California State & National Parks

Surrounded by the magnificence of the Big Sur landscape, Andrew Molera State Park is a very lightly developed state park which offers boundless opportunities for nature lovers to come and explore. The Visitor’s Center can supply you with maps of the hiking and biking trails, interpretive exhibits and guided tours of the park. You can hike for miles along trails which lead along meadows, hilltops and bluffs or make your way directly to the beach for surfing, wind-surfing, swimming, tidal pooling and picnicking. As this is a Day-use-only park you are not allowed to camp anywhere but restrooms and drinking water is available.

Andrew Molera State Park, 5500 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920, Phone: 831-667-1112, Map

Surrounded by rugged wind-chiseled mountains, the Anza Borrego Desert State Park welcomes visitors to come and experience life in an area of exceptional natural beauty. You are advised to start your tour at the Visitor’s Center where you can watch a 15-minute orientation video and view some interesting exhibits. To properly appreciate this unique landscape you need to linger for a few days – the park offers a variety of camping opportunities including a serviced campsite for RVs and trailers and primitive back-country camp sites. Experienced hikers will find some seriously challenging trails to explore while families can enjoy shorter family-friendly hikes. Regular Behind-the –Scenes archaeological tours are available – check the website for more info.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park, 20 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004, Phone: 760-767-4205, Map

Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Napa Valley, the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park offers the perfect destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. You can come for a day of hiking, picnicking and swimming in summer or bring along your tent, RV or trailer to enjoy a few nights in the campground. If you prefer not to camp you can hire a yurt or cabin and spend some quality time relaxing in the heart of wine country. There are several scenic hiking trails to explore, and regular guided educational hikes are offered throughout the year. When you call into the Visitor’s Center you can take an interesting walk around the Native American Garden Trail and children can join the Junior Ranger program.

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, 3801 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515, Phone: 707-942-4575, Map

Romantic California Parks

Preserving and showcasing the North Grove of giant sequoias since 1931, the Calaveras Big Trees State Park is one of the most popular parks in California. Since opening several other stands of big trees have been added to the park ensuring an amazing variety of habitats which you are invited to come and explore. There are two large campgrounds where you can set up camp and spend your days hiking the scenic and awe-inspiring North, South and Bradley Grove trails which meander through these amazing forests. Guided hikes are offered on Saturdays and the Visitor’s Center can supply all the info you require about other park activities which include biking and fishing.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park, 1170 CA-4, Arnold, CA 95223, Phone: 209-795-2334

The Coast Dairies State Park is one of the newest State Parks in California, created to protect a very special seven-mile strip of coastal property from developers who wanted to turn this state asset into a high-end housing estate. The park is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in California which are now, thankfully, demarcated for public recreation. There is a seven-mile coastal hiking trail which connects the seven beaches in the park, many of which are challenging to access but well worth the effort. The park is day-use only so no camping is allowed. Popular activities include hiking, tide-pooling, beach-combing, surfing and wind-surfing.

Coast Dairies State Park, Cabrillo Hwy, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, Phone: 831-423-9703

Located east of San Diego, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park lies in a very scenic area surrounded by forests, meadows and creeks. The main activities in this park are hiking, horse-back riding, camping and nature observation. You will find parking, restrooms, showers and picnic areas for day trippers, while campers can bring all their gear to either Paso Picacho or Green Valley Campgrounds, which offer picnic tables, fire rings and restrooms with flush toilets and showers. There are also two primitive hike-in or ride-in campsites for hikers and equestrians. You can look forward to exploring over 100 miles of trails either on foot, by bike or on horseback.

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, 13652 Highway 79, Julian, CA 92036, Phone: 760-765-3023

Family-Friendly California Parks

When you arrive at Death Valley National Park you will be entering the Driest, Lowest and Hottest national park in the US. Located below sea level, the park showcases a world of extremes where blazing deserts and snow-capped peaks vie for your attention, and a light shower can transform the desert landscape into a field of wild flowers. Accommodation options are just as extreme and you can stay in a luxury lodge or a primitive campsite, or choose one of the fully serviced campgrounds. Outdoor activities in this enormous three-million acre park include scenic drives to some of the many must-see sights, endless hiking opportunities, back-country hiking and driving, mountain biking and birding.

Death Valley National Park, Death Valley, CA 92328, Phone: 760-786-3200, Map

Located just south of Crescent City, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park protects a remarkable 8-mile stretch of coastline where some of the tallest trees in the world stand guard over the beach. The park is an amazing destination for hikers and bikers, as well as visitors who just enjoy walking on the beach, fishing and tide-pooling (swimming is not allowed). There are a number of extremely scenic drives for people who prefer not to hike or bike. Fit hikers should enjoy the Damnation Creek Trail which offers a challenging and steep 4-mile hike down to the beach and back and the Coastal Trail which winds through rugged bluffs and giant redwood forests. Campsites are available at Mill Creek Campground during the summer.

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, 1111 2nd Street, Crescent City, CA 95531, Phone: 707-465-7335

Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Sierra Nevada, the Donner Memorial State Park is dedicated to the memory of all the brave eastern immigrants who travelled to California in the mid 1800’s. The park offers a delightful recreational area for outdoor enthusiasts who will find something to do regardless of the season. In summer you can enjoy camping, hiking, boating, swimming, fishing and paddling, while winter visitors can spend their time exploring the hiking trails with snow shoes or cross-country skis. You can learn about the region’s geological history at the Visitor’s Center and you can book a campsite up to six months in advance.

Donner Memorial State Park, 12593 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161, Phone: 530-583-7892

Conveniently located just eighteen miles from Big Sur, Garrapata State Park is a very scenic recreation area for hikers and beach lovers. Even if you do not plan on visiting, the park offers such wonderful views that it is well worth stopping there on your way to Big Sur. Day-visitors (no camping allowed) can enjoy coastal hiking along well-maintained trails and access to two miles of beach where you can enjoy fishing, swimming, surfing, wind-surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving. The beach is frequented by various sea mammals including sea lions, seals and sea otters, and you may be lucky enough to spot a gray whale if you visit during their annual migration.

Garrapata State Park, CA-1, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, Phone: 831-624-4909