Three Picture Perfect Park Picnics at Desert, Beach and Mountains

From the Southwestern desert to California's northern forests, you'll feel compelled to stop and picnic when an empty table sitting next to a tree beckons you to sit and enjoy the view. Here are a few of our favorites...hope you enjoy them, too!

1. Joshua Tree National Park. As you enter the gate from the city of Joshua Tree passing by the visitors center, it isn't far to the first set of picnic tables next to gigantic rock formations. Surrounded by unique cacti and the unusual Joshua tree, the environment is stark and strange, but certainly a one-of-a-kind experience. Campfires are permitted in picnic areas where fire grates are provided.

2. Laguna Beach's Heisler Park overlooking Picnic Beach As visitors descend to the beach a shaded area containing several picnic tables offers sunshine mixed with shade and forever views of the blue Pacific. Watch beachgoers pass by and enjoy lunch with a cool breeze keeping your comfortable as you eat and watch. Laguna Beach has a handful of ocean view parks with picnic tables that include:
Alta Laguna Park
Lang Park and Community Center
Main Beach Park
Moulton Meadows Park
Treasure Island Park
Village Green Park

3. Lassen Volcanic National Park northwest entrance (the closest from Redding) by Manzanita Lake has picnic tables near the Loomis Museum. There are many places throughout this national park where you can enjoy dining with views. At the southwest entrance Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center has a cafe where you can pick up food for your picnic.