How to Plan a Trip to China Beach, California

California's China Beach is located on the San Francisco Bay between Land's End and Baker Beach. This little cove is protected from the wind and offers great beach access. China Beach was named after the Chinese Fishermen that used to camp on the beach years ago.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Blanket
• Beach toys
• Sunscreen

1. Park in the parking lot above China Beach. Arrive early in the morning to secure a spot in the lot. There are only about 40 parking spaces available, and parking is prohibited on neighborhood streets.
2. Take the public transit for easy access to China Beach. Either route you take on the bus will leave a bit of a walk to the beach, but it still beats the walk you would have if you drove and parked miles away.
3. Access the China Beach by stairway or paved trail. Wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes because the trail and stairway are both long and steep. The path is not easily accessible for wheelchairs.
4. Spend time sunbathing, or take a nap in the sun. China Beach offers a rarity of little to no wind because of the cove it is in. Bring a towel or beach blanket to make your nap comfortable and clean.
5. Bring a frisbee, volleyball and sand toys. Do not bring too much though, or the walk down the path will be extremely cumbersome.
6. Bring a picnic lunch. Bring a blanket to eat it on as well. There are only a handful of picnic table that are available on a first come, first serve basis.
7. Leave Fido at home. No pets are allowed on China Beach. Do not leave pets in the car; they can die in extreme temperatures.

Tips & Warnings

• There are no restaurants or concession stands with food. Bring your own.
• Wear plenty of sunscreen. Even on foggy days the suns rays are harmful.