California is packed with natural beauty, from rugged coastlines to ancient forests and historic landmarks. While national parks often steal the spotlight, the state’s parks, beaches, and monuments offer just as much wow factor—often with fewer crowds. Whether you’re chasing ocean views, hiking trails, or a piece of history, these 12 spots showcase the very best of California’s diverse outdoor wonders.
1. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Closest city: 88 miles from San Diego
Nestled in the heart of Southern California’s Colorado Desert, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a desert lover’s dream. As California’s largest state park, it showcases vast desert landscapes, cactus-studded valleys, and a sky unhindered by city lights for unparalleled stargazing. Spring brings a miraculous transformation with a vibrant display of wildflowers. Whether you’re into hiking, photography, or just basking in the desert sun, Anza-Borrego is a must-visit.
2. Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Closest city: 27 miles from San Jose
Big Basin, California’s oldest state park, is a haven for ancient coast redwoods. Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, it’s a labyrinth of lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and over 80 miles of hiking trails. The park’s tranquility and the towering redwood canopy offer an almost spiritual experience. Whether you’re an avid hiker or seeking a peaceful retreat amongst the giants, Big Basin is a sanctum of natural serenity.
3. Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Closest city: 78 miles from Stockton
Home to some of the largest and oldest living things on earth – the Giant Sequoias, including the first discovered by European Americans in 1852 – Calaveras Big Trees State Park is a tribute to nature’s grandeur. The park offers a chance to walk among these towering trees and learn about their ecology. With two main groves, scenic hiking trails, and the Stanislaus River, it’s a destination that combines tranquility and awe.
4. Hearst San Simeon State Park
Closest city: 2 miles from Cambria or San Simeon
Hearst San Simeon State Park offers a mix of historical allure and natural splendor. The park is famous for the Hearst Castle in the town of San Simeon, an opulent estate built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, which now serves as a museum. Visitors can tour the grand rooms, gardens, and pools of this magnificent castle. The surrounding parkland provides opportunities to explore coastal trails, camp, and observe diverse wildlife, including elephant seals at the nearby Piedras Blancas rookery.
5. El Matador State Beach
Closest city: 15 miles from Thousand Oaks
El Matador State Beach, part of the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, is known for its stunning rock formations and sea caves. Located near Malibu, this beach is a favorite among photographers and beachgoers alike. Its rugged beauty, with large rocks jutting out of the sand and waves crashing against the cliffs, makes it a spectacular spot for sunset views. The descent to the beach involves a steep trail, but the breathtaking scenery is well worth the effort.
6. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Closest city: 7 miles from Monterey
Referred to as the “crown jewel” of California’s state park system, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve offers an extraordinary marine ecosystem along with breathtaking landscapes. With its rich underwater flora and fauna, it’s a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. The hiking trails along the rocky shoreline provide stunning ocean views, and you might even spot seals, sea lions, and migrating whales!
7. Muir Woods National Monument
Closest city: 16 miles from San Francisco
Muir Woods, located just north of San Francisco, is an enchanting world of towering old-growth redwoods. These ancient trees, some over 600 years old, create a serene and humbling environment that is almost cathedral-like. The park offers a range of trails, from easy, flat walks to more challenging hikes, all winding through the majestic redwood forest. It’s a place of tranquility and awe, allowing visitors to reconnect with nature and experience the enduring beauty of these grand trees.
8. Bodie State Historic Park
Closest city: 18 miles from Bridgeport
For a step back in time, Bodie State Historic Park offers a unique experience. It preserves a ghost town from the late 1800s Gold Rush era. Walking through its streets feels like a journey into a bygone era, with over 100 structures still standing in a state of “arrested decay.”
9. Columbia State Historic Park
Closest city: 66 miles from Stockton
Step back into the California Gold Rush era at Columbia State Historic Park. This well-preserved historic park in the Sierra Nevada foothills lets you experience life in the 1850s. With its authentic wooden sidewalks, stagecoaches, and operational blacksmith shop, Columbia offers a lively and interactive historical experience. Visitors can pan for gold, ride a historic stagecoach, and enjoy old-timey shops and restaurants, making it a perfect destination for families and history enthusiasts.
10. Castle Crags State Park
Closest city: 14 miles from Mt. Shasta
A hidden gem in Northern California, Castle Crags State Park boasts spectacular granite crags, hiking trails with breathtaking views, and the sparkling Sacramento River. Whether it’s for rock climbing, fishing, or simply enjoying the panoramic views, this park offers a blend of adventure and beauty.
11. Fort Ross State Historic Park
Closest city: 43 miles from Santa Rosa
Located along the Sonoma Coast, Fort Ross State Historic Park presents a fascinating glimpse into the early 19th-century Russian-American Company settlement. The park features the restored Fort Ross, which includes a chapel, barracks, and other historic structures. It’s a place where you can walk through history, imagining the lives of the Russian, Alaska Native, and Kashia Pomo people who once inhabited this outpost.
12. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Closest city: 36 miles from Carmel
This park, famous for the McWay Falls that plunge into the Pacific Ocean, is a slice of coastal heaven. Located along Big Sur’s scenic Highway 1, the park offers more than just its iconic waterfall. The trails wind through oak woodlands, chaparral, and redwood groves, offering diverse natural beauty and breathtaking views of the rugged coastline.
13. Emerald Bay State Park
Closest City: Lake Tahoe
Emerald Bay State Park, a crown jewel of Lake Tahoe, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and historical significance. This picturesque park, located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe in California, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the crystal-clear, emerald-hued waters of Emerald Bay and the surrounding rugged mountain landscape.
14. Devils Postpile National Monument
Closest city: Mammoth Lakes
Devils Postpile National Monument, located near Mammoth Lakes in California, is renowned for its fascinating geologic formations. The monument’s highlight is the Devils Postpile formation – a rare sight of columnar basalt that towers about 60 feet high, showcasing a unique symmetrical pattern created by volcanic activity.
Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.