15 Best State Parks To Visit In California

There are over 280 State Parks that are dedicated to preserving some of the most beautiful natural treasures in California. Some are just as famous as the California National Parks, while others are hidden gems that are often overlooked.

I personally love visiting State Parks because they’re cheaper and much less crowded than the National Parks. They are no less spectacular and make for great day adventures and road trip stops.

From crystal clear beaches to enormous trees, waterfalls, and scenic desert landscapes, here are 15 of the best State Parks to visit in California!

Psst! Be sure to check out my custom Google map at the end of the post with location details!

1. Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Avenue of the Giants scenic drive within Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park is one of the best places to see giant redwoods in California. This State Park is located off Highway 101, which we often take when going on a road trip to Northern California or the Oregon coast.

If you’re short on time, I recommend driving the 31-mile-long Avenue of the Giants that travels through towering redwoods. If you have some time to spare, stop and do a few of the shorter hiking trails.

The 0.5-mile-long Founders Grove Nature Loop Trail is a must-do, along with the 0.6-mile-long Rockefeller Loop Trail.

2. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

McWay Falls within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Sur.

Located within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, McWay Falls is easily considered to be one of the most scenic waterfalls in California! This is also one of the only two beachfront waterfalls in the entire state, so it’s quite a unique sight.

McWay Falls is located right off Highway 1 in Big Sur, so it’s very easy to visit it. There is a designated visitor parking lot and a short trail that leads to the waterfall viewpoint.

The waterfall drops from an 80-foot-tall cliff into a tiny turquoise cove that connects with the Pacific Ocean. Visitors are not allowed to walk down to the beach itself but can view the waterfall from afar.

3. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Beautiful spring wildflowers at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Covering nearly 600,000 acres of land, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest State Park in California. Located near San Diego, this is a great outdoor destination for Southern California residents.

The best time to visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is in the spring months for desert wildflower viewing. Avoid visiting this park in the summer months when temperatures often spike past 100°F.

A couple of the most popular hikes include the 3-mile-long Borrego Palm Canyon Loop and the 5-mile-long Maidenhair Falls via Hellhole Canyon Trail.

Visitor tip: Be sure to pack plenty of water, even on short day hikes. I also recommend using a hiking app like AllTrails to keep track of the route to avoid getting lost in the desert.

4. Redwood National and State Parks

Fern-lined trail traveling through towering redwoods in Northern California.

Redwood National and State Parks is another excellent place to see ancient redwoods in California. Redwood National and State Parks was created to combine four parks into one: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and Redwood National Park.

All of these parks were established to further preserve coastal redwoods from being logged. Sadly, now only 5% of the ancient coastal redwoods remain in California as the rest 95% have been logged over the years.

We often spot Roosevelt elk when traveling through Redwood National and State Parks.

Elk Prairie Campground within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is one of our favorite places to camp on a road trip before crossing into Oregon the next day. Revelation Loop Trail is a quick and short trail next to the campground where you can see enormous redwood trees up close.

Another popular day hike in this area is the Grove of Titans, which is only 1.8 miles long and travels through large coastal redwoods.

5. Emerald Bay State Park

Emerald Bay State Park in South Lake Tahoe.

With turquoise water and white sand beaches, Emerald Bay State Park is one of the most amazing areas to visit at Lake Tahoe on the California side. With scenic viewpoints, forest trails, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and historical attractions, there is plenty to keep you occupied for days.

Emerald Bay State Park can be easily accessed off Highway 89. From the visitor parking lot, you can walk down to the beach, stop by the Vikingsholm castle, see Lower Eagle Falls, or head out on the Rubicon Trail that hugs the lakefront.

For something a bit more unique, book the Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay Scenic Cruise to see this State Park from a unique perspective! This sailing tour takes place on a traditional paddle-wheel boat and covers the history of the lake and its famous attractions.

6. Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Enormous sequoia trees at Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park is the only State Park in California that is dedicated to preserving sequoia trees. This is a great alternative to visiting the popular Sequoia National Park or Yosemite, and is much cheaper in comparison.

There are two sequoia groves at this park – the North Grove and South Grove. If you’re looking for a short trail option, the 1.7-mile-long Calaveras North Grove Trail is a great place to get started.

If you want to visit both groves on the same trip, then check out the 5.1-mile-long Calaveras South Grove Trail as well. This is a longer day hike with 760 feet of elevation gain, but it is much less crowded.

7. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Northern California.

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in California – the Burney Falls. After a nearly year-long closure for trail repairs, the waterfall is now open again to visitors!

Burney Falls is a year-round waterfall, so you can visit it during any season. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is located a 45-minute drive north of Lassen Volcanic National Park, so many people combine a visit to both on the same trip.

There is a short loop that you can take to view this cascading 129-foot-tall beauty. The loop is just over a mile long and offers incredible up-close views of the waterfall.

You May Also Like: 20 Best Waterfalls In Central California

8. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Redwood-Grove-Loop-Trail-Henry-Cowell-Redwoods-State-Park — Ancient coastal redwood tree at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is one of my favorite places to visit the enormous redwoods on the Central California Coast. This is an especially great road trip destination if you don’t want to drive all the way to Northern California to see the redwoods.

Although most of the old-growth trees have been logged in California, this State Park is one of the few places where you can still visit some of the last remaining ancient redwood trees in the state.

Woman walking along the Redwood Grove Loop Trail within Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park — Walking next to giant redwood trees along the Redwood Grove Loop Trail.

The Redwood Grove Loop Trail is less than a mile long and travels through a 40-acre grove with some of the tallest tree species on Earth.

At the Roaring Camp, you can hop on a historic steam train and take a ride through the redwoods – a memorable experience of a lifetime!

9. Montaña de Oro State Park

Spooner's Cove At Montaña de Oro State Park — Spooner’s Cove at Montaña de Oro State Park.

Montaña de Oro State Park is a hidden gem in San Luis Obispo County. This coastal State Park is located south of Morro Bay and is a great place for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and mountain biking.

Covering over 8000 acres, Montaña de Oro State Park is one of the largest State Parks in California, although not many people know of it. Surrounded by mountains, rugged ocean cliffs, and pristine nature, this is a true outdoor enthusiast paradise away from the crowds.

For overnight stays, we love to camp at the Islay Creek Campground, which is located just steps from Spooner’s Cove. This is a small campground with fewer than 50 sites, so advanced reservations are a must.

10. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Woman and a dog walking at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground — Redwood Deck at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is one of our favorite places to camp while traveling through the Big Sur region. This is the largest campground in Big Sur, but it does get booked up very quickly, especially in the busy summer season. We often opt to stay here in the fall or spring when it’s a bit easier to reserve the campsites.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has scenic campsites surrounded by towering redwoods just steps from a meandering turquoise river. This campground is located just a short drive from the nearby Pfeiffer Beach, so there is a lot to see and do in the area!

If you want to visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, but don’t want to stay at the campground, you can also book a room at the Big Sur Lodge that’s located within the State Park. This cozy lodge has comfortable rooms and an outdoor restaurant overlooking ancient redwoods.

11. Point Mugu State Park

Cloudy trail through rolling hills at Point Mugu State Park.

Situated along Highway 1 in Malibu, Point Mugu State Park is a great place to enjoy outdoor adventures for both LA and Ventura County locals.

For an easy morning hike, I recommend the 2.6-mile-long Point Mugu Scenic and Overlook Trails Loop. This is a short and easy loop that starts at the Sycamore Canyon Campground and travels into rolling hills with some ocean viewpoints along the way.

View of the Malibu coastline from Scenic and Overlook Trails Loop — Views of the ocean along Point Mugu Scenic and Overlook Trails Loop.

If you’re into mountain biking, the 15-mile-long Big Sycamore Canyon Trail is an excellent option! You can either start it at the Sycamore Campground or the Satwiwa Cultural Center and bike along a wide, partially shaded canyon.

12. Hearst San Simeon State Park

San-Simeon-Pier-California — Pier at the Hearst San Simeon State Park.

As one of the oldest State Parks in California, Hearst San Simeon State Park has a bit of everything – a scenic beach, hiking trails, and amazing coastal campgrounds. This is also one of the best places in California where you can see elephant seals lounging on the shoreline.

We often stay at the San Simeon Creek Campground or the Washburn Campground on our way to Big Sur. Both of these campgrounds are easy to access off Highway 1 and are close to the beach.

If you’re just coming for the day, head down to the William Randolf Hearst Memorial State Beach, where you can lounge in the sand next to the pier, enjoy a picnic, or head on a hike along the San Simeon Bay Trail.

13. Crystal Cove State Park

Crystal Cove State Park in Southern California.

If you’re a Southern California resident, a visit to Crystal Cove State Park is a must! Situated between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove State Park is home to one of the most pristine beaches in California.

Crystal Cove State Park has the best of both – a gorgeous white sand beach and inland hiking trails that offer incredible coastal views. While most of Crystal Cove is undeveloped, there are 46 cottages in the historic district from the 1930s and 1940s that overlook the ocean and can be booked for overnight stays.

If you’re looking for a good hiking trail, I recommend the 5-mile-long El Moro Canyon Loop Trail. There are some steep uphill sections as you trek up to the summit. But the views from the top are well worth it!

Just keep in mind that if you have a dog, they are not allowed on the beach or on the backcountry trails. We brought our dog here on our first visit and had to come back another time since they are not allowed at most locations within Crystal Cove State Park.

14. Red Rock Canyon State Park

Unique rock formations at Red Rock Canyon State Park.

Located 1.5 hours east of Bakersfield and 2 hours north of LA, Red Rock Canyon State Park is a unique destination that many people overlook in California. Here you can hike among dramatic red and orange rock formations at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

For those who wish to stay overnight, the Ricardo Campground offers campsites set against white, eroded cliffs. These campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis and can fill up quickly on the weekends and holidays.

Situated right off Highway 14, this can also be a great stop for those traveling on a road trip from LA to Mammoth.

15. Leo Carrillo State Park

Sequit Point at Leo Carrillo State Park.

If you enjoy a good beach day, you’ll want to add Leo Carrillo State Park to your California bucket list!

Located just an hour west of Los Angeles, this is a great spot to spend a couple of hours on a weekend, lounging on the beach, walking through sea caves, and exploring rocky tide pools.

View from a sea cave onto the ocean at Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu — Sea cave at Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu.

Visitor tip: During high tide, the caves here can get flooded. It’s best to check the tide chart beforehand so you don’t get trapped by rising water and crashing waves.

Best State Parks In California Map:

Map Tip: Click on each location to see more details!

How many of these California State Parks have you visited? Let us know your favorites in the comments below!

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This post is written by Laura. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 50,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.

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