Californians Invited to Nominate Their Favorite State Park for Hiking, Camping, and More

See Here for Media Resources (please note this includes images and b-roll of the winners of the 2025 “Best of California’s State Parks” poll)

San Francisco, CA — Today, California State Parks Foundation announced it is accepting nominations for the 2026 “Best of California’s State Parks” poll. Californians are invited to share their favorite state parks across 12 categories, including the best parks for camping, hiking, birdwatching, family-friendly adventures, and more. This year’s poll also features two new categories — “Best State Park for Water Activities” and “Best State Park for Hidden Gem Experiences.”

“The ‘Best of California’s State Parks’ poll is a fun opportunity for Californians to share what they love about their state parks,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “With 280 state park units, there are so many different types of parks to explore in California, whether you’re looking for a day at the beach, a hike among the redwoods, or a chance to learn about history. Nominating your favorite state park could spark someone else’s next adventure!”

The nomination period for the 2026 “Best of California’s State Parks” poll is open now and runs through February 28, 2026. Then, in March, California State Parks Foundation will ask Californians to cast their votes and help select a winner in each category. The winners, as well as two honorable mentions in each category, will be announced later in the spring. 

The inaugural “Best of California’s State Parks” poll was launched by California State Parks Foundation in 2025. In just a few weeks, over 1,300 people participated in the poll, and many also sent in photos, personal stories, and memories about why state parks are special. Some of the 2025 winners included: Morro Bay State Park in San Luis Obispo County (Best California State Park for Camping), Mount Tamalpais State Park in Marin County (Best California State Park for Hiking), Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County (Best California State Beach), and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside Counties (Best California State Park for Wildflowers). A full list of the 2025 winners is available here.

The California state park system includes 280 state park units, over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites, 5,200 miles of trails, 3,195 historic buildings, and more than 11,000 known prehistoric and historic archaeological sites.

For more information on the 2026 “Best of California’s State Parks” poll, visit calparks.org/bestof2026. 

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ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION

California State Parks Foundation, an independent, member-supported nonprofit with over 50 years of history, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system for the benefit of all. We work in parks and in Sacramento with partners, park staff, and policymakers to address the challenges parks face. To make real and lasting change, we are working to build a movement of people who enjoy and advocate for their parks now, and for future generations. Learn more at www.calparks.org, or find California State Parks Foundation @calparks on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X, and @californiaparks on Bluesky.