Bolsa Chica State Beachis a public ocean beach inOrange County, California,United States. It is surrounded entirely by the city ofHuntington Beachto the north and east, and to the northwest by the Huntington Beach community ofSunset Beachand thePacific Oceanto the west. The beach extends 3 miles (5 km) from Warner Avenue in Sunset Beach south to Seapoint Avenue, where the Huntington City Beach begins. TheBolsa Chica Ecological Reserveis located across the busyPacific Coast Highway(PCH) from the beach and is a popular spot forbirdwatching.TheBolsa Chica Bicycle Pathruns along the length of the park through Huntington City Beach.
| Bolsa Chica State Beach | |
|---|---|
 | |
   | |
| Location | Orange County, California,United States |
| Nearest city | Huntington Beach, California |
| Coordinates | 33°41′44″N118°2′56″W/ 33.69556°N 118.04889°W |
| Area | 169 acres (68 ha) |
| Established | 1960 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Activities include surfing, sunbathing, water sports and fishing. Tent camping is not allowed at Bolsa Chica State Beach. Fire rings are available.[1]
Surf fishing for perch, corbina, California corbina, croaker, cabezon, shovelnose guitar fish andsand sharkis available. California grunion is a species that only spawns on sandy southern California beaches. Under state law, these fish may be caught by hand with a fishing permit. Wildlife and bird watching are also popular at this state beach.[2]
Lifeguards from the California State Parks Lifeguard Service patrol the beach year-round and lifeguard towers are staffed during the summer.
History
editThe area that is now Bolsa Chica State Beach was once called "Tin Can Beach" by locals.[3]The 169-acre (68 ha) property was added to the state park system in 1960.[4]
In 1967, a nuclear power and desalination plant was planned onBolsa Island,a man-made island off the beach.[5]It was supposed to produce more electricity than theHoover Dam.[5]However, the plans were abandoned by its chairmanJack K. Hortonin 1968, asSouthern California Edisonwas unable to raise sufficient capital, despite rate hikes and the sale of common stocks.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit
- ^"Bolsa Chica SB".
- ^"Bolsa Chica SB".
- ^"The History".Huntington Beach City Guide.Retrieved2008-02-21.
- ^"California State Park System Statistical Report: Fiscal Year 2009/10"(PDF).California State Parks: 28.Retrieved2011-09-24.
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^abEpting, Chris (March 23, 2011)."In The Pipeline: The nuclear plant that never was".Huntington Beach Independent.RetrievedJuly 23,2016.
- ^"Costs Sink Bolsa Island Power, Desalting Project".Valley News.Van Nuys, California. July 25, 1968. p. 45.RetrievedJuly 23,2016– viaNewspapers.com.