China Camp State Park is located in San Rafael, CA - 11 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. This state park encompasses approx 75 acres along the shore of San Pablo Bay, an extention of the greater San Francisco Bay. The Shoreline Trail is the park's main trail artery, running 3.25 miles one-way from the popular Back Ranch Meadows Campground to the Ranger Station. This trail offers wonderful views and lots of opportunity to spot wildlife. Turkey, coyote, bobcat and an occasional cougar are spotted along the trail.

Looking north from the Shoreline Trail across San Pablo Bay

A coyote peers back from just off the Shoreline Trail near Miwok Meadows

A part of the greater Miwok Meadows from the Shoreline Trail in China Camp State Park

A rough-skinned newt on the Shoreline Trail - They are best known to hold poison which causes paralysis and even death to predators who eat them

Looking east over Miwok Meadows towards San Pablo Bay from the Shoreline Trail in China Camp State Park

Non indigenous turkeys can be spotted in the early morning foraging for food

Despite occurences of Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum) in China Camp, the forest remains dense and generally very healthy

A male mallard (foreground) and black bibbed call duck wade in the wetlands of Miwok Meadows

Black Tailed Deer seen here at Miwok Meadows, are one of two natural species in CA - the Fallow Deer (white in color) was brought here by Europeans

Long wide stretches make the Shoreline Trail a great destination for trail runners