Central Valley State Park |
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Central Valley State Park Overview
The state park system is responsible for almost a third of California's scenic coastline. State parks include underwater preserves, parks, redwood forests, plant and wildlife reserves, state beaches, recreation areas, wilderness areas, reservoirs, historic parks & homes, Spanish buildings, lighthouses, ghost towns, waterslides, conference centers, and off-highway vehicle parks. Below you'll find a list of the more popular Central Valley state parks and ones we personally recommmend from the Governor's Mansion in Sacramento to Fort Tejon in the Tejon Pass (Grapevine). State Park camping is a popular activity with most State Park campgrounds offering extra conveniences like flush toilets, running water and firewood. |
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Central Valley State ParkGovernor's Mansion State Park is located in downtown Sacramento at H and 16th Sreets. This Victorian mansion was constructed in 1877 and has been the home to California Governors since 1903. Earl Warren and Ronald Reagan were among the last to stay at the mansion. Visitors are welcome to tour the mansion on docent-led tours. Period furnishings and lavishly ornate architecture embellish the home. 
Old Sacramento State Park is located at 3rd and J Streets directly off interstate 5 in downtown Sacramento. This park is several square blocks of preserved and rebuilt gold mining era buildings. These buildings now house touristy shops and restaurants. The state railroad museum is on the same property. Visitors can ride in historic buggies or take a short ferryboat ride on the Sacramento River. Activities include picnicking, sightseeing, shopping and biking on the river trail. 
Sutter's Fort State Park is located in the heart of Sacramento between K & L and 26th & 28th streets. The fort was established in 1839 by Swiss immigrant, John Sutter who called it New Helvetia (New Switzerland). This was Sacramento's first non-indian settlement and was the main destination for settlers crossing the Sierra Nevadas. In 1847, the first few men from the Donner Party reached the fort and aid was sent to save the remaining settlers. The fort was overrun by gold miners in 1849 and today has been rebuilt to its former state. Colusa-Sacramento River State Park is located off Highway 20, 9 miles east of Interstate 5 in Colusa. Campground is situated next to the Sacramento River and some of the best fishing in the state. Activities include boating, fishing, birdwatching, State Park camping and picnicking. Brannan Island State Park is located on Highway 160 at the Sacramento River west of interstate 5 and about 50 miles south of Sacramento. This is 336 acres surrounded by the Sacramento River and offers an abundance of State Park camping, picnicking, fishing and boating. Other activities include biking and wildlife viewing. Caswell Memorial State Park is located southwest of Ripon from Highway 99, off Austin Road. A portion of the park is home to beaver, muskrat, river otter, mink and 76 species of birds. Activities include fishing, swimming, hiking, State Park camping and picnicking.
San Luis Reservoir State Park is located off highway 152 west of interstate 5 in Gustine. Windsurfers prefer this lake for its often windy location in the Pacheco pass. Activities include boating, windsurfing, State Park camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, biking and picnicking. Turlock Lake State Park is located 25 miles east of Modesto off Highway 132. Turlock Lake is nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas and surrounded by cattle ranches and orchards. Activities include boating, water skiing, fishing, swimming, hiking, State Park camping and picnicking. McConnell State Park is located northeast of Livingston from Highway 99, off Livingston Cressey Road. McConnell is situated next to the Merced River with a small lake located at the eastern end of the park. Activities include fishing, swimming, State Park camping and picnicking. George J. Hatfield State Park is located between Newman off Interstate 5 and Livingston off Highway 99. The park is situated between the Merced and San Joaquin Rivers. Activities include fishing, swimming, State Park camping and picnicking. Millerton Lake State Park is located 20 miles northeast of Fresno via highway 41 off highway 145 in Friant. Activities include boating, windsurfing, State Park camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, biking and picnicking. Colonel Allensworth State Park is located west of Earlimart and Highway 99, off Higby Drive (Highway 43) south of Sierra Avenue. This historic town was founded, funded and governed by African Americans in 1908. 
Fort Tejon State Park is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles, near the top of the Grapevine off Interstate 5 in Lebec. This historic fort was garrisoned by the U.S. Army on August 10, 1854 to control a local Indian reservation. Workers dress in era clothing and perform reenactments of life in the 1800's. Other activities include picnicking and limited camping. |
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