In the spectacular Big Sur area, this park is still relatively undeveloped and offers visitors great hiking, fishing and beachcombing. Miles of trails wind through meadows, beaches and hilltops. A primitive walk-in trail camp, popular with hikers and bikers, is located approximately one third mile ........more >

Big Basin is California's oldest State Park, established in 1902. Home to the largest continuous stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods south of San Francisco, the park consists of over 18,000 acres of Old Growth and recovering Redwood Forest, with mixed conifer, oaks, chaparral, and riparian habitats. Elevations ........more >

The Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley foothills of Kern County, California. Elevations on the Refuge range from 1,600 to 4,680 feet. Purchased to protect dwindling California condor foraging and roosting habitat in 1985, the 14,097-acre refuge is ........more >

Along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Castle Rock State Park embraces 3,600 acres of coast redwood, Douglas-fir, and madrone forest, most of which has been left in its wild, natural state. Steep canyons are sprinkled with unusual rock formations that are popular with rock climbers. The forest ........more >

The park is located along the Stanislaus River near the town of Ripon, California. The park's 258 acres protect a fine example of the threatened and still declining riparian oak woodland, which once flourished throughout California's Central Valley. Caswell is home to several endangered animal species, ........more >

Yes, we can Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Csar E. Chvez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's first permanent agricultural union. His leadership brought sustained international attention to the ........more >

Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery. The formation is a rare sight in the geologic world and ranks as one of the world's finest examples ........more >

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This park features expansive views of Monterey Bay, from its hiking trails in the grasslands of the higher peaks of the Gavilan Range. Other views include the San Benito Valley, Salinas Valley, and the Santa Lucia Mountains east of Big Sur. Pine and oak woodlands in the park are home to many birds and ........more >

The park has two miles of beach front, with coastal hiking and a 50-foot climb to a beautiful view of the Pacific. With 2,879 acres, the park offers diverse coastal vegetation with trails running from ocean beaches into dense redwood groves. The park also features outstanding coastal headlands at Soberanes ........more >

This park is in the San Joaquin valley and is surrounded by the Merced River. The park has many trees and is home to various wildlife, especially birds. Swimming, fishing and picnicking are popular activities.........more >

This park features 15 miles of hiking and riding trails through a forest that looks much the same as it did 200 years ago. Zayante Indians once lived in the area, where they found shelter, water and game. Henry Cowell Redwoods is home to a centuries old Redwood Grove that features a self-guided nature ........more >

The purpose of John Little State Reserve, in Monterey County, is to preserve and protect an area of steep, rugged cliffs on the Big Sur coast where Lime Creek enters the Pacific Ocean. The unit contains the original 1917 cabin of early conservationist Elizabeth K. Livermore. John Little State Reserve ........more >

Kern National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southern portion of California's San Joaquin Valley, 20 miles west of the city of Delano. Situated on the southern margin of what was once the largest freshwater wetland complex in the western United States, Kern Refuge provides optimum wintering habitat ........more >

The beautiful scenery of Kern County and the water flowing gracefully down Kern River attract people from near and far. The average whitewater rafting or kayaking river tends to be a bit harder to master in this state than those in other states, so better not forget that many runs in this state are ........more >

The Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge is an artificial wetlands environment, created using agricultural runoff from farmland in California's Central Valley. The irrigation water is transported to the valley from sources in the Sierra Nevada mountains via the California Aqueduct. Minerals from these ........more >

These parks are home to giants immense mountains, deep canyons, and huge trees. Thanks to their huge elevational range, 1,500' to 14,491', these parks protect stunningly diverse habitats. The Generals Highway climbs over 5000 feet from chaparral and oak-studded foothills to the awe-inspiring sequoia ........more >

Located in the beautiful coastal mountains of central California, lies the Los Padres National Forest encompassing nearly two million acres. Stretching almost 220 miles from the Carmel Valley area to the western edge of Los Angeles County, the forest provides the scenic backdrop for many communities ........more >

The beach area includes a boardwalk that winds through the Marina Dunes Natural Preserves. The beach is known for hang-gliding. Radio-controlled gliders and kites are also popular. The beach is a favorite site for picnics. Water recreation is extremely hazardous due to strong rip currents.........more >

McConnells Mill State Park, in Lawrence County, encompasses 2,546 acres of the spectacular Slippery Rock Creek Gorge. Created by the draining of glacial lakes thousands of years ago, the gorge has steeps sides and the valley floor is littered with huge boulders. A gristmill was built in the 1800s to ........more >

Merced Refuge, located in California's northern San Joaquin Valley, is critically important to wintering waterfowl, and attracts large concentrations of ducks, geese, and lesser sandhill cranes. Over 2,000 acres of seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands are extensively managed to produce natural ........more >

This park features rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and hills, including 1,347-foot Valencia Peak. Naturalists and backpackers enjoy the solitude and freedom found along the parks trails. There are also mountain biking and equestrian trails. The best-known beach ........more >

Morro Bay State Park features lagoon and natural bay habitat. The bays most prominent landmark is Morro Rock. The park has opportunities for sailing, fishing, hiking, and bird watching. The park museum has exhibits cover natural features and cultural history, Native American life, geology, and oceanography. ........more >

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This beach, with its famous natural bridge, is an excellent vantage point for viewing shore birds, migrating whales, and seals and otters playing offshore. Further along the beach, tidepools offer a glimpse of life beneath the sea. Low tides reveal sea stars, crabs, sea anemones, and other colorful ........more >

This beautiful park features redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples, alders and willows - plus open meadows. Wildlife includes black-tail deer, gray squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and birds, such as water ouzels and belted kingfishers. Hikers can enjoy the many scenic trails, including ........more >

Some 23 million years ago multiple volcanoes erupted, flowed, and slid to form what would become Pinnacles National Park. What remains is a unique landscape. Travelers journey through chaparral, oak woodlands, and canyon bottoms. Hikers enter rare talus caves and emerge to towering rock spires teeming ........more >

Home to a small marsh and a significant portion of valley grassland habitat. It is the best place in the southern valley to view wintering Sandhill Cranes. Pixley supports most of the endangered species that occur in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Pixley National Wildlife Refuge is located 35 miles ........more >

This area contains headlands, coves and rolling meadows. The offshore area forms one of the richest underwater habitats in the world popular with divers. Wildlife includes seals, sea lions, sea otters and migrating gray whales from December to May. Thousands of seabirds also make the reserve their home. ........more >

Salinas River Refuge is located approximately 11 miles north of Monterey at the point where Salinas River empties into Monterey Bay. The refuge encompasses several habitat types including sand dunes, pickleweed salt marsh, river lagoon, riverine, and a saline pond. The area provides habitat for several ........more >

The San Luis Refuge in the San Joaquin Valley of central California is one of the last remnants of the historically bountiful wintering grounds for migratory waterfowl of the Pacific Flyway. Located in the Bear Creek, Salt Slough, and San Joaquin River floodplain, it hosts a myriad of tree-lined channels ........more >

San Simeon State Park is one of the oldest units of the California State Park System. The coastal bluffs and promontories of the scenic park offer unobstructed views of the ocean and rocky shore. The park includes the Santa Rosa Creek Natural Preserve, the San Simeon Natural Preserve and the Pa-nu Cultural ........more >

The Sequoia National Forest covers over 1.1 million acres in three counties of Southern California and offers an abundance of recreation opportunities for people to enjoy. The Forest offers 52 developed campgrounds, hiking on more than 1,147 miles of trails including 47 miles of the PCT, over 314,448 ........more >

The Sequoia is one of nineteen National Forests in California. It takes its name from the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves on the forest's lower slopes. The Sequoia's landscape is as spectacular as its trees. Soaring granite monoliths, glacier-torn canyons, ........more >

These parks are home to giants immense mountains, deep canyons, and huge trees. Thanks to their huge elevational range, 1,500' to 14,491', these parks protect stunningly diverse habitats. The Generals Highway climbs over 5000 feet from chaparral and oak-studded foothills to the awe-inspiring sequoia ........more >

Description - The Sierra National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres of terrain which ranges from gently rolling, oak-covered foothills along the edge of the San Joaquin Valley, to the majestic snowcapped peaks of the Sierra Nevada crest. One of the many attractions of the Sierra National Forest is ........more >

Tule Elk State Reserve protects a herd of tule elk, once in danger of extinction. In the 1880s, vast herds of tule elk were greatly reduced in number by hunting and loss of habitat. Cattleman Henry Miller began a 50-year effort to save them in 1874. At that time, few elk remained. In 1932, the herd ........more >

Bounded on the north by the Tuolumne River and on the south by Turlock Lake, the recreation area provides an ideal setting for water-oriented outdoor activities. The recreation area features the 3500-surface-acre lake with its 26 miles of shoreline and some 228 acres of foothill country leased from ........more >

2,891 acres of managed marsh and valley alkali shrub. Foot access only, except for permitted hunters during waterfowl season. Beaver, coyotes, cottontails and 150 species of birds including large numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds.........more >

The beach is a popular fishing area, featuring perch, kingfish, sole, flounder, halibut, bocaccio tomcod, jacksmelt, lingcod, cabezon, salmon, steelhead and occasional rockfish. The beach features the Pajaro River estuary, where a natural preserve has been set aside. The sandy beach is also popular ........more >

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