Ready for a fantastic two-day road trip full of SoCal state park fun? Take this exciting trip to see five of the least-visited state parks in Southern California in the area for a chance of scenery. After your foray into the outdoors, you’ll certainly be the one to make the next great recommendation to your friends.
Check out this map to see a practical route to get to all five state parks on the list. Once you’ve completed the road trip, you’ll be an expert in Southern California state parks, from the Los Angeles area to Southern San Diego.
Begin your trip at Topanga State Park, located in the Santa Monica Mountains. This drive has everything from cliffs to deep valleys, and you’ll be able to take in some striking ocean views as well. Topanga State Park is unique in the fact that it is contained within the city of Los Angeles, which makes it nice and easy to find. Eagle Rock Trail is known for its mind-boggling sunsets. Read more about Topanga State Park.
Will Rogers, one of the most famous and beloved actors of the 1930s, purchased the stunning property now known as Will Rogers State Historic Park over time. In the 1920s, Rogers began purchasing property in Santa Monica, and he ended up having 359 acres of property at the time of his death in a plane crash in 1935. His widow donated the ranch as a state park, and it is a beautiful destination to this day.
You can tour Rogers’ gorgeous house Thursdays-Sundays and lose yourself in the old Hollywood glamour of the beautiful park. Learn more about Will Rogers Historic State Park.
Your third stop is Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, nestled in Julian’s pretty forest. You’ll have a great time at any one of the 166 campsites! This state park is a nice place to settle in for the night before your next day of driving to see more of what Southern California nature has to offer! There are two family campsites from which to choose, Paso Picacho and Green Valley. There are over 100 miles of trails in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, so you’ll have no shortage of beautiful walks to take in the morning. The views of the Cuyamaca Reservoir and Sweetwater River are some of the best in any Southern California state park! Read about Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.
Palomar Mountain State Park is found on its namesake mountain in Northern San Diego, and it is well worth the drive from the Los Angeles area. With panoramic views from elevations of 5,000 feet, its stunning vistas will inspire you to become a photographer. This state park is a great choice for hiking, and when you get tired and need a break, there are plenty of lovely picnic spots. Take a look at Palomar Mountain State Park's website.
Mount San Jacinto gives you a rare glimpse of snow in Southern California! This park is known for its variable winters, but if you’re up for a snowy hike through the wilderness, this is the place for you. Just be sure you’re prepared with the right gear, as it can get slippery when it’s more icy than snow-covered. You can take the lift up the mountain at any time of year for impressive views of the park. It’s beautiful in all seasons. Read more about Mount San Jacinto State Park.
Have you checked out any of these state parks in Southern California already? Let us know which one was your favorite in the comments section! Or if you have a few more state parks you think we should know about, make sure to shout them out, too.
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