THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS California escapesDiscover the many states of California 2005 FREE Where will the hundreds of California Parks take you today? DESTINATION KNOWN! From Doheny to Leland Stanford Mansion to Humboldt Redwoods, get ready for camping, hiking, surfing, and much more in your 278 state parks. PLUS Cool Maps, Hot Tips, and Insider Information California Welcome TM Dear Friends, escapes Arnold Schwarzenegger California’s state park system is the finest in the Governor country, offering some of the world’s most varied Mike Chrisman natural wonders. These national treasures mean many Secretary for Resources different things to a wide array of visitors, explorers, Ruth Coleman Director nature enthusiasts and adventurers who have discov- California State Parks ered our breathtaking vistas and rugged landscapes. Our parks, lush with vegetation and animal life, embody the cultural richness of our state and help preserve California’s CALIFORNIA extraordinary biological diversity. From shoreline tidepools and desert STATE PARKS washes to High Sierra meadows and primeval redwood forests, each of P.O. Box 942896 California’s naturally occurring ecosystems is represented in our state Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 parks. Our parks ensure the survival of precious environmental resources, (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995 wildlife and endangered species. (888) 877-5378 TTY These natural marvels are also key components of California’s To receive this in an economic well-being. Our unparalleled park system attracts visitors from alternative format please contact us at around the globe, who spend $2.6 billion annually while exploring our vast the number above. assembly of recreational and historic sites, monuments, campsites and Nicole Placencia more than 3,000 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Marketing Manager Thanks to the many On behalf of all Californians, I am delighted to extend a warm California State Parks welcome to all who come to share the timeless splendor of our majestic employees who contributed to this magazine. outdoors. Have a fantastic time! Sincerely, PUBLISHING, EDITORIAL AND CREATIVE Arnold Schwarzenegger Hartle Media Publishing Governor San Francisco, CA (415) 362-7797 Welcome Friends, Tom Hartle Publisher Where will the hundreds of California state parks Julie Suppelsa take you today? Associate Publisher Like California itself, California state parks are bold, Heather Luplow Hartle Creative and Editorial Director adventurous, inspiring—allowing you to stretch your Christine Ryan physical, mental and spiritual boundaries. Managing Editor California State Parks is an unending adventure with Sharon Brock more than 275 state parks consisting of nearly 1.4 million Editor Tiffani Barton acres, over 280 miles of coastline, 625 miles of lake and river frontage and Designer 13,000 campsites. Whether you are a history buff, cultural admirer, an avid Stefanie Michejda outdoor enthusiast, an off-highway motor-vehicle fan, or a family vacation Photo Editor Aubrie Pick aficionado, the adventure never stops in the California state parks system, Art Assistant with literally something for everyone. Timothy Wudarski So prepare to create memories of a lifetime, because whether you’re Production Director planning your first adventure or your 100th, I guarantee it will take you to a Hartle Media Pre-Press E L very satisfied state. I Creel Printing H P Printing O T Discover the many states of California! O H P / K N A All maps by maps.com L B © 2005 California State Parks S Ruth Coleman E M A Director, California State Parks J 2 PksearorStat f a Cal ni i www.CAescapes.com Exploring tidepools at San Simeon State Park, on the S Central Coast T N 2 E T << California State N O Parks Color Coded C Region Map 1 3 5 4 7 6 12 8 11 9 Regions 10 18 CALIFORNIA STATE MAP Consult this overview of the Golden State in conjunction with the separate maps that accompany each of the regions below. 20 REGION 1 / NORTH COAST 30 REGION 2 / SHASTA CASCADE Contents 32 REGION 3 / GOLD COUNTRY 36 REGION 4 / HIGH SIERRA ON THE COVER: Heading home at the golden 38 REGION 5 / SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA 10 FAMILY ADVENTURE hour in San Diego County California’s parks are much more Photograph by Richard Cumming 44 REGION 6 / CENTRAL COAST Up Front K than natural reserves—they include A Y 48 REGION 7 / CENTRAL VALLEY L historical and cultural sites too. O D . But they need your help to maintain J BUY ONLINE 50 REGION 8 / LOS ANGELES COUNTY 2 WELCOME K their beauty and accessibility. R From Governor Arnold A M 54 REGION 9 / ORANGE COUNTY ; Visit our e-store, where Schwarzenegger and 14 YOUR PARK ACTIVITIES S N I you can purchase annual 56 REGION 10 / SAN DIEGO COUNTY Director Ruth Coleman. How to get the most out of your M M passes, books, and U K parks: reservations, recreation, fees, C A 60 REGION 11 / INLAND EMPIRE D other cool state parks 06 YOUR PARKS Y L and travel tips. R O How to get started on the road to all A merchandise. D H . 62 REGION 12 / DESERTS C I J the adventure, heritage, and beauty www.Store.Parks.CA.gov R K : R P California offers you and your family. A 64 O 64 INDEX T M 4 Parkseor Stat f a Cal ni i www.Parks.CA.gov www.Parks.CA.gov Parkseor Stat f a Cal ni i 5 Exploring tidepools at San Simeon State Park, on the S Central Coast T N 2 E T << California State N O Parks Color Coded C Region Map 1 3 5 4 7 6 12 8 11 9 Regions 10 18 CALIFORNIA STATE MAP Consult this overview of the Golden State in conjunction with the separate maps that accompany each of the regions below. 20 REGION 1 / NORTH COAST 30 REGION 2 / SHASTA CASCADE Contents 32 REGION 3 / GOLD COUNTRY 36 REGION 4 / HIGH SIERRA ON THE COVER: Heading home at the golden 38 REGION 5 / SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA 10 FAMILY ADVENTURE hour in San Diego County California’s parks are much more Photograph by Richard Cumming 44 REGION 6 / CENTRAL COAST Up Front K than natural reserves—they include A Y 48 REGION 7 / CENTRAL VALLEY L historical and cultural sites too. O D . But they need your help to maintain J BUY ONLINE 50 REGION 8 / LOS ANGELES COUNTY 2 WELCOME K their beauty and accessibility. R From Governor Arnold A M 54 REGION 9 / ORANGE COUNTY ; Visit our e-store, where Schwarzenegger and 14 YOUR PARK ACTIVITIES S N I you can purchase annual 56 REGION 10 / SAN DIEGO COUNTY Director Ruth Coleman. How to get the most out of your M M passes, books, and U K parks: reservations, recreation, fees, C A 60 REGION 11 / INLAND EMPIRE D other cool state parks 06 YOUR PARKS Y L and travel tips. R O How to get started on the road to all A merchandise. D H . 62 REGION 12 / DESERTS C I J the adventure, heritage, and beauty www.Store.Parks.CA.gov R K : R P California offers you and your family. A 64 O 64 INDEX T M 4 Parkseor Stat f a Cal ni i www.Parks.CA.gov www.Parks.CA.gov Parkseor Stat f a Cal ni i 5 Hikers in Garrapata SP, with the Big Sur coast beyond S K R A P R U O Y Playtime at Carlsbad SB, north of San Diego surf, sightsee, and just about anything else you And remember… have in mind. This guide will help you do any or The best way to get the big picture, along with all of those things. We want to get you on the the latest information on each park and the YourParks road, wave, mountain-bike trail, or wheelchair- many activities offered, is to visit the California accessible path—whatever it takes for you to State Parks website at www.Parks.CA.gov. make the most of our parks and beaches. It’s what really puts the state park system at your fingertips, any day, any time. WHERE TO GO? AND HOW? THE NEW LOOK OF CALIFORNIA SURF, TURF, AND What’s your passion? Whale-watching? HEALTHY LIVING STATE PARKS! EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN Fishing? Bird-watching? Maybe you’re a cyclist, Did you know it is recommended that we do 30 As a park visitor, you may have always known The California state parks are your parks—all an equestrian, or an aspiring photographer. No minutes to an hour of physical activity each day that California’s state parks are what make 278 of them! That’s a lot of parks and a lot of matter—your interests are our pleasure. to stay healthy? However, our kids often don’t California unique. That’s why California State variety. If state parks make you think of giant It’s also our pleasure to tell you how. How have the chance to play outside. Parks has launched a new look and advertis- redwood forests, beaches, cascading water- can you reserve a campsite? How can your A great way for you and your family to meet ing campaign that communicates this while falls, and winding mountain trails, well, we can’t family hold an outdoor reunion on the shores of its fitness goal is to visit a local or state park. Go emphasizing the many exciting adventures argue with that. But California’s state parks Point Sur? How do you find remnants of the for a walk, ride a bike, camp with friends, splash California’s 278 state parks have to offer. offer so much more. classic television show M*A*S*H in Malibu Creek in the ocean or swim in a lake.