8 Underrated State Parks In California

California’s famous national parks often steal the spotlight, but the state is home to incredible state parks that fly under the radar.

These hidden gems offer breathtaking landscapes without the crowds you’ll find at Yosemite or Joshua Tree. From coastal redwoods to desert caverns, these underrated state parks showcase California’s diverse natural beauty waiting to be explored.

1. Castle Crags State Park

Dramatic granite spires pierce the sky at this northern California treasure. Hikers can tackle the challenging Castle Dome Trail for panoramic views of Mount Shasta looming in the distance. Crystal-clear streams meander through lush forests, creating perfect picnic spots along the Sacramento River. Despite its jaw-dropping scenery, Castle Crags remains blissfully uncrowded compared to nearby national parks.

2. Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park

Step into a surreal landscape carved by Gold Rush hydraulic mining. The otherworldly cliffs showcase vibrant bands of red, orange, and white sediment, nature’s own abstract painting. Walking the trails feels like exploring another planet. History buffs will appreciate the preserved ghost town of North Bloomfield with its period buildings. Spring visits reward with spectacular wildflower displays across the disturbed terrain.

3. Montaña De Oro State Park

Named “Mountain of Gold” for its wildflower-covered hills, this coastal gem dazzles with rugged cliffs and hidden coves. Spooner’s Cove beach offers perfect tide-pooling opportunities where starfish, sea anemones, and hermit crabs thrive. Valencia Peak trail rewards hikers with breathtaking 360-degree views of the coastline and inland mountains. Unlike crowded Big Sur, you’ll often have scenic viewpoints all to yourself, especially on weekdays.

4. Henry W. Coe State Park

California’s second-largest state park offers wilderness solitude just hours from Silicon Valley. Rugged terrain challenges even experienced hikers with steep ridges and remote valleys spread across 87,000 acres. Spring transforms hillsides into technicolor displays of poppies, lupines, and owl’s clover. Wildlife spotting opportunities abound, from majestic tule elk to elusive mountain lions that roam this vast landscape.

5. Portola Redwoods State Park

A magical redwood sanctuary hiding in plain sight near Silicon Valley. Ancient trees tower overhead, creating a hushed cathedral-like atmosphere where sunlight filters through in ethereal beams. Fern-carpeted canyons and bubbling creeks invite exploration along 18 miles of trails. The park’s remote location keeps crowds minimal, offering a peaceful alternative to famous Muir Woods, you might even spot banana slugs inching along the forest floor.

6. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

California’s largest state park unfolds across 600,000 acres of breathtaking desert wilderness. Narrow slot canyons carved by flash floods create natural labyrinths waiting to be explored. Spring transforms this seemingly harsh landscape into a colorful paradise when wildflower superblooms carpet the desert floor. Night skies dazzle with stars in this certified Dark Sky Park, where bighorn sheep and desert foxes roam among bizarre metal sculptures scattered throughout.

7. Providence Mountains State Recreation Area

Hidden in the Mojave Desert lies a limestone cave wonderland. Mitchell Caverns feature fantastic formations of stalactites and stalagmites that have grown over millennia in this harsh environment. Rangers lead fascinating tours through these geological marvels. Outside, the desert landscape offers spectacular views across vast basins and ranges. This remote park’s isolation means you’ll experience profound desert silence broken only by the whisper of wind.

8. Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Fog-draped coastal redwoods create a mystical atmosphere in California’s far northwestern corner. Ancient giants thrive in this misty environment where forest meets sea along dramatic coastal bluffs. The Damnation Creek Trail offers an unforgettable journey from towering redwoods down to secluded beaches. Unlike more famous redwood destinations, solitude comes easy here; you might spend hours without encountering another soul among these primeval giants.