Story outline
-
China Camp Village
A century of shifting tides at a historic Chinese fishing village part of China Camp State Park in the San Francisco Bay Area. -
Stop 1. An Abundant Landscape
Before industrialization, China Camp was rich in wildlife and wetlands, stewarded by Indigenous communities. By the 1860s, Chinese immigrants built a fishing village here, drawn by its resemblance to shrimping grounds in China. -
Stop 2. A Booming Village
In the late 1880s, Quan Hung Quock arrived at China Camp, a thriving shrimping village of 500 people. Amid anti-Chinese sentiment, he found community and built a family legacy in one of 26 Bay Area Chinese fishing villages. -
Stop 3. Adapting to Change
After discriminatory laws like the 1882 Exclusion Act and a 1905 shrimp export ban, most left China Camp. The Quan family adapted—modernizing shrimping and later opening a café and boat rental to sustain their livelihood. -
Stop 4. Quan Family Life
In the mid-1900s, the Quan family adapted China Camp life as tides and development changed the area. Grace and Alice raised families, ran businesses, and leaned into tourism. Frank Quan stayed on, becoming caretaker of the park and family legacy. -
Stop 5. A State Park
Frank Quan, who passed in 2016, helped preserve China Camp’s legacy through his craftsmanship. Now a State Park, it remains the last historic Chinese fishing village in the region—its community spirit kept alive by the Friends of China Camp. -
Stop 6. Impacts of a Changing Climate
China Camp faces growing threats from climate change, including sea level rise that could submerge the village by century’s end. Ongoing research and community collaboration are key to preserving this historic and ecological site. -
Stop 7. The Future of China Camp
Each morning, locals swim and stroll at China Camp, a place shaped by generations—including the Quan family. Explore, learn, and support the communities keeping its rich legacy alive.
Voices
-
Matt Ferner
SF Bay NERR Director
-
John Muir
Friends of China Camp Director
-
Milton Quan
Former China Camp Resident
Gallery
Partners
About the Project
The creation of this virtual experience was a collaboration between CyArk, CA State Parks, and Friends of China Camp. CyArk digitally documented the site in late 2024 to create the canvas for the virtual experience. The goals of the collaboration include creating an experience that highlights Asian American history and the increasing impacts of a changing climate. The project was made possible by the generous support of Iron Mountain.
Related Links
Credits
This experience was created with the generous support of Iron Mountain. Thank you to Milton Quan, John Muir, and Matt Ferner for your unique perspectives and insights about this place.
Related experience
Angel Island WWII Confinement (Opens in new tab) — Follow the stories of Japanese American WWII confinement