2 RivCo California State Parks Up For California's Favorite In 2026 Poll

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Two Riverside County State Parks are up for the 2026 "Best of California's State Parks" poll. Both the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the California Citrus State Historic Park hold that esteemed honor this year.

Voting for the California State Parks Foundation poll is open and will continue through April 11 on the California Parks Website: Best Of 2026.

Last year, the California State Parks Foundation began the poll to draw attention to the parks across the Golden State. This year, organizers once again opened the statewide poll, which includes several parks across the Golden State, from Southern California's Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties to Northern California's Monterey, Napa and Sonoma counties, among others.

In Riverside County, the Anza Borrego Desert State Park (so large, it also sits in San Diego and Imperial County) is nominated for Best Camping, Hiking, Spectacular Views and Wildflowers, as well as the Best Family-Friendly State Parks, Best State Park For Learning About History, and Best Hidden Gem State Park, with the California Citrus State Historic Park.

The public nominated the voting options earlier this year, according to Norton. The full list of "best of" categories now includes: camping, hiking, beaches, birdwatching, day trips, family-friendly experiences, dog-friendly adventures, and learning about history, water activities and hidden gem parks.

The California state park system includes 280 parks across the state, more than 5,200 miles of trails, about 340 miles of coastline, and roughly 15,000 campsites, according to the foundation.

The nonprofit organization launched the "Best of California's State Parks" poll in 2025. Organizers reported that more than 1,300 people participated in the inaugural survey, sharing photos and personal stories about their favorite parks. Information and voting details, as well as all the pictures, are now available on the California Parks Website: Best Of 2026.

Voters can also share why they love a particular place, along with photos of that park.

Best State Park for Camping

• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside Counties)
• Calaveras Big Trees State Park (Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties)
• Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park (Amador County)
• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (Monterey County)
• Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (Sonoma and Napa Counties)

Best State Park for Hiking

• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside Counties)
• Big Basin Redwoods State Park (San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties)
• Calaveras Big Trees State Park (Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties)
• Jack London State Historic Park (Sonoma County)
• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (Humboldt and Del Norte Counties)

Best State Park for Wildflowers

• Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve (Los Angeles County)
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside Counties)
• Montaña de Oro State Park (San Luis Obispo County)
• Mount Diablo State Park (Contra Costa County)
• Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (Sonoma and Napa Counties)

Best State Park for Family-Friendly Experiences

• Angel Island State Park (Marin and San Francisco Counties)
• Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve (Los Angeles County)
• California Citrus State Historic Park (Riverside County)
• Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park (Amador County)
• Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (Tuolumne County)

Best State Park for Learning About History

• Angel Island State Park (Marin and San Francisco Counties)
• Bodie State Historic Park (Mono County)
• California Citrus State Historic Park (Riverside County)
• Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park (Amador County)
• Jack London State Historic Park (Sonoma County)

Best State Park Hidden Gem

• Bodie State Historic Park (Mono County)
• California Citrus State Historic Park (Riverside County)
• California State Capitol Museum (Sacramento County)
• China Camp State Park (Marin County)
• Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (Sonoma and Napa Counties)

Remember to place your votes and share your pictures before April 11 to be included in the final count!

Rachel Norton, executive director of the California State Parks Foundation, spoke on the poll as being "a fun opportunity for all."

"The 'Best of California's State Parks' poll is a fun opportunity for Californians to share what they love about their state parks," she said, "There are so many different types of parks to explore in California, whether you're looking for a day at the beach, a hike among the redwoods, or a chance to learn about history."

See who won in 2025:

These CA Places Were Named The Best In The State