There are plenty of state parks to experience, but some are much busier than others. Want to visit a less crowded park? We’ve taken the top five most visited California state parks and offered a slightly less popular park within an hour’s drive to visit!
Salt Point State Park
near Sonoma Coast State Park
Just 10 miles up Highway 1 from California’s most popular state park, get your Sonoma County shore fix without as big a crowd at Salt Point State Park. Its beautiful ocean vistas and rocky shoreline are sure to match the stunning views you had in mind.
A premier destination for tide pool lovers, the pools at this park reveal a microcosm of marine life, including the vibrant sea stars and elusive octopuses. The park also boasts the unique pygmy forest, where cypress and pine trees naturally grow small, creating a surreal landscape.
Tijuana Estuary Point of Interest
near Old Town San Diego Historic Park
If you’ve already been to the shops and restaurants and learned about cultural history at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, take a journey into the area’s nearby natural history at Tijuana Estuary Point of Interest on the southern end of the bay near the Mexico border. Co-managed by local and national agencies, this park offers state-of-the-art resources in the visitor center and education programs.
Did you know that this park is a vital stopover for migrating birds? Making fall an exceptional time for birdwatching. This Ramsar-designated wetland, a globally recognized site of vital ecological importance for the preservation of wetland ecosystems, is home to the endangered Light-footed Ridgway’s rail, offering a rare glimpse of this elusive bird amidst the reeds.
San Clemente State Beach
near Huntington State Beach
It’s difficult to find a place of complete solitude along the popular state beaches of Southern California, but San Clemente State Beach does receive significantly fewer visitors a year despite having roughly the same acreage as Huntington State Beach. In addition, the park offers camping, so reserve a site in advance for excellent sunset access to the beach.
A California state beach since 1937 and popular among water sport enthusiasts, it is the perfect beach for anyone who wishes to escape from inland heat and nearby metropolitan areas for the day. The beautiful mile long beach stretches between the curling ocean surf and the foot of a steep bluff.
Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
near Topanga State Park
Fall is a great time to visit Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park, as the temperature is cooler in this rugged, rocky park. A 35-minute drive north of Topanga State Park, it offers hiking, intricate rock formations, diverse plant life, and deep historical roots.
In the cooler fall months, hikers can traverse the historic stagecoach route, exploring the same paths that connected Los Angeles to the rest of California during the Gold Rush. The park's rugged terrain is dotted with ancient Chumash Native American sites and a variety of wildlife, including the rare California black walnut trees, which offer a display of golden-yellow leaves in the fall.