This long loop circles China Camp State Park, beginning with a pretty level walk on Shoreline Trail, then climbing up to the ridge and Bay View Trail.
Location: China Camp State Park
Length: 6.5 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Shade: mosty shaded
Parking: parking lot at Back Ranch Meadows Campground ($5/vehicle, pay at the trailhead or online)
Public Transportation: n/a
WC: at campground, and at Bullhead Flat, about 3 miles into the hike (but requires a slight detour down the hill from the trail to the shore)
Dogs: not allowed on trails, only in developed areas
Hiked: April 2022
Trail Route
Start this hike at the Back Ranch Meadows Campground parking lot. There’s a bridge that will take you to Shoreline Trail – head left. And then just follow Shoreline Trail for about 3 miles. There will be other trails to the left along this section, but stay to the right and you should be fine. You’ll pass Miwok Meadows, a picnic area, about 1.1 miles into the hike. I’ve seen turkeys, deer, and even a coyote here, so keep an eye out! After Miwok Meadows, you’ll head closer to the shore, though the road will remain between the trail and San Pablo Bay.
Roughly 3 miles into the hike, you’ll hit a trail marker for Oak Ridge Trail – here you’ll want to get off of Shoreline Trail and head uphill to your right onto Oak Ridge Trail. It’s only 0.2 miles before you’ll hit another trail marker, but go right again to remain on Oak Ridge Trail. You’ll climb uphill for another 0.6 miles, but it’s not too steep.
At the top of the hill, you’ll meet McNears Fire Trail. You can take the fire trail if you like, but I prefer to cross the fire trail to stay on Oak Ridge Trail. After another 0.4 miles, you’ll meet the fire trail again – cross, and hike along Oak Ridge Trail for another 0.6 miles.
You’ll hit a point where Oak Ridge Trail meets with both Bay View Trail and the fire trail going down to Knight Drive. Stay right to continue onto Bay View Trail for 1.1 miles. You’ll then hit another fire road, this time Back Ranch Fire Trail. Head downhill to your right to get back to the campground. There are some steep sections here. Hike through the campground to get back to the parking lot.
Notes
China Camp is known for being popular with bikers, so be aware when you’re on the narrow trails that you may have to step aside – even though trail etiquette is for bikers to give way to hikers, my experience has been that it’s easier and safer to step off the trail as a hiker and let the bikers pass. However, this often slows me down a lot, so I did this hike on a weekday, when there are very few bikers.
I would definitely recommend this hike on a peaceful day, though. Spring was good because the grass is still green; in summer, China Camp can feel very dry and hot. The route is long enough for this hike to be a workout but not strenuous enough to be overwhelming.
Gallery
