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| HOME | THE FAQS | AMIGOS CALENDAR | BOLSA CHICA RESTORATION | AMIGOS PHOTO GALLERY |
 Where is Bolsa Chica?It is located along Pacific Coast Highway just south of Warner Avenue in Huntington Beach. Access from the north is from the parking lot on the south-east corner of PCH and Warner. Entrance to the reserve is just over the Warner Bridge. The south access is from the parking lot across from the entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach on PCH about 1.5 miles south of Warner Avenue.
Is Bolsa Chica open to the public?Yes, it is open from dawn to dusk 365 days a year. Public trails and observation overlooks are located on portions of the wetland, but because the Bolsa Chica is a major foraging and nesting ground for a number of species of birds, public access to most interior areas is generally prohibited.
What does it cost to visit Bolsa Chica?Parking and entrance to Bolsa Chica are free.
Are guided tours available?Yes. For information about guided tours, visit the Tours page on this website, email us at info@amigosdebolsachica.org, or call the Amigos de Bolsa Chica office at (714) 840-1575.
How big is Bolsa Chica?It totals a little over 1600 acres of which about 1350 acres are publicly owned and referred to as The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. The rest is owned by private companies or individuals. Restoration of about 600 acres of wetland was begun in 2004 and completed in 2006.
What activities are permitted at Bolsa Chica?Being a state ecological reserve, only passive activities are allowed, such as bird watching, photography, sketching, painting and educational and scientific observations. Fishing is allowed in only one location (See answer below). Activities that might disturb the wildlife such as walking dogs, riding bicycles, horses or powered vehicles, jogging, or using fireworks or firearms are prohibited within the reserve.
Are dogs allowed at Bolsa Chica?No dogs (either on or off leash) are allowed at Bolsa Chica unless they are for ADA compliance.
Is fishing allowed at Bolsa Chica?Generally no. There is only one location where sport fishing is allowed. It is on the bluffs on the west rim of the Bolsa Chica channel immediately south of Warner Avenue.
Is hunting allowed at Bolsa Chica?No. Firearms are prohibited.
Are there any others rules for visitors?Visitors must stay on designated trails at all times, not litter and not disturb or remove any plant or animal.
When did the state acquire the public portion?It actually occurred over many years. The first acquisition was in 1973 when the land owner, Signal Oil and Gas Company, deeded 328 acres to the state in a settlement over tidelands ownership. In 1997 the state purchased 880 acres from Signal’s development arm, Kohl Company, then about 140 acres in 2005.
Why was it necessary to restore the wetland?The wetland had been an oil field since 1940. While it had remnants of a coastal wetland, a few stands of pickleweed and other plants typical of such a habitat, it could not function fully as it stood. Raised maintenance roads and well pads that would prevent good circulation of tidal flow had to be leveled and there were pockets of toxic contamination that had to be removed to protect future wildlife. Most importantly, a new opening to the ocean had to be constructed to allow tidal action to flood the wetland with seawater as it did historically.
What did the restoration cost?The total was about $148 million of which $25 million went to the purchase of the 880 acres. The rest went for planning, cleanup (part of which was paid for by the oil company) and construction.
Where did the money for restoration come from?The bulk of it, $102 million, came from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as mitigation for their filling tidelands for expanding the ports. The balance came from bond money and interest.
Has the restoration been successful?While it is too early to fully assess the restoration, preliminary signs point to a winning project. Almost immediately after the ocean inlet was opened, fish and birds were seen exploring the full tidal basin. Scientists have begun extensive monitoring of the wetland to assess its biological health. Because of the very dry weather over the last two years, attempts to establish native plants along the levees and overlooks of the restored area have been disappointing.
Are there plans for additional public trails in the wetland?A number of considerations must be recognized before public access beyond what is now allowed can be made. First of all, the reserve is primarily a wildlife refuge, meaning the wildlife must be protected from disturbances. This is especially critical during nesting seasons, when birds will frequently abandon their nests if disturbed. Since some of the wetland is still an active oil field, various governmental safety and security regulations prohibit public access to those areas. However, some peripheral and limited interior public accesses are under consideration and will probably be implemented in the near future.
What kinds of wildlife will we see at Bolsa Chica?The most visible wildlife are the birds. Their numbers and species vary greatly from season to season. A total of about 200 species of birds have been spotted in the Bolsa Chica at various times. Some are year round residents, others are migratory and are present for a short time. Some members of both groups nest in the Bolsa Chica and raise their young there. For the sharp-eyed, rabbits, opossums, raccoons, squirrels, lizards, snakes and coyotes can be seen. Fish species include top smelt, stripped mullet, croaker, halibut, small sharks and round stingrays. A variety of invertebrates inhabit the waters of the Bolsa Chica such as seahares, sea cucumbers, clams, mussels, worms and crabs.
What kinds of plants grow at Bolsa Chica?Both native and non-native plants typical of marine wetlands abound in the tidal portion of the reserve, such as Pickleweed, Battis, Cord Grass, Saltbushes, Rushes and Sea Purslane. Upland areas and sand dunes support a variety of grasses, Goldenbush, Marsh Fleabane, Sand Verbena, Beach Primrose, and many, many others too numerous to list.
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