Southern California is home to many glorious state parks just waiting to be explored. Since it’s always a good time of year to get outside and do some wandering, we’ve put together a list of state parks in Southern California that are worthy of a full day, or even a whole weekend, of exploration. Whether you enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, water sports, horseback riding, or pretty much anything outdoors, these state parks offer a wonderful playground where you can embrace nature and experience all the beauty that SoCal has to offer.

1. Cuyamaca State Park
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, 14592-14674 CA-79, Julian, CA 92036, USA
flickr/JAlmon73
26,000 acres of exploration await you at Cuyamaca State Park. Located only 40 miles away from San Diego, it's an easy day trip or weekend away for outdoor recreating. The lovely Lake Cuyamaca is pictured here.
2. Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu Creek State Park, 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA 91302, USA
flickr/Tracie Hall
This state park was formerly a movie ranch back when it was owned by Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox. Popular films and TV shows such as M*A*S*H were filmed in this state park. Today it is mostly known for the 8,215 acres of land that is prime for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Although it's no longer a dedicated movie ranch, you can still see some of the locations that were used in movies and TV shows on a guided tour of the area.
3. El Capitan Beach State Park
El Capitán State Beach, 1 El Capitan State Beach Rd, Goleta, CA 93117, USA
Trip Advisor/Yorkie8
This protected beach that is part of the California State Park system is a short 20-mile drive from Santa Barbara. Enjoy the beach for a day trip or spend a little more time and stay overnight at one of the many campsites. If you go in the fall, you will be dazzled by the Monarch butterflies. It's an amazing place all year round.
4. Bolsa Chica Beach State Park
Bolsa Chica State Beach, 17851 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92649, USA
flickr/Michael MM
A beachfront state park in Orange County that is a popular spot for surf fishing. While you're there make sure to check out the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve that's across the way from the park!
5. Gaviota State Park
Gaviota State Park Beach & Campground, 17620 Gaviota Beach Rd, Gaviota, CA 93117, USA
TripAdvisor/Damian Gadal
Enjoy 34-miles of trails at this state park located in Santa Barbara County. An interesting landmark located within the park is the Southern Pacific railroad trestle that towers above Gaviota creek. Get more information about Gaviota State Park on the official website.
6. Chino Hills State Park
Chino Hills State Park, 4721 Sapphire Rd, Chino Hills, CA 91709, USA
Flickr/zphaze
With over 60 miles of trails to explore, Chino Hills State Park is a lovely sanctuary to experience nature.
7. Border Field State Park
flickr/Tony Webster

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Border Field State Park, 1500 Monument Rd, San Diego, CA 92154, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Rev Sysyphus
This state park is unusual in that it is located on the US/Mexico border. If you look closely at the picture you can see Tijuana off in the distance. An interesting sight to see at this state park is the border fence along the beach. Visit the California Parks website to learn more about Border Field State Park.
8. Saddleback Butte State Park
Saddleback Butte State Park, 17102 E Ave. J, Lancaster, CA 93535, USA
Flickr/Mark Esguerra
A great destination for hiking and camping in Antelope Valley. The best time of year to explore is springtime through May when the wildflowers are bursting with color. The California Parks website has more information.
9. Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA
TripAdvisor/Bnktopnr
This state park located in Orange County is truly a hidden gem filled with stunning cliffs and bluffs and over 3-miles of beachfront to explore. If you love to hike and bike, you will have 2,400 acres of land to explore.
10. Mount San Jacinto State Park
flickr/Greg Gjerdingen
Mount San Jacinto State Park, 25905 CA-243, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549, USA
flickr/Greg Gjerdingen
Located in Riverside County, most of this state park is a dedicated wilderness area perfect for hiking and backpacking. It's accessible by the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway starting in Chino Canyon. For hiking enthusiasts, the summit of Mount San Jacinto is the second highest peak in Southern California, so it's a great spot to give those hiking boots a bit of a stretch. You can visit the official CA Parks website to learn more about this awesome state park.
11. Palomar Mountain State Park
State Park Road, State Park Rd, Palomar Mountain, CA, USA
flickr/Margaret Hill
This state park is a wonderful respite in the heat of summer; it's a densely wooded area with plenty of oak and conifer trees to provide a nice blanket of shade. Doane Pond, pictured here, is a popular destination within the park.
12. Placerita Canyon State Park
Placerita Canyon Nature Center, 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA 91321, USA
flickr/Kelly Verdeck
This spot has been preserved because it was one of the first documented locations where gold was discovered in California in 1842. Located in the San Gabriel mountains, it's a wonderful destination for hiking and exploring nature trails.
13. Will Rogers State Park
Will Rogers State Park Road, Will Rogers State Park Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90272, USA
flickr/Kevin Reese
This stunning 186-acre state park located in Pacific Palisades is the former site of the Will Rogers estate. It was designated a state park in 1944 after his death. Hiking and horseback riding trails abound and provide an incredible view of the sea and the mountains.

It’s pretty amazing to think that all of these spots belong to us in Southern California. And it’s hard to believe that many of these locations were once at risk of closure due to state budget cuts. Let’s protect these beautiful spaces and take time to enjoy the land.

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State Parks to Visit in Southern California

Tori Jane | February 16, 2022

What are the best state parks in Southern California?  

Southern California sees tens of millions of visitors every year, and most often, those visitors tend to go to places like the various beaches (we love Venice Beach, personally), famous piers, and world-renowned amusement parks. This means they’re missing out on an entire world of amazing state parks in Southern California that many of them don’t even know exist! Some of our favorite state parks in SoCA include the 26,000-acre wonderland known as Cuyamaca State Park. Then, we also adore El Capitan Beach State Park, which is absolutely breathtaking and just 20 miles from Santa Barbara. Gaviota State Park is another favorite, and it features more than 30 miles of awesome hiking, biking, and walking trails of varying difficulties. Finally, there’s Crystal Cove State Park, a favorite among locals, which features three amazing miles of beachfront coastal splendor and 2,400 acres of awesomeness to explore. Need more of the outdoors? Check out these amazing outdoor places in SoCA to explore ASAP.

 What are the best hiking trails in Southern California?  

Southern California also just so happens to be a place that’s grossly overlooked when it comes to hiking trails, if you ask us. Some of the best hiking trails in the entire state are found in SoCA, and they certainly deserve a lot of love for their stellar uniqueness and natural beauty. One of our favorite hiking trails in Southern California is the amazing Borrego Palm Canyon Loop, a three-mile trek that always goes overlooked within Anza Borrego State Park. Then, in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, you can find the 3.2-mile long Solstice Canyon Trail, which leads to amazing ocean views, a small waterfall, and a picturesque canyon. Finally, we fell in love with the Yucca Point Trail, within Torrey Pines Nature Preserve. Torrey Pines are some of the rarest pine trees there are, and they’re right here in our little slice of heaven! This trail is a 1.5-mile trek that shows you these trees up close and features plenty of interesting geology and geography.  

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