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California is a beautiful state on the west coast that is home to all kinds of landscapes, from sparkling beaches to giant redwoods. A visit to one of the local state parks is an amazing way to experience it for yourself – here are six state parks to visit this winter that won’t disappoint.
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1. Anza Borrego Desert State Park
This beautiful park is located in Southern California, about an hour and thirty minutes from San Diego. Its desert location makes winter one of the best times to visit. While temperatures can be well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, visiting in winter means you can expect a much more reasonable range of 60-70 degrees during the day.
The park is home to unique attractions, including beautiful palm oases. It also offers a wide variety of hiking trails suitable for most skill levels. Heading to the nearby town of Borrego Springs can offer additional activities, including visiting local art galleries and shops.
2. Humboldt Redwoods State Park
This California state park is home to some of the tallest trees in the country – the iconic redwoods. You’ll want to take at least some time to descend the Avenue of the Giants – a 32-mile road lined with the giant trees implied in its name.
If you’re looking for a quick hike or only have a short time to spend in the area, the trail through Founder’s Grove is just over a mile and is a great choice. For those who want to spend more time exploring the area, Burlington Campground is open year-round; however, temperatures can be chilly at night, so you’ll want to bring a warm coat and sleeping bag.
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3. Red Rock Canyon State Park
Not to be confused with Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada, this beautiful California park is home to jaw-dropping colorful rock formations. Located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada, it’s a great choice for winter exploration, thanks to mild temperatures – usually hovering in the 60s. The park is home to a variety of hiking trails, as well as wildlife – it’s a great choice for photographers and hikers.
4. Pfieffer Big Sur State Park
If you’re looking for awe-inspiring scenery, look no further than Pfieffer Big Sur State Park. This beautiful park offers panoramic views not only of the ocean, but also of a beautiful cove with a sparkling waterfall. It should be noted that there is no beach access directly from the state park itself – the park’s cliffs provide beautiful views but also make approaching the water dangerous.
There is still plenty to do including a variety of trails. If you’re looking for a quick way to breathe some fresh air, check out the 0.7 mile nature trail. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, the 3-mile long Buzzard’s Roost offers both decent elevation gain – about 750 feet – and beautiful ocean views.
5. Crystal Cove State Park
This serene state park is not only home to a gorgeous beach, but also unique historic features in the form of a series of coastal cottages that are among the few remaining examples of coastal development from their time.
It can be a little chilly to swim a lot with a winter visit – temperatures hover around 70°C in the winter – however, you can expect a much less crowded park while exploring the shoreline, backcountry trails – country and historic district.
6. Prairie Creek State Park
Humboldt Redwoods isn’t the only state park to see magnificent redwoods. Prairie Creek State Park is not only home to beautiful old growth trees, but also a wide variety of outdoor activities and truly otherworldly scenery. You might find that Fern Canyon looks familiar to you, for example, thanks to its appearance in one of the Jurassic Park movies.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com