We're all about giving tips that encourage you to get out there and explore, and park passes are your ticket to the great outdoors. The California Explorer Annual Day Use Pass gets you through the gate to an incredible 134 California state parks.
This 12-month pass is ideal if you love being outdoors across seasons and want to experience the diverse beauty of California. Buying the pass shows your support for California state parks and gives you the added encouragement to get out there and explore. Priced at $195, it pays for itself in 20 or fewer park visits.
The California state parks included in the pass have a wide variety of environments, from the redwood forests of Northern California to the best surfing beaches in Southern California. We'll take you through our favorites!
Here are highlights of the California Explorer Annual Day Use Pass that you won't want to miss.
San Onofre State Beach: An Iconic Surfing Beach in Southern California
The pass gets you into San Onofre State Beach, one of the most iconic surfing beaches for longboarders and all experience levels. The long peeling waves could be some of the best in your life and the views of the classic California golden bluffs aren't bad either.
San Onofre State Beach has awesome day use facilities like bbq pits, fire pits, toilets and the ultimate beach outdoor showers and surfboard racks. You can also pull up and park your car right next to the sand, a rarity for Southern California.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve: See Giant Redwood Trees
See the tallest living thing in the world at the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, located in Northern California's Sonoma County. This state park is filled with ancient coastal redwood trees that are thousands of years old.
It's incredible to be in the presence of these redwood trees that nearly appear to touch the sky at 200-250 feet tall, with some reaching up to 350 feet.
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park: Waterfalls, Wildflowers and Whales
California is rich with Native American history and many of the California state parks allow visitors to experience the land the tribes lived on. The Sinkyone Wilderness State Park located on Northern California's Lost Coast was home to Sinkyone Indians.
This coastal California park is deep in the wilderness and the campgrounds don't offer a complete list of amenities that you find at other California campgrounds. But if you're looking for a fully-immersed outdoor experience, this is it. Park visitors can explore seasonal wildflowers and waterfalls, and spot gray whales passing through in the late winter and early spring.
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve: Explore Salt and Mineral Spires
Located along Highway 395 and the eastern Sierra Mountain Range is Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve. This California state park protects the tufa towers, unearthly-appearing spires surrounding a body of water.
These spires are created from calcium carbonate in the area caused by the mixing of alkaline lake water and freshwater springs. The freshwater evaporates, leaving behind salt and mineral deposits that are 2.5 times more salty than the ocean, according to the California State Park website.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Wildflowers and Rugged Desert Landscape
California isn't all beaches; the diverse state is home to breathtaking desert landscapes that change with the seasons. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a prime destination for people tracking down wildflowers in the spring.
The desert landscape in this park has been carved and reformed by the elements over time. Park visitors can find a variety of desert vegetation and wildlife -- you may even spot a bighorn sheep.
Here's where to buy the California Explorer Annual Day Use Pass
Find the full list of California State Parks that honor the California Explorer Annual Day Use pass here
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