Elephant seals hang out on the beach at Año Nuevo State Park. | Getty Images
More than 40 of California’s 280 state parks are day-trippable from the Bay Area. And with State Parks Week beginning June 14, it's a great time to rediscover the dozens of beaches, forests and historic sites available to explore this summer.
Check out the map below for new ideas for weekend destinations, and read on for five of the Bay Area’s less popular parks that are worth a visit in 2023.
A Guide to California State Parks Near the Bay Area
See a Historic Mill in the Napa Valley
Home to an extra large water-powered grist mill from 1846, Bale Grist Mill Historic State Park preserves a glimpse of the early agricultural days of Napa Valley. From the site above Calistoga, visitors can head out on walks in the adjacent Bothe-Napa Valley State Park.
The Bale Grist Mill State Park near Calistoga showcases the early agricultural history of the Napa Valley. | Getty Images
Stroll the Shoreline of the Carquinez Strait
Benicia State Recreation Area offers a unique view from its site on the narrowest spot of the Carquinez Strait. Walkers, bikers and even roller skaters love the paths along the marshy bay—and the fishing ain’t bad either.
Drive the Spectacular Sonoma Coast
From Bodega Bay to Jenner, the Sonoma Coast State Park manages 16 miles of beaches along Highway 1. Though 2.6 million visitors came to the park in 2019, it never seems crowded because it is so spread out. Day-trippers can always find an empty spot to poke into coves, peek at tide pools, watch for whales and devour some local seafood before the trip home.
Bike and Hike Near the Bay
Named for a shrimp fishing village from the 1880s, China Camp State Park has miles of trails and is a popular bayside spot with mountain bikers, hikers and even swimmers (!) in Marin County. Though the historical museum is currently closed, visitors can find out more information about upcoming events on the Friends of China Camp website.
The sun sets at China Camp State Park in Marin County. | Getty Images
Meet the Elephant Seals—Without the Crowds
Humans head to Año Nuevo State Park north of Santa Cruz to see up to 10,000 elephant seals. Though the park is hardly “undiscovered,” it is far less popular from April to November when there are fewer elephant seals hanging around so no reservations are needed to make a self-guided walk to the viewing area.
Shelley D. Fargo contributed additional research for this story.
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