Big Basin Redwoods State Park (Boulder Creek)
Big Basin is California's oldest State Park, established in 1902. Home to the largest continuous stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods south of San Francisco.

Butano State Park (Pescadero)
Butano State Park's 2,200 acres lie in a secluded redwood-filled canyon. The park features miles of hiking trails, 21 drive-in campsites and 18 walk-in campsites. Restrooms with running water are provided.

Fremont Peak State Park (San Juan Bautista)
This park features expansive views of Monterey Bay, from its hiking trails in the grasslands of the higher peaks of the Gavilan Range. Other views include the San Benito Valley, Salinas Valley, and the Santa Lucia Mountains east of Big Sur. Pine and oak woodlands in the park are home to many birds and mammals.

Henry W. Coe State Park (Morgan Hill)
Coe Park is the largest state park in northern California, with over 80,000 acres of wild open spaces. The terrain of the park is rugged, varied, and beautiful, with lofty ridges and steep canyons.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (Felton)
The main park area, containing the large, old-growth redwoods, is about 1,750 acres, and he northern area (Fall Creek) is 2,390 acres, with about 20 miles of hiking trails. The tallest tree in the park is about 285 feet tall, and about 16 feet wide. The oldest trees in the park are about 1400 to 1800 years old. The park also offers Wi-Fi service to laptop and PDA users.

Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area (Hollister)
This area is a motorcycle, four-wheel drive, all-terrain vehicle, and dune buggy use area. Four-wheel drive and dune buggy visitors should call ahead as this area can be closed for special events.

Pacheco State Park (Pacheco Pass)
The park has beautiful displays of spring wildflowers, scenic vistas, and excellent hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails. The 28 miles of designated trails offers several loop options to give visitors the choice of a hike or ride from one to 20 miles or more.

Pinnacles National Monument (Hollister)
Rising out of the chaparral-covered Gabilan Mountains, east of central California's Salinas Valley, are the spectacular remains of an ancient volcano. Massive monoliths, spires, sheer-walled canyons and talus passages define millions of years of erosion, faulting and tectonic plate movement. Within the monument's boundaries lie 24,000 acres of diverse wildlands. The monument is renowned for the beauty and variety of its spring wildflowers. A rich diversity of wildlife can be observed throughout the year.

Portola Redwoods State Park (La Honda)
The park has a rugged, natural basin forested with coast redwoods, Douglas fir and live oak. Eighteen miles of trails crisscross the canyon and its two streams, Peters Creek and Pescadero Creek. The park has one of the tallest redwoods (300 feet high) in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Mount Diablo State Park (Walnut Creek)
This park is one of the ecological treasures of the San Francisco Bay Area. Every season in the park has its special qualities. Discover for yourself the mountain's beautiful wildflowers, its extensive trail system, fascinating wildlife and distinctive rock formations. View the stars from its lofty heights, bike ride to its 3,849 foot summit or explore the more remote trails by horseback. The park offers hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping.