The Best State Parks to Visit in California
California is a wonderland for those who love to explore parks. From world-renowned national parks like Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Kings Canyon, and many more to a huge system of state parks along the coast and its central mountains, you would be hard-pressed not to enjoy an outing in the wildland of the Golden State.
As impressive as the national parks are in California, the state also has many excellent state-run parks. See the wide array of landscapes that these protected areas can offer you on your next road trip, weekend getaway, or simple escape from the city!
Sonoma Coast State Park
Sonoma Coast State Park stretches along 17 miles of rugged northern California coastline. Here, you will find striking cliffs, beautiful coves, and idyllic beaches. This state park is renowned for its unbeatable view of the ocean, particularly at Goat Rock Beach, where the Russian River meets the Pacific. This spot is popular for its impressive rock formations and is also a prime location for observing the local harbor seals.
Inland, the park's trails wind through coastal bluffs and meadows, providing you with many vistas to glance at and opportunities to explore the diverse plant life that thrives in this unique maritime climate. Salmon Creek and Bodega Head are other notable areas within the park, each containing picnic spots and excellent vantage points for whale watching during their migration seasons.
The nearby town of Jenner features a visitor center, along with other amenities like restaurants, gas stations, and shops.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is often regarded as the "crown jewel" of the state park system. This hugely popular 550-acre reserve is celebrated for its easy-to-access coastal scenery that is filled with windswept cypress trees and other beautiful geographic features. It is a recommended stop for anybody looking for what is considered one of the best parks near the city of Salinas.
The reserve’s trails, such as the Cypress Grove Trail and the Sea Lion Point Trail, will take you along the rocky coves and tide pools, and give you an ideal view from the land of the kelp forests growing just off the coast. These trails will also get you in close proximity to much of the wildlife life that lives in the park, including sea otters, harbor seals, and, during migration seasons, gray whales. Birdwatchers also flock to Point Lobos and can spot a variety of species, including cormorants and pelicans.
Point Lobos is also notable for its underwater reserve, which is a haven for divers and snorkelers who wish to explore the nearby marine life. Part of the area’s human history is preserved in the Whalers Cabin Museum, a remnant of the whale oil trade that flourished here in the 19th century.
Redwoods National and State Parks
This protected natural area features a collection of state-run and nationally-run parks. Containing some of the world’s tallest and most ancient trees, this unique partnership between federal and state agencies encompasses four distinct parks: Redwood National Park and three state parks—Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwoods. Together, Redwood National and State Parks preserve over 139,000 acres of ancient redwood forests.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, named after the pioneering explorer, is known for its dense, old-growth forests. The park's iconic Stout Grove is a serene environment where you can walk among the towering redwoods that have stood for centuries. Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, with its 8-mile stretch along the Pacific, combines coastal landscapes with dense forests that thrive in the moist air that flows off of the ocean.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, home to the famed Fern Canyon, offers more diverse landscapes, from deep valleys to meadows. The park’s Elk Prairie is a popular spot to see Roosevelt Elk, one of the park’s most famous inhabitants.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Not to be confused with Redwood National and State Parks, this equally impressive state park sits further south along the central coastline of California, just a short trip away from San Francisco. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California’s oldest state park, established in 1902, is a sanctuary for ancient coast redwoods, some of which are over 1,000 years old and tower more than 300 feet high. The park's Visitor Center is a great place to start, with its exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the area.
Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the park covers over 18,000 acres, encompassing several delicate ecosystems ranging from redwood forests to oak woodlands and chaparral-covered slopes. The park’s trail system, including the hugely popular Skyline to the Sea Trail, attracts hikers of all levels. This 30-mile trail descends from the ridge tops of the Santa Cruz Mountains through redwood groves and ends at Waddell Beach on the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, be sure to make a few detours at the numerous waterfalls, such as Berry Creek Falls, which cascades over fern-covered cliffs that simply scream out to be photographed.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park sits in the Colorado Desert (a part of the larger Sonoran Desert) of southeastern California. It is the largest state park in the Golden State, with over 600,000 acres under its watch. The arid yet beautiful and delicate landscape here is characterized by expansive desert vistas and rolling mountains. The park's name, derived from the Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and the Spanish word for “bighorn sheep,” reflects its historical significance and the wildlife that calls this place home.
This park has a range of natural attractions that are well worth visiting, including the striking Borrego Badlands, where you can witness a number of eroded canyons and interesting rock formations. The wide-reaching desert floor is dotted with wildflowers during the spring bloom, creating a vibrant contrast against the arid desert backdrop. One of the park's most famous landmarks is the large-scale metal sculptures of prehistoric animals located in the nearby town of Borrego Springs, a town that also contains amenities like hotels, restaurants, and rest stops.
Hikers will enjoy trails such as the Palm Canyon Trail, leading to a lush oasis with a striking grove of palm trees, and the Slot Canyon, known for its narrow, winding passages. The park also supports a range of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, and coyotes, along with various bird species.
Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park contains a modest 2,400 acres of wonderful coastal parklands just south of Los Angeles. Beaches, cliffs, and coastal sage scrub make up the bulk of this park, meaning it is a great natural escape from the big city. Its 3.2 miles of protected shoreline provide ample ways for visitors to go swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing.
One of the park’s highlights is its historic district, which includes a collection of vintage beach cottages from the 1930s and 1940s, now preserved as part of the park’s charm. Make time to check out these quaint remnants of the past for yourself.
The park’s network of trails winds through varied terrain, including the famous Moro Canyon Trail, which offers its hikers sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the interior meadows and scrublands. Many come here for a chance to see its wildlife too, which includes various seabirds, dolphins, and the occasional whale.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Calaveras Big Trees State Park, located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, is one of the best places to visit to see the majestic giant sequoias that California is known for. Established in 1931 to protect these ancient trees, the park now covers almost 6,500 acres of old-growth forest. This park’s centerpiece is the North Grove, home to the famous “Discovery Tree,” one of the largest sequoias in the park. You can explore this grove via a series of accessible trails that offer close-up views of these giants.
The South Grove Trail leads to an area of even larger sequoias, including the notable “Mother of the Forest,” a tree so impressive that its bark was unfortunately stripped and displayed in various museums around the world. A later fire destroyed most of it, with its massive stump being the only thing left. It is a site still worth seeing, as it will probably be the biggest stump you will ever lay eyes on!
In addition to its natural wonders, Calaveras Big Trees State Park has year-round recreational activities, including hiking and camping in the summer and snowshoeing and sledding trails in the winter.
Mount Diablo State Park
Located in the East Bay region of California, Mount Diablo State Park is centered around none other than the iconic Mount Diablo, which rises 3,849 feet above sea level. This prominent peak will reward you with one of the most expansive views of central California; on a clear day, visitors can allegedly see over 200 miles into the distance, encompassing the Sierra Nevada, nearby San Francisco and San Jose, and even the far off Lassen Peak for those with extra sharp sight!
The park spans over 20,000 acres, and within it, you can find oak woodlands and the chaparral-laden hills that permeate much of this region of this state. Numerous trails can also be accessed throughout the park, all offering varying levels of difficulty. The Summit Trail, leading to the top of Mount Diablo, is a popular choice for hikers seeking the best views of the surrounding area. A notable pathway in the park, the Rock City Trail, with its fascinating wind-carved sandstone formations and small caves along the way, is another ideal spot for exploration in the wild.
The park’s unique geology is further on display at the Summit Visitor Center, where well-curated exhibits explain the area’s natural history and the cultural significance of Mount Diablo to local Native American tribes.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Humboldt Redwoods State Park is most notable for being home to the world’s largest remaining contiguous old-growth redwood forest, along with being the third largest state park in California. Spanning over 53,000 acres, the park includes the Avenue of the Giants, a scenic 32-mile roadway that winds through the groves of ancient coast redwoods, some exceeding 350 feet in height!
Among the park’s other notable features is the Founders Grove, which honors those who helped establish the Save the Redwoods League. Here, visitors can stand beside the massive Dyerville Giant, a fallen redwood once considered the tallest tree in the park. The park's extensive trail system is probably the best way to see this wonder of nature close up. Find a variety of treks here, from easy walks to more challenging hikes with rewarding views of the Eel River and surrounding mountains.
Humboldt Redwoods is also an excellent spot for camping, with Albee Creek Campground, Burlington Campground, and several other options all close by. The park’s visitor center provides educational exhibits on the ecology and history of the redwoods, enriching the experience for all who visit.
Explore California's Many State Parks Today
It is clear that California’s state system can offer an extraordinary range of landscapes, from towering redwoods to expansive deserts and dramatic coastlines. Each of these parks and many others preserve a unique aspect of the state’s natural beauty and history, providing you with a truly peaceful way to explore, learn, and connect with nature.
Whether you are hiking through ancient forests, catching a sunset on the Pacific coastline, or marveling at the alluring southern deserts, California’s state parks are unparalleled in showing how remarkable the Golden State really is.
