California Central Valley State Parks

California's Central Valley State Parks are known for the riparian features. Bird watching (and hunting) are top recreational activities in the region that offers wide open spaces at lakes, valleys, grasslands, and the foothills of mountains.

State Parks and Recreation Areas

Brannan Island State Recreation Area - Sacramento County
Caswell Memorial State Park - San Joaquin County
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park - Tulare County
Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area - Colusa County
Fort Tejon State Historic Park - Kern County
Franks Tract State Recreation Area - Contra Costa County
George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area - Merced County
Great Valley Grasslands State Park - Merced County
McConnell State Recreation Area - Merced County
Millerton Lake State Recreation Area - Fresno County
San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area - Merced County
Sutter Buttes State Park - Sutter County
Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park - Kern County
Tule Elk State Natural Reserve - Kern County
Turlock Lake State Recreation Area - Stanislaus County
Woodland Opera House State Historic Park - Yolo County

PARKS, FORESTS

Little Panoche Wildlife Area
Kern National Wildlife Reserve
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
Sutter National Wildlife Reserve
Sacramento National Wildlife Reserve
Los Padres National Forest
Mendocino National Forest
Tahoe National Forest
Stanislaus River Parks
Joe Domecq Wildlife Area
Kaweah Oaks Preserve
Oak Flat Lookout
Mt Piņos Observation Point
Kern County Museum
Cosumnes River Preserve
Grizzly Island Wildlife Area
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area
Lake Solano County Park

RIVERS

Merced River
Los Banos Creek Reservoir
San Luis Reservoir
San Joaquin River
San Joaquin River