In honor of our 50th anniversary, we invited park enthusiasts like you to share photos of the great adventures they’ve had in California state parks through the years. From picnics and hikes to beach days, birthdays and family celebrations, we wanted to tell the story of state parks by the people who have enjoyed them most. Together, we have a collection of cherished park memories. Maybe you’ll even see your own photo if you submitted one!
Natural Bridges State Beach in 2014-
The best climbing tree! Hearst San Simeon State Park
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Summer sunset in Crystal Cove State Park
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Summer 1988, Carlsbad State Beach. My brothers and I enjoying the surf!
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Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
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Alisa and Gloria flipping burgers, 1978. Big Basin Redwoods State Park
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California scrub jay at Malibu Creek State Park
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Common Buckeye at Malibu Creek State Park
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Silver Falls, Big Basin Redwoods State Park
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Moss Landing State Beach
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Will Rogers State Historic Park, 2018
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Trail work, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
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Cooling off, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
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Hot cocoa, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
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Beam of light, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
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Red Rock Canyon State Park
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Mount Diablo State Park, spring
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On the lake, Donner Memorial State Park, 1960s
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Estero Bluffs State Park
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Me and my traveling teddybear, Big Basin Redwoods State Park
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My big brother standing on his head, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, July 1959
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Steep Ravine Cabins, Mount Tamalpais State Park
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Volunteering, Los Angeles State Historic Park
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Huntington State Beach
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Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
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Huntington State Beach
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Our son and daughter, El Capitan State Beach, 1985 | Our son with his sons, 2017
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Stone arches, Leo Carrillo State Park
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Don't play with fire, Silver Strand State Beach
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Angel Island State Park, 2011
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Mohawk Stamp Mill, Plumas-Eureka State Park
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Aerial view of Castaic Lake, Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, 1971
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Desert dawn, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
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Big Basin Redwoods State Park,1990
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The most amazing view of San Francisco on Mother's Day, Angel Island State Park
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Bodie State Historic Park, winter
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Salt Point State Park
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Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, summer 1980
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The Duggan family, Carpinteria State Beach, late 1960s
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Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
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San Gregorio State Beach
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Clergy and pilgrims after the July 4th service, Fort Ross State Historic Park, 1927
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Checking out the superbloom, Chino Hills State Park, 2018
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Cousin camp, Silver Strand State Beach,summer 2007
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Surfing friends forever and ever, San Elijo State Beach
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I can fit!, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
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Working, Año Nuevo State Park, 1983
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Natural Bridges State Beach, April 2019
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Sugar Pine Point State Park, summer
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Montaña de Oro State Park, 1979
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Chino Hills State Park
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Huntington State Beach, 1984
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Slot Canyon, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
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Horseback riding, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
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Fort Ross State Historic Park
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Orange Fringehead Blenny, Morro Bay State Park
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Superbloom, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
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Point Mugu State Park
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Dan and Nora cooling off post-hike, Wilder Ranch State Park
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Stumped, Calaveras Big Trees State Park
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Deer, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
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Keith weeded out a "bouquet" of Russian thistle, Rio de Los Angeles State Park
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Leo Carrillo Grand Marshall Gold Rush Parade, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, 1948
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Celebrating an engagement, Emerald Bay State Park
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Sunset, Henry W. Coe State Park
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Snow remains, Castle Rock State Park
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Janolus Barbarensis (a colorful sea slug), Morro Bay State Park
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Drawing wildflowers, Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, 1998
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Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
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Leo Carrillo State Park, 2015
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Latino Outdoors training and campout, Big Basin Redwoods State Park
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San Clemente State Beach, summer 1966
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Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
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Camping at Mount Tamalpais State Park, 1967
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Father, Emerald Bay State Park, 1941
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Mary Twight with salmon she caught, Van Damme State Park, mid-1940s
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My girls and I on Lake Britton on my birthday, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
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Cool morning hike to Rabbit Peak, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
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Camping trip with family and friends, Morro Bay State Park, 2001
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Milky Way views, Plumas-Eureka State Park
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Cousin fun!, Samuel P. Taylor State Park, 1991
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Cousin fun!, Samuel P. Taylor State Park, 1993
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Summit of Mount San Jacinto, Mount San Jacinto State Park
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Loving the trees, Big Basin Redwoods State Park
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Wheel and scaffold, Bodie State Historic Park
