Ready to hit the road and see some seriously awesome stuff?
We’re talking waterfalls that roar like thunder, cliffs that look like they belong on another planet, and forests so tall they’ll make your neck hurt from looking up.
This Northern California state parks road trip is packed with wild hikes, crazy views, and secret beaches.
There are some totally unexpected stops you’ve probably never even heard of, and this list really has something for everyone
1. Mount Tamalpais State Park
Mount Tamalpais State Park is just north of San Francisco in Marin County, and it’s famous for its jaw-dropping views of the Bay Area, especially from the 2,571-foot East Peak.
You can hike over 60 miles of trails here, including the epic Dipsea Trail and the Steep Ravine Trail with wooden ladders, redwood groves, and ocean views that’ll blow your mind.
On clear days, you can actually spot the Farallon Islands 25 miles out in the Pacific!
2. Salt Point State Park
Next up is Salt Point State Park, about 90 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 1, where the coastline is wild, windy, and full of crazy-cool rock formations called tafoni that look like Swiss cheese.
This place has 20 miles of hiking trails, plus a rare underwater park where scuba divers can explore kelp forests and rocky reefs teeming with fish.
Don’t miss Gerstle Cove—it’s one of the first marine protected areas in California and a top spot for tidepooling when the tide’s low.
3. MacKerricher State Park
Keep driving up the coast and you’ll hit MacKerricher State Park near Fort Bragg.
Here you’ll find sandy beaches, rocky headlands, and a boardwalk to watch harbor seals from.
This park has over 9 miles of coastline to explore, including Glass Beach, where the sand is full of colorful sea glass from old trash that nature turned into treasure.
Walk the 1.3-mile Laguna Point Trail for easy ocean views and a chance to spot harbor seals lounging on the rocks.
4. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Then it’s time to trade ocean views for towering trees at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, way up in the far northwest corner of California near Crescent City.
This place is home to some of the oldest and tallest redwoods on Earth, including trees over 300 feet tall and more than 2,000 years old.
If you want that off-the-grid feel, go down the former stagecoach road, Howland Hill Road.
It’s a narrow dirt road that takes you through redwood forests, but just know that RVs and other large vehicles are too wide for this road.
Don’t miss the half-mile Stout Grove Trail for a short but totally magical walk among the giants.
5. Castle Crags State Park
From the deep woods, head inland to Castle Crags State Park near Dunsmuir, where massive granite spires shoot up over 6,000 feet and look like something straight out of a fantasy movie.
This park has 28 miles of trails, including the tough but amazing 5.5-mile Castle Dome Trail with 2,200 feet of elevation gain and jaw-dropping views of Mount Shasta at the top.
If hiking isn’t your thing, the Sacramento River runs right through the park, so you can go fishing, have a picnic by the river, or just soak your feet in the refreshing water.
6. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
The next stop is McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, and it might just be the best stop on the list.
It’s home to the insanely pretty Burney Falls, a 129-foot waterfall that gushes out of a cliff like a natural water fountain.
Teddy Roosevelt called it the “eighth wonder of the world,” and once you see the misty blue pool at the bottom, you’ll totally get why.
You can take the easy Burney Falls Loop Trail (it’s just over 1 mile long) to get all the best views, plus the park has cabins, campgrounds, and even the beautiful Lake Britton for kayaking and swimming.
Related Reading: The ULTIMATE Northern California Waterfalls Road Trip 😍
7. Plumas-Eureka State Park
Next on the list is Plumas-Eureka State Park in the Sierra Nevada, packed with old-timey charm from the Gold Rush era.
This spot was once a booming gold mine, and you can still tour the historic stamp mill, blacksmith shop, and miners’ cabins that look frozen in time.
Hike the 3.2-mile Grass Lake Trail for peaceful forest views, or visit in July when they fire up the old machinery for Gold Discovery Day.
8. Emerald Bay State Park
Now it’s time to cool off at Emerald Bay State Park on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe, where the water is so blue it looks fake.
It’s an iconic spot in California, and as soon as you set eyes on the place, it’s not hard to figure out why.
You can kayak out to Fannette Island in the middle of the bay, where you can explore the ruins of a little stone tea house from the 1920s.
For epic views, hike the 2-mile round-trip Eagle Lake Trail or take in the scene from the overlook near Highway 89, where every photo looks like a postcard.
9. Henry W. Coe State Park
Last but definitely not least is Henry W. Coe State Park, the biggest state park in Northern California with over 87,000 acres of wild, hilly backcountry.
This place is a hotspot for serious hikers and backpackers.
It’s got trails like the 4.6-mile round-trip hike to Frog Lake or the grueling loop to Mississippi Lake (around 25 miles) if you’re feeling extra bold.
Spring is the best time to visit, with rolling green hills exploding with wildflowers, and you might spot wild turkeys, bobcats, or even a herd of tule elk if you’re lucky.
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