Destinations

California outdoors

From 13,000-foot Sierra peaks to below-sea-level desert, California packs more outdoor range into one state than just about anywhere.

California is the rare state where you can stand under 300-foot redwoods in the morning and watch the sun set over a desert basin that drops below sea level the same week. The range is the whole point here. You get the granite walls and waterfalls of the high Sierra, the largest trees on earth in the southern Sierra, a chain of desert parks full of wildflowers and dark skies, rugged Pacific coastline, and volcanic country up north. The federal parks anchor the headline trips, and the 280-plus state parks fill in the rest, from Big Sur's redwoods-meets-ocean stretch to Anza-Borrego, the largest state park in California at nearly 600,000 acres.

Timing matters more in California than in most places because the state is really several climates stacked together. Spring (March to May) is the sweet spot: waterfalls run hard, deserts bloom, and the coast and foothills sit at comfortable hiking temperatures. Fall (September to November) brings thinner crowds and excellent trail conditions. The two big rules: the high Sierra is snowed in roughly November through May, so plan summer for the alpine country, and the desert parks turn dangerously hot from April through October, often topping 100F, so save those for the cooler months.

Because you might hike a snowy pass and a 100F desert wash on the same trip, pack in layers and plan for extremes. A solid base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a wind or rain shell cover most of the state. Add real sun protection and far more water than feels necessary for any desert or low-elevation day, plus traction and warm gear if you are heading into the Sierra high country.

Region split

Do not try to make California one park trip.

California's parks reward separate trips: Sierra granite and big trees, coast and redwoods, desert winter sun, or a ferry-based island plan. The best itinerary picks one region instead of chasing the whole list.

Best window

May to October for the Sierra, winter to spring for the deserts, summer to fall for the coast.

Base logic

Valley access drives Yosemite, gateway towns drive the Sierra, ferry schedules drive Channel Islands.

Packing focus

Elevation layers, bear storage rules, sun protection, and coastal wind or fog.

Trip shape

Pair nearby parks only when the drive is honest, such as Sequoia and Kings Canyon.

Classic first trip

Build around Yosemite Valley and one higher-country day if roads are open. Add Sequoia and Kings only with enough nights.

Winter or shoulder trip

Use Joshua Tree, Death Valley, or Pinnacles when Sierra snow makes alpine plans harder.

Start with these guides

Yosemite Sequoia Kings Canyon Joshua Tree Death Valley Redwood National and State Parks

State park reservations

California booking basics

Beach, redwood, and desert units have very different booking pressure. Weekend trips need backup parks.

Official state sources

Booking note

ReserveCalifornia is the official reservation service for California State Parks camping and many day-use facilities.

Agency

California State Parks

ReserveCalifornia California reservations and fees California passes

State park directory

California state park system places

A source-backed inventory layer for planning breadth. Full Kit Authority guides are marked when a park has imagery, camping detail, rules, and packing notes.

266 directory entries

1 full guides live

Admiral William Standley State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Rustic redwood-covered park nestled near the headwaters of the south fork of the Eel River.
- Hiking
California State Parks
Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park
State Park
Official page
Reachable only by boat in remote northeastern Shasta County, a place of primeval beauty and rugged backcountry marked by jagged lava flows and black basalt.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Albany State Marine Reserve
State Marine Reserve
Official page
Urban park that protects marine habitat in the eastern San Francisco Bay.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
California State Parks
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Freshwater marsh landscape with a rich cultural heritage spanning 14,000 years.
- Hiking
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Andrew Molera State Park
State Park
Official page
Almost 5,000 acres of largely undeveloped diverse coast range terrain with 15 miles of trails and the Big Sur Rivermouth.
- Hiking
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Beach
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Angel Island State Park
State Park
Official page
The largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay, offering spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin Headlands, and Mount Tamalpais.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Año Nuevo State Park
State Park
Official page
Rugged peninsula that draws visitors from around the world to witness elephant seals mate, give birth, and rest from long sea voyages.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
This park in the western Mojave Desert is located on California's most consistent poppy-bearing land, with wildflowers creating stunning spring views of the Antelope Valley.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This regional museum displays exhibits representing Native American cultures from the Antelope Valley, California coast, Great Basin, and the Southwest.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
State Park
Full guide
Largest state park in California, with 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and many miles of hiking trails through desert wonders including bighorn sheep, wildflowers, palm groves and cacti.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
Sonoma County reserve that preserves stately coast redwood forest that covered much of the area before logging operations began in the 19th century.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park
State Park
Official page
Protects an impressive stand of native Joshua and juniper trees that once grew in great abundance throughout the Antelope Valley.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Asilomar State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Pacific Grove park with the historic Y.W.C.A. conference grounds designed by architect Julia Morgan and the Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve above a coastal trail of white beaches and rocky tidepools.
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Auburn State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Offers hiking, fishing, camping, whitewater recreation and more along two forks of the American River in the heart of the gold country.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Austin Creek State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Sonoma County park offering recreation on 6,000 acres and 20 miles of trails through meadows, woodlands and rolling hills, home to the historic Pond Farm Pottery.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Azalea State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
A reserve for western azalea along California's northern coast, with a profusion of white and pink blossoms in spring.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
California State Parks
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
In the heart of Napa Valley, a fully restored water-powered grist mill built in 1846 by Edward Turner Bale, offering a look into California's rural pioneer past.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Bean Hollow State Beach
State Beach
Official page
A rugged stretch of the San Mateo Coast known for pebbled shores, tafoni honeycomb rock formations, and tide pools, with a scenic coastal trail linking its coves and overlooks.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Benbow State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Showcases the Wild and Scenic South Fork Eel River, where visitors can swim, picnic or watch wildlife.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Benicia Capitol State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
California's third seat of government from 1853 to 1854 and the only surviving pre-Sacramento capitol.
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Benicia State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Covers tidal marsh wetland, grassy hillsides and rocky beaches along the narrowest portion of the Carquinez Strait.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
In the northernmost part of the San Joaquin Valley, popular for fishing, boating, picnicking and birdwatching at the northern terminus of the California Aqueduct.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
California State Parks
Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Three-story, 26-room Victorian house in central Chico that stood as a memorial to pioneers John and Annie Bidwell before suffering extensive fire damage from arson in December 2024.
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park
State Park
Official page
Popular fishing spot 6 miles west of Chico offering a landscape of riparian plant and wildlife habitat that stretches along the Sacramento River.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks

Show 242 more California entries

Big Basin Redwoods State Park
State Park
Official page
Oldest state park in California, acquired in 1902, preserving ancient coast redwoods in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains and regrowing after the 2020 wildfire.
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Bodie State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Historic gold-mining ghost town and once thriving mining camp preserved in a state of arrested decay.
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Bolsa Chica State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Popular beach destination in Orange County that consistently draws prime waves for surfers.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Border Field State Park
State Park
Official page
Comprised of sand dunes, salt marshes, and equine-friendly trails, this park provides important wildlife habitat in the very southwestern corner of the United States.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Beach
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
State Park
Official page
An outdoor destination in Napa Valley offering hiking, swimming, picnicking and camping among coastal redwoods, tanoak, Douglas-fir, and madrone forests.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Brannan Island State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Serves as an entryway to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, with opportunities for camping, boating, swimming, walking, and great fishing.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Beach
California State Parks
Burton Creek State Park
State Park
Official page
Undeveloped park on the outskirts of Tahoe City, with 6 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
California State Parks
Butano State Park
State Park
Official page
Redwood park in the Santa Cruz Mountains, featuring excellent hiking through the redwood groves and ocean views, regrowing after the 2020 wildfire.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
State Park
Official page
Preserves a prime example of mixed conifer forest with two groves of giant sequoias, the North Grove and South Grove.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
California Citrus State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Living museum featuring groves of citrus trees, historic buildings, interpretive exhibits and guided tours showcasing the role the citrus industry played in shaping the state's economy and culture.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Cambria State Marine Park
State Marine Park
Official page
The state's only dual-designation marine protected area, protecting rocky coves, seamounts, beaches, sandy seafloor, and kelp forests in waters off the town of Cambria.
California State Parks
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
California's first urban state park, in southeast San Francisco's Bayview/Hunters Point neighborhood, with trails and opportunities for bird watching, kayaking, swimming, picnicking and fishing.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Biking
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Cardiff State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Gently sloping sandy beach on the San Diego Coast, with warm water and opportunities for swimming and non-motorized watersports.
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Carlsbad State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Quaint beach on the San Diego Coast, offering swimming, surfing, scuba diving, fishing and beachcombing.
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Carmel River State Beach
State Beach
Official page
The Carmel River creates a lagoon, a popular habitat for waterfowl and songbirds, before spilling into the Pacific Ocean at this scenic beach park.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
California State Parks
Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area
State Vehicular Recreation Area
Official page
Off-highway vehicle park in the hills of eastern Alameda and western San Joaquin counties, with over 1,300 acres of riding area and 80 miles of trails for motorcycles and ATVs.
- Camping
- Picnicking
California State Parks
Carpinteria State Beach
State Beach
Official page
This beach, located 12 miles south of Santa Barbara, offers an iconic, diverse shoreline, featuring white sand and rock outcroppings.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Caspar Headlands State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Mendocino Coast beach adjacent to the headlands and a good place to watch for migrating gray whales.
- Fishing
- Boating
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Caspar Headlands State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
Approximately 4 miles north of Mendocino, the reserve contains a small strip of rugged coastline featuring sculpted rocks, wildflowers and surf.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
With 29 miles of shoreline, one of the State Water Project's largest recreational lakes, featuring the 425-foot-tall Castaic Dam and opportunities for sailing, power boating, waterskiing and fishing.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Playground
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Beach
California State Parks
Castle Crags State Park
State Park
Official page
Named for its 6,000-foot tall granite spires, the park offers a variety of camping, picnicking, hiking and fishing opportunities along the Sacramento River.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Castle Rock State Park
State Park
Official page
Features sculpted sandstone, lush forests and sweeping vistas from one of the highest ridges in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
- Camping
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Climbing
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Caswell Memorial State Park
State Park
Official page
Along the Stanislaus River near Ripon, this park protects one of California's last remaining riparian oak woodlands, where visitors can hike, fish, swim or float along the river.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
California State Parks
Cayucos State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Park in San Luis Obispo County popular for its fishing pier, beautiful beach and historical buildings.
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Playground
- Beach
- Historic Site
California State Parks
China Camp State Park
State Park
Official page
This 1,514-acre park along the shoreline of San Pablo Bay boasts panoramic views, lush oak woodlands and over 100 acres of protected tidal salt marsh.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Chino Hills State Park
State Park
Official page
Premier open-space area in the hills around Santa Ana Canyon where Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties meet, with rolling grassy hills dotted with oaks and sycamores.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Small sandstone cave in present-day Santa Barbara containing some of the finest remaining rock art created by Chumash Native Americans, a touchstone of Chumash culture and heritage.
- Hiking
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area
State Vehicular Recreation Area
Official page
A 220-acre off-highway vehicle area two miles west of Oroville, with a fenced open riding area for motorcycle, ATV, and 4x4 recreationists.
- Picnicking
California State Parks
Clear Lake State Park
State Park
Official page
This park on the shores of California's oldest and largest freshwater lake is popular for swimming, boating, fishing and viewing wildlife.
- Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
A collection of restored and reconstructed buildings mark the location of the historic California town founded, financed and governed by African Americans.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Columbia State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Gold Rush town that was once known as the gem of the southern mines and tells the colorful stories of its miners and merchants.
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
In the Sacramento Valley, riverbank cottonwoods and willows shelter one of the finest fishing stretches in California, with king salmon, steelhead, rainbow trout and striped bass.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Corona del Mar State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Half-mile long sandy beach popular with surfers and divers and framed by cliffs and a rock jetty that forms the east entrance to Newport Harbor.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Beach
California State Parks
Crystal Cove State Park
State Park
Official page
One of Orange County's largest remaining examples of open space and natural seashore, featuring tide pools, sandy coves, rocky reefs, canyons and a Historic District of vintage 1930s coastal cottages.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
State Park
Official page
East of San Diego, the park features more than 100 miles of riding and hiking trails, including the Cuyamaca Peak Trail with spectacular views of the Pacific coastline, Colorado Desert and Salton Sea.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
D. L. Bliss State Park
State Park
Official page
Features hiking trails and one of the most popular beaches in the Lake Tahoe region.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Paddling
- Beach
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
State Park
Official page
Established in 1927, this park holds roughly 50 percent old-growth coast redwood and eight miles of wild coastline.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Dockweiler State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Dockweiler State Beach features a three-mile shoreline with a picnic area and concession stand beneath the takeoff path from Los Angeles International Airport.
- Boating
- Swimming
- Beach
- Biking
California State Parks
Doheny State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Doheny State Beach is a widely known surf spot in Dana Point and was California's first state beach, donated for public use in 1931.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Hiking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Donner Memorial State Park
State Park
Official page
Located in the Sierra Nevada at about 6,000 feet, this alpine park offers summer recreation, winter snow sports, and the historic Pioneer Monument and Visitor Center.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Winter Sports
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area
State Vehicular Recreation Area
Official page
This is the second largest unit of California's Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, offering over 26,000 acres of terrain on the western edge of the Mojave Desert.
California State Parks
Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
State Park
Official page
This park contains one of the finest remaining natural areas on Lake Tahoe, with nearly two miles of lake frontage, dense forests, and the 1903 Hellman-Ehrman Mansion.
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Winter Sports
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
El Capitán State Beach
State Beach
Official page
El Capitan State Beach offers a sandy beach, rocky tidepools, and stands of sycamore and oaks along El Capitan Creek.
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Camping
- Boating
- Beach
- Geocaching
- Biking
- Hiking
California State Parks
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Set between the Santa Ynez mountains and the sea, the park preserves the last Spanish fortress built in Alta California and celebrates Santa Barbara's diverse cultures.
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Emerald Bay State Park
State Park
Official page
Emerald Bay State Park features two campgrounds, the scenic Rubicon foot trail, the Scandinavian-style Vikingsholm, and Fannette Island, the only island in Lake Tahoe.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Paddling
- Boating
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Emeryville Crescent State Marine Reserve
State Marine Reserve
Official page
This marine reserve sits at the south end of McLaughlin Eastshore State Park along 8.5 miles of San Francisco Bay shoreline west of Highway I-80.
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Hiking
California State Parks
Emma Wood State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Moderate ocean temperatures make this Ventura park a good place for swimming, surfing, and fishing.
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Beach
California State Parks
Empire Mine State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
In the Sierra Nevada foothills, this park features preserved buildings, the owner's home and gardens, and the entrance to one of California's oldest and richest gold mines.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
California State Parks
Estero Bluffs State Park
State Park
Official page
This park preserves sea stacks, intertidal areas, wetlands, and coastal terraces in a scenic stretch of the Central Coast.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Hiking
- Boating
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
California State Parks
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
At the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills near Sacramento, the lake offers hiking, biking, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, waterskiing, and boating.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Historic Site
- Beach
California State Parks
Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
The 1895 plant is one of the oldest hydroelectric facilities in the world and was among the nation's first power systems to provide high-voltage alternating current.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Fishing
California State Parks
Fort Humboldt State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Fort Humboldt is a historic military fort on a bluff overlooking Humboldt Bay, established in 1853 as headquarters for the Humboldt Military District.
- Historic Site
- Hiking
California State Parks
Fort Ord Dunes State Park
State Park
Official page
Once part of the U.S. Army post of Fort Ord, this park includes nearly 1,000 acres of dunes habitat and four miles of beach along Monterey Bay.
- Boating
- Historic Site
- Fishing
- Beach
- Biking
- Hiking
California State Parks
Fort Ross State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
The park preserves buildings and a reconstructed stockade wall of North America's southernmost Russian colony, founded in 1812 on Kashia Pomo homelands.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Boating
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Hiking
California State Parks
Fort Tejon State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This former U.S. Army frontier fort on the main route between the Central Valley and Southern California was garrisoned from 1854 to 1864.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Franks Tract State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Circled by marshland and riparian habitat, this completely submerged park is accessible only by water for fishing, bird watching, and seasonal waterfowl hunting.
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hunting
- Boating
California State Parks
Fremont Peak State Park
State Park
Official page
Fremont Peak State Park offers vistas of Monterey Bay and the Salinas Valley, campsites, and an astronomical observatory with a 30-inch telescope from its 3,169-foot peak.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Biking
- Hiking
California State Parks
Garrapata State Park
State Park
Official page
The northernmost of Big Sur's state parks, Garrapata showcases two miles of coastline with a dramatic beach and a trail from chaparral into redwood forest.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
California State Parks
Gaviota State Park
State Park
Official page
This Santa Barbara County coastal park offers surfing, hiking, multi-use trails into oak and chaparral backcountry, natural sulfur hot springs, and sweeping lookouts.
- Hiking
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Geocaching
- Horseback Riding
- Camping
- RV Camping
California State Parks
George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Bordered by the Merced River, this San Joaquin Valley park offers fishing, camping, picnicking, river wading, hiking, kayaking, and nature study.
- Fishing
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Swimming
- Geocaching
- Boating
California State Parks
Governor's Mansion State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
California's executive mansion was built in 1877 in Victorian style and purchased by the state in 1903 to house California's first families.
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Gray Whale Cove State Beach
State Beach
Official page
A secluded cove accessible via a long, steep staircase featuring striking turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and cool coastal weather.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Boating
California State Parks
Great Valley Grasslands State Park
State Park
Official page
Located west of Merced along the San Joaquin River, this park protects native grassland, wetland, and riparian woodland and offers bank fishing and a boat launch.
- Fishing
- Boating
- Hiking
California State Parks
Greenwood State Beach
State Beach
Official page
On the Mendocino County coast about 15 miles north of Point Arena, this park offers beach access and a glimpse of late-1800s lumber-town life.
- Boating
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
California State Parks
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
State Park
Official page
A sublime redwood forest full of big trees and few people, located on the tranquil Van Duzen River 30 miles inland of the North Coast.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Hiking
California State Parks
Grover Hot Springs State Park
State Park
Official page
Hidden in Hot Springs Valley on the eastern Sierra Nevada, this park offers mineral pools fed by six hot springs, a forested campground, trails, and fishing streams.
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Biking
- Hiking
California State Parks
Half Moon Bay State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Four miles of long, sandy beaches on the San Mateo Coast with gentle dunes, cool marine weather, ocean views, and shore fishing.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
California State Parks
Harmony Headlands State Park
State Park
Official page
Three miles south of the town of Harmony, this park offers a short trail to a coastal marine terrace grassland with steep hills and Pacific Ocean views.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
California State Parks
Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
A tranquil outdoor destination, especially for anglers, on the Humboldt County coast.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Boating
- Hiking
California State Parks
Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument
State Historical Monument
Official page
The world-famous estate known as Hearst Castle, designed by Julia Morgan, features a 115-room main house, three guesthouses, two pools, and landscaped gardens.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
California State Parks
Hearst San Simeon State Park
State Park
Official page
One of the oldest and most scenic state parks, with coastal bluffs, an elephant seal viewing area, campgrounds, beaches, trails, and a protected cove with a pier.
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Swimming
- Beach
California State Parks
Heber Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area
State Vehicular Recreation Area
Official page
This 343-acre off-highway vehicle area sits three miles north of the Mexican border in Imperial County and is especially popular with ATV riders.
California State Parks
Hendy Woods State Park
State Park
Official page
In the heart of the Anderson Valley wine region, Hendy Woods protects two groves of towering redwoods with five miles of trails through fern-filled forest.
- Swimming
- Paddling
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
State Park
Official page
In the Santa Cruz Mountains town of Felton, this park is famous for its 40-acre grove of old-growth redwoods and the rare Santa Cruz Sandhills habitat.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
California State Parks
Henry W. Coe State Park
State Park
Official page
The largest state park in Northern California protects 87,000 acres of scenic hills and mountain ridges in the Diablo Range, mostly undeveloped.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Camping
- Backpacking
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area
State Vehicular Recreation Area
Official page
California's first off-highway vehicle area, in the Gabilan Mountains south of San Jose, features over 6,800 acres and nearly 200 miles of varied trails.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Humboldt Lagoons State Park
State Park
Official page
Forty miles north of Eureka, this park includes Big, Stone, and Freshwater Lagoons as part of the largest lagoon system in the United States.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
State Park
Official page
The park harbors the largest remaining old-growth redwood forest in the world, best experienced on the 32-mile Avenue of the Giants.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
California State Parks
Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area
State Vehicular Recreation Area
Official page
The third largest off-highway vehicle unit, in the Tejon Pass north of Los Angeles, offers 19,000 acres and more than 130 miles of scenic trails.
California State Parks
Huntington State Beach
State Beach
Official page
This 121-acre beach on the Orange County coast draws hundreds of thousands of visitors year-round to surf, swim, sunbathe, fish, or watch the sunset.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Biking
- Hiking
California State Parks
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
In the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Jackson, this park preserves a limestone outcropping with 1,185 mortar holes, the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Camping
- RV Camping
California State Parks
Ishxenta State Park
State Park
Official page
Encompassing significant Indigenous ancestral lands, this park features a Monterey pine forest, a coast redwood grove, and San Jose Creek, accessible via staff-led tours.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Hiking
- Boating
California State Parks
Jack London State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This 1,400-acre park tells the story of writer Jack London, with the cottage, Beauty Ranch, Wolf House ruins, a museum, and more than 26 miles of trails.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
California State Parks
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
State Park
Official page
This park protects 10,000 acres of primeval redwood groves, lush rhododendrons and azaleas, and banks of ferns against giant fallen trees.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Boating
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Geocaching
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
California State Parks
John B. Dewitt Redwoods State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
The reserve features three small old-growth redwood groves in Humboldt County.
- Picnicking
- Beach
California State Parks
John Little State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
This reserve preserves steep, rugged cliffs on the Big Sur coast where Lime Creek enters the Pacific Ocean and is not open to the public.
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Jug Handle State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
This Mendocino Coast reserve offers beach access and an ecological staircase trail of distinct plant communities culminating in a unique pygmy forest.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
California State Parks
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
State Park
Official page
Known for the 80-foot McWay Falls spilling onto a scenic beach, this Big Sur park also includes towering redwoods and historic Partington Cove.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
California State Parks
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
This Los Angeles park includes native coastal sage scrub, lawns, picnic sites, play areas, a fishing lake, lotus pond, and five miles of trails.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Playground
- Biking
- Hiking
California State Parks
Kings Beach State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Kings Beach features 979 feet of frontage on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe with a large sandy beach, shaded picnic tables, a playground, and volleyball.
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Biking
- Playground
California State Parks
Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
The reserve features more than two miles of hiking trails winding through quiet forest, fern carpets, and clusters of rhododendrons.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
California State Parks
La Purísima Mission State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
The park preserves the buildings and grounds of a Spanish mission founded in 1787 on historic Chumash lands.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
California State Parks
Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
In central Alameda County and part of the State Water Project, this park is ideal for picnicking, horseback riding, boating, fishing, and swimming.
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- RV Camping
- Camping
- Biking
- Hiking
- Beach
California State Parks
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Formed by the tallest dam in the country, this lake offers family, group, and equestrian camping, boating, and an extensive trail system.
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Biking
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Lake Perris State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
With a shimmering lake, rugged hills, and open spaces, this Southern California park blends watersports, scenic trails, and serene surroundings.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Geocaching
- Horseback Riding
- Biking
- Hiking
- Beach
California State Parks
Lake Valley State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Ringed by the High Sierra, this park features a championship 18-hole golf course plus snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in winter.
- Golf
- Winter Sports
California State Parks
Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Originally built in 1856, this elegant Victorian brick mansion served as the office of three California governors in the 1860s and is now open to the public as a museum.
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Leo Carrillo State Park
State Park
Official page
Malibu-area park with 1.5 miles of scenic beach for swimming, surfing, surf fishing and beachcombing, plus reefs, tide pools and coastal caves to explore.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Leucadia State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Swimming, surfing, fishing and picnicking are popular at this small, rocky beach known by locals as Beacon's Beach.
- Beach
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Boating
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Lighthouse Field State Beach
State Beach
Official page
One of the last open headlands in any California urban area, drawing surfers, tourists, birds and monarch butterflies in their overwintering season.
- Beach
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Limekiln State Park
State Park
Official page
This park features views of the rugged Big Sur coast, redwoods, the cultural history of limekilns and a nearly 100-foot waterfall splashing down a rock face.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Little River State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Located 13 miles north of Eureka, this park features dunes and a broad, open beach bordered by Little River and Clam Beach County Park.
- Beach
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Los Angeles State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Adjacent to Chinatown, this urban state park lets visitors discover the natural and cultural heritage of Los Angeles while wandering pathways with a view of downtown.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
California State Parks
Los Encinos State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Located in the San Fernando Valley, this park was the site of the village of Siutcanga and contains exhibits on the agricultural enterprises of Rancho El Encino's various owners.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
California State Parks
Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
Located 9 miles west of San Luis Obispo, this park features ancient sand dunes covered with centuries-old coast live oak trees that are still growing.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
California State Parks
MacKerricher State Park
State Park
Official page
Mendocino Coast park offering beach, bluff, headland, dune, forest and wetland habitats, plus lookouts for whale watching and harbor seal rookeries.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Boating
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Mailliard Redwoods State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
Preserves and protects, in an essentially natural condition, the coast redwood forest and associated wildlife habitat along the Garcia River in Mendocino County.
California State Parks
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Former site of California's largest hydraulic gold mine, where visitors can see huge colorful cliffs carved by mighty streams of water used to wash away mountains.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Boating
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Malibu Creek State Park
State Park
Official page
Hiking, fishing, bird-watching, mountain biking, rock climbing and horseback riding abound in this park, where many movies and TV shows were filmed.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Climbing
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Features the historic Adamson House and serene nature trails that offer bird-watching, views of the lagoon and beach access.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Boating
California State Parks
Manchester State Park
State Park
Official page
Park on the Mendocino Coast featuring beach, sand dunes and flat grasslands, as well as excellent steelhead fishing in two streams.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Picnicking
- Boating
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Mandalay State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Undeveloped park with seasonal closures, featuring sandy beach, coastal dunes and wetland environments, including sensitive coastal dune habitat.
- Fishing
- Beach
California State Parks
Manresa State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Beautiful expanse of sea and sand in Monterey Bay, offering camping, surf fishing, clamming and recreation.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Marconi Conference Center State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This 62-acre park preserves the historic Marconi Wireless Station and offers hiking trails, birdwatching, and fishing in Tomales Bay alongside cultural heritage.
- Cabins
- Historic Site
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
California State Parks
Marina State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Strong winds and tall dunes make this Monterey Bay park popular for hang-gliding, kite flying and radio-controlled gliders.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
California State Parks
Marsh Creek State Park
State Park
Official page
This park in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta features natural habitat, wildlife and unique cultural features, including the historic John Marsh Home.
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Memorializes the site in Coloma where James Marshall first found gold in 1848 on the South Fork of the American River, setting off the Gold Rush.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Hiking
- Boating
California State Parks
Martial Cottle Park State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Urban park, operated by Santa Clara County, that celebrates the region's agricultural past and highlights modern organic, sustainable and urban farming practices.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
California State Parks
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
State Park
Official page
The park's centerpiece is the thundering 129-foot Burney Falls, complemented by voluminous springs emanating from the basalt cliff face.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Picnicking
- Boating
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
McConnell State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Year-round haven on the banks of the Merced River with shady trees, tranquil campgrounds, grassy fields and opportunities for fishing, swimming and relaxation.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Picnicking
- Boating
- Geocaching
California State Parks
McGrath State Beach
State Beach
Official page
One of the best bird-watching areas in California, with the lush riverbanks of the Santa Clara River and sand dunes along the shore.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
McLaughlin Eastshore State Park State Seashore
State Seashore
Official page
Comprises rich tidal marshes, sub-tidal areas and mudflats that extend along 8.5 miles of shoreline of San Francisco Bay.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Hiking
- Boating
California State Parks
Mendocino Headlands State Park
State Park
Official page
Surrounding the village of Mendocino on three sides, this park offers gentle trails, rugged coastline, secluded beaches, and exhibits at the Ford House Visitor Center.
- Historic Site
- Fishing
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Boating
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Mendocino Woodlands State Park
State Park
Official page
Year-round group camping retreat facility and environmental center nestled in the heart of a redwood forest, just northeast of Mendocino.
- Camping
- Cabins
- Historic Site
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Millerton Lake State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Central Sierra Nevada foothill reservoir in Fresno and Madera counties, with over 40 miles of shoreline for watersports, swimming, fishing and boating.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Picnicking
- Boating
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
Ancient lake in the eastern Sierra Nevada with spectacular views of tufa towers formed where calcium-bearing springs and carbonate-rich lake water precipitated limestone.
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Hiking
- Boating
- Winter Sports
- Paddling
California State Parks
Montaña de Oro State Park
State Park
Official page
Located 15 miles west of San Luis Obispo, the park features rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, a historic ranch house and golden spring wildflowers.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Beach
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Montara State Beach
State Beach
Official page
San Mateo Coast sandy beach surrounded by dramatic rocky outcrops, popular for beachcombing, strolling, shore fishing and surfing.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Boating
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Monterey State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Comprising three expanses of golden sand between Seaside and Monterey, these sprawling beaches are ideal for sunset walks and beach recreation.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Monterey State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Collection of historic buildings in downtown Monterey that includes California's First Theater and the Custom House, the oldest government building in the state.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
California State Parks
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
Features a 2-mile loop trail that leads up a short, steep abandoned logging road into one of Mendocino's last remaining unspoiled redwood canyons.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Moonlight State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Operated by the City of Encinitas, this popular beach features a snack shack, equipment rentals, playground and Junior Lifeguard programs.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Playground
- Hiking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Morro Bay State Park
State Park
Official page
Coastal park featuring the iconic Morro Rock, an estuary, volcanic peaks, a campground and the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Boating
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Morro Strand State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Coastal frontage park whose beach offers views of Estero Bay and Morro Rock, with fishing, surfing, camping, wind and kite surfing, strolling and bird-watching.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Horseback Riding
California State Parks
Moss Landing State Beach
State Beach
Official page
North of the busy fishing port of Moss Landing, this beach is a favorite spot for picnics, with dunes sheltering it from afternoon winds and scenic bay views.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Mount Diablo State Park
State Park
Official page
People are drawn to Mount Diablo for its spectacular summit views, which can extend over 100 miles, plus varied habitats and amazing wind cave rock formations.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Mount San Jacinto State Park
State Park
Official page
A park with two distinct sides, offering granite peaks, sub-alpine forests and mountain meadows, including San Jacinto Peak, the highest peak in the state park system at 10,834 feet.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Backpacking
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Mount Tamalpais State Park
State Park
Official page
Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Tamalpais rises from Marin County with deep canyons and hillsides cloaked in redwood forests, oak woodlands and grasslands.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Natural Bridges State Beach
State Beach
Official page
This popular park on the edge of Santa Cruz is known for its wave-carved sea arch, family-friendly beach, tide pools and visiting monarch butterflies.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Hiking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Navarro River Redwoods State Park
State Park
Official page
Second-growth redwood groves stretch the length of this Anderson Valley park along the Navarro River, offering camping, kayaking and swimming.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Boating
- Paddling
- Geocaching
California State Parks
New Brighton State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Named for the famed coastal resort in England, this park's beach and bluffs offer a campground, hiking trails and sweeping views of Monterey Bay.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Beach
- Hiking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area
State Vehicular Recreation Area
Official page
This off-highway vehicle paradise offers a wide variety of beach activities including off-road adventures, camping, kite surfing and fishing in a dynamic coastal dune environment.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
- Boating
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area
State Vehicular Recreation Area
Official page
Approximately 85,000 acres of magnificent desert open for off-highway exploration and recreation, with destinations including Blowsand Hill, Shell Reef and the Pumpkin Patch.
- Camping
California State Parks
Old Sacramento State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Features more than 50 historic buildings reflecting Sacramento's role as the western terminus of the Pony Express, the first transcontinental railroad and the transcontinental telegraph.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Hiking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Through historic buildings and living history programs, the past comes to life in Old Town San Diego as visitors experience Mexican California's Rancho period and the American frontier.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Olompali State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
The park overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay from the slopes of 1,558-foot Mount Burdell, with a name from the Miwok language meaning southern village.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Pacheco State Park
State Park
Official page
The remainder of a Mexican land grant, this Central Valley park features spring wildflowers, scenic vistas and trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Pacifica State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Wide crescent-shaped beach located off Highway 1 that marks the northern gateway to the coastline stretching south of San Francisco.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Hiking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Palomar Mountain State Park
State Park
Official page
This park in northern San Diego County offers pristine forest, peaceful meadows and panoramas in one of the few Southern California areas with a Sierra Nevada-like atmosphere.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Pelican State Beach
State Beach
Official page
This undeveloped, secluded site on the Oregon border is the northernmost beach in California and is perfect for walking and beachcombing.
- Fishing
- Beach
California State Parks
Pescadero State Beach
State Beach
Official page
A long sandy beach stretches to a rocky tidal zone ideal for tide pooling, while the adjacent Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve supports diverse birds, fish and wildlife.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Boating
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This huge adobe building, the largest private rancho in California between 1834 and 1846, was the center of one of the most prosperous estates of the Mexican period.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
State Park
Official page
This popular Big Sur park lets visitors experience coast redwoods and the Big Sur River meandering through the forest, and is home to Big Sur's largest campground.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
California State Parks
Picacho State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Nestled along the Colorado River on California's southeastern border, this remote park's desert scenery beckons hardy adventurers to enjoy year-round fishing and watersports.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Boating
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Perched on a cliff 50 miles south of San Francisco, the 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse is one of the tallest on the West Coast and has guided mariners since 1872.
- Cabins
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Pío Pico State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This adobe home with gardens has been restored to its 1880s appearance, letting visitors experience the life of Pio Pico, governor of Mexican California.
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Pismo State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Located along California's Central Coast with a year-round mild climate, Pismo State Beach offers coastal sand dune habitat and a freshwater lagoon, plus a winter Monarch Butterfly grove.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Nature Trails
California State Parks
Placerita Canyon State Park
State Park
Official page
Placerita Canyon State Park preserves the site of the first discovery of gold in California in 1842, with sandstone formations, seasonal streams and riparian oak woodlands.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Plumas-Eureka State Park
State Park
Official page
Plumas-Eureka State Park offers a glimpse into gold rush history through its museum and historic mining area, set in a high Sierra mountain landscape.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
California State Parks
Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Occupying a headland thrusting into the Pacific Ocean, this park comprises a fully restored lighthouse and three original lightkeepers' houses and outbuildings.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Point Dume State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Point Dume State Beach features headlands, cliffs and rocky coves and is a prime spot to watch California gray whales during their December to mid-April migration.
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
California State Parks
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
Often called the crown jewel of the California State Park system, Point Lobos features headlands, coves and meadows above one of the world's richest underwater habitats.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
California State Parks
Point Mugu State Park
State Park
Official page
Point Mugu State Park spans five miles of ocean shoreline with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, dunes and river canyons, plus more than 70 miles of hiking trails.
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Point Sal State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Located in northwestern Santa Barbara County, this park offers exceptional views of the coastline, beach and rugged mountain slopes.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Hiking
- Picnicking
California State Parks
Point Sur State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Point Sur is the only complete turn-of-the-century light station open to the public in California, set on a 361-foot volcanic rock above the Big Sur coast.
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
California State Parks
Pomponio State Beach
State Beach
Official page
A rugged San Mateo Coast shoreline where sweeping bluffs, broad sandy flats and a creek come together in a wild, windswept coastal landscape.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Portola Redwoods State Park
State Park
Official page
Portola Redwoods State Park offers a hushed getaway near Silicon Valley, with eighteen miles of trails following creeks where coast redwoods stand among ferns and waterfalls.
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area
State Vehicular Recreation Area
Official page
Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area spans about 1,344 acres in eastern Sacramento County, with roughly 836 acres of off-highway vehicle terrain and trails.
- Picnicking
- Biking
California State Parks
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
State Park
Official page
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park protects old-growth coast redwoods, sandy beaches and meadows grazed by Roosevelt elk, with 75 miles of trails and two campgrounds.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Providence Mountains State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
A remote park in the eastern Mojave Desert with timeless landscapes and breathtaking views, home to the limestone formations and wildlife of Mitchell Caverns.
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
A working steam-era railroad from California's past with historic trains, maintenance shops, a roundhouse and seasonal excursion train rides.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Hiking
California State Parks
Red Rock Canyon State Park
State Park
Official page
Where the southern Sierra Nevada meets the El Paso Range, this park features scenic desert cliffs, buttes and rock formations with dramatic shapes and vivid colors.
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Refugio State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Refugio State Beach lies 22 miles west of Santa Barbara, featuring palm-lined sands and breathtaking sunsets ideal for picnics, coastal fishing and camping.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Biking
- Camping
- Boating
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Richardson Grove State Park
State Park
Official page
Richardson Grove State Park features coast redwoods more than 300 feet tall along the South Fork of the Eel River, part of the national Wild and Scenic River System.
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Geocaching
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Rio de Los Angeles State Park State Recreation Area
State Park
Official page
Surrounded by industrial and residential Los Angeles, this restored river wetland park offers hiking trails, native plants, sports fields and a children's playground.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Playground
California State Parks
Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Located on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, this park comprises the El Matador, La Piedra and El Pescador pocket beaches reached by bluff-top paths and stairs.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
California State Parks
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
State Park
Official page
A 5,272-acre undeveloped park with trails to the summit of Mount St. Helena and views of Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties, where the author honeymooned in 1880.
- Hiking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Once an amusement center and day-trip destination for Bay Area residents, the park features 2.5 miles of beach bordered by lawns, picnic grounds and a bicycle trail.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Hiking
California State Parks
Russian Gulch State Park
State Park
Official page
Russian Gulch State Park is known for a forested hike to a 36-foot waterfall, a beach cove for swimming and the Punch Bowl, a large collapsed sea cave.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Biking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
- Beach
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Saddleback Butte State Park
State Park
Official page
Surrounding the majestic Saddleback Butte in the Antelope Valley, this park preserves native Joshua tree woodlands and other high desert plants and animals.
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Salinas River State Beach
State Beach
Official page
The beach and dunes are part of Monterey Bay's coastal dune system and home to many bird species, with scenic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Salt Point State Park
State Park
Official page
Salt Point State Park includes six miles of rugged Sonoma coastline ranging from kelp-dotted coves and sandstone cliffs to forested hills, prairies and a pygmy forest.
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Camping
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Salton Sea State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Created by Colorado River floodwaters, the Salton Sea is one of the world's largest inland seas, with about 130 miles of shoreline popular for camping and bird-watching.
- Camping
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Samuel P. Taylor State Park
State Park
Official page
Samuel P. Taylor State Park's 2,882 acres range from shady redwood groves along Lagunitas Creek to oak grasslands and the viewpoint atop Barnabe Peak.
- Camping
- Biking
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
California State Parks
San Bruno Mountain State Park
State Park
Official page
At the northern reaches of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this park hosts a variety of birds and animals with excellent hiking and outstanding views of San Francisco and the Bay Area.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
California State Parks
San Buenaventura State Beach
State Beach
Official page
A popular Ventura County recreation spot with two miles of sandy beach, a small lagoon and abundant wildlife that entices swimmers, surfers and picnickers.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Biking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
San Clemente State Beach
State Beach
Official page
San Clemente State Beach offers a mile of sand between curling surf and a steep bluff at the south end of the city, with ocean, hill and mountain views.
- Swimming
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Hiking
- Historic Site
- Geocaching
California State Parks
San Elijo State Beach
State Beach
Official page
On the San Diego coast, San Elijo State Beach is a narrow bluff-backed stretch of sand with a nearby reef popular among snorkelers and divers.
- Camping
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Biking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
San Gregorio State Beach
State Beach
Official page
A dramatic stretch of sandy coastline where bluffs, a winding creek and ocean views meet, including a protected driftwood-strewn estuary home to many birds and wildlife.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
San Juan Bautista State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
A nationally recognized historic landmark whose plaza and restored Spanish, Mexican and American buildings were once the town square of the largest town in Central California.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
California State Parks
San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Nestled in the western San Joaquin Valley near Pacheco Pass, this area is noted for boating, sailing, camping and picnicking, with three lakes prized by anglers.
- Fishing
- Boating
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
California State Parks
San Onofre State Beach
State Beach
Official page
One of California's most popular and most-visited beaches, San Onofre hosts surfers, swimmers, campers and birders across its bluffs, campground and surf beach.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Hiking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This 50-acre park commemorates the Kumeyaay people and the soldiers who fought here on December 6, 1846, during the Mexican American War.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This park preserves the only remaining building of California's twelfth mission, a restored adobe that housed Native workers, told through Ohlone and Yokuts perspectives.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Santa Monica State Beach
State Beach
Official page
This two-mile beach has a picnic area, shops and pier, plus volleyball and basketball courts and biking and walking paths.
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This Los Angeles County park is dominated by high ridges and deep canyons traversed by what was once a segment of the Butterfield Overland Stagecoach route.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
California State Parks
Schooner Gulch State Beach
State Beach
Official page
The beach and headlands preserve a scenic spot on the Mendocino Coast where fishing, picnicking and surfing are popular, with unique geologic features at Bowling Ball Beach.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Geocaching
- Boating
California State Parks
Seacliff State Beach
State Beach
Official page
A Santa Cruz area swimming and picnic spot with the locally beloved S.S. Palo Alto, a concrete ship built in 1919 and purposefully sunk just offshore in 1929.
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Biking
- Hiking
California State Parks
Shasta State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Six miles west of Redding, this park preserves brick buildings, streets and remnants of the former town that was Northern California's center of mining and commerce.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
- Hiking
California State Parks
Silver Strand State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Fifteen minutes south of downtown San Diego, this beach offers sands on both the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay for swimming, surfing, boating and picnicking.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Camping
- Swimming
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Nestled in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, Silverwood Lake offers water sports, hiking trails and a tranquil escape for families and nature lovers.
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Horseback Riding
- Biking
California State Parks
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
State Park
Official page
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park lies on Northern California's rugged Lost Coast, with coastal bluffs, black sand beaches, a Roosevelt elk herd and the Lost Coast Trail.
- Camping
- Backpacking
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Smithe Redwoods State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
Smithe Redwoods State Natural Reserve contains the Frank and Bess Smithe Grove of redwoods, a 60-foot waterfall and a picnic area on the South Fork of the Eel River.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Boating
California State Parks
Sonoma Coast State Park
State Park
Official page
A series of beaches from Bodega Bay to the Russian River, this park's craggy coastline features secluded coves, headlands, natural arches and tide pools.
- Camping
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
- Beach
California State Parks
Sonoma State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
In the heart of California's wine country and birthplace of the California Bear Flag, this park spans historic sites near Sonoma Plaza including Mission San Francisco Solano.
- Historic Site
- Picnicking
California State Parks
South Carlsbad State Beach
State Beach
Official page
A San Diego coast park with a popular blufftop campground and stairs leading to the beach for swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing and picnicking.
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Camping
- Beach
- Biking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
South Yuba River State Park
State Park
Official page
This Sierra Nevada foothills park features a swift, cold river carving a granite canyon, plus historic bridges, toll crossings and trails leading to Gold Rush mine sites.
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Standish-Hickey is the southern gateway to the North Coast redwood belt, with ten miles of trails and a two-mile stretch of the South Fork of the Eel River.
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Boating
California State Parks
State Indian Museum State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
A landmark since 1940, this museum tells the story of California's diverse Indigenous cultures, from an 18-foot Yurok redwood canoe to contemporary tribal art.
- Historic Site
- Biking
- Hiking
California State Parks
Sue-meg State Park
State Park
Official page
Thirty miles north of Eureka, Sue-meg State Park sits on a forested promontory beside the Pacific with tidepools, a visitor center and a reconstructed Yurok plank-house village.
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
State Park
Official page
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park encompasses the headwaters of Sonoma Creek and the summit of Mount Baldy, with 25 miles of trails and the Robert Ferguson Observatory.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Sunset State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Bordered by agricultural fields between Santa Cruz and Monterey, this park features pine trees, mountainous sand dunes, camping and oceanside picnic spots.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Camping
- Geocaching
- Hiking
California State Parks
Sutter Buttes State Park
State Park
Official page
California State Parks
Sutter's Fort State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This midtown Sacramento park is the oldest restored fort in the West, with rooms and exhibits interpreting early California and the many peoples who shaped it.
- Historic Site
- Biking
- Hiking
California State Parks
Tahoe State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Located in Tahoe City near shops and restaurants, the park offers picturesque views of Lake Tahoe from a campground nestled in groves of Ponderosa and Jeffrey pine.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Biking
California State Parks
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
State Park
Official page
Near Santa Cruz, this park's dense second- and third-growth redwood forest rises from near sea level to steep coastal mountains, with 30 miles of hiking and biking trails.
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Biking
- Geocaching
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Thornton State Beach
State Beach
Official page
California State Parks
Tolowa Dunes State Park
State Park
Official page
This park on California's northern coast features an ancient sand dune complex that has evolved into several distinct ecological communities, including ocean beach, river, sand dunes, wooded ridges and wetlands.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Tomales Bay State Park
State Park
Official page
Situated on the eastern edge of Point Reyes Peninsula, this park features sheltered coves, beaches, tidal marshes and a forest of bishop pines.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Beach
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Nestled in the Tehachapi Mountains, Tomo-Kahni, or Winter Village, was the site of a Kawaiisu (Nuwa) village and is available to the public by guided tour only.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Topanga State Park
State Park
Official page
Located in the Santa Monica Mountains within Los Angeles city limits, this park is one of the world's largest wildlands within a major city and features spectacular Pacific Ocean views.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Torrey Pines State Beach
State Beach
Official page
This wide, sandy beach nestled between La Jolla and Del Mar stretches more than four miles past Los Penasquitos Lagoon, popular for swimming, surfing and fishing.
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Biking
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
This reserve within urban San Diego is home to the nation's rarest pine tree, the Torrey pine, as well as one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Trinidad State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Visitors to this secluded cove in Humboldt County will find sandy beaches, dense coniferous forests and open bluffs with views of the Pacific Ocean.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Trione-Annadel State Park
State Park
Official page
This park in the heart of Santa Rosa is a favorite for hikers and cyclists, offering miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and trail riding, with a great variety of spring wildflowers.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Tule Elk State Natural Reserve
State Natural Reserve
Official page
This reserve protects a small herd of tule elk, an endemic California subspecies once hunted nearly to extinction, and provides an important wildlife corridor through the Southern San Joaquin Valley.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Turlock Lake State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
Bounded by the Tuolumne River and Turlock Lake, this park has 26 miles of shoreline and is a great place for water-oriented outdoor recreation.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
California State Parks
Twin Lakes State Beach
State Beach
Official page
This small-craft harbor in downtown Santa Cruz has a mile of sandy shoreline, popular for swimming and picnicking.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Beach
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Van Damme State Park
State Park
Official page
This Mendocino Coast park features two campgrounds and the lush Fern Canyon trail system, including a pygmy forest where mature trees stand 6 inches to 8 feet tall.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Biking
- Fishing
- Beach
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Washoe Meadows State Park
State Park
Official page
Undeveloped park lands consisting of meadows and woodlands in the valley at the base of the escarpment leading to Echo Summit.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Wassama Round House State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This park preserves the traditional meeting place of the Southern Sierra Miwok people, who still use the site as a ceremonial meeting place.
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Watts Towers of Simon Rodia State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
These wire mesh-wrapped steel towers, covered with mortar and inlaid with tile, glass, shell, pottery and rocks, are an outstanding example of folk art and monumental sculpture.
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
The Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds, built in 1874, is the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California and offers a look into the role of Chinese immigrants in early California history.
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Westport-Union Landing State Beach
State Beach
Official page
This Mendocino Coast park covers more than three miles of rugged and scenic coastline, with three campgrounds on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Wilder Ranch State Park
State Park
Official page
This coastal park just north of Santa Cruz invites visitors to discover early California ranching history with a working dairy farm, an 1840 adobe and a Victorian farmhouse.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Wildwood Canyon State Park
State Park
Official page
This park in the eastern foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains features broad grasslands, canopies of centuries-old interior live oak, and historic ranches and homesteads.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Will Rogers State Beach
State Beach
Official page
Operated by Los Angeles County, this beach features volleyball courts, playground and gymnastic equipment, as well as a bike path and walkway.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Playground
- Biking
California State Parks
Will Rogers State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This Pacific Palisades ranch, including a mansion and horse stable, was once the home of 1930s columnist, radio personality and movie star Will Rogers and his wife Betty.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
California State Parks
William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
Named after a leader in the short-lived Bear Flag Revolt, this park lets visitors experience the California frontier at an 1852 adobe homestead overlooking the Sacramento River.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Woodland Opera House State Historic Park
State Historic Park
Official page
This fully functioning 19th-century theater 20 miles northwest of Sacramento has elegantly restored interiors and stages, a living testament to the golden age of live performance.
- Historic Site
California State Parks
Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Official page
This oak woodland park along the Sacramento River between Chico and Red Bluff offers a lush campground, a little over a mile of hiking trails, and opportunities for fishing and bird-watching.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Geocaching
California State Parks
Zmudowski State Beach
State Beach
Official page
This beach includes the Pajaro River estuary and is a popular place for fishing, bird-watching and horseback riding.
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Horseback Riding
- Geocaching
California State Parks

Inventory source: USGS PAD-US 4.1. Curated states also use official agency directories where available. Official reservations and rules remain state-specific, so use the state booking links above before committing to dates.

National parks in California

Channel Islands

Five wild islands an hour off the California coast: kayak sea caves, hike empty bluffs, and camp under dark skies, no crowds.

Death Valley

The hottest, driest, lowest national park in the country, where below-sea-level salt flats meet 11,000-foot peaks.

Joshua Tree

Where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet: spiky Joshua trees, golden boulder piles, and some of the darkest night skies in Southern California.

Kings Canyon

A glacier-carved canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon, giant sequoias, and a roadless High Sierra backcountry.

Lassen Peak reflected in the still water of Manzanita Lake at first light.

Lassen Volcanic

A compact volcanic wonderland where boiling mud pots, a recovering blast zone, and a summit hike crowd into one quiet park.

Pinnacles

Volcanic rock spires, two talus caves you can climb through, and the best odds anywhere of spotting a wild California condor.

Redwood National and State Parks

Home to the tallest trees on Earth, where coast redwoods top 350 feet over fern canyons and a wild Pacific shore.

Sequoia

Home of the General Sherman, the largest tree on Earth, in a high Sierra forest of giant sequoias.

Yosemite

Granite walls, giant sequoias, and waterfalls that thunder in spring and vanish by late summer.

State parks in California

State-park guides focus on the decisions that usually make or break the weekend: camping reservations, day-use access, trail difficulty, and seasonal crowd pressure.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

California's huge desert park: palm canyons, badlands, wildflowers, dirt roads, primitive camping, and a winter-to-spring planning window.

Getting around California

California has two main gateways for outdoor trips, and which one you fly into should follow which corner of the state you want. San Francisco (SFO) is the natural base for the central and northern outdoors: it is roughly 180-200 miles and about 3.5 hours to Yosemite Valley, with the redwood coast and the northern volcanic country reaching out from there. Los Angeles (LAX) is the better call for the southern desert parks; it sits closer to Joshua Tree than Las Vegas does and works well for stringing the desert parks together. Sacramento, San Diego, and Palm Springs are useful regional alternates, and for Death Valley specifically, Las Vegas (just over the Nevada line) is often the easiest jumping-off point.

Distances are the thing people underestimate. From LAX it is roughly 5 to 6 hours and close to 300 miles up to Yosemite, so do not try to pair Yosemite with the southern deserts in one short trip. Within the desert region, plan on 4 to 6 hours of driving between Joshua Tree and Death Valley depending on your route. A car is essentially required: the parks are far apart and public transit between them is thin. Fuel up before remote stretches, especially around Death Valley, where gas stations are sparse and far between, and download offline maps since cell service drops off quickly once you leave the interstates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit California's national parks?

Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the best overall windows, with comfortable temperatures and lighter crowds than midsummer. The catch is that timing depends on elevation: visit the high Sierra parks in summer, when the snow has cleared, and save the desert parks for the cooler months, since they regularly top 100F from April through October. Spring is especially good for peak waterfalls in the Sierra and wildflower blooms in the desert.

Which California national park is the best one to visit?

Yosemite is the most iconic and the usual first choice, with its granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant sequoias drawing the biggest crowds. But the best park really depends on your season and your style: Joshua Tree is ideal for cooler-month desert hiking and rock climbing, Death Valley delivers otherworldly low-desert landscapes in winter, and the redwood parks up north offer the tallest trees on earth. If you only have time for one classic trip, start with Yosemite in late spring or early fall.

Do I need a car to visit California's outdoor areas?

Yes, for almost any multi-park trip a car is essential. The parks are spread across hundreds of miles with limited public transit between them, and distances are large (5 to 6 hours from Los Angeles up to Yosemite, and 4 to 6 hours between Joshua Tree and Death Valley). Fly into San Francisco for central and northern trips or Los Angeles for the southern deserts, rent a car, and download offline maps since cell service drops out quickly in remote areas.

All national parks Trip-planning tools

Do not try to make California one park trip.

Classic first trip

Winter or shoulder trip

California booking basics

California state park system places

Admiral William Standley State Recreation Area

Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park

Albany State Marine Reserve

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park

Andrew Molera State Park

Angel Island State Park

Año Nuevo State Park

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve

Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park

Asilomar State Beach

Auburn State Recreation Area

Austin Creek State Recreation Area

Azalea State Natural Reserve

Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park

Bean Hollow State Beach

Benbow State Recreation Area

Benicia Capitol State Historic Park

Benicia State Recreation Area

Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area

Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park

Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Bodie State Historic Park

Bolsa Chica State Beach

Border Field State Park

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

Brannan Island State Recreation Area

Burton Creek State Park

Butano State Park

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

California Citrus State Historic Park

Cambria State Marine Park

Candlestick Point State Recreation Area

Cardiff State Beach

Carlsbad State Beach

Carmel River State Beach

Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area

Carpinteria State Beach

Caspar Headlands State Beach

Caspar Headlands State Natural Reserve

Castaic Lake State Recreation Area

Castle Crags State Park

Castle Rock State Park

Caswell Memorial State Park

Cayucos State Beach

China Camp State Park

Chino Hills State Park

Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park

Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area

Clear Lake State Park

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

Columbia State Historic Park

Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area

Corona del Mar State Beach

Crystal Cove State Park

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

D. L. Bliss State Park

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Dockweiler State Beach

Doheny State Beach

Donner Memorial State Park

Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area

Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

El Capitán State Beach

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park

Emerald Bay State Park

Emeryville Crescent State Marine Reserve

Emma Wood State Beach

Empire Mine State Historic Park

Estero Bluffs State Park

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park