Here’s a list of the best California state parks featuring campgrounds, scenic trails, cabins, beaches, waterfalls, lakes, and more for adventure seekers. You’ll also find their exact locations, top attractions, and what makes each park special.
About California State Parks
California has so many amazing state parks, that show off the state’s natural beauty and adventure. Some of the most famous state parks in California include Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Emerald Bay State Park, Bodie State Historic Park. Each park has its own charm, from hiking and camping to amazing scenic views. Below is the list of state parks in California, United States.
Top State Parks in California
| Park Name | Address | County | Area (acres) | Year Established | Famous For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anza-Borrego Desert State Park | Borrego Springs, CA | San Diego | 600,000 | 1933 | Largest state park in California; known for wildflower blooms and desert landscapes |
| Angel Island State Park | Angel Island, CA | Marin | 740 | 1954 | Historic immigration station; panoramic views of the Bay Area |
| Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve | 15101 Lancaster Rd, Lancaster, CA | Los Angeles | 1,780 | 1971 | Vibrant springtime poppy blooms; hiking trails |
| Avenue of the Giants | Humboldt Redwoods State Park, CA | Humboldt | 31,000 | 1922 | Scenic drive through ancient redwood forests |
| Bodie State Historic Park | Bridgeport, CA | Mono | 2,000 | 1962 | Preserved ghost town; rich mining history |
| Bothe-Napa Valley State Park | 3801 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA | Napa | 1,900 | 1960 | Redwood groves; hiking and biking trails |
| Brannan Island State Recreation Area | 1 Brannan Island Rd, Isleton, CA | Sacramento | 1,000 | 1952 | Delta waterways; boating and fishing opportunities |
| Calaveras Big Trees State Park | 1170 E Big Trees Rd, Arnold, CA | Calaveras | 6,500 | 1931 | Giant sequoia groves; historic North Grove Trail |
| California Citrus State Historic Park | 9400 Dufferin Ave, Riverside, CA | Riverside | 248 | 1993 | Preserved citrus groves; interpretive center showcasing California's citrus history |
| California State Railroad Museum | 125 I St, Sacramento, CA | Sacramento | N/A | 1981 | Extensive collection of historic locomotives and railcars |
| Carpinteria State Beach | 5361 6th St, Carpinteria, CA | Santa Barbara | 62 | 1932 | Sandy beaches; tide pools; picnic areas |
| Castle Crags State Park | Castella, CA | Shasta | 2,000 | 1933 | Dramatic granite spires; hiking trails |
| China Camp State Park | 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA | Marin | 1,500 | 1976 | Historic Chinese-American fishing village; bay views |
| Columbia State Historic Park | 11255 Jackson St, Columbia, CA | Tuolumne | 3,000 | 1945 | Preserved Gold Rush town; historic buildings and museums |
| Cuyamaca Rancho State Park | 12551 Highway 79, Descanso, CA | San Diego | 26,000 | 1933 | Mountain landscapes; hiking and equestrian trails |
| Crystal Cove State Park | 8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA | Orange | 2,400 | 1979 | Coastal bluffs; tide pools; historic beach cottages |
| Cuyamaca Rancho State Park | 12551 Highway 79, Descanso, CA | San Diego | 26,000 | 1933 | Mountain landscapes; hiking and equestrian trails |
| Doheny State Beach | 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA | Orange | 62 | 1931 | Popular beach for swimming and picnicking |
| Donner Memorial State Park | 12593 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA | Nevada | 2,000 | 1928 | Historic site of the Donner Party; museum and lake |
| Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park | 7360 West Lake Blvd, Tahoma, CA | El Dorado | 2,000 | 1952 | Historic estate; beaches on Lake Tahoe |
| El Capitan State Beach | 9225 Calle Real, Goleta, CA | Santa Barbara | 2,000 | 1953 | Coastal bluffs; tide pools; camping facilities |
| El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park | 123 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA | Santa Barbara | 2 | 2000 | Historic Spanish military outpost; museum exhibits |
| Emerald Bay State Park | Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA | El Dorado | 1,500 | 1953 | Scenic bay; Vikingsholm Castle; hiking trails |
| Folsom Lake State Recreation Area | 7806 Folsom-Auburn Rd, Folsom, CA | Sacramento | 19,000 | 1955 | Reservoir; boating; hiking and biking trails |
| Fort Humboldt State Historic Park | 3431 Fort Ave, Eureka, CA | Humboldt | 1,000 | 1921 | Historic military fort; museum exhibits |
| Fort Ross State Historic Park | 19005 Coast Hwy, Jenner, CA | Sonoma | 3,400 | 1909 | Russian-American colonial settlement; historic buildings |
| Fremont Peak State Park | 24060 Summit Rd, San Juan Bautista, CA | San Benito | 1,700 | 1936 | Panoramic views; hiking trails; observatory |
| Gaviota State Park | 1 Gaviota State Park Rd, Goleta, CA | Santa Barbara | 2,500 | 1953 | Coastal cliffs; hiking trails; camping facilities |
| Glen Eden Regional Park | 1830 W 6th St, Perris, CA | Riverside | 1,200 | 1960 | Lakeside recreation; picnic areas; sports fields |
| Glen Canyon Park | 70 Elk St, San Francisco, CA | San Francisco | 70 | 1954 | Urban park with trails and natural areas |
| Grizzly Island Wildlife Area | 2771 Grizzly Island Rd, Suisun City, CA | Solano | 12,000 | 1984 | Wetland habitats; birdwatching opportunities |
| Grover Hot Springs State Park | 28600 Hot Springs Rd, Markleeville, CA | Alpine | 2,000 | 1959 | Natural hot springs; camping and picnicking |
| Half Moon Bay State Beach | 95 Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA | San Mateo | 200 | 1956 | Sandy beaches; tide pools; picnic areas |
| Harrington Beach State Park | 5310 County Hwy D, Belgium, WI | Ozaukee | 1,400 | 1952 | Lake Michigan shoreline; hiking trails |
| Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument | 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA | San Luis Obispo | 40,000 | 1958 | Historic Hearst Castle; guided tours |
| Humboldt Lagoons State Park | 17119 US-101, Orick, CA | Humboldt | 1,000 | 1956 | Coastal lagoons; birdwatching; hiking trails |
| Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park | 14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Rd, Pine Grove, CA | Amador | 135 | 1968 | Native American grinding rocks; interpretive center |
| Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park | 1463 Howland Hill Rd, Crescent City, CA | Del Norte | 10,000 | 1929 | Old-growth redwoods; hiking and biking trails |
| Joshua Tree National Park | 74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA | San Bernardino | 1,235,000 | 1994 | Unique desert flora; rock formations; stargazing |
| Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park | 52801 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA | Monterey | 1,600 | 1962 | McWay Falls; redwood forests; coastal views |
| Kern River State Park | 3801 Robles Way, Bakersfield, CA | Kern | 1,000 | 1966 | River recreation; camping; fishing |
| Kings Canyon National Park | 47050 Generals Hwy, Three Rivers, CA | Tulare | 461,901 | 1940 | Giant sequoia groves; mountainous ter |
| Lake Arrowhead State Recreation Area | 27984 CA-173, Lake Arrowhead, CA | San Bernardino | 780 | 1967 | Mountain lake; boating, fishing, hiking trails |
| Lake Berryessa | 5691 Knoxville Rd, Napa, CA | Napa | 20,700 | 1963 | Large reservoir; boating, fishing, camping |
| Lake Tahoe - Emerald Bay State Park | Hwy 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA | El Dorado | 1,500 | 1953 | Scenic bay; Vikingsholm Castle; hiking and boating |
| Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park | 800 N St, Sacramento, CA | Sacramento | 0.5 | 1971 | Historic mansion; museum and tours |
| Leo Carrillo State Park | 35000 CA-1, Malibu, CA | Los Angeles | 2,200 | 1953 | Beaches; tide pools; coastal caves |
| Limekiln State Park | 10 Limekiln Rd, Big Sur, CA | Monterey | 711 | 1960 | Redwoods; historic lime kilns; waterfalls |
| Malibu Creek State Park | 1925 Las Virgenes Rd, Calabasas, CA | Los Angeles | 8,215 | 1974 | Rock formations; hiking trails; film location |
| McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park | 24898 CA-89, Burney, CA | Shasta | 910 | 1954 | Stunning Burney Falls; hiking and fishing trails |
| Tomales Bay State Park | 2685 Bay Hill Rd, Inverness, CA | Marin | 2,100 | 1952 | Scenic bay views; kayaking and hiking trails |
| Tule Elk State Natural Reserve | 1 Tule Elk Rd, Cotati, CA | Sonoma | 2,680 | 1978 | Home to tule elk herds; wildlife viewing opportunities |
| Tunitas Creek Beach | Tunitas Creek Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA | San Mateo | 20 | 1972 | Remote coastal access; hiking trails |
| Van Damme State Park | 8000 CA-1, Little River, CA | Mendocino | 1,800 | 1936 | Fern canyons; coastal bluffs; diving and hiking spots |
| Victoria Beach | 27100 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA | Los Angeles | 0.5 | 1920 | Hidden cove; unique tower feature |
| Vina Plains State Nature Reserve | Vina Rd, Chico, CA | Butte | 1,000 | 1982 | Rare vernal pools; seasonal wildflower blooms |
| Will Rogers State Historic Park | 1501 Will Rogers State Park Rd, Pacific Palisades, CA | Los Angeles | 186 | 1944 | Historic ranch; hiking trails; polo field |
| William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park | 16756 Main St, Red Bluff, CA | Tehama | 1 | 1953 | Historic adobe house; interpretive programs |
| Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area | 22100 Woodson Bridge Dr, Corning, CA | Tehama | 1,000 | 1952 | Sacramento River access; fishing and picnicking areas |
| Yosemite State Park | Yosemite Valley, CA | Mariposa | 1,187 | 1864 | First state park in the U.S.; iconic granite cliffs and waterfalls |
| Zzyzx Mineral Springs | Zzyzx Rd, Baker, CA | San Bernardino | 0.5 | 1944 | Historic mineral springs; desert oasis |
| Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park | 28373 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA | Orange | 4,500 | 1979 | Rugged canyons; diverse wildlife; hiking trails |
| Anderson Marsh State Historic Park | 7801 Anderson Rd, Lower Lake, CA | Lake | 1,000 | 1982 | Historic ranch; marshland habitat; birdwatching |
| Anza-Borrego Desert State Park | 200 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA | San Diego | 600,000 | 1933 | Largest state park in California; wildflower blooms and desert landscapes |
| Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve | 15101 Lancaster Rd, Lancaster, CA | Los Angeles | 1,780 | 1971 | Vibrant springtime poppy blooms; hiking trails |
| Avenue of the Giants | Humboldt Redwoods State Park, CA | Humboldt | 31,000 | 1922 | Scenic drive through ancient redwood forests |
| Bodie State Historic Park | Bridgeport, CA | Mono | 2,000 | 1962 | Preserved ghost town; rich mining history |
| Bothe-Napa Valley State Park | 3801 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA | Napa | 1,900 | 1960 | Redwood groves; hiking and biking trails |
| Brannan Island State Recreation Area | 1 Brannan Island Rd, Isleton, CA | Sacramento | 1,000 | 1952 | Delta waterways; boating and fishing opportunities |
| Calaveras Big Trees State Park | 1170 E Big Trees Rd, Arnold, CA | Calaveras | 6,500 | 1931 | Giant sequoia groves; historic North Grove Trail |
| California Citrus State Historic Park | 9400 Dufferin Ave, Riverside, CA | Riverside | 248 | 1993 | Preserved citrus groves; interpretive center showcasing California's citrus history |
| California State Railroad Museum | 125 I St, Sacramento, CA | Sacramento | N/A | 1981 | Extensive collection of historic locomotives and railcars |
| Carpinteria State Beach | 5361 6th St, Carpinteria, CA | Santa Barbara | 62 | 1932 | Sandy beaches; tide pools; picnic areas |
| Castle Crags State Park | Castella, CA | Shasta | 2,000 | 1933 | Dramatic granite spires; hiking trails |
| China Camp State Park | 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA | Marin | 1,500 | 1976 | Historic Chinese-American fishing village; bay views |
| Columbia State Historic Park | 11255 Jackson St, Columbia, CA | Tuolumne | 3,000 | 1945 | Preserved Gold Rush town; historic buildings and museums |
| Cuyamaca Rancho State Park | 12551 Highway 79, Descanso, CA | San Diego | 26,000 | 1933 | Mountain landscapes; hiking and equestrian trails |
| Crystal Cove State Park | 8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA | Orange | 2,400 | 1979 | Coastal bluffs; tide pools; historic beach cottages |
| Cuyamaca Rancho State Park | 12551 Highway 79, Descanso, CA | San Diego | 26,000 | 1933 | Mountain landscapes; hiking and equestrian trails |
| Doheny State Beach | 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA | Orange | 62 | 1931 | Popular beach for swimming and picnicking |
| Donner Memorial State Park | 12593 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA | Nevada | 2,000 | 1928 | Historic site of the Donner Party; museum and lake |
| Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park | 7360 West Lake Blvd, Tahoma, CA | El Dorado | 2,000 | 1952 | Historic estate; beaches on Lake Tahoe |
| El Capitan State Beach | 9225 Calle Real, Goleta, CA | Santa Barbara | 2,000 | 1953 | Coastal bluffs; tide pools; camping facilities |
| El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park | 123 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA | Santa Barbara | 2 | 2000 | Historic Spanish military outpost; museum exhibits |
| Emerald Bay State Park | Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA | El Dorado | 1,500 | 1953 | Scenic bay; Vikingsholm Castle; hiking trails |
| Folsom Lake State Recreation Area | 7806 Folsom-Auburn Rd, Folsom, CA | Sacramento | 19,000 | 1955 | Reservoir; boating; hiking and biking trails |
| Fort Humboldt State Historic Park | 3431 Fort Ave, Eureka, CA | Humboldt | 1,000 | 1921 | Historic military fort; museum exhibits |
| Fort Ross State Historic Park | 19005 Coast Hwy, Jenner, CA | Sonoma | 3,400 | 1909 | Russian-American colonial settlement; historic buildings |
| Fremont Peak State Park | 24060 Summit Rd, San Juan Bautista, CA | San Benito | 1,700 | 1936 | Panoramic views; hiking trails; observatory |
| Gaviota State Park | 1 Gaviota State Park Rd, Goleta, CA | Santa Barbara | 2,500 | 1953 | Coastal cliffs; hiking trails; camping facilities |
| Glen Eden Regional Park | 1830 W 6th St, Perris, CA | Riverside | 1,200 | 1960 | Lakeside recreation; picnic areas; sports fields |
| Glen Canyon Park | 70 Elk St, San Francisco, CA | San Francisco | 70 | 1954 | Urban park with natural areas, trails, and creek |
| Grizzly Island Wildlife Area | 2771 Grizzly Island Rd, Suisun City, CA | Solano | 12,000 | 1984 | Wetlands; birdwatching; wildlife habitat |
| Grover Hot Springs State Park | 28600 Hot Springs Rd, Markleeville, CA | Alpine | 2,000 | 1959 | Natural hot springs; camping and picnicking |
| Half Moon Bay State Beach | 95 Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA | San Mateo | 200 | 1956 | Sandy beaches; tide pools; picnic areas |
| Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument | 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA | San Luis Obispo | 40,000 | 1958 | Historic Hearst Castle; guided tours |
| Humboldt Lagoons State Park | 17119 US-101, Orick, CA | Humboldt | 1,000 | 1956 | Coastal lagoons; birdwatching; hiking trails |
| Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park | 14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Rd, Pine Grove, CA | Amador | 135 | 1968 | Native American grinding rocks; interpretive center |
| Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park | 1463 Howland Hill Rd, Crescent City, CA | Del Norte | 10,000 | 1929 | Old-growth redwoods; hiking and biking trails |
| Joshua Tree National Park | 74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA | San Bernardino | 1,235,000 | 1994 | Unique desert flora; rock formations; stargazing |
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