Latest news with #CaliforniaStateParksFoundation
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Where's the best place to camp in California? ‘Iconic' coastal spot named No. 1
A state park on California's Central Coast is the top spot in the state to pitch a tent and sleep under the stars, according to the California State Parks Foundation. The Bay Area-based nonprofit organization recently released the results of its first-ever poll ranking the best state parks in California. The No. 1 place to camp in the Golden State was Morro Bay State Park in San Luis Obispo, according to the Best of California's State Parks 2025 survey. 'Coastal fog, kayaking adventures and views of iconic Morro Rock make this a camping destination unlike any other,' the foundation said. The California State Park Foundation called on people to vote for their favorite state parks across 10 categories this spring, choosing the best among 280 park units, 15,000 campsites and more than 5,00 miles of hiking trails in the Golden State. More than 1,300 survey participants took part in the poll, the news release said. Morro Bay State Park was the only SLO County destination to land on the list. Morro Bay State Park was hailed as the perfect place for camping due to its views of the Pacific Ocean and Morro Bay Estuary, as well as its access to nature and outdoor activities. 'Campers especially love waking up to foggy mornings, scenic trails and the iconic view of Morro Rock,' the foundation said. Rachel Norton, the executive director of the California State Parks Foundation, called the SLO County park one of the most stunning spots on the California coast. 'Camping on the coast is a particularly unique and wonderful experience,' she said. 'That's my thought on why people chose it.' People who responded to the survey said the Morro Bay campsite was serene and dog-friendly, while also being close to town and nature walks. It's a place 'surrounded by beauty, wildlife, great hiking and the feeling of peace,' wrote Doug Brand, who voted for Morro Bay State Park. Here are the winners of the 2025 Best of California's State Parks poll: Best California State Park for Camping: Morro Bay State Park Best California State Park for Hiking: Mount Tamalpais State Park in Marin County Best California State Park for Spectacular Views: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Monterey County Best California State Park for Birdwatching: Salton Sea State Recreation Area in Imperial and Riverside counties Best California State Park for Wildflowers: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in Imperial, Riverside and San Diego counties Best California State Park for Kid-Friendly Adventures: Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz County Best California State Park for Picnicking: Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego County Best California State Park for Learning About History: Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park in Santa Cruz County Best California State Beach: Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County Best California State Park for Dog-Friendly Adventures: Sonoma Coast State Park in Sonoma County The California State Parks Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving California's state park system, decided to make its first-ever top 10 list after receiving hundreds of queries over the years about the best parks to visit, Norton told The Tribune. The nonprofit group conducted a survey in March to find out what members and supporters thought were the best state parks to visit across 10 categories. It gathered responses through email lists and social media, Norton said. 'From camping and hiking to picnicking, birdwatching, and family fun, we received over 1,300 submissions — each reflecting the deep love people have for these parks,' the foundation said in a news release. Norton hopes the new best of list will inspire Californians to see state parks they might not have known about otherwise. 'The idea is really to say, 'Hey, if you haven't explored these places, here's some great ideas that you may not have thought of, for places to go, places to visit, places to enjoy,' ' Norton said.
Epoch Times
10-05-2025
- Epoch Times
Survey Reveals California's Top State Parks for 2025
California's state park system, the largest in the nation, includes 280 park units, hundreds of miles of coastline, nearly 15,000 campsites, and 5,200 miles of trails. But which park is best for camping, or birdwatching, or maybe wildflowers? The California State Parks Foundation's inaugural 'Best of California's State Parks' poll recently asked individuals to vote for their favorite parks across seven categories. The Best for Camping: Morro Bay Morro Bay State Park along California's Central Coast is filled with recreation all around the lagoons and the 576-foot According to the The Morro Bay Museum of Natural History showcases Native American life, geology, and oceanography. Best for Hiking: Mount Tamalpais Related Stories 9/10/2024 5/6/2025 Spread out across 6,300 acres, the park is home to about 750 plant species, such as redwoods and rare Calypso orchids, as well as 150 bird species, according to the Mount Tamalpais Interpretive Association. Visitors can traverse 60 miles of trails connected to a 200-mile network. The park also features a 3,750-seat stone Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre, built in the 1930s. Best California State Beach: Crystal Cove Along Orange County's coastline is the breathtaking Located between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove State Park is nestled amid green shrubbery and trees. The park overall spans 2,791 acres, according to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The park features a 1,400-acre Marine Conservation Area with tidepools and marine life, home to 180 bird species and 26 reptile species. Best for Birdwatching: Salton Sea Along the northeastern shore of California's biggest inland lake, the Salton Sea's 14 miles of shoreline at 227 feet below sea level provide a unique destination for outdoor enthusiasts, according to the The Salton Sea offers a range of activities, including birdwatching along the Pacific Flyway, hiking, kayaking, and fishing for tilapia. Best Kid-Friendly Park: Natural Bridges The 65-acre The park features a Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve in a eucalyptus grove with 150,000 monarch butterflies from October to early February. Visitors can view tidepools of sea stars, crabs, and anemones during low tides. Visitors might have the opportunity to see shorebirds, migrating whales, and seals at the park. Best For Wildflowers: Anza-Borrego Desert The park is named after Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and the bighorn sheep (borrego in Spanish) found in the area. The park offers 110 miles of hiking trails, vibrant spring wildflowers from February to April, and some in the summer, as well as historic sites such as the 1775 Anza expedition route. Borrego Palm Canyon offers full hookups. Tamarisk Grove has nonpotable water and dispersed remote camping. Activities include stargazing, off-road vehicle routes, and wildlife viewing. California State Parks Week
Los Angeles Times
09-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Crystal Cove named best beach in California by State Parks Foundation
It's no secret that Crystal Cove is the best state beach in California to the roughly 2 million people who visit it each year, and an open survey published Wednesday by the California State Parks Foundation confirms it. The foundation's nod to Crystal Cove came as part of their 'Best of California State Parks' list, which highlights ideal spots across the state for hiking, camping, bird-watching and more. The organization began taking recommendations for the list earlier this spring, and in just a few short weeks a combined 1,300 of their members and followers on social media responded. 'This recognition reaffirms our mission to inspire people to connect with nature and become stewards of California's natural and cultural treasures,' Crystal Cove Conservancy President Kate Wheeler said in a statement. 'That this honor comes from the California State Parks Foundation makes it even more meaningful. The Foundation has been essential not only to our ability to protect Crystal Cove and turn it into a living classroom and laboratory, but also in supporting so many organizations like ours that champion our state parks.' Crystal Cove faced stiff competition in a state that's home to some of the world's most iconic ocean views, California State Parks Foundation Executive Director Rachel Norton told the Daily Pilot during a call Wednesday. But with a diverse set of habitats like tide pools and underwater kelp forests, as well as a variety of attractions like hiking trails, a historic district with 1930s-era cottages for overnight stays and more, all within a short drive from major urban and suburban communities, it's easily one of the most popular destinations on the West Coast. 'Orange County, first of all, has the most incredible beaches, really, in the world, so there is a lot of competition for best beach day in Orange County, for sure,' Norton, a native of Northern California, said. 'But Crystal Cove is so unique because of how close it is to Irvine and Newport Beach. It's a very accessible place, but it still feels like nature.' Crystal Cove also serves as an en plein air classroom, hosting a variety of educational programs year round. Students work alongside scientists there to get a firsthand look at concepts including marine biology, habitat preservation and coastal engineering. Other notable picks in the foundation's 'Best' list include Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties as the best parks to enjoy this summer's wildflower bloom, with an honorable mention in that category going to Chino Hills State Park in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego County was named best state park for picnics. The foundation pointed to the Salton Sea in Imperial and Riverside counties for some of the best bird-watching experiences in the state. Norton hopes the Foundation's recommendations will inspire more Californians to explore the state's immense selection of parks. 'These places are for all of us, they're public,' Norton said. 'Part of our mission is to make sure Californians are engaged with, experiencing and enjoying their state parks. So maybe this is an opportunity to learn something new. 'Eight years ago when I took this job, I had never heard of Crystal Cove,' she continued. 'It wasn't on my radar as a Northern Californian. And then I learned about it and was like, 'Wow, this place is incredible!' So even someone who considers themselves fairly knowledgeable about the state parks system, it's so vast that you can't experience it all, so guides like this are helpful for learning about new places.'
