Peterson Sorenson
You know that feeling when your GPS loses signal, but the view ahead makes you stop caring? California’s coastline does that a lot. It’s less about polished tourist spots and more about places where sea lions bark at your lunch, and trails smell like eucalyptus. So, here are 20 state parks along California’s coast that do coastal beauty their own way.
Sonoma Coast State Park
Sonoma Coast State Park stretches across nearly 17 miles of coastline. Here, you’ll find trails weaving through coastal bluffs, access to tide pools, and picnic areas with panoramic ocean views. Goat Rock Beach is a notable section of the park, known for its colony of harbor seals and the mouth of the Russian River nearby.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Located along Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is best known for McWay Falls, where an 80-foot waterfall drops from granite cliffs to a sheltered beach below. The Overlook Trail is short and easily accessible, giving you a direct view of the falls from a fenced pathway. Parking is limited, especially on weekends, so early arrival is recommended.
Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park sits between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach and is divided into three main sections: the beach, the backcountry, and the historic district. The beach section is popular for tidepooling and walking, while the inland areas offer trails that wind through undeveloped coastal hills. The park is also home to healthy populations of shorebirds.
Garrapata State Park
This state park includes ocean-facing cliffs and dense groves of coastal redwoods. The coastal section features short trails leading to viewpoints with excellent visibility for spotting sea otters or watching large surf. There are no entrance stations or main parking lots here, so you’ll use roadside pullouts to access specific trailheads.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Often dubbed the “crown jewel” of California’s state parks, Point Lobos contains a collection of looped trails that lead to coves. Here, Cypress Grove Trail is a standout, winding through a rare Monterey cypress forest. This area is also known for its accessible wildlife watching, particularly harbor seals and seabirds.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
This lesser-known redwood park includes eight miles of undeveloped coastline, much of it hidden behind thick groves of old-growth trees. Unlike other redwood parks focused solely on trees, this one balances coastal and forest environments with equal weight, providing a more varied experience for those willing to hike a bit farther.
Salt Point State Park
Salt Point is located along the less-traveled stretch of Highway 1 north of Jenner. It’s one of the only places on California’s coast where you’ll find tafoni—honeycomb-like sandstone formations created by erosion. The park also includes Gerstle Cove, which is part of California’s first underwater marine reserve, attracting scuba divers.
Van Damme State Park
Van Damme is best known for its Fern Canyon, a lush trail that follows a gentle creek under towering redwoods and dense layers of sword ferns. The trail is flat and easily accessible, ideal for a slow-paced nature walk. Adjacent to the forest is a beach launch point for kayakers who explore the nearby sea caves.
Russian Gulch State Park
This park includes forested trails, highlighted by the Devil’s Punchbowl—a collapsed sea cave that fills dramatically with crashing waves. At the headlands, benches and picnic tables provide places to relax and take in views of sea arches and coves. You’ll also find a small beach at the base of the gulch, accessible via a wooden staircase.
Mendocino Headlands State Park
Wrapping around the town of Mendocino, this park blends urban access with wild terrain. Trails trace the bluffs right behind houses and inns, yet you’ll feel removed once you’re out among the wind-sculpted pines and open grasslands. Plus, during the winter and early spring, whale sightings are common as gray whales migrate past the headlands.
Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
Point Cabrillo Light Station includes a restored 1909 lighthouse set on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. The surrounding grounds feature historic buildings, including the former lightkeeper’s house, which is now a museum. Unlike more remote lighthouses, this one remains active and visible from trails along the bluff.
Tomales Bay State Park
The park lies within the Point Reyes National Seashore boundary but is managed by the state. Heart’s Desire Beach is its main hub, with picnic tables, restrooms, and shallow water that warms up by midday. It also preserves evidence of Coast Miwok village sites, with interpretive signs explaining the region’s Indigenous history.
Montana De Oro State Park
Named “Mountain of Gold” for the bright blooms that color its hills in spring, Montana de Oro spans cliffs, dunes, and canyons across nearly 8,000 acres. Inland, you’ll find eucalyptus groves and a few backcountry campsites for multi-day hikers. Because of the park’s size, it rarely feels crowded, even on weekends.
Hearst San Simeon State Park
Adjacent to the famous Hearst Castle, this park offers coastal bluffs and beaches. Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is only a few miles away, making it easy to combine wildlife viewing with a visit here. Always look for interpretive signs throughout the park that explain the area’s geology and the influence of early landowners.
Point Mugu State Park
Point Mugu combines five miles of beachfront with more than 70 miles of trails. Sycamore Canyon and La Jolla Canyon offer inland hikes through steep canyons filled with wildflowers and oak trees. The park is especially popular with backpackers and trail runners due to its varied elevation. This makes the park a strong option for both short visits and overnight stays.
San Onofre State Beach
San Onofre includes several distinct zones—surfing beaches, a sandstone bluff-backed area, and trails that run along the San Mateo Creek watershed. Trails along the bluffs provide access to more secluded shoreline spots. Although it sits near a decommissioned nuclear power plant, the area remains well-maintained and popular.
Carpinteria State Beach
Carpinteria State Beach is considered one of the most family-oriented coastal parks, featuring a wide, flat beach with lifeguards and gentle waves. Tide pools at the park’s south end contain limpets, sea hares, and barnacles that are easily visible at low tide. Campsites are also located just steps from the sand, making it a convenient choice for first-time beach campers.
El Capitan State Beach
Large sycamore trees line the lower part of this park near El Capitan Creek, where day-use areas include barbecues and picnic tables. The beach has a more rustic feel, with fewer crowds than nearby state beaches. While not the best place for swimming due to rocky conditions, El Capitan is ideal for tidepooling and quiet exploration.
Leo Carrillo State Park
This Malibu-area park includes two miles of coastline. Here, campgrounds are located just across the road, providing easy access to both ocean and mountain terrain. Because of its diverse environments within a compact footprint, Leo Carrillo works well for visitors with limited time who still want variety in their outdoor experience.
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Popular among hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers, this state park’s diverse trails wind through redwood groves, oak woodlands, and chaparral. Wildlife thrives in this scenic sanctuary, and on clear days, you can even spot the Farallon Islands. This park has also inspired countless artists and remains a beloved retreat for Bay Area adventurers.
