Why California State Parks Are Worth Exploring

California's Top State Parks

Tips For Visiting California’s State Parks

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

California’s state park system already protects about 1.65 million acres across 280 sites, including beaches, redwoods, deserts, lakes, historic sites and recreation areas. That scale means choosing the best California state parks is about matching the right park to the right trip, whether it is a camping stay, a road trip or a beach vacation.

It is also set to grow. On April 22, state officials announced a plan to add three new state parks in California and expand the existing network by 30,000 acres by the end of 2030.

Why California State Parks Are Worth Exploring

California’s state parks protect more than 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites, 5,200 miles of trails, 3,195 historic buildings and more than 11,000 known prehistoric and historic archaeological sites.

They offer unmatched diversity, from beaches and redwood forests to ghost towns, historic homes, lighthouses, lakes and reservoirs, marine parks, museums, natural reserves and recreation areas.

While California’s nine national parks are home to landmark experiences, from hiking Half Dome in Yosemite to seeing the General Sherman Tree, the world's largest tree by volume, in Sequoia, many state parks also protect some of California's most recognizable landscapes, such as Fannette Island in the middle of Lake Tahoe or McWay Falls in Big Sur.

Most state parks in California charge only a vehicle day-use fee (between $12 and $20, depending on demand), though the amount varies by park. Walking or biking into any state park is free.

California's Top State Parks

California state parks cover nearly every kind of landscape travelers associate with the state, from Pacific beaches and redwood forests to desert wilderness, alpine lakes and historic towns.

The largest, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, is around 600,000 acres, while the smallest, Simon Rodia State Historic Park, is merely 0.11 acres.

To find the best California state parks, I interviewed California natives who grew up visiting them and travel experts with firsthand experience guiding, planning or working in California.

1. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Recommended For Desert Adventures

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park spreads across Southern California’s Colorado Desert, with Borrego Springs as the main gateway. Established in the early 1930s, it is California's largest state park and is known for slot canyons, wildflowers, palm groves, bighorn sheep, dirt-road drives and vast desert views.

Alexandra Dubakova, a California travel expert with FreeTour, recommends Anza-Borrego for its siltstone slot canyons, where “the walls twist tightly together that you can touch both sides as you hike through.”

The park is best in cooler months, especially winter and spring. Stay in Borrego Springs, then add stargazing, desert sculpture viewing or a drive to nearby Ocotillo Wells for a broader desert trip.

2. Crystal Cove State Park, Recommended For For Beaches

Crystal Cove State Park sits off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach. It is one of Orange County’s most appealing coastal escapes, with 3.2 miles of beach, tide pools, sandy coves, offshore waters, canyon trails and a district of rustic historic cottages from the 1930s.

Kate Wheeler, president and CEO of Crystal Cove Conservancy, says, “Crystal Cove State Park offers something increasingly rare — a place where California's natural beauty, cultural history and spirit of conservation come together in one unforgettable experience. Visitors can spend the day exploring miles of protected coastline, tidepools and backcountry trails, then step into the Historic District and connect with a story that has shaped generations of Californians.”

Stay in one of the restored cottages, or book your accommodation in nearby Newport Beach or Laguna Beach. Moro Campground is on the beach, a perfect base for surfing and tide pooling.

3. Emerald Bay State Park, Recommended For Lake Tahoe Views

Emerald Bay State Park sits on Lake Tahoe’s southwest shore, near South Lake Tahoe and Tahoma. Established in the 1950s, it is known for its alpine scenery, clear water and one of California's most recognizable lake........

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