Bolsa Chica State Beach

17851 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92649

Three miles of state beach between Huntington and Sunset — quieter than Huntington Beach proper, fire rings allowed in the evening (a rare SoCal beach allowing this), and the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve salt marsh across the highway is a top California birdwatching site.

Great day for a beach walk.

Cool but workable

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 71. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Weather

  • 71°F air — cool but workable
  • Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

  • 63°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
  • 3.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
59 /100
good
44 Swim
69 Sunbathe
80 Walk
80 Photo

Best for walking today

Air Temp
71°F
Sunny
Wind
10 mph
W
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
71°F
Partly Sunny
Water Temp
63°F
Cold
Next High Tide
11:13 PM
5.3 ft · in 1.7h
Wave Height
3.6 ft
14s · S swell
Water Quality
Clean
160 cfu/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 5mo ago
Sunrise
8:42 AM
Sunset
10:58 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
7-day chart →
Time Type Height
6:20 AM Low -0.4 ft
1:19 PM High 3.3 ft
4:49 PM Low 2.8 ft
11:13 PM High 5.3 ft
Today Jun 3
71°

Sunny

0%
67
Thu Jun 4
71°

Partly Sunny

2%
67
Fri Jun 5
71°

Partly Sunny

0%
67
Sat Jun 6
70°

Mostly Cloudy

0%
60
Sun Jun 7
69°

Mostly Sunny

0%
67
Mon Jun 8
69°

Mostly Sunny

0%
67
Tue Jun 9
71°

Mostly Sunny

0%
67
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Parking

State lots along PCH; $15/day.

Dogs

Dogs prohibited on the beach.

Entry Fee

$15/vehicle.

Address

17851 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92649

lifeguardsrestroomsshowersfire ringscampground (Sunset Beach side)wildlife reserve nearby
Is Bolsa Chica State Beach dog-friendly?

Dogs prohibited on the beach.

Is there an entry fee at Bolsa Chica State Beach?

$15/vehicle.

Are there lifeguards at Bolsa Chica State Beach?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Bolsa Chica State Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Bolsa Chica State Beach?

Amenities at Bolsa Chica State Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, fire rings, campground (Sunset Beach side), wildlife reserve nearby.

When is the water warmest at Bolsa Chica State Beach?

The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.

Where is Bolsa Chica State Beach located?

Bolsa Chica State Beach is in Orange County, CA, at 17851 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92649.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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