Central Valley State Parks |
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Central Valley State Parks 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 south of Bakersfield. |
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Central Valley State ParksGovernor's Mansion 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 Historic 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 Historic 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 SRA 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, camping and picnicking. Brannan Island State Recreation Area 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 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 camping and picnicking.
San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area 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, camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, biking and picnicking. Turlock Lake SRA 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 camping and picnicking. McConnell SRA 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, camping and picnicking. George J. Hatfield SRA 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, camping and picnicking. Millerton Lake State Recreation Area is located 20 miles northeast of Fresno via highway 41 off highway 145 in Friant. Activities include boating, windsurfing, camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, biking and picnicking. Colonel Allensworth SHP 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 Historic 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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