Accessible Path: Yes (compacted earth and boardwalk)
Mileage: 0.75 Mile Loop
Rising above the San Pablo Bay Estuary, Turtle Back Hill in China Camp State Park is an ecological island in the surrounding salt marshes. This small peninsula contains valuable habitat for the area's wildlife. Four types of oak trees can be found on the hill, as well as native grasses, Madrone, Bay Laurel and Manzanita trees; in the springtime, wildflowers dot the hillside. This great example of the diversity of native plants that were once common along the shoreline can be enjoyed from a 0.75 mile accessible loop.
The trailhead begins along North San Pedro Road, approximately half a mile from the entrance into the park. Park in the dirt lot adjacent to the interpretive sign and look out to the bay to begin your journey. The loop trail is designed to be enjoyed by travelling counterclockwise around the hill. As you start your walk, the salt marsh estuary will be on your right.
While the trail is named for the hill, the adjacent marsh is full of unique beauty as well. Mirroring the diversity found to your left, the marshland on your right is home to a number of endangered species, including the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse. Salt Marshes were once thought to be useless nuisances that were meant to be drained and cleared for development. Now, however, we understand the importance of these tidal wetlands. In addition to providing shelter and nesting grounds to many birds and mammals, they provide many other ecological benefits including filtering out pollution in the bay, protecting against erosion, and forming a buffer against storm surges.
The pathway bends, leading you to the left, offering views of the bay and another small hill popping up through the marsh. This is Jake's Island, a similar forested hill that provides critical habitat for native plants and animals.
The compacted earth pathway soon turns to boardwalk, then back to compacted earth once more. As you make you way along the hillside, interpretive signs offer more information about the landscape and its inhabitants. If you'd like to learn even more about the area, an audio guide is also available for download from the California State Parks website.
Keep an eye out for birds like herons and egrets as you make your way through the shaded pathway. As you continue counterclockwise around the hill, the trailhead will come into view, depositing you back at your starting point. For more great views of the estuary, continue your drive up North San Pedro Road. There are three great picnic areas along the road, each of which provide great places to have lunch. Shortly after Bullhead Flat, learn more about the history of the park at the China Camp Village Visitor's Center before heading out of the park.
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