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Routes
Bike touring routes & trails
United States
California
Marin County
San Rafael

China Camp Cycle Loop

Moderate

2.6

(12)

43

riders

China Camp Cycle Loop

01:41

26.1km

250m

Cycling

Cycle the moderate 16.2-mile China Camp Cycle Loop for bay views, diverse habitats, and a glimpse into a historic fishing village.

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 13.4 km for 576 m

After 14.1 km for 83 m

After 24.3 km for 71 m

Waypoints

A

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1

7.93 km

Miwok Meadows

Highlight • Natural

Miwok Meadows is a beautiful and tranquil place in the Park, surrounded by dark green bay trees and tall oaks. Flora and fauna are diverse, with well-maintained, easy trails to enjoy marsh meadows and bay views. Many turkeys, deer and other wildlife inhabit the area, making this place an excellent discovery area for kids to learn about nature.

Tip by

2

9.22 km

China Camp State Park

Highlight • Historical Site

China Camp State Park sits along the shores of San Pablo Bay, with 15 miles of nature trails where hikers and bikers can enjoy panoramic waterfront views, wildlife, oak trees and open meadows. The Park surrounds a historic Chinese-American shrimp fishing village and includes several unique features. A museum is located in the Park to learn about its history, a café for snacks and drinks, a walk-in tent campground and picnic areas.

Tip by

14.1 km

Valley Baptist Church

Place Of Worship

4

21.1 km

Loch Lomond Marina

Highlight • Rest Area

Loch Lomond Marina is located in San Rafael, along eastbound San Pedro Ave on the bay. Its Loch Lomond Yacht Club averages 150 Members, yachting power boats and sailboats. The surrounding land has recently been converted into a new residential housing project.
lochlomondyachtclub.com

Tip by

5

24.4 km

McNears Beach County Park

Highlight • Beach

Set in a beautiful sheltered cove with mature landscaping, this 55 acre regional park is located along the shores of San Pablo Bay in San Rafael, southeast of China Camp State Park. The fishing pier is extremely popular—anglers fish for sturgeon, stripped bass, shark, perch, bat ray, halibut, and crab. Facilities include a swimming pool, snack bar, sand volleyball courts, several group picnic areas of varying size, expansive turf areas, and newly renovated tennis courts. The narrow, bayside beach offers a fun, safe place for general beach recreation and easy carry-in boat access for kayaks and canoes.
For cars there's only one entrance from San Pedro Rd; contrary to the sign in the park, bikers/hikers can also exit via a narrow trail leading to the China Camp State Park entrance sign, see komoot.de/tour/14120943
Free for bikes/pedestrians, there's a $10 per vehicle parking fee at McNear's Beach ($5 Monday–Thursday), the swimming pool is $5 per person, open from Memorial Day through Labor Day (May–Sept). marincountyparks.org/depts/pk/divisions/parks/mcnears-beach

Tip by

6

25.2 km

The road through the park is free and open daily 24 hours

Tip by

7

25.2 km

China Camp State Park sits along the shores of San Pablo Bay, with 15 miles of nature trails to enjoy. Visitors can enjoy panoramic waterfront views, wildlife, oak trees and open meadows. The Park surrounds a historic Chinese-American shrimp fishing village and includes several unique features. A museum is located in the Park to learn about its history, a café for snacks and drinks, a walk-in tent campground and picnic areas. Annual parking + trail passes are available, or you can purchase a single day-use pass. Parking is $5 per vehicle for the day, or you can park along San Pedro Road without a fee and pay the $3 trail use fee. It is a fantastic place to spend the day hiking through the grounds surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Tip by

8

26.1 km

China Camp State Park Village

Highlight • Historical Site

The park pays homage to a 19th-century fishing village of Chinese immigrants who harvested shrimp from the bay. Much of the village has been preserved, and for a couple bucks you can pay to enter and explore the old town and pier.

Tip by

B

26.1 km

End point

Parking

Loading

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

13.6 km

11.5 km

777 m

156 m

117 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

24.6 km

984 m

227 m

125 m

117 m

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Elevation

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (60 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

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Weather

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Today

Thursday 7 May

19°C

11°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

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This route was planned by komoot.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I park to access the China Camp Cycle Loop?

China Camp State Park offers several parking areas. You can find access points and parking within the park itself. For detailed information on parking and access, you may want to check the official ca.gov website or Visit Marin for specific directions and any potential fees.

Are dogs allowed on the China Camp Cycle Loop?

The information available primarily focuses on cycling regulations. Generally, dogs are permitted in many California State Parks but often require leashes and may have restrictions on certain trails. It's best to check the official China Camp State Park website for the most current pet policies regarding trails.

What is the best time of year to cycle the China Camp Cycle Loop?

The China Camp Cycle Loop is enjoyable year-round, but spring and fall offer the most pleasant cycling conditions with mild temperatures and beautiful scenery. Summers can be warm, while winters are generally mild but may bring rain. The diverse habitats and bay views are stunning in any season.

Are there any entrance fees or permits required for China Camp State Park?

Yes, China Camp State Park typically has day-use fees for vehicle entry. These fees help maintain the park's facilities and trails. You can find current fee information and any specific permit requirements on the official ca.gov website for China Camp State Park.

Is the China Camp Cycle Loop suitable for beginners?

The difficulty of cycling in China Camp State Park can vary. While some sections are easy with mostly paved surfaces, the full loop is rated as moderate. There are shorter, easier loops available, often under 10 miles with minimal elevation gain, that are suitable for beginners. More challenging routes involve significant climbing and unpaved sections.

What kind of terrain can I expect on the China Camp Cycle Loop?

The terrain is quite varied. You'll encounter mostly paved surfaces on sections connecting to the San Francisco Bay Trail, but many internal loops feature unpaved sections including dirt, singletrack, and fire roads. Expect rolling hills, some switchback climbing, and scenic singletrack, especially on trails like the Shoreline Trail.

What are the main points of interest along the route?

Along the loop, you'll discover several notable spots. Highlights include the historic China Camp State Park itself, with its preserved Chinese-American fishing village (China Camp State Park Village). You'll also pass through Miwok Meadows, enjoy views of San Pablo Bay from View of San Pablo Bay from China Camp State Park, and potentially visit Loch Lomond Marina and McNears Beach County Park.

Does the China Camp Cycle Loop connect with other trails?

Yes, the route incorporates significant portions of the San Francisco Bay Trail and the Shoreline Trail. These connections allow for various loop configurations and extended rides within and beyond China Camp State Park.

Are e-bikes permitted on the trails?

Yes, Class I (pedal-assist) e-bikes are permitted on the trails within China Camp State Park. However, specific speed limits are enforced to ensure safety for all trail users. This makes the park accessible to a wider range of cyclists.

Can I camp overnight near the China Camp Cycle Loop?

For touring cyclists, China Camp State Park offers

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