BBQ by the Bay

Barbecue and picnic at China Camp State Park in Marin

03.09.2022

Picnic spots don't get more "on the Bay" than at China Camp State Park. This sprawling state park in Marin has several panoramic picnic spots (with BBQ grills) right on the shores of San Pablo Bay. Named after an 1880s shrimp-fishing village settled by Chinese immigrants, this popular state park has really beautiful pockets of picnic spots overlooking tranquil San Pablo Bay. For a spacious lawn with about a dozen picnic tables and barbecue grills, head to China Camp Point on the east side of the park.

The spacious grassy knoll overlooks San Pablo Bay. There are also some more secluded spots with fewer tables and equally sublime views, but they are subject to reservation, so you may find yourself out of luck on those; then again, you may get lucky! If so, both Buckeye Point and Weber Point are beautiful (we like Weber a bit better). Wherever you end up here, enjoy the BBQ with a view!

Bonus Bike Ride: The 5-mile Shoreline Trail is ideal for new mountain bikers because it’s smooth and never gets too steep, plus riders get to enjoy bay views almost the entire way.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Hike Mori Point Pacifica

    Ah, Good Point

    Ready for a rewarding view? Head to one of the Peninsula’s favorite promontories: Mori Point. Climb your way up the Bootlegger’s Steps to the Mori Point headland for awesome vantages of the San Mateo Coast.

    View

  2. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

    View

  3. Pomo Pitch

    Secluded camping under the redwoods and by a creek … now that’s a good pitch! Get to it at Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground, an absolute gem within Sonoma Coast State Park. This walk-in-only campground has hillside options and spots closer to the creek.

    View
  4. Camp and Kayak at Utica Reservoir in Stanislaus National Forest

    Sleeper Hit

    It's all about the water, and the camping, at Utica Reservoir in Stanislaus National Forest, a High Sierra reservoir perfect for kayak explorations and pitching your tent with the lake in the background.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Hecata, Yeah!

    You’ll have to travel further afield for this lighthouse gem on the magnificent Oregon Coast, but some things are worth the enlightenment! Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint is worth an overnight stay if you’ve always wanted to spend the night at a historic beacon.

    View

  2. Discover the Dark

    Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are legendary as “the Land of the Giants,” home to the largest trees on earth—giant sequoias—and to the deepest canyon in the U.S.—Kings Canyon. The parks also have some impressive dark sky viewings.

    View

  3. Ciao, Bella!

    Experience the beauty of Italy without getting on an airplane, by taking a scenic stair walk through Castellammare. Originally developed in the 1920s to resemble Italy’s Amalfi Coast, this neighborhood has sweeping views of the Pacific, and plenty more to see.

    View

  4. Bakery to Bakery Urban Art Walk

    With nearly 600 restaurants, Pasadena rivals New York City in terms of establishments per capita. Translation: There’s a lot of food to choose from! French eateries are no exception. In the spirit of the Olympics, take a victory lap on a 3,500-meter (2.2-mile) bakery-to-bakery walk with some beautiful artdoors to see along the way.

    View