China Camp, San Rafael, CA, Mountain Bike Trails, Parks,...

descriptions from web

This is a class C, 1870s-1880s era Chinese fishing camp on the south shore of San Pablo Bay (northern part of San Francisco Bay), northeast of San Rafael. See our San Francisco area Fishing/Coal towns page for additional details on some of the various coal mining camps and shrimp-fishing villages in the Bay Area. history.rootsweb
The elevation is 4,300 ft. NOTE: This campground came online after the authors researched Los Padres National Forest. All information provided by Monterey Ranger District Office. This rustic tent-only campground, adjacent to the Ventana Wilderness, offers campers a near wilderness camping experience without a long hike. Native oak provide shade and a variety of understory plants offer minimal privacy forestcamping.com
The park is nestled along the shore of the San Pablo Bay. The road through the park offers beautiful views of the waterfront. Features include an extensive intertidal salt marsh, meadow, and oak habitats. There is a variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels, coyote, and numerous birds. The park is even home to endangered species such as the California clapper rail and the salt marsh harvest mouse ca.gov
Originally settled by Chinese Immigrants as early as the 1870's, this town was established for fishing, not mining. There was once at least 500 residents. Shrimp was the mainstay, and the chinese had a secret to catching them. Unfortunately, their special bag nets were outlawed in 1911. Today, the site is part of China Camp State Park. ghosttowns.com
This building served as lodging for many Bayside Cannery workers who normally lived in San Francisco or other distant cities. In addition to dorm rooms, the building also contained a kitchen and dining hall. During the cannery?s operation, this building was commonly referred to as China Camp. hmdb.org
This is a good one to take your friends who are new to mountain biking on, or to get in a quick after-work ride. Even though this is a good beginner trail, there is still some fun to be had for the hardcore riders. Not much to else to say, except this is about the only leagal (public) singletrack in Marin. singletracks.com
This ride is a loop comprised almost entirely of fantastic, switchbacky singletrack that pops in and out of incredible oak-dominated forest. Rather than fight the weekend parking-lot havoc that can be China Camp, I suggest a somewhat nontraditional starting point in the neighborhood off Biscayne Drive. trails.com
- There are 30 developed walk-in campsites in the park. Unreserved sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campground hours vary seasonally. Self-contained recreational vehicles can stay overnight, from 6 p.m. through 9 a.m. in the parking lot. Fees-Costs-Rates: Campsites - off season $12, on season $15. Day-use parking: $2 - $5. Posted at each picnic area. wildernet.com
Season for Peak Fees: 05/15 to 09/15 Once the site of a thriving fishing village on San Pablo Bay, China Camp State Park is not only the historic remains of the village, but also 1,640 acres of natural watershed along the shores of San Francisco Bay. The park features extensive inter-tidal, salt marsh, meadow and oak habitats that are home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels and numerous reserveamerica.com

reviews from web

Reviewer's Rating = 1 Date of Trip: 7/15/2009 This is an amazing trail. Once you get past the initial climb the majority of the trail is easy. The path is generally smoot... from trails.com

Reviewer's Rating = 4 Date of Trip: 7/17/2006 Great Place! From the entrance it is a moderatly consistent ride to the top. About 2 miles. Once there it's a great single t... from trails.com

Any of the single track or the fire roads. Nearly all the single track is legal. I wouldn't call this technical single track; it's a lot like skiing groomed slopes. But i... from mtbr.com

Reviewer's Rating = 3 Date of Trip: 8/13/2009 Loop is pretty much exactly what it says it is, fairly wide intermediate singletrack. Parked on the road and entered at the ... from trails.com

Super fun, fast singletrack! Gave it a 6 on aerobic difficulty because the first 3-4 miles are uphill (starting at the trailhead at the first gate). Start climbing on sin... from singletracks.com

Reviewer's Rating = 3 Date of Trip: 11/21/2005 This is a great place to put in your kayak. We paddled 2.75 miles north to the mouth of Gallinas creek and then back. It wa... from trails.com

Reviewer's Rating = 4 Date of Trip: 4/20/2010 Really fun tree covered ride. Get ready for a pretty steady climb in the beginning but once you get to the top its smooth ri... from trails.com

Reviewer's Rating = 4 Date of Trip: 7/19/2008 nice for running or biking. It's hard to believe that millions of people live nearby. from trails.com

Reviewer's Rating = 4 Date of Trip: 10/15/2005 This is one of the first single track trails that I have ridden in California. I was very impressed with how well the trail... from trails.com

Reviewer's Rating = 4 Date of Trip: 7/16/2005 This was an excellent ride. Fantastic scenery of the San Pablo Bay. So close...but you had the feeling of being far away. I ... from trails.com

Reviewer's Rating = 3 Date of Trip: 1/15/2006 Nice trail, really well maintained. Due to flooding a large section of the loop was closed down. I would recommend this to a... from trails.com

Reviewer's Rating = 3 Date of Trip: 9/16/2006 I must have had extraordinarily bad luck but I experienced nothing but steep ups/downs and nothing to be considered "interme... from trails.com

Reviewer's Rating = 4 Date of Trip: 11/4/2007 Great trail, beautiful views and a fun time, even for my wife who is a novice rider. We even saw some wildlife, a large Buck... from trails.com

Reviewer's Rating = 3 Date of Trip: 6/19/2007 Wide singletracks go round the wooded hill, Old roads converted to trails so machine cut. Saw a deer, nice views of the bay ... from trails.com

This place is great for beginners or anyone who wants to take an easy trail ride. The trails are very easy and not technical at all. The good part is that all the trails ... from singletracks.com

Nice singletrack, very close to San Francisco. Not too technical and pretty fast. A good place to go for a short ride. Busy on weekends - bikers and hikers. from singletracks.com

Had a great ride. Managed to get there early in the morning. Park opens at 8am but they didn't mind starting the trails at 730am. Managed to miss many of the riders we fo... from singletracks.com

80% single track. Mild climbing. Some hikers and other bikers. Only negative is not much variety. from singletracks.com

Great place to ride. A bit of a wide singletrack. Got the climbs, views and everything in between. Nothing too technical. A few switchbacks here and there. You can even b... from singletracks.com

If starting in Fairfax it's a long climb to the top but that's where the narrow, shady singletrack is. Trees over the trail will keep you ducking. Been here once in the p... from singletracks.com

This was the first trail I have ever been on. It totally got me hooked. I live about 1 hr from there or I would be on it all the time. It is a great beginner trial. I hea... from singletracks.com

I would have to disagree with some of the bottom comments. I ride all over the Bay Area and have hit a lot of the trail systems in the Marin and surrounding areas. If you... from singletracks.com

I rode the loop, about 1-1/2 hr. 80% single track. Mostly shaded. Trail is in good condition. Probably encountered 5-6 hiker groups and 5 other bikers. Pretty flat except... from singletracks.com

Great for singlespeeds. Good beginner ride. I don't know the condition of it now, but I heard that it was in terrible shape. :( from singletracks.com

Great for beginners who don't mind single-track. No hard ups or downs. Its a pleasant ride but a little short. If you don't mind riding on the street, park at the marina ... from singletracks.com

Good for Newbys. Need to do laps for any millage. Single Speeds are great there from singletracks.com

3/25/2006 The place is a mess all the top trail have mud slides, bridges out. Lower trails are being (FIXED) grading them, tilling them up and adding gravel. They may not... from singletracks.com

This is trail is very easy technically aerobically it will give you a little work out. The downhill is fun but lacking the tech challenges that I enjoy. from singletracks.com

Smoot single tracks with little technical difficulty combined with easy low elevation climbs. It's a fun quick ride and a good trail to introduce single track to beginner... from singletracks.com

We love to hike and this has been a great place to explore. There are lots of trails to check out either hiking or mountain biking. The views of the San Pablo Bay are won... from trekaroo.com

details from web

city/county: San Rafael
trail length: up to 15 miles
trail level: Intermediate
trail state/territory/province: California
trail type: Singletrack & Fire Roads
trail web address: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=466
activities: Parking, Bike Trails, Guided Tours, Swimming, Windsurfing, Hiking Trails, Exhibits and Programs, En route Campsites, Fishing, Food Service, Family Campsites, Historical, Reservations Recommended, Picnic Areas, Horseback Trails, Showers, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Hike or Bike Campsites
brochure url: http://www.parks.ca.gov/mediagallery/?page_id=466&viewtype=7
park images url: http://www.parks.ca.gov/mediagallery/?page_id=466&findapark=1
map url: http://www.parks.ca.gov/lat_long_map/default.asp?lvl_id=103
park type: State Park
region: San Francisco Bay Area
park video url: http://www.parks.ca.gov/mediagallery/?page_id=466&viewtype=6
elevation(ft): 4200
elevation(mts): 1280
last edited: Jan 14, 2007
other info: Location China Camp is at 4200 ft, high in the Santa Lucia Mountains. It serves as the eastern terminus of the Pine Ridge Trail and the Miller Canyon Trail. Its elevation means a downhill hike on both trails. Perched at a saddle along a dirt road, China Camp can be unaccesable during storms. Due...
score: 0.0
seasons: Winter, Fall, Spring, Summer
access: Public access
county: Marin County
item: 79000493 NRIS (National Register Information System)
keywords: 1860;1900;1920
language: eng: English
note: 247 N. San Pedro Dr.
published: 04/26/1979
publisher: National Park Service
subject: EVENT, ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING, INFORMATION POTENTIAL, ARCHITECTURE, COMMERCE, EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT, HISTORIC - NON-ABORIGINAL, PREHISTORIC, SOCIAL HISTORY, DISTRICT, 1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899, 1850-1874
alerts: Discount Pass must be presented at the time of check in. Park is site specific for reservations. You will select your site at the time you make your reservation. All campsites are WALK-IN SITES for tent-camping only. Visitors must handcarry all equipment from the parking lot to the campsites....
amenities: Nature Trails, Picnic Tables, Parking, Picnic Area, Hiking Trails, Fishing, Fire Rings, Comfort Station, Boating, ADA Access, Biking, Toilet, Accessible, Swimming, Showers, Restrooms, Iron Ranger, Ranger Station
has site with: Near Water - no, Pets Allowed - no, Electric Hookup - no, Full Hookup - no
map: http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/map_of_China_Camp_Sp/r/generateBrowseMap.do?topTabIndex=CampgroundMap&map=PARK&contractCode=CA&parkId=120018
online available: http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/China_Camp_Sp/r/campsiteSearch.do?site=all&type=9&minimal=no&search=site&criteria=new&contractCode=CA&parkId=120018&search=site
type: State
campground configuration: No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 10 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 0 Total Sites: 10 Tent Pads: No Open Sites: No Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 10 No. Grilles on Sites: 10 Equestrian Camping: No
facilities: Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: No Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 0
fishing: No
hiking: Pine Ridge Trail, 3E06 (foot only) - 2.8 miles Provides access to the Ventana Wilderness and its network of trails
open all year: Yes
open seasonal: Yes
ranger district: Monterey
rate: Rate: No charge Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14
region: Pacific Southwest
reservation: No
seasonal comment: Services provided June 2 through Labor Day - weather dependent
water sports: None
activity: Mountain Biking
city: San Rafael
distance (miles): 11.4
elevation gain (feet): Minimal
local contacts: China Camp State Park
local maps: USGS Petaluma Point, San Quentin, Novato, San Rafael
publisher: Falcon Publishing
season: Year-round; shady ride in summer
skill level: Moderate; mostly wide and nontechnical singletrack; options for beginners and riders that are more advanced
state: California
trail type: Loop
place type: landmark
attractions: - Once the site of a thriving fishing village on San Pablo Bay, China Camp State Park is not only the historic remains of the village, but also 1,640 acres of natural watershed along the shores of San Francisco Bay. The park features extensive intertidal, salt marsh, meadow and oak habitats that...
climate: - Climate in the San Francisco-Bay area varies greatly with elevation and the amount of coastal influence. Areas with more coastal influence experience moderate temperatures year round with fog likely from June through mid-August. Plan your coastal visit in the late summer or fall to ensure the...
location: china camp state park
location link: http://wildernet.com/pages/area.cfm?areaid=caspchinacam&cu_id=1
recreation: - Visitors not only enjoy wildlife-watching, but also hiking, swimming, boating and windsurfing.
recreation opportunities: Activity Remarks On Site Camping All campsites are walk-in. Yes
avg. speed: 6.74 mph
avg. time: 1hr 35min
configuration: Network
difficulty: Beginner
elevation gain/loss: +2,850/-2,934 ft
global rank: #821
length: 12 miles
ridden: 138
tread: Singletrack
wishlist: 41
reservation web page: https://marinas.com/contact_marina_reservation?id=2366
best time to visit: Almost anytime.
city: CHINA CAMP
climate: Cool San Fransisco weather.
comments: From San Fransisco take 101 north across Golden Gate Bridge through San Rafael to Santa Venetia, then turn right on N. San Pedro road to the park and China Camp.
remains: Only 1 current resident.
roads: 2 Wheel Drive
erected: 2003 by City of San Jose.
other nearby markers: At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bayside Cannery (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Warehouse and Docks (within shouting distance of this marker); Alviso (about 600 feet away, in a direct line); The Port and Town of Alviso (about 600 feet away);...
city: CHINA CAMP
ages: 5 adult
categories: Nature at its Best
editorial review: In Short Once a thriving fishing village on San Pablo Bay, the park contains village remains and 1,640 acres of natural watershed along the bay. The park features extensive inter-tidal,...

China Camp

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