Friday, March 27, 2026
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Sunday, March 29, 2026

China Camp State Park 2026

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Note that children 14 and over are welcome on V-O-Cal projects. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 14 may attend VoCal with a non-volunteering adult supervisor, but neither would volunteer that day per the terms of our waiver.

Project Background and Description

This project combines trail work with a chance to explore China Camp State Park – a former 1880s Chinese shrimp-fishing village now managed entirely by Friends of China Camp (FOCC) volunteers.
          
We’ll improve the Bayview Trail by clearing brush, cutting back slopes, and fixing drainage. The work site is located on the Bayside Trail, an uphill walk from camp. On Saturday afternoon, FOCC docents will treat us to a guided interpretive tour of the historic village, including the museum. We hope you will join us for this first of our 2026 V-O-Cal weekends! Note that for this project, all volunteers under age 18 - not 16 - must be accompanied by an adult, per China Camp policy.
More info about:
China Camp State Park 2026
More about what it is like to volunteer on a project:
Volunteer

Project Pictures

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Covid Policy

Because we do not want any of our projects to become a super-spreader event, V-O-Cal policy is that each of us should respect our fellow volunteers by not attending a project if you have contracted Covid and have not yet tested negative.  In addition, if you have been exposed to Covid in the week before a V-O-Cal project, you should test to make sure you are unable to expose others.  Thank you for keeping our V-O-Cal community and families safe.

Camp

China Camp State Park offers peaceful, tent-only camping near San Pablo Bay, with scenic trails and beautiful bay views. Campsites are equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, flush toilets, and coinoperated hot showers – please bring quarters, as we may have limited change on hand. Checkin is at the Back Ranch Meadows Group Site; note that individual campsites may be up to a 15-minute walk from check-in. If you have a folding cart, please bring it, as gear trolleys are limited. Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted in the parts of China Camp where we'll be. Do not take your dog (unless your dog is an official service animal, individually trained to perform tasks for persons who have qualifying disabilities under ADA) to this project. Service dogs must wear an identifying vest and be on a maximum 6-foot leash at ALL times and physically under your control.

Driving Directions

Follow signs to the campground upon arrival

From Santa Rosa:

  • Take US-101 S from 3rd Street
  • Follow US-101 S to Merrydale Road in San Rafael; take Exit 454B
  • Continue on Merrydale Road, then take N San Pedro Road
  • Arrive at China Camp State Park

From Walnut Creek / Danville:

  • Take I-680 S
  • Merge onto CA-24 W, then take I-580 W/I-80 E toward San Rafael
  • Continue on US-101 N and take Exit 454 to N San Pedro Rd
  • Merge onto N San Pedro Road and continue to China Camp State Park

From San Francisco:

  • Take Franklin St to Lombard Street, then merge onto US-101 N / Presidio Pkwy
  • Continue on US-101 N and take Exit 454 to N San Pedro Road
  • Merge onto N San Pedro Road and follow it to the park

From San Jose:

  • Take I-880 N via N 10th/N 11th Street
  • Merge onto I-580 W, then continue to US-101 N
  • Take Exit 454 to N San Pedro Road
  • Continue on N San Pedro Road to the park

Note:

  • After-hours park entrance gate:If arriving or leaving late Fridayor Saturday evening, please closethe gate behind you after passingthrough the entrance off N. SanPedro Road.
  • If you have a large vehicle and arewilling to shuttle fellow volunteersto the trailhead, please let ourCamp Manager, Pete, know uponarrival so we can arrange parkingaccordingly.
  • Please carpool if possible, asparking is limited – especially onSaturday night.
  • Please bring quarters for the coinoperated showers, as solar showerswill not be available at China Camp.
Map Link

Carpool/Parking Information

Level of Effort

Project Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
If a parking pass is required at the project site, it will be included with the fact sheet.

Project Schedule

Friday
5:00pm - Check in and camping open. DINNER IS NOT PROVIDED.

Saturday
7:30am - Check in, light breakfast and lunch-packing begin ~ Please arrive by 7:45 AM
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching, safety talk and crew assignments
12:30pm - Break for lunch on trail
3:30 pm – Stop work and return to camp
4:00 pm – Drinks, appetizers and socializing. Showers available.
4:15 pm – China Camp History Tour – at China Camp Village
6:00 pm – Dinner and more socializing 

Sunday
7:30am - Breakfast, lunch prep and registration ~ Please arrive by 7:45 AM. Hot breakfast is served.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching, safety talk and crew assignments. Project beings.
11:30am - Break for lunch on trail.
1:30pm - Return to camp, load tools and gear on truck

Things to Do Before or After the Project

What to Bring and Wear

For your safety and protection from hazards, please be prepared with the following items:
  • Sturdy shoes or boots with good tread. Ankle support will be important where we are building new trails. Sandals and open-toed shoes will not be permitted
  • Water bottles or a water bladder that can hold at least 2 liters of water. (You will not be allowed on the trail without water.)
  • Day pack to carry your water and lunch.
  • Work gloves. (If you don’t have your own gloves, V-O-Cal will provide them. Please return them at the end of the project.)
  • V-O-Cal provides all necessary tools, as well as training on tool use and safety.
  • Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.
  • Insect repellent and allergy medicine (if you normally need these things when working outdoors).
  • Reusable plate/bowl, eating utensils, and mug/cup.
  • A change of clothes for each work day and for lounging at camp to minimize the spread of poison oak.
  • Please come prepared for a variety of weather conditions (think layers!). Unless there is a serious storm predicted, we will work drizzle or shine.
If you are camping, you will also need the following items: 
  • A tent (if you have the option to bring a smaller tent, please do!)
  • A sleeping bag, sleeping pad and pillow.
  • A flashlight or headlamp.
  • A camp chair (if you don't want to sit on the ground).
  • Other camping gear that makes you comfortable

Meals

V-O-Cal provides all meals for volunteers from breakfast Saturday through lunch Sunday. Vegetarian options are available for all meals. (Please note that dinner is not provided on Friday.)
  • To minimize waste we ask that you bring your own reusable plates, coffee mug, cups and utensils. Hot water and soap are provided.
  • A continental breakfast is served Saturday morning.
  • Lunch is prepared before hitting the trail. You break for lunch on the trail around 12:30pm.
  • Please arrive at camp by 7:40am to register, eat breakfast and prepare your lunch.
  • Appetizers and beverages will be available after the work day on Saturday, usually around 4pm. Dinner will follow, usually around 5:30pm.
  • Hot breakfast is served Sunday morning.

Hazards

SUN EXPOSURE | HYDRATION | HYPOTHERMIA While most work areas are shaded, please be prepared for changingconditions. Bring sun protection such as a sun hat, sunscreen, andlightweight long-sleeve shirts.Carry enough water – at least 2 liters in bottles or a hydrationbladder – and drink regularly throughout the day. If you feel tired,overheated, cold, or weak, notify your crew leader and take a break.

‍POISON OAK There is a risk of exposure to poison oak at the work site. If you’reUnfamiliar with it, ask your crew leader to point some out. Afterthe work day, use Tecnu (provided by V-O-Cal) to clean exposedskin, and handle your dirty clothes with care.

‍MOSQUITOES | TICKS Mosquitoes may be active this time of year. Bug spray and longsleeved, lightweight shirts are recommended.Ticks are always a potential hazard. Wearing light-colored clothingcan make them easier to spot. Be sure to check yourself during andafter the project.

‍SNAKES Snakes may be present on the property. Use caution, especiallywhen picking up items from the ground or moving rocks.

SHARP TOOLS Please pay attention during your crew leader’s tool safety talk, andfollow proper tool-handling procedures throughout the day.

Volunteer Project Team

  • V-O-Cal Executive Director Cathy Moyer
  • Project Team Leads Morris Older | Francesca Verdier
  • Technical Lead Rudi Boekamp
  • Crew Leader Manager Cavine Johnson
  • Dinner Chef Manuela Ruiz
  • Camp/Kitchen Manager Pete Duringer
  • Registration Augusta Hawkins | Lynne McComa | Rogelio Bautista
  • Tool Town Mayor - Jared Rodgers
  • Outreach Lily Brady| Melinda Greene
  • Website Lisa Freeman | Geoff Clarke
  • Truck/Warehouse Load Lead Duane Sheets
  • Stretching Melinda Stockmann Sullivan | Trevor Stockmann Sullivan
  • Flyer/Fact Sheet Lily Brady

Agency Partners

California State Parks

Friends of China Camp (FOCC)

Project Sponsors

Project Sponsor

Special thanks to Bay Area Barns and Trails for their financial support for numerous V-O-Cal projects over the past fewyears. BABT supports landowners and land managers in the preservation and maintenance of publicly accessible barns,stables, pastures, staging areas, horse camps, and trails throughout the Bay Area.

Additional thanks to our In Kind Sponsors for this Project

Connoisseur Coffee | Tecnu | REI | Sidley Austin | Metro Mobile Communications | Adventure Medical Kits | Clif Bar| SnapTech IT

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Other Upcoming Projects

April 17, 2026
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April 19, 2026

Mt Madonna County Park 2026

We're returning to Mt. Madonna County Park near Watsonville. This is a beautiful park in Santa Clara County dominated by redwood forest. We'll be doing a partial reroute of the Meadow Trail to bypass a section that is currently prone to erosion. The work should be fun and rewarding!

May 15, 2026
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May 17, 2026

Joaquin Miller Park 2026

Join us at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland.

September 1, 2026
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September 7, 2026

East Bay Hills Benefit 2026

V-O-Cal volunteers are, along with key partners, the magic ingredient that has made it possible for the East Bay Hills Trails Benefit to raise over $470,000 over the past 24 years to support trail building and volunteer trail work programs like V-O-Cal, the Bay Area Ridge Trail and more. We are hoping that you will be able to join us for a single shift or more to help make the 2026 East Bay Hills Trails Benefit Ride and Hike the best ever! Please use the sign up button to sign up now! As usual, if you want to sign up for consecutive days, you can camp with us and your meals will be included. Come for 2 days or more, and you probably will be able to join one of the hikes!

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