California is home to a vast array of state parks, beaches, and monuments, offering diverse landscapes and historical sites that you should definitely include in your road trip plans.
These parks and monuments represent just a fraction of what California state parks have to offer in terms of natural beauty, historical significance, and outdoor recreation. Each location has its unique charm and story, making them worth a visit.
» Looking for more inspiration along the route? Check out all our guides to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Find the best beaches in Monterey, waterfalls in Southern California, and national parks.
Cost to Visit California State Parks
Many California state parks charge a day-use fee for access. These fees typically range from $5 to $15 per vehicle. Some parks might have higher fees for special areas or attractions.
California offers several types of annual passes that can provide cost savings for frequent visitors.
- The “California Explorer” Annual Day Use Pass, priced around $195, offers day-use access to most parks throughout the state.
- The “Golden Poppy” Annual Day Use Pass, costing around $125, provides access to select state parks, mainly in Northern California and the Central Coast.
- There are also special passes for seniors, disabled visitors, and veterans, which offer discounted or free access to state parks.
State Parks to Visit in California
1. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Closest city: 88 miles from San Diego
Nestled in the heart of Southern California’s Colorado Desert, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a desert lover’s dream. As California’s largest state park, it showcases vast desert landscapes, cactus-studded valleys, and a sky unhindered by city lights for unparalleled stargazing.
Spring brings a miraculous transformation with a vibrant display of wildflowers. Whether you’re into hiking, photography, or just basking in the desert sun, Anza-Borrego is a must-visit.
2. Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Closest city: 27 miles from San Jose
Big Basin, California’s oldest state park, is a haven for ancient coast redwoods. Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, it’s a labyrinth of lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and over 80 miles of hiking trails. The park’s tranquility and the towering redwood canopy offer an almost spiritual experience. Whether you’re an avid hiker or seeking a peaceful retreat amongst the giants, Big Basin is a sanctum of natural serenity.
3. Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Closest city: 78 miles from Stockton
Home to some of the largest and oldest living things on earth – the Giant Sequoias, including the first discovered by European Americans in 1852 – Calaveras Big Trees State Park is a tribute to nature’s grandeur. The park offers a chance to walk among these towering trees and learn about their ecology. With two main groves, scenic hiking trails, and the Stanislaus River, it’s a destination that combines tranquility and awe.
4. Hearst San Simeon State Park
Closest city: 2 miles from Cambria or San Simeon
Hearst San Simeon State Park offers a mix of historical allure and natural splendor. The park is famous for the Hearst Castle in the town of San Simeon, an opulent estate built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, which now serves as a museum. Visitors can tour the grand rooms, gardens, and pools of this magnificent castle. The surrounding parkland provides opportunities to explore coastal trails, camp, and observe diverse wildlife, including elephant seals at the nearby Piedras Blancas rookery.
5. El Matador State Beach
Closest city: 15 miles from Thousand Oaks
El Matador State Beach, part of the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, is known for its stunning rock formations and sea caves. Located near Malibu, this beach is a favorite among photographers and beachgoers alike. Its rugged beauty, with large rocks jutting out of the sand and waves crashing against the cliffs, makes it a spectacular spot for sunset views. The descent to the beach involves a steep trail, but the breathtaking scenery is well worth the effort.
6. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Closest city: 7 miles from Monterey
Referred to as the “crown jewel” of California’s state park system, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve offers an extraordinary marine ecosystem along with breathtaking landscapes. With its rich underwater flora and fauna, it’s a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. The hiking trails along the rocky shoreline provide stunning ocean views, and you might even spot seals, sea lions, and migrating whales!
7. Muir Woods National Monument
Closest city: 16 miles from San Francisco
Muir Woods, located just north of San Francisco, is an enchanting world of towering old-growth redwoods. These ancient trees, some over 600 years old, create a serene and humbling environment that is almost cathedral-like. The park offers a range of trails, from easy, flat walks to more challenging hikes, all winding through the majestic redwood forest. It’s a place of tranquility and awe, allowing visitors to reconnect with nature and experience the enduring beauty of these grand trees.
8. Bodie State Historic Park
Closest city: 18 miles from Bridgeport
For a step back in time, Bodie State Historic Park offers a unique experience. It preserves a ghost town from the late 1800s Gold Rush era. Walking through its streets feels like a journey into a bygone era, with over 100 structures still standing in a state of “arrested decay.”
9. Columbia State Historic Park
Closest city: 66 miles from Stockton
Step back into the California Gold Rush era at Columbia State Historic Park. This well-preserved historic park in the Sierra Nevada foothills lets you experience life in the 1850s. With its authentic wooden sidewalks, stagecoaches, and operational blacksmith shop, Columbia offers a lively and interactive historical experience. Visitors can pan for gold, ride a historic stagecoach, and enjoy old-timey shops and restaurants, making it a perfect destination for families and history enthusiasts.
10. Castle Crags State Park
Closest city: 14 miles from Mt. Shasta
A hidden gem in Northern California, Castle Crags State Park boasts spectacular granite crags, hiking trails with breathtaking views, and the sparkling Sacramento River. Whether it’s for rock climbing, fishing, or simply enjoying the panoramic views, this park offers a blend of adventure and beauty.
11. Fort Ross State Historic Park
Closest city: 43 miles from Santa Rosa
Located along the Sonoma Coast, Fort Ross State Historic Park presents a fascinating glimpse into the early 19th-century Russian-American Company settlement. The park features the restored Fort Ross, which includes a chapel, barracks, and other historic structures.
It’s a place where you can walk through history, imagining the lives of the Russian, Alaska Native, and Kashia Pomo people who once inhabited this outpost. The surrounding coastal landscapes are equally mesmerizing, offering dramatic ocean views and peaceful natural scenery.
12. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Closest city: 36 miles from Carmel
This park, famous for the McWay Falls that plunge into the Pacific Ocean, is a slice of coastal heaven. Located along Big Sur’s scenic Highway 1, the park offers more than just its iconic waterfall. The trails wind through oak woodlands, chaparral, and redwood groves, offering diverse natural beauty and breathtaking views of the rugged coastline.
13. Emerald Bay State Park
Closest City: Lake Tahoe
Emerald Bay State Park, a crown jewel of Lake Tahoe, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and historical significance. This picturesque park, located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe in California, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the crystal-clear, emerald-hued waters of Emerald Bay and the surrounding rugged mountain landscape.
Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to Emerald Bay State Park for its various recreational activities. The park boasts miles of hiking trails, including the popular Rubicon Trail, which provides spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay. Kayaking and canoeing are favorite activities in the bay, offering a unique perspective of the surrounding natural beauty.
14. Devils Postpile National Monument
Closest city: Mammoth Lakes
Devils Postpile National Monument, located near Mammoth Lakes in California, is renowned for its fascinating geologic formations. The monument’s highlight is the Devils Postpile formation – a rare sight of columnar basalt that towers about 60 feet high, showcasing a unique symmetrical pattern created by volcanic activity.
The area also offers access to stunning natural landscapes, including Rainbow Falls and a network of trails for hiking. This monument is a testament to the raw beauty and power of volcanic forces and a paradise for nature enthusiasts and geologists alike.
During the summer season, you must take a shuttle to get there from Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. Outside of summer season, you can drive yourself there on a narrow winding mountian road from Mammoth Lakes.
Know Before You Go
- Check Park Status and Hours: Verify the current status of the park you plan to visit. Some parks may have seasonal closures, limited hours, or restricted access to certain areas.
- Entry Fees: Many state parks charge a day-use fee for entry or parking. Be prepared to pay these fees, usually in cash or by card. Y
- Weather and Clothing: Research the typical weather conditions for the time of year you plan to visit and dress accordingly. Layered clothing is often recommended due to changing conditions.
- Understand the Rules and Regulations: Each park has its own set of rules and regulations regarding camping, pets, fires, and activities. Check these in advance and adhere to them during your visit.
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Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.