Bolsa Chica State Beach
Encyclopedia
Bolsa Chica State Beach is a beach
in the state park
system of California
, USA. It is located in the Huntington Beach
community of Sunset Beach
in Orange County
.
The state beach is a popular place for surf fishing
. Perch
, corbina
, croaker
, cabezon
and Shovelnose guitarfish
are among the fish that can be caught there. The most popular location for fishing is around the recently opened channel, Tidal Inlet Channel, located at the southernmost end of the beach.
During the summer months near new and full moons, grunion
(a sardine-sized fish) come to sandy beaches such as Bolsa Chica to spawn. State law requires a fishing permit for adults, and the fish must be caught by hand.
The beach extends 3 miles (4.8 km) from Warner Avenue in Sunset Beach south to Seapoint Avenue, where the Huntington City Beach begins. The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is located across the busy Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from the beach and is a popular spot for birdwatching
.
Lifeguard Services at Bolsa Chica State Beach are provided by the California State Parks Lifeguard Service. Lifeguards patrol the beach year round while lifeguard towers are staffed roughly Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
The Bolsa Chica bicycle path is a multi-use path that runs adjacent to the sand along the length of Bolsa Chica State Beach through Huntington City Beach. It is designed for leisurely cruises, and riders will be stopped by the lifeguards and told to slow down for exceeding the 5 mi/h limit.
A bridge takes the PCH and multi-use trail over a "Tidal Inlet Channel" which was built as part of the 2004-2006 Bolsa Chica wetlands recovery project. An informative display of the recovery effort and massive project can be seen at the Bolsa Chica State Beach Visitor Center.
Beach
A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
in the state park
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
system of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, USA. It is located in the Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...
community of Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach, California
Sunset Beach is a beachfront community in Huntington Beach in Orange County, California. In 2011, it was annexed by Huntington Beach and is now part of that city. Prior to, it was a census-designated place, with a population of 971 at the 2010 census....
in Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
.
The state beach is a popular place for surf fishing
Surf fishing
Surf fishing is the sport of catching fish standing on the shoreline or wading in the surf. A general term, surf fishing may or may not include casting a lure or bait, and refers to all types of shore fishing - from sandy and rocky beaches, rock jetties, or even fishing piers...
. Perch
Perch (disambiguation)
Perch may refer to:*Perch , a surname *The USS Perch, multiple ships with the name*Perch , antique unit of measure of length, area or volume, depending on context, used in medieval France and the British Isles...
, corbina
California corbina
The California corbina is a saltwater fish and member of the croaker family. California corbina occur from the Gulf of California, Mexico, to Point Conception, California. It is a bottom fish found along sandy beaches and in shallow bays. This species travels in small groups along the surf zone in...
, croaker
Sciaenidae
Sciaenidae is a family of fish commonly called drums, croakers, or hardheads for the repetitive throbbing or drumming sounds they make...
, cabezon
Cabezon
Cabezón is the Spanish word for "stubborn" or "big-headed". Cabezon or cabezón may refer to:In Chile, cabezon means intelligent.-Fish species:* Cabezone , a species of fish in the Cottidae family...
and Shovelnose guitarfish
Shovelnose guitarfish
The shovelnose guitarfish, Rhinobatos productus, is a ray that becomes sexually mature at an estimated seven to eight years. Males are between 90–100 cm, while females are around 99 cm at this time. The ray can live up to 11 years, and full grown sizes are around 120 cm for males,...
are among the fish that can be caught there. The most popular location for fishing is around the recently opened channel, Tidal Inlet Channel, located at the southernmost end of the beach.
During the summer months near new and full moons, grunion
Grunion
Grunion are two fish species of the genus Leuresthes: the California grunion, L. tenuis, and the Gulf grunion L. sardinas...
(a sardine-sized fish) come to sandy beaches such as Bolsa Chica to spawn. State law requires a fishing permit for adults, and the fish must be caught by hand.
The beach extends 3 miles (4.8 km) from Warner Avenue in Sunset Beach south to Seapoint Avenue, where the Huntington City Beach begins. The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is located across the busy Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from the beach and is a popular spot for birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching or birding is the observation of birds as a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for bird sounds. Birding often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are...
.
Lifeguard Services at Bolsa Chica State Beach are provided by the California State Parks Lifeguard Service. Lifeguards patrol the beach year round while lifeguard towers are staffed roughly Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
History
The area that is now Bolsa Chica State Beach used to be called "Tin Can Beach" by locals. The 169 acres (68.4 ha) property was added to the state park system in 1960.Recreation
Bolsa Chica State Beach provides recreational opportunities such as surfing, fishing, bicycle riding, RV camping, basketball, kite flying, etc.Bicycle path
A bridge takes the PCH and multi-use trail over a "Tidal Inlet Channel" which was built as part of the 2004-2006 Bolsa Chica wetlands recovery project. An informative display of the recovery effort and massive project can be seen at the Bolsa Chica State Beach Visitor Center.