Capitola in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

China Beach

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, June 10, 2009

1. China Beach Marker

Inscription. During the 1870's and 1880's, a small village constructed of scrap lumber and driftwood was erected at the base of these cliffs. Known as China Beach, or China Cove, it was established by Chinese fishermen who set their nets by boat and then hauled their daily catch onto the beach by hand for drying and selling. By 1890, however, the expanding resort industry and waves of anti-Chinese sentiment had combined to force the last of the Chinese fishermen out of Santa Cruz County.

Erected 1984 by E Clampus Vitus - Monterey Viejo Chapter No. 1846.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Chinese Heritage Sites of the American West, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 36° 58.723′ N, 121° 56.323′ W. Marker is in Capitola, California, in Santa Cruz County. It is on New Brighton State Beach Parking Lot 0.4 miles south of McGregor Drive, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located at the south end of beach access parking lot overlooking the

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beach. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Capitola CA 95010, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Camp Capitola Superintendent’s Office (approx. ¾ mile away); First Capitola City Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away); Capitola’s Natural Riches (approx. 0.8 miles away); Historic Lawn Way Cottages (approx. 0.8 miles away); Venetian Court (approx. one mile away); Soquel Village: A Legacy of Floods and Resilience (approx. 1.2 miles away); Charlotte (Charlie) Parkhurst (approx. 1.2 miles away); S.S. Palo Alto (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Capitola.

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, June 10, 2009

2. China Beach Marker

View is southeasterly from the parking lot showing marker in foreground and New Brighton State Beach in background. New Brighton State Beach is located on the northern side of Monterey Bay a few miles east of Santa Cruz, CA.

China Beach Interpretive Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, June 11, 2009

3. China Beach Interpretive Sign

This sign is located in the State Beach camping area on the bluff above the historical marker to the east.

China Beach Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, June 11, 2009

4. China Beach Site

Location of the now non-existant historic China Beach community. View is westerly, towards Santa Cruz, from the bluff in the State Beach camping area east of the historical marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2009, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. This page has been viewed 2,084 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 12, 2009, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.