China Camp State Park

August 2009. The first time we went to China Camp State Park, I picked it because it was close to home - within two hours - and we had never been there. I figured it would be a good destination for one last camping trip before school started and I liked the historical importance of the site. And, truth be told, I do pick destinations based on food. I love to be in the Bay Area on a Sunday; whenever we're close, we always brunch at the Thai Buddhist temple in Berkeley.

The weekend that we had reservations at China Camp happened to be a big party. I can't remember whose birthday it was, but there were Chinese dancers, lanterns adorning the historical structures, birthday cake, and the Grace Quan, a reconstruction of a Chinese shrimping junk was docked there.


The boys asked very nicely and were allowed to board. It helps to be cute, I suppose. But I think the rangers also appreciated the boys' curiosity and thoughtful questions.

After we learned all about the history of that Chinese fishing village, we biked our camping gear in to the sites...even Dylan.

We spent the afternoon and the next day exploring the park. We biked the trail then stashed our bikes and explored the coastline in foot. What a great park!

I'm extremely saddened to see China Camp State Park on the closure list.