California state parks are on a different level than other state parks in the country. With a diverse terrain of landscapes, from the sunny coastline of the Pacific Ocean, to the towering redwoods of Northern California, to the acrid desert that beckoned historical explorers, there’s much to explore and adventure in California state parks. Here’s our list of seven California state parks worth visiting.
Located on the Southern portion of Lake Tahoe, on the California side, Emerald Bay State Park hails as the “Lake Tahoe Jewel” because of its turquoise clear waters and spectacular views. Capture a picture-perfect moment at the overlook at Inspiration Point, accessible by Highway 89. Inspiration Point is 600 feet above Emerald Bay and gives onlookers sweeping views as well as a look at historic Fannette Island.
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If you’re looking for seashells, marine life, and secret coves, go to the pristine beaches and tidepools of Crystal Cove State Park. Located in-between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, Crystal Cove State Park is a spacious oasis in Orange County. With 3.2 miles of beach and 2,400 acres of wilderness, you can go swimming on the beach in the morning and hike the canyons in the afternoon.
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If you want to check seeing the redwoods of California off your bucket list, go visit Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. The park includes a 40-acre grove of redwood trees, with the oldest towering at 277 feet tall and approximately 1,500 years old! While the redwoods are the major draw, visitors can explore more than 4,000 acres of forest to hike, picnic, and swim in.
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The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is aptly named after Spanish explorer, Juan Bautista de Anza who crossed the desert in 1774, and Borrego, derived from the Spanish word “sheep”, as many desert bighorn sheep inhabit parts of the park. As California’s largest state park at 600,000 acres, and only a short drive from San Diego, the vast rugged landscape of the desert is worlds away from the coastal city and worth the trip. Spot one of Ricardo Breceda’s huge metal sculptures or hike part of the scenic Pacific Crest Trail during your visit to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
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A visit to Morro Bay State Park is not complete until you visit Morro Rock. Looming over 500 feet tall at the crest of the Pacific Ocean, Morro Rock is a California State Historic Landmark; the now-extinct volcano was formed 23 million years ago and is part of the Nine Sisters volcanic chain. Rent a kayak or go bird watching in the 2,700-acre park, including grasslands, marsh, and other habitats.
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Located only 25 miles from Los Angeles, Malibu Creek State Park is nicknamed as the “Yosemite of Los Angeles”. Forever immortalized on television on the TV show, M*A*S*H, and filmed as a backdrop in Planet of the Apes, the landscape of Malibu Creek State Park includes canyons, gorges, and meadows that truly transport you to another world.
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Named after a woman pioneer, Julia Pfeiffer Burns, the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park lays within the picturesque Big Sur coastline and will inspire you to explore. Go enjoy McWay Falls, which drop 80 feet from a cliff into the Pacific Ocean. Or uncover a local secret: located on Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) about a mile away from the park is Pfeiffer Beach – famously known as “purple sand beach” because of the purple sands from manganese eroded nearby; it will wow you with its purple sands and blue waves hitting the beach.
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