Best of California’s State Parks 2026
Best of California’s State Parks Map 2026
Click through the points on the map to learn more about each winning park.
Camping
Hiking
Birdwatching
Family-Friendly Experiences
Learning About History
Dog-Friendly
Ridge
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Honorable Mentions
Anza-Borrego
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
Leo Carrillo State Park
Best of California’s State Parks Results
Back by popular demand, we’re overjoyed to share the results of the second annual Best of California’s State Parks poll.
With 280 state parks and growing, over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites, 5,200 miles of trails, more than 3,000 historic buildings, and more than 11,000 known prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, California’s state park system holds the largest and most diverse recreational, natural, and cultural heritage resources of any state agency in the nation.
We invited Californians to nominate their favorite parks across a range of categories, including two new categories focused on water activities and hidden gem parks. We then put the nominations to a final vote, and over 2,000 people responded — significantly increasing from last year’s participation. This year’s winners and honorable mentions include parks that stretch across 24 counties in California. It includes a wide range of parks, including urban, desert, coastal, woodland, and historic parks, highlighting the diversity of the system.
About California State Parks Foundation
California State Parks Foundation, an independent, member-supported nonprofit with over 50 years of history, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system for the benefit of all. We work in parks and in Sacramento with partners, park staff, and policymakers to address the challenges parks face. To make real and lasting change, we are working to build a movement of people who enjoy and advocate for their parks now, and for future generations.
PHOTO: Jeff Sullivan
Best State Park for Camping
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Monterey County
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is celebrated for its striking blend of towering redwoods, the Big Sur River, and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, offering an exquisite mix of forest, waterfalls, and coastal scenery in one place. Visitors consistently highlight its peaceful, almost magical atmosphere, with scenic hiking trails, spacious campsites, and opportunities to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature. For many, the park is not just beautiful but also a backdrop for building lasting memories and family traditions. Campsites registration opens exactly six months ahead of your trip date at 8 AM on ReserveCalifornia.com, so plan ahead to snag your spot!
What Voters Have to Say
“There is a distinct serenity that is only found where bright ocean mist meets dark evergreens, where black rock hangs underneath cascading waterfalls, and where salmon sunsets fall over endless hills. That’s what I found camping here; a lone dot atop one of infinite ridges over the pacific blue.” — Andrew S.
Honorable Mention
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Imperial, Riverside, and San Diego Counties
Honorable Mention
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties
PHOTO: Andrew Sharp
PHOTO: Caroline Suni
PHOTO: Sarah Zulim
Best State Park for Hiking
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties
Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California’s oldest state park, stands out as a top destination for hiking, with miles of diverse trails winding through ancient redwood groves, past creeks and waterfalls, and even down to the coast. Visitors praise its accessible paths, peaceful atmosphere, and the unforgettable experience of walking among some of the tallest trees on Earth. As it recovers from the CZU Lightning Complex fire, the park’s resilience adds a powerful dimension to every hike, making each visit both scenic and deeply meaningful.
What Voters Have to Say
“I’ll take a hike in the redwoods any day. There’s nothing quite as humbling as those trees.” — K. Kunz
Honorable Mention
Jack London State
Historic Park
Sonoma County
Honorable Mention
Prairie Creek
Redwoods State Park
Humboldt and Del Norte Counties
PHOTO: Judie Osborn-Shaw
PHOTO: Mike Skaggs
PHOTO: Nancy Westcott
Best State Park for
Spectacular Views
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Marin Couty
Mount Tamalpais State Park is renowned for its sweeping, panoramic vistas, offering stunning panoramic views of the entire San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Visitors praise the park’s unique ability to rise above the fog, revealing ever-changing landscapes that feel both expansive and serene despite its proximity to the city. With breathtaking scenery in every direction, it stands out as one of California’s most iconic viewpoints. This park was also recognized in 2025 as the Best State Park for Hiking!
What Voters Have to Say
“Nothing beats the 360-degree views from the top of Mt. Tamalpais. In a clear day you can see Mt. Helena, Mt. Diablo, and so much more.” — Janiene L.
Honorable Mention
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Honorable Mention
Monterey County
PHOTO: Beth Russell
Crystal Cove State Park
Orange County
PHOTO: Shannon Olson
PHOTO: Tina Lee
Best State Park for Birdwatching
Morro Bay State Park
San Luis Obispo Couty
Morro Bay State Park is a standout destination for birdwatching, where a rich estuary ecosystem attracts an incredible diversity of shorebirds, seabirds, and migratory species year-round. Visitors can spot everything from egrets and pelicans to falcons and even bald eagles, often at remarkably close range from trails, campgrounds, or on the water. With its mix of wetlands, coastline, and iconic views, it offers an unmatched, accessible experience for birders of all levels. This park was also recognized in 2025 as the Best State Park for Camping!
What Voters Have to Say
“You have the sea, you have the forest, you have the wetlands, you are blessed with an abundance of birds of many kinds and lots of wonderful spots to watch them.” — DeDe L.
Honorable Mention
Humboldt Lagoons
State Park
Humboldt County
PHOTO: Laurens Hoddenbagh
Honorable Mention
San Mateo County
Año Nuevo State Park
PHOTO: Sundry Photography
PHOTO: Jeff Sullivan
Best State Park for Wildflowers
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve
Los Angeles County
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve is unrivaled for wildflowers, transforming each spring into a sweeping sea of vibrant orange poppies and colorful blooms that stretch for miles across rolling hills. Visitors describe the display as magical and unforgettable, especially during a super bloom, when the landscape erupts into a breathtaking mosaic of color. Established specifically to protect California’s state flower, the park offers an iconic and quintessential wildflower experience that feels uniquely Californian.
What Voters Have to Say
“When the super blooms come, this park is amazing. Poppies as far as you can see laid over rolling hills.” — David R.
Honorable Mention
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Imperial, Riverside, and San Diego Counties
Honorable Mention
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Sonoma and Napa Counties
PHOTO: Karen Pearlman
PHOTO: John Roney
PHOTO: Cathy Ashley
Best State Park for Family-Friendly Experiences
Angel Island State Park
Marin County
Angel Island State Park is a perfect family-friendly destination, offering a full day of adventure that begins with a scenic ferry ride across San Francisco Bay. Families love the variety of activities, from easy hikes and bike rides to picnicking, beach time, and exploring fascinating historical sites like the U.S. Immigration Stations, ensuring something for every age and interest. With its mix of fun, education, and unforgettable sights, it’s a place where shared experiences and lasting memories come naturally.
What Voters Have to Say
“You can ride the ferry as a family, ride bikes or camp on the island and in the summer swim (kids enjoy cold water) and enjoy the music and beautiful, balmy weather!” — Theresa W.
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Indian Grinding Rock
Amador County
PHOTO: Susie Williams
PHOTO: Jzajic
PHOTO: Judie Osborn-Shaw
Best State Park for Day Trips
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Monterey County
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a classic California day-trip destination, offering easy access to breathtaking coastal vistas, short scenic trails, and abundant wildlife all within a compact area near Monterey and Carmel. Visitors love that you can experience dramatic cliffs, tide pools, and ocean panoramas in just a few hours, making it perfect for a flexible half- or full-day outing. Because this landscape is delicate and sees heavy visitation, it’s important to tread lightly and follow Leave No Trace principles, or to consider visiting alternative parks to help protect its fragile beauty.
What Voters Have to Say
“This park is the perfect day trip since the trails are short and sweet. But the scenery is fantastic! The rocky shores, the blue, blue water, the trees, and the animals like night herons and seals all add up to a great place to spend some time!” — Lynn S.
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Angel Island State Park
Jack London State
Historic Park
Sonoma County
PHOTO: Granger Loosley
Marin County
PHOTO: Elise Matera
PHOTO: Meade Fischer
Best State Park for Beaches
Half Moon Bay State Beach
San Mateo County
Half Moon Bay State Beach stands out for its wide, sandy shoreline, easy access, and miles of scenic coastline that are perfect for walking, relaxing, and enjoying family outings. Visitors love its balance of natural beauty and convenience, with tide pools, wildlife sightings, and nearby trails paired with a welcoming small-town atmosphere. The park offers beachgoers a classic California coastal experience.
What Voters Have to Say
“When I first moved to California in 1983, I got out a map of California and looked for the closest beach. It was Half Moon Bay. I started going there and have continued going there for decades. Easy, unassuming and always lovely. It holds a special place in my heart.” — Dorothy R.
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Asilomar State Beach
Monterey County
PHOTO: Andrea McMahon
Crystal Cove State Park
Orange County
PHOTO: Shannon Olson
PHOTO: Bill Goldberg
Best State Park for Learning About History
Bodie State Historic Park
Mono County
Bodie State Historic Park offers one of the most immersive historical experiences in California, preserving a Gold Rush-era town in a remarkable state of “arrested decay” that feels frozen in time. Visitors can walk its dusty streets, peer into intact buildings, and explore exhibits that vividly bring this 19th-century mining town to life. With its authenticity, depth of interpretation, and striking sense of stepping back into the Old West, it stands out as an unparalleled place to learn about this era of California’s past.
What Voters Have to Say
“As a career State Park Ranger (long retired), this was my dream park. The raw experience of being in Bodie is not observing history; it’s vicariously living it!” — Steven M.
Honorable Mention
Jack London State Historic Park
Sonoma County
Honorable Mention
Indian Grinding Rock
State Historic Park
Amador County
PHOTO: El Lehrman
PHOTO: Ashley Moore
PHOTO: Megan Mcginley
Best State Park for Dog-Friendly
Adventures
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
El Dorado, Placer, and Sacramento Counties
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is a top pick for dog-friendly adventures, thanks to its extensive trail network, open spaces, and easy access to the water, where pups can run, explore, and swim. Visitors love the variety of terrain, from lakeside paths to shaded walks, making it ideal for dogs of all energy levels. With plenty of room to roam and scenic spots to enjoy together, it’s a favorite for both pets and their people. Make sure to keep your dog on a maximum six-foot leash and to clean up after them to preserve the park’s ecosystem.
What Voters Have to Say
“Folsom Lake SRA is amazing for our best friends to run and play in (and also get in some good exercise) while we liberate our minds from the hustle of the daily grind to immerse ourselves in beauty.” — Abraham M.
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Candlestick Point
State Recreation Area
San Francisco County
Leo Carrillo State Park
Los Angeles and Ventura Counties
PHOTO: Heather Mcconnell
PHOTO: Patricia Vlcek
PHOTO: Cassio Habib
Best State Park for Water Activities
Emerald Bay State Park
El Dorado County
Emerald Bay State Park is widely praised for its stunning alpine setting, where the exceptionally clear, cold waters of Lake Tahoe meet the dramatic scenery of the surrounding mountains. Visitors highlight boating, kayaking, swimming, and camping as standout activities, all complemented by the park’s calm, scenic waters and iconic views. Often described as breathtaking and unforgettable, it’s considered one of the most beautiful places in the Sierra Nevada for enjoying water-based recreation.
What Voters Have to Say
“Just the area is enough. Here you can swim and canoe. Clear water of Lake Tahoe is a must see.” — Mary W.
Honorable Mention
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
El Dorado, Placer, and Sacramento Counties
Honorable Mention
Clear Lake State Park Lake County
PHOTO: Cassio Habib
PHOTO: Camp Photo
PHOTO: Jessica Northrup
Best State Park Hidden Gem
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Sonoma and Napa Counties
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a true hidden gem, located in Sonoma Valley with surprisingly few crowds despite its stunning scenery and rich variety of experiences. Visitors praise its diverse trails, wildflowers, waterfalls, and sweeping ridgelines, along with unique offerings like an on-site observatory and community-led programs. Quiet, scenic, and full of discovery, it’s a place that feels both remote and welcoming, perfect for those looking to explore beyond the well-known parks.
What Voters Have to Say
“It’s tucked way back off of Hwy 12. Many people don’t know it’s even there, but what a find when they discover it!” — Anne D.
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Bodie State Historic Park
Mono County
PHOTO: Laurice Snyder
China Camp State Park
Marin County
PHOTO: Justin Lewis
PHOTO: Leah Gardner