The 7 Finest State Parks in California

California is a land of putting geographic contrasts—towering mountains rise alongside lush forests, whereas deserts brush up towards fertile agricultural valleys. You’ll be able to carve by way of snow on glacier-covered peaks sooner or later, and the subsequent, end up in a desert the place the best recorded temperatures scorch the land.

With all that pure magnificence, it’s no marvel that California has 9 nationwide parks—greater than every other state—and round 280 state park items. Its nationwide parks typically steal the highlight, however the Golden State’s state parks are hidden gems that supply sights, experiences, and landscapes that rival their nationwide counterparts.

These are the seven greatest state parks in California.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Over 600,000 acres of desert are protected by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s largest state park. And far of that desert land is wild and splendidly distant, accessible solely through foot or primitive roads that require a automotive with four-wheel drive to entry. It is the park’s distinctive geological options, from badlands to fit canyons—that make it a real gem. 

Anza-Borrego is particularly lovely within the spring, when colourful wildflowers bloom throughout the desert, together with purple sand verbenas, yellow desert sunflowers, and golden poppies. The park can also be dwelling to among the greatest stargazing within the state, and Anza-Borrego grew to become an Worldwide Darkish Sky Park in 2018. Past its pure magnificence, the park is dwelling to historical Native American rock artwork and fossilized stays of prehistoric creatures, offering a window into the area’s wealthy cultural historical past, as effectively.

Crystal Cove State Park

Crystal Cove State Park is extremely accessible and straightforward to discover. Situated between Corona del Mar and Laguna Seashore alongside the Pacific Coast Freeway, this coastal park stretches from sandy shores to rugged hills. The park’s fundamental spotlight is its 3.2 miles of pristine seaside, however its borders additionally prolong inland with 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness excellent for mountaineering and biking. One in every of Crystal Cove’s most unusual options is its assortment of 46 historic coastal cottages, constructed within the Nineteen Thirties and ’40s, that are a part of a federally acknowledged historic district.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Although Humboldt Redwoods is a state park, it has a repute that rivals nationwide parks. The park is famend for the Rockefeller Forest, the world’s largest remaining contiguous grove of old-growth coastal redwoods. Roughly one-third of the park—round 17,000 acres—is roofed with historical redwoods, making it the most important intact redwood forest left on Earth.

Guests ought to drive the 32-mile Avenue of the Giants, a scenic freeway that winds by way of the towering timber. For a good nearer expertise, take a stroll alongside the Gould Grove Nature Path, the place you’ll be able to stroll beneath among the park’s 300-foot-tall redwoods. However Humboldt Redwoods gives extra than simply awe-inspiring timber. The park additionally has over 100 miles of trails, in addition to alternatives for mountaineering, biking, and boating alongside the South Fork Eel River, making it a real out of doors playground.

Emerald Bay State Park

Welcome to the colourful, jewel-toned waters of Emerald Bay State Park, which is nestled in a pristine stretch of wilderness alongside Lake Tahoe’s shoreline. On the coronary heart of this picturesque bay lies a small island that’s steeped in historical past.

Among the many park’s many trails, one results in the bay itself, the place guests can hop aboard a ship to succeed in the island and discover the 38-room Vikingsholm mansion, a real architectural gem. The park can also be dwelling to California’s first maritime heritage underwater path, which passes by the barges and boats that now relaxation under the floor of Emerald Bay.

Pfeiffer Large Sur State Park 

Sometimes called the California coast’s “mini Yosemite,” Pfeiffer Large Sur State Park gives all of the grandeur of its well-known counterpart—with the bonus of ocean entry. This beautiful park incorporates a mix of serene shoreline, dramatic rock outcroppings, a deep gorge, and a river lined with towering redwoods. Whereas many guests are content material with seeing the park from the scenic Pacific Coast Freeway, an tour into the guts of the park is a should. Right here, you’ll be able to hike by way of historical coastal redwood forests or soak up the fantastic thing about the breathtaking McWay Falls because it plunges immediately into the ocean. Pfeiffer Large Sur additionally has among the greatest tenting within the state, with many campsites nestled alongside the cool, tranquil waters of the Large Sur River.

Level Lobos State Pure Reserve

Situated simply south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Level Lobos State Pure Reserve is sometimes called “the crown jewel of the California State Park System.” Famend for its beautiful vistas, the reserve has impressed artists like Ansel Adams, who got here right here to {photograph} its magnificence. Its expansive offshore space, which lies inside the Monterey Bay Nationwide Marine Sanctuary, additionally makes it a hotspot for divers, who come to discover its wealthy marine life. Past diving, guests can hike by way of scenic cypress forests and alongside its rugged shoreline, the place they will spot animals like harbor seals, sea otters, and a wide range of chicken species.

Calaveras Large Bushes State Park

For those who’re desirous to see large sequoias—among the largest timber on the earth—head to Calaveras Large Bushes State Park. Nestled within the Sierra Nevada foothills, this park is dwelling to 2 beautiful groves of large sequoias, surrounded by lush combined conifer forests. A must-see is the well-known “Discovery Tree,” which was felled in 1853. It was a monumental job that supposedly took 5 males 22 days to finish.

The park has a wide range of mountaineering trails that loop round these historical giants, together with the North Grove Path and the South Grove Path. When you have a fishing license, you’ll be able to fish alongside the Stanislaus River and Beaver Creek. Wildlife lovers can have distinctive alternatives to identify issues like flying squirrels, foxes, and dark-eyed juncos.