There is just so much beauty in and around the San Francisco Bay Area — Mother Nature has seriously spoiled us rotten on this side of the world. And while we have our fair share of nationally and internationally recognized landmarks right at our fingertips, some of the more modest state parks are serious gems in their own right. Here are 10 of the best state parks to visit around San Francisco.

1. If you’re looking for the best parks in California, Angel Island grants incredible and serene views of the city and the Bay.
Angel Island, Tiburon, CA 94920, USA
Sundry Photography//Stock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
2. Mount Tamalpais is for the hiker and scenery junkie in all of us. What you see here are springtime views of the green rolling hills.
Mount Tamalpais, Mt Tamalpais, California 94941, USA
Dan Kurtzman/Moment via Getty Images
3. Big Basin Redwoods, California's oldest state park, feels like a magical forest with its towering trees, colorful flora and fungi, and spectacular waterfalls. I
Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006, USA
Flickr/melfoody
4. Castle Rock State Park is definitely one of the best parks in california. Siting up high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, it offers spectacular sweeping views, forest fun, and a great place to rock climb.
Castle Rock State Park, 15451 CA-35, Los Gatos, CA 95033, USA
Flickr/Raul Diaz
5. Candlestick Point State Recreation Area is an urban oasis fit with bike paths, picnic areas, and incredible views of the Bay from the southern edge of the city.
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, 500 Hunters Point Expy, San Francisco, CA 94124, USA
Flickr/Sudheer G

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6. Mount Diablo offers excellent hiking trails and great views from the East Bay. Some people feel it is one of the best state parks in California.
Mount Diablo State Park, Summit Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
kylewolfe/RooM via Getty Images
7. Ano Nuevo State Park is the best place to spot the adorable northern elephant seals.
Año Nuevo State Park, 1 New Years Creek Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060, USA
Flickr/C.V. Vick
8. Portola Redwoods State Park is a quiet spot full of sky-touching trees, tucked away in the small town of La Honda. This beautiful gusher is called Tiptoe Waterfall.
Portola Redwoods State Park, 9000 Portola State Park Rd, La Honda, CA 94020, USA
Sundry Photography/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
9. Robert Louis Stevenson State Park was home to the Treasure Island author's honeymoon. While here, hike to the top of Mt. St. Helena for views of the Bay Area and maybe even the far-off Mt. Shasta.
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, California 94515, USA
Flickr/harminder dhesi
10. Tomales Bay State Park gives you both forest and beach. After a day of hiking--one of the best things to do outside in California--and sunbathing, be sure to grab some oysters.
Tomales Bay State Park, 1100 Pierce Point Rd, Inverness, CA 94937, USA
ChrisMR/iStock/Getty Images Plus svia Getty Images

From mountains to redwoods to seals (!), this is one stellar list, am I right?! What other state parks around San Francisco should be included here? We want to know!

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State Parks around San Francisco

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | June 01, 2022

What are some of the other best state parks in California that are worth a visit?

Wow! There are so many amazing state parks in California that I’d hate to leave any off of such a list. One of them is called Salt Point State Park. Located in Sonoma, it features some really wacky coastal formations but the jaw-dropping views of the ocean are just spectacular.

Are there any road trip itineraries that offer some really good hiking trails in California?

As a matter of fact, there is. The northern end of this road trip starts at Van Damme State Park, just 15 minutes from Fort Bragg. From there it winds down to Sonoma Coast State Park where you can hike down to the beach. Next its on to Trione-Annadel State Park, followed by Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, and finally Mount Diablo State Park. In total it takes about 5-1/2 hours to drive between them all.

What are some other fun things to do outside in California?

Because California has so many rich agricultural areas, food festivals are big throughout the state. And they encompass all kinds of themes too: wine, artichokes, strawberries, peaches, grilled cheese...you name it and you can find it in The Golden State.

If there is inclement weather during our San Francisco area vacation, is there an indoor playground where can I take my kids to play?

If you are in the San Francisco Bay area you will find many. But by far one of the biggest ones is called KidTopia. One of the coolest things here is that in addition to all of the customary play structures you’d expect to find these days, there is also a Creative Zone that mimics entities found in our everyday living environments. The Mini Market is where kids can go shopping just like they do with their parents at the grocery store, if they want to “get their hair done,” there is a Salon, and just imagine what flavors they will conjure up in their minds at the Ice Cream Truck!

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