Most Popular California State Parks and Beaches
Photos left to right: 1. San Diego’s Old Town State Historic Park 2. Sonoma Coast State Beach 3. Torrey Pines State Beach
When you visit Old Town State Historic Park in San Diego, it is usually bustling with activity. In fact it seldom appears empty, winter or summer, day or night. It ranks as the most visited California state park entity by attendance. Located in the heart of California’s 2nd most populated city, Old Town’s popularity partially stems from the fact that it offers a flavor of Mexico just north of the border. Entertainment, actors dressed in costumes and ample doses of shopping, restaurants and alcoholic beverages are unique attractions among state parks. Entertainment blended with history, and no fees for admission, seem to be the ideal combo to make this the state’s top visited park attraction. Don’t forget that San Diego has the finest weather in the nation, close to paradise, some say! Here’s the Top 25 state parks list.
Top Ten State Parks by attendance (8 out of 10 feature beaches!)
1. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
2. Sonoma Coast State Park
3. Torrey Pines State Beach
4. Bolsa Chica State Beach
5. Huntington State Beach
6. San Onofre State Beach
7. Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area
8. Cardiff State Beach
9. Doheny State Beach
10. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
