10-05-2025
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
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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
