompetence at every level! Getting into the park, the bath rooms, the bike trail, ect. is a fricking MESS!

Parking is ample but the entry can back up quite a bit. They really need to open the north end for pass holders only and use some Fastrak like technology for an automated gate there. Presently 1/5/2022 it smells like raw sewage at the beach which is disgusting and signs saying contact with the water may cause illness.

Raise your hand if you like to see the sunrise then the sunset overlooking the Pacific Ocean? If you want to throw a bonfire those are the 2 things you are going to experience. The Mister threw me out of bed at 4:00am to load up the car and get to Bolsa by 5:00am just so we could line up for a firepit. I told him he was crazy but went with the flow. By the way I was super duper sick too. So true!! We were about the 5th car in line at 5:30am. Gates open at 6:00am. By the time we entered there were about 50 cars lined up on PCH. Did you catch that? 5:30 roll call for a firepit. Parking us $15.00. Bolsa is awesome. The sandline and water are super close to the firepits unlike Huntington. Surfers are there at 6:00am and gone by 10:00am. Bolsa Chicka makes for a perfect Sunday!!

Bolsa Chica" means "little bag" in Spanish, as the area was part of a historic Mexican land grant named Rancho La Bolsa Chica. You will notice that everyone here carries a little bag, not a big bag. This area was once called "Tin Can Beach" and became a state beach in 1960. Bolsa Chica is a perfect place to go surfing, sunbathing, play volleyball, enjoy water sports, hold family outings or to watch the sun set. Average summer temperatures range in the high 70's-80's, while winter brings slightly cooler temperatures to the mid-60's. The beach consistently draws prime waves and the surf breaks in shallower water, causing incoming waves to form a desirable curled shape as they crest. Bolsa Chica is also a place for surf fishing of perch, corbina, California corbina, croaker, cabezon, shovelnose guitar fish (they perform at Sea Legs every weekend) and sand shark. At new and full moons during the summer, visitors can enjoy bare-handed fishing for California grunion, a species that only spawns on sandy southern California beaches. Under state law, these fish may only be caught by hand with a fishing permit unless you play for the Angels in which case you may use a glove. Wildlife and bird watching are also popular at this state beach, as well as anyone wearing a bikini.

I am deeply disappointed by the conduct of Officer who rides lonely in a Tahoe, during my recent encounter with him. It is disheartening to witness such ignorance, abuse of power, and biased behavior from someone entrusted with upholding justice and maintaining law and order. During my interaction with Officer Lonely, I couldn't help but notice a clear misuse of authority and a targeted approach towards me. Despite being in compliance with the regulations, I was repeatedly singled out and harassed by the officer. It was evident that his actions were not based on objective enforcement but rather on personal biases, specifically targeting me due to ethnic background. He wanted me to take my yurt down but let others (white) keep theirs upon questioning why he was picking on my directly I pointed out 6 more family's with enclosed tents, at which point he replied "You can keep pointing them out or I'll write you a ticket". Sounds like a treat to me, then he came around snooping my tent to see if I had alcohol. I'm a Christian I don't drink. For a fair and just system, it is important that everyone is held to the same responsibilities and standards when enforcing rules and regulations. Deviating from this principle can lead to targeted injustice. What troubled me the most was the stark contrast in treatment. While I diligently adhered to the rules regarding my yurt, I observed that other individuals, who happened to be of different backgrounds, were allowed to proceed without any interference or scrutiny. This blatant inconsistency raises concerns about the officer's discriminatory practices and calls into question the fairness and impartiality of his actions. The impact of such biased behavior goes beyond my personal experience. It fosters a sense of injustice, inequality, and erodes trust in law enforcement within the community. It is essential that those tasked with upholding the law treat all individuals with fairness, respect, and equality, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or any other characteristic. Officer lonely's conduct not only fails to live up to the standards of professionalism and integrity expected from law enforcement officials but also undermines the principles of justice and equality that our society aspires to uphold. It is crucial that actions are taken to address such behavior and ensure that no individual is subject to unfair treatment or targeted harassment based on their identity. In conclusion, my experience with Officer Lonely left me deeply disappointed and concerned about the state of impartiality and fairness within our law enforcement system. I hope that this review serves as a catalyst for positive change and that steps are taken to rectify these issues, fostering a more just and inclusive environment for all members of the community. Having a badge and a gun does not grant you the authority to mistreat others. I encourage you to reconsider your role and purpose within the police department, as there might be room for further growth and understanding. Of human nature and basic human rights.

Bolsa Chica State Beach is only 3 miles from Sunset Beach to Seapoint Ave. It is along the Pacific Coast Highway. It is centrally located in Huntington Beach. It is a very popular beach, where people come to surf, sunbath, watch sunset, play water sports, bird watching and fishing. This beach used to be called "Tin Can Beach". It only became a State Beach in 1960. This place is best known for their campground. There are about 50 campsites with electrical and water hookups for self contained Rvs. They don't allow tent camping. It also has outdoor showers and restrooms. I like this beach for their trail for beachside running. You can run for 8.5 miles between Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beaches. I also like to sunbath and to use their fire rings for bonfire. The fire rings are first come first serve. You can only use coals/woods. No charcoal grills allowed. You can not use alcohol as they do patrol often in area. This place is very safe and it also has lifeguard service Some of the great events they have are Coastal Clean up day and Grunion Runs. They also do educational tours for k-12 school groups Parking: Standard vehicle $15 Oversize vehicle $30 Annual Pass $195 Park Hours: Monday through Sunday 6am-10p. Gate Closes at 9pm Overall, it is a great beach to come with family to enjoy a day of fun. The beach is very clean and people are friendly.Also,Stop by the Visitor Center to check out their exhibits. Enjoy!

Two words - fire pits! Great beach to watch the sunset and enjoy a nice fire with friends and family.

Located near warner and pch, the park is a fantastic place for people to enjoy walks and jogs. Currently, no bikes are allowed, which is a positive aspect of the location. Ample parking, nature center, and close proximity to the beach. Great hills great runs great places to watch nature

Cool beach with a nice, flat trail that's perfect for running, biking or just walking the dogs. It is usually pretty empty in the mornings but starts getting crowded around 10am. A lot of people come out here with RVs and just chill all day. It's close by to a lot of restaurants too, which is a plus because being out in the sun (or running races here) gets me really hungry!

It's a beautiful beach to spend the day at or view the sunset and enjoy a bonfire. If you want a fire pit you should come before like 2pm to claim one because they are a hot commodity. Parking is $20 flat per vehicle.

Everyone is loving the beach even during Covid. Pods of people are having birthday bonfires, enjoying live music at Sea Salt Grill and living the California Dream. Bicycles, pedestrians, and surreys are meandering along the strand. Most people are not wearing masks, although the air quality is "unhealthy" from all the wild fires. I am enjoying this from my Subie with the panoramic roof open to the cool beach air. It is a bit chilly, but a good time is to be had by all!