One day, you can be swimming in glass-clear mountain creeks in the dazzling Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, a "mini Yosemite" filled with ancient trees, the next, gazing at the dramatic Big Sur coastal ...

This fascinating state park in California is home to a pygmy forest: groves of older trees that are extremely short compared to other trees. Find out more.

Olivia Harden is a travel reporter at SFGATE, where she has written and reported stories in destinations across the state since 2023. She was born and raised and refuses to leave Southern California.

The foundation's nod to Crystal Cove came as part of their "Best of California State Parks" list, which highlights ideal spots across the state for hiking, camping, bird-watching and more.

The Golden State might have more campgrounds than any other in the U.S.—and more visitors, too. From desert to coast to mountains, here are the best uncrowded spots to get a site.

The California State Parks Foundation is hosting a photo contest where people can submit their favorite snapshots of the ...

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, you might want to consider visiting one of the thousands of state parks across the ...

Less famous but just as unforgettable, these state parks showcase iconic landscapes without the long lines at America’s ...