The BLT Guidebook

When I was young, my friend, Jess, and I would drive around in the California foothills.

Columbia was our usual destination, where we spent our time walking around, climbing rocks, gold panning, drinking Sarsaparilla (equivalent to today’s root beer) and eating fudge from Nelson’s. No matter how many times we’ve been there, we would take the drive just to take the drive. We loved it there.

After writing the Castle Crags post, I started thinking about state parks- how many I have gone to without even recognizing that I was in one? I’ve been busy thinking about National Parks and all of the ones I want to go to, but I didn’t think about all of the history I had access to in one state- California.

On Parks.ca.gov, I scrolled through each region to take note of all of the ones I have been to- totaling 55 out of 280+ of them (scroll down to the bottom to see the full list). What a small handful compared to the larger scope of California history!

Below are my top 15 favorite California State Parks. Reminder: these are my own preferences and opinions regarding the places I have been, but I tried to be as neutral as possible with the ratings.

Rating Guide:

Ratings are 1-5: 1 trending toward a negative, 5 a positive

Location = getting there + surrounding towns/things to do (from a vacation/day trip standpoint)
Accessibility = when you are there, is it easy to access what you need?
Crowds = how many people? does it depend on seasons?
Scenery = how beautiful is it? is it nature-filled or something different?

15. Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

• Location: 5/5- there is plenty of recreation and shopping in the area, close to Columbia State Historic Park if you want to make a nice day trip.
• Accessibility: 5/5- it is right off a main highway, easy to get to by car.
• Crowds: 5/5?- there have been few people there when I have gone, but I have seen photos with tons of people lining up for the train.
• Scenery: 1/5- unless you love railyards, there is little scenery. This is still a great place to take photos or practice basic photography elements.
• Why it’s in the top 15: This nice little gem is tucked away in one of my favorite towns: Jamestown. This area is the perfect combination of California history, and Railtown is something a bit different than going to a park to walk around, check out a beach, etc. It’s full of history from the 1800’s and also a famous little spot for being in highly-rated movies. On one of our little adventures into gold country, we came across this place, and I have been back several times to show people the location and take photographs.

14. Bodie State Historic Park

• Location: 3/5- highway 395 cuts through one of the most beautiful stretches of California, but it is out of the way if you aren’t visiting other places in the area. The closest town is Bridgeport, 45 minutes away if the roads are open.
• Accessibility: 3/5- it is right off the highway, but if you don’t have good timing, it could be closed for various reasons. The road in is also long and bumpy, so I would recommend an AWD or 4×4 vehicle.
• Crowds: 1/5- we went a half hour after the park opened and there were already people there, plus more piling in when we left. Not the best if you are trying to take photographs (unless you have pro editing skills).
• Scenery: 3/5- it is in the beautiful hills of the eastern sierras, but overall, you are looking at a ghost town.
• Why it’s in the top 15: I have been anticipating Bodie for years now. We travel up and down the 395 highway to the Mammoth Lakes area at least once a year. We went for the first time during the summer of 2020, and I loved it. You can walk around the town, learn about the history, visit old buildings with original pieces in them- it’s like the town is a large museum. I had fun taking photos and they also do nighttime photography sessions there/ghost walks if you sign up in advance. I definitely think timing your trip to go here is worth it!

13. Donner Memorial State Park

• Location: 5/5- it is less than 10 minutes from downtown Truckee, with plenty to do, and right off a major freeway.
• Accessibility: 5/5- it is right off the freeway and perfect for all ages.
• Crowds: 5/5?- we were there during the off-season and we were the only ones there, but I imagine the summertime is packed with people.
• Scenery: 4/5- the park is essentially a Sierra campground that features trees and a clear blue lake. I gave it a 4 since half the lake is surrounded by vacation homes.
• Why it’s in the top 15: I’ve driven by this lake a handful of times on the way to Truckee and to Reno, NV. We’ve only stopped once, but the natural beauty, the accessibility of the lake, and the trails surrounding the lake, made the trip memorable. We drove around and thought that this would be the perfect place to bring a group for a camping trip or cabin rental. I definitely want to visit it again!

12. Cayucos State Beach

• Location: 5/5- the location of this beach is pretty much perfect- only 25 minutes from downtown San Luis Obispo and 12 minutes from Morro Bay. It’s also off a downtown strip with a few restaurants and bakeries.
• Accessibility: 5/5- the beach is right off the main street with accessible parking points everywhere. It’s also flat, so there is not a climb down to get there.
• Crowds: 1/5 summer, 5/5 winter- I’ve been in the wintertime when you are one of the only ones in town and in the summer where everyone is in town.
• Scenery: 3/5- it’s pretty standard as beaches go- I based this on the comparison of other California beaches with their blue waters and dramatic cliffs. You can see Morro Rock in the distance.
• Why it’s in the top 15: Cayucos is a beach I had only heard of for years- Dan’s family goes there every summer for their yearly family vacation. After visiting it, I completely understood why. It’s a quaint beach town- a couple of restaurants and some coffee shops and one or two places to shop for Cayucos-branded clothing. These reasons make it the perfect weekend getaway when you just want to head to the beach and relax without the noise of places like Monterey or Santa Cruz. It’s also in its own nook, so even if it’s “crowded” in the summer, it’s not going to compete with other beaches in California. And if you want a different vibe, you just need to drive 20 minutes up the highway for great dining and shopping. Note: the town is why the beach is part of the park system, which is why the town was reviewed and not just the beach.

11. Mount Diablo State Park

• Location: 5/5- situated in the east bay, the park spans a bay area highway, which makes it easy to get to and close to everything you would want.
• Accessibility: 4/5- there are countless ways to access this park. You can drive, hike, ride a horse, and bike into the park from multiple cities and multiple other parks that it connects to. I would say the main entrance is paved and suitable for all, but the side entrances are more rocky/muddy/at an incline and should be thought about if you are not used to hiking- it gets a 4 for that.
• Crowds: 3/5- popular park for day hiking and camping, especially with how accessible it is. I gave it a 3 because if you go early enough, out of season, or depending on the trail, you’ll see less people, but overall, it’s crowded.
• Scenery: 4/5- it’s a mountain in the bay area- each side gives you miles of rolling hills, various tree types, and waterfalls. The mountain is beautiful when you look at it, when you are on it, and the view that you have from it. In the summer, though, it’s on a drier side, so I gave it a 4.
• Why it’s in the top 15: I’ve lived within a 20 minute drive of one of the park entrances for 5 years. It’s an icon if you live where I did in the east bay. Every day on my way to work and even when I headed to see my family in the central valley, you could see this mountain for miles. When I think of rolling green hills, I think of the mountain and I think of the open spaces surrounding it. This is where I would go if I needed a quick hiking fix and couldn’t make it to the Sierra.

10. Pescadero State Beach

• Location: 3/5- it’s the midpoint between San Francisco and Santa Cruz, but unless you are driving along the coast, it’s takes time to get there. The town of Half Moon Bay is 20 minutes away, which is the closest shopping and dining.
• Accessibility: 5/5- it’s right off the highway.
• Crowds: 3/5- I have been in multiple seasons. Sunny days and Saturdays will gather more people like most beaches.
• Scenery: 5/5- I love this beach. I’ve seen it in fog and in the sun. It’s a beach with interesting rock formations and on the other side of the highway is a nature preserve that you can see from it and take a trail to get there.
• Why it’s in the top 15: When I think of the central coast, I think of this beach. It has the rocky tide pools, the smooth sand for visiting, the undeveloped look of nature, and the yellow flowers of the California coastline. I’ve spent hours here by myself and with other people around, where I have taken photographs and walked the trails. It’s a quiet place to get away.

9. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

• Location: 5/5- 7 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz, off a bay area highway, and in the town of Felton, CA with dining, lodging, shopping. It also has multiple entrances.
• Accessibility: 5/5- Almost every entrance allows you to park and be on the trail. The road to the park from the highway is easy to navigate. The main entrance is the best for kids.
• Crowds: 3/5- I’ve seen it at it’s worst and at it’s best. The weather plays a huge role.
• Scenery: 5/5- you are looking at a forest of redwoods, a creek running through it. What’s not to love?
• Why it’s in the top 15: I love this park. It’s a hidden gem in the bay area that’s not mentioned too much by the people I know. You can plan a day trip or whole weekend of outdoor recreation around this park. I’ve been there a handful of times- once just to stay overnight and to fish the creek, a few times on nature walks and picnicking, and once with my family on a longer hike. It has a lot to do, such as nature trails, creek walks, larger hiking loops, biking, and a train that you can pay to ride. It’s very family-friendly.

8. Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve

• Location: 4/5- the same as Bodie, it’s a bit of a drive and out of the way. I added a number because it’s 5 minutes away from the town of Lee Vining and near Highway 120 that branches into Yosemite National Park.
• Accessibility: 4/5- you can see the access points from the main highway. You can park and walk or admire the view from multiple highway points. You can’t miss the lake. As for hiking, depending on what your plan is, it can possibly be a bumpy dirt road to get there.
• Crowds: 3/5- it can be dead or busy, depending on the time of year.
• Scenery: 4/5- in the eastern sierras, you have a dense, mountainous landscape. In the middle, you see this flat lake. The lake can look dry and like any other lake or the light can hit it on a certain day (like after a snowfall) and the place could look completely different.
• Why it’s in the top 15: I’ve visited this place multiple times over the last 10 years and it is filled with wonder. The place I had read about in science textbooks in high school and college was right before my eyes. Protected from being a water resource, it’s home to shrimp, salt tufas, and millions of birds. This is a part of California’s history that has been threatened and it is still living, showing how resistant nature can be. It’s also part of the beautiful gateway into Yosemite and only a short drive to Mammoth Lakes.

7. Castle Crags State Park

• Location: 4/5- right off the interstate, only 10 minutes from restaurants, a brewery, and a store in Dunsmuir, and 15 to 20 minutes from other camping, recreation, waterfalls, kayaking, and small shops in Mount Shasta.
• Accessibility: 4/5- the park is paved, making it easy to hike, fish, and ride bikes. You can even drive up to the start of the main trailhead. While there, they have an overlook from the parking lot, so you do not have to do a long trek to see views or appreciate the forest. You do have to hike to see more views, but the trail is nicely maintained.
• Crowds: 3/5- I’ve been in winter as the only person there and spring with the campgrounds and trails full of people. It’s easy to get a last-minute campsite, but the overlook is a popular spot if people just want to check out the view or go for a hike.
• Scenery: 4/5- you have nature, quiet, rivers, and a view of Mt. Shasta- what’s not to love? I knocked a point off because you have to hike to access most of the scenery.
• Why it’s in the top 15: Castle Crags is a place you can see from I-5, towering over you as you drive. We stopped briefly to check out the overlook on New Years Eve one year and it just reminded me of how nature is peaceful and quiet. Last May, we did a short camping trip here and between the campground, it’s proximity to Dunsmuir for a beer, and how accessible the hiking trails were, the park instantly became a top spot for me.

6. Mendocino Headlands State Park

• Location: 4/5- it’s off of highway 1, which takes time to travel to depending on your travel plans. You are next to a town, so there are things to do besides see the ocean, like shop, or kayak in the Big River unit.
• Accessibility: 5/5- once there, you are in a town. You can park, walk around and take the access trails. You do not have to go far to see the ocean.
• Crowds: 2/5- it’s on the coast combined with having a town nearby, so you will always see someone.
• Scenery: 5/5- the park is beautiful- seaside bluffs, blue water, and grassy hills.
• Why it’s in the top 15: If you have ever been to the California coast, you will find the wonders of each town and how different they are place to place. You can travel to southern California and see everyone on the beach, people roller blading, a Ferris wheel, everything you would see in the movies. Then there’s the Mendocino with it’s open spaces and blue water- away from the noise. The park is vivid in my mind as a place that really represents the California coast that I know and have spent many hours driving up and down and recreating and enjoying the blue water on sunny days. This place encompasses all of the excitements of a California road trip.

5. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

• Location: 4/5- the location of Point Lobos is by the ocean, but it can seem like a long way to get there. It’s located on Highway 1, 15 minutes from Monterey. You can loop Point Lobos into a day trip with Carmel and Monterey. It’s also on the way to Big Sur. I took a point off because traffic in the day can make this location a nightmare to get to.
• Accessibility: 5/5- even if the parking lot in the park is full, you can park outside and have an easy walk in. The trails are paved and well-maintained. You can see seals, the ocean, bluffs, the town of Carmel right away.
• Crowds: 1/5- every time I have gone, the park has been crowded.
• Scenery: 5/5- Cypress trees, vegetation, rocks, bluffs, blue water. It’s beautiful.
• Why it’s in the top 15: One day I told Dan that I really wanted to visit this place, so we planned an early morning and drove out there. I think this was one of our first trips together. I have been back two times since and it’s magical each time- you can see sea animals in real time, hike, observe the ocean, and if you need to find a quiet spot, you can go off the beaten path. This is another place I appreciate that the state is driving to preserve the habitat of the creatures living there.

4. Columbia State Historic Park

• Location: 4/5- Nestled between two main highway stretches in the California foothills, sits this park, which is actually a town itself. It can be out of the way unless you are already planning a trip into the forest- then it’s a quick stop away.
• Accessibility: 5/5- you can drive around and park surrounding the town. The main street is easily walkable and has all of the historic-based merchants at your convenience.
• Crowds: 3/5- If it’s a nice day, expect many people to be visiting this area. It’s also a hot spot for field trips around California as far as the bay area, so busses of children in the school year is likely.
• Scenery: 3/5- Similar to Bodie, it depends what you are into. It’s an old historic town. It does have a river and some trees if you trek around the outskirts.
• Why it’s in the top 15: Columbia is a bit of nostalgia for me. I have been going there since I was in 4th grade (when you learn about California history) and I have many memories there beyond that. The town is a step back in time where everyone who works in the town plays the part by dressing in the era it’s set in. I have walked the streets and recognize every inch of the place, plus it’s just a nice spot to spend the day enjoying being outside by walking around, exploring, etc. They also have stagecoach rides, old time photos, and gold panning.

3. Auburn State Recreation Area

• Location: 5/5- The park is off of the I-5, on the way to Tahoe, 45 minutes outside of Sacramento, and less than 2 hours from the bay area. It’s easy to get to the park itself and there is plenty to do around it to make a weekend trip like checking out downtown Auburn, going to breweries, and even finding other hiking spaces in the area.
• Accessibility: 3/5- Parking can be a nightmare depending on the time a day or time of year. The parking is also off a highway and you will need to travel down steps or trails to reach the river. Depending on where you are trying to hike, it could be an adventure to start.
• Crowds: 5/5- A river is used for swimming and the trails are used for all kinds of recreation, so you will always run into someone there.
• Scenery: 4/5- It’s a big river carved out of a canyon surrounded by the foothills.
• Why it’s in the top 15: Auburn Rec Area is on 40 miles of the American River and is used for all kinds of recreation. We would plan a trip there to go fishing because it was an easier accessible river for us with tons of things to do around it. I have fond memories of planning separate trips with my brother and with Dan as we would spend time in the morning hiking by the river then off in the afternoon at a brewery. It offers great hiking, biking, gold panning, camping, etc., so it truly fits all of your recreation needs.

2. Calaveras Big Trees State Park

• Location: 3/5- Big Trees is located up a highway in the foothills of California. The drive is beautiful, but you do have to take some planning to get there. The town it’s in, Arnold, and surrounding towns can meet your basic needs, but your closest town with things to do is about 20 minutes away.
• Accessibility: 5/5- right off the highway, paved parking lot, family-friendly trails.
• Crowds: 1/5- I’ve been to the park in all seasons and there aren’t that many people walking around.
• Scenery: 5/5- It’s in a national forest with large trees, rivers, etc.
• Why it’s in the top 15: The first time I went to Big Trees was at 6th grade camp. I remember the wonder I had after looking at everything. More recently, two years ago, my family went there. My mom and my nephew had never been. We took the nature trail in the snow and they enjoyed every minute of it. Dan and I have been fishing and camping in the park as well and at one point my friends and I went there to check out the museum for a class I was taking. There are some memories in the park and it’s one of these places that should be preserved for kids to have a chance to run around in the forest and see what’s around them.

1. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

• Location: 3/5 The park is a bit out of the way for regular travel. It’s worth it once you are there, but you need to detour an hour off of the I-5 to a part of northern California that doesn’t have many attractions (unless you like fishing, nature, or hiking the PCT). The highway itself is a well-paved route to take. When you are there, the nearest town, Burney, has the basic amenities that you would need like a pizza place, motel, and grocery store.
• Accessibility: 5/5 Once you are in the town of Burney, it’s easy to navigate to the park. The walkways in the park are paved, so you people of all types get to where they need to. The falls are prominent and can be seen steps from the parking lot.
• Crowds: 3/5 I’ve been in the summer and in the fall. I would say that you will get people of all types up there to look at the falls, but it’s manageable. In the summer, the bigger concern is the lake, which is accessible but the space on the beach is limited.
• Scenery: 5/5 This place is a must see- the falls flow into a blue-green water, surrounded by trees with leaves that change in the fall. The park is also complete with a lake. Because of the evergreens, the park is beautiful year-round.
• Why it’s in the top 15: Burney Falls is a special place for me. Dan and I went there on a trip during Halloween weekend one year- the fall colors were fully in effect. The following year, we were planning our group camping trips and one of our friends suggested going to Burney (not having known we’ve been there.) As fate would have it, we spent almost a week with three large campgrounds and almost 20 people. There was camping, privacy, views, fishing, and kayaking. What more could you ask for?

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Have you been to any parks on this list? Or on the California Park list? Let me know!

The BLT {Visited} California State Park List

(by region)

Central Coast

Cayucos State Beach Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Carmel River State Beach Monterey State Beach Asilomar State Beach

Central Valley

Caswell Memorial State Park McConnell State Recreation Area Turlock Lake State Recreation Area

Deserts

None

Gold Country

Auburn State Recreation Area Columbia State Historic Park Folsom Lake State Recreation Area Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park Old Sacramento State Historic Park Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

High Sierra

Bodie State Historic Park Calaveras Big Trees State Park Donner Memorial State Park Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve

Inland Empire

None

Los Angeles County

None

North Coast

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Caspar Headlands State Beach Humboldt Redwoods State Park Jug Handle State Natural Reserve Little River State Beach MacKerricher State Park Mendocino Headlands State Park Robert Louis Stevenson State Park Sonoma Coast State Park Trinidad State Beach

Orange County

None

San Diego County

None

San Francisco Bay Area

Albany State Marine Reserve Año Nuevo State Park Bean Hollow State Beach Benicia State Recreation Area Big Basin Redwoods State Park China Camp State Park Half Moon Bay State Beach Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Lighthouse Field State Beach Montara State Beach Mount Diablo State Park Mount Tamalpais State Park Natural Bridges State Park New Brighton State Beach Pacifica State Beach Pescadero State Beach Pomponio State Beach Portola Redwoods State Park Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach San Gregorio State Beach Seacliff State Beach Tomales Bay State Park Twin Lakes State Beach Wilder Ranch State Park

Shasta Cascade

Castle Crags State Park McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park