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 Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 0 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind 0 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Weather

  • 69°F air — cool but workable
  • Sunny skies — mostly sunny

Water

  • 63°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
65 /100
good
56 Swim
69 Sunbathe
80 Walk
80 Photo

Best for walking today

Air Temp
69°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind
0 to 15 mph
SW
Rain
0%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 04 PM
Tomorrow
69°F
Mostly Sunny
Water Temp
63°F
Cold
Next High Tide
7:06 PM
5.6 ft · in 4.3h
Wave Height
3.3 ft
15s · S swell
Water Quality
Clean
160 cfu/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 5mo ago
Sunrise
8:43 AM
Sunset
11:06 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
7-day chart →
Time Type Height
1:58 AM Low 0.2 ft
8:27 AM High 3.2 ft
12:29 PM Low 2.4 ft
7:06 PM High 5.6 ft
Today Jun 25
69°

Mostly Sunny

0%
67
Fri Jun 26
69°

Mostly Sunny

0%
67
Sat Jun 27
69°

Patchy Drizzle then Partly Sunny

7%
67
Sun Jun 28
68°

Partly Sunny

3%
67
Mon Jun 29
68°

Mostly Sunny

1%
67
Tue Jun 30
69°

Mostly Sunny

1%
67
Wed Jul 1
69°

Mostly Sunny

0%
67
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — 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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