5 Great California State Parks
Which state park should you adventure to next
It’s a perfect 75-degree day in California, and you are looking to take your family on a fun-filled outdoor adventure for the day. With 280 state parks in California, it’s hard to decide where you should go. Many beaches, waterfalls, lush forests, trails, and more. It’s hard to choose just one. Here I put together a helpful list of five parks filled with different activities and sightings to make your weekend with the family, or maybe just your significant other, a couple of friends, or even by yourself to have a fun and relaxing adventure.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Humboldt Redwoods state park is 53,000 acres filled with giant ancient old-growth coastal redwoods over 1,000 years old. If you are here with the family, you will not worry about keeping the kids entertained. Humboldt is full of activities for them, such as guided nature walks, campsites, boat launches, picnic areas to have lunch, natural and cultural history exhibits, and a visitors center.
Crystal Cove State Park
Located off the pacific coast highway is Crystal Cove, State Park. Orange County’s largest remaining open space and natural seashore. It has 3.2 miles of beach and 2,400 acres of backcountry and trails. If you plan on doing an overnight stay, you have to check out their cottages to rent. They are not only adorable and unique, but there are 21 different cottages to choose from right on the beach!
Crystal cove state park has 18 miles of hiking trails that offer campgrounds if you are looking to make a backpacking trip. The PCH is right there! The high courses provide breathtaking vistas of the mountain-covered backcountry, and you can see the sparkling blue pacific ocean. The lower trails have hiked through Riparian woodlands with giant oak trees along Moro Creek.
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
If you are a fan of waterfalls, who isn’t? You will love bringing the family to McArthur-Burney Falls State Park. The right smack dab is a 129-foot waterfall in the middle of the park! There is a small center to grab food. Get yourself a snack, sit down at one of the picnic tables and enjoy the view. There are also bathrooms and a place in the park where you can buy souvenirs. This park is more for relaxing than hardcore hiking, but there are five easy trails you can hike, bike, or run on, surrounded by incredible views.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
This unique desert park is over 600.000 acres and is the largest state park in California. The best time to visit is in spring, when the wildflowers are at their best. The grounds are masked in purple sand verbena, yellow desert sunflowers, and golden poppies. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park will keep your sights satisfied with not just its abundance of wildflowers. Still, you will be able to see cacti, canyons, and some exciting wildlife such as roadrunners, kit foxes, eagles, and bighorn sheep.
Join the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park natural history association to guide you and the family at night on one of their desert moonlighting walks on the canyon and see the big desert sky covered in a blanket of stars.
Ano Nuevo State Park
Take a walk in Ano Nuevo State Park and get ready to see the largest mainland breeding colony in the world for the Northern Elephant Seal. Elephant seal viewing has a 3-4 mile moderate hike over varied terrain and sand dunes. While safely staying 25 feet away from the seals, you can take a leisurely walk on the designated trail while watching them in their natural habitat.
With the most beautiful beaches in the world, famous deserts, celebrities, and perfect weather Califonia is one of the most popular places to visit in the united states. With millions of tourists coming and going each year, it can be hard not to leave a footprint. When visiting their famous parks and hiking trails, let us keep California safe and clean by following the leave no trace rule and safely keep the adventures going.
By Jennifer Incramona
Emmanuel Lacoste