California State Parks Foundation officials have announced that voting is now open for the 2026 “Best of California’s State Parks” poll. Californians are invited to vote for their favorite state parks across 12 categories, including the best parks for camping, hiking, birdwatching, family-friendly adventures, and more. This year’s poll also features two new categories — “Best State Park for Water Activities” and “Best State Park for Hidden Gem Experiences.”
The voting period for the 2026 “Best of California’s State Parks” poll runs through April 11, 2026.
“The ‘Best of California’s State Parks’ poll is a fun opportunity for Californians to share what they love about their state parks,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “There are so many different types of parks to explore in California, whether you’re looking for a day at the beach, a hike among the redwoods, or a chance to learn about history. We encourage you to vote and tell us about your favorite state park.”
The voting options in each category were nominated by Californians earlier this year.
Best State Park for Camping
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside Counties)
Calaveras Big Trees State Park (Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties)
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park (Amador County)
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (Monterey County)
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (Sonoma and Napa Counties)
Best State Park for Hiking
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside Counties)
Big Basin Redwoods State Park (San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties)
Calaveras Big Trees State Park (Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties)
Jack London State Historic Park (Sonoma County)
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (Humboldt and Del Norte Counties)
Best State Park for Spectacular Views
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve (Los Angeles County)
Crystal Cove State Park (Orange County)
Montaña de Oro State Park (San Luis Obispo County)
Mount Tamalpais State Park (Marin County)
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (Monterey County)
Best State Park for Birdwatching
Año Nuevo State Park (San Mateo County)
Humboldt Lagoons State Park (Humboldt County)
Malibu Creek State Park (Los Angeles County)
Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Los Angeles County)
Morro Bay State Park (San Luis Obispo County)
Best State Park for Wildflowers
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve (Los Angeles County)
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside Counties)
Montaña de Oro State Park (San Luis Obispo County)
Mount Diablo State Park (Contra Costa County)
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (Sonoma and Napa Counties)
Best State Park for Family-Friendly Experiences
Angel Island State Park (Marin and San Francisco Counties)
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve (Los Angeles County)
California Citrus State Historic Park (Riverside County)
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park (Amador County)
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (Tuolumne County)
Best State Park for Day Trips
Angel Island State Park (Marin and San Francisco Counties)
Jack London State Historic Park (Sonoma County)
Malibu Creek State Park (Los Angeles County)
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (Monterey County)
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (Tuolumne County)
Best State Park for Beaches
Asilomar State Beach (Monterey County)
Carlsbad State Beach (San Diego County)
Crystal Cove State Park (Orange County)
Half Moon Bay State Beach (San Mateo County)
Leo Carrillo State Park (Los Angeles and Ventura Counties)
Best State Park for Learning About History
Angel Island State Park (Marin and San Francisco Counties)
Bodie State Historic Park (Mono County)
California Citrus State Historic Park (Riverside County)
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park (Amador County)
Jack London State Historic Park (Sonoma County)
Best State Park for Dog-Friendly Adventures
California State Capitol Museum (Sacramento County)
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (San Francisco County)
Donner Memorial State Park (Placer and Nevada Counties)
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (El Dorado, Placer, and Sacramento Counties)
Leo Carrillo State Park (Los Angeles and Ventura Counties)
Best State Park for Water Activities
Asilomar State Beach (Monterey County)
Clear Lake State Park (Lake County)
Donner Memorial State Park (Placer and Nevada Counties)
Emerald Bay State Park (El Dorado County)
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (El Dorado, Placer, and Sacramento Counties)
Best State Park Hidden Gem
Bodie State Historic Park (Mono County)
California Citrus State Historic Park (Riverside County)
California State Capitol Museum (Sacramento County)
China Camp State Park (Marin County)
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (Sonoma and Napa Counties)
The inaugural “Best of California’s State Parks” poll was launched by California State Parks Foundation in 2025. In just a few weeks, over 1,300 people participated in the poll, and many also sent in photos, personal stories, and memories about why state parks are special.
The California state park system includes 280 state park units, over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites, 5,200 miles of trails, 3,195 historic buildings, and more than 11,000 known prehistoric and historic archaeological sites. For more information on the 2026 “Best of California’s State Parks” poll, visit calparks.org/bestof2026.
