I remember the family as a girl myself, that donated this beautiful property that is a bit run down…read moreregarding water fountains, foot pump for quick fill near the roofed area for celebrities at one end. Be sure to bring water and enjoy the quick walk around the pond. Very easy accessibility for old dogs, like mine got to be at 17 years old, he lost his hearing, had cataracts but loved this park overall. The grounds are well kept with plenty of signs warning, no dogs in the pond. Just birds and lost turtles exist in there. There is stocking of fish and derby's to enter for children, where maybe you can catch a tagged fish, win a prize, if you follow activities. I spent years helping staff medical, communications and volunteers for Soccer Tournaments to be legal and full of volunteers. The 4th of July, there is a loud speaker, but last year, in the handicapped section, there was Mexican Music in competition with the speaker and music supplied. This was at the field near the Iverson Way, lower road parking, lots of handicapped parking but as I tried to show a man claiming parking was full. I pulled in anyway and he allowed me in. There were a lot of empty handicapped available, as they added many signs, last year.

This is an excellent park. The photos are from our second visit which happened to be in the evening…read morebut the ball fields were still well lit and full of players and supporters. There is lots of parking and clean bathrooms that are open late. The park is well manicured and taken care of. There are grassy areas, picnic tables and a water feature with ducks. Great for walking your dog or a picnic and there is also a playground for the kids. It's a little off the beaten path so it feels like a bit of a secret. I wish there was a park like this closer to where I am and I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area.

I always love the park, but it's especially magical at Christmas time! They do such a fantastic job…read moredecorating it, it truly transports you to a Christmas wonderland. I've come for New Years Eve twice, and the bonfire event they put together is so much fun. Even in the rain this past year, it was a great time. I've been here at many different times in the year and the park is always filled with people enjoying the benches, gazebo, and playground. It's a great spot to enjoy a picnic or ice cream from one of the downtown shops.

We now have to stop by this park after wine tasting for a little guy. He loves playing here, they…read morehave a little kids area along with a bigger kids play area. They also have swings, and it's not sand or bark. Bathrooms are near by. There's one bathroom with a changing station and there's always someone taking a dump in there. Not sure why they always pick the one with the changing table, plenty of other ones! For most part, no homeless people or weird people near the playground. Big field for kids to run too. At night time, all the pretty lights come on!

Neighborhood park, ample street parking. Park is set up for soccer, baseball. There's a basketball…read morecourt, playground, couple picnic benches, restroom. Dogs not allowed, however several dog walkers on the outside path . Beautiful park!

Great dog park & people park!! River bank trail, shallow water (if it's been raining). Some trails…read moreare accessible by wheelchair; all are flat. Nice running atmosphere! Also, there's a nice playground for kids. Just park along the street -- Riverbank Street.

Scenery is absolutely breathtaking right now. The river is full, and everything in and around the…read moreriver is lush with greenery. The water is flowing alittle bit too fast for swimming. I saw a couple fishermen though.

Had our car/trailer fixed (Rossi Bros Auto was great) and spent the rest of the day and that night…read moreat the San Lorenzo park/campground. Very peaceful clean bathrooms full hookups and senior pricing! Right near the 101 but heard hardly any noise! Happy Trails!

Great place to stroll. Saw some whales. The walkway was clean with beautiful flowers. The trail…read morewas easy to navigate gate. Spectacular views of pacific coast. It's a must. Wear comfortable shoes hats and water. Donation is optional. Free admission

On my annual trip to Cambria, this trail walk is a must. It's so beautiful! They have a very nice…read morewalkway that borders the ocean on one side and rolling hills on the other side. When your on the trail closest to the water, a lot of times you can find seals, or birds, or if you look way in the distance, whale spouts. Along the trail they have really cool driftwood made beaches for you to sit and just take it all in. The tide pools by the homes are fun to walk around and experience as well. It's just a breathtaking walk. On my last trip it was really neat to see all these people out painting. I loved watching them create their masterpieces. I would almost love to find out if they are for sale. Some of them were amazing that I would love to have in my home! I definitely recommend walking this trail. It's a very easy flat loop to walk.

One of California's bigger and more popular state parks, rightfully so. Not as touristy as Yosemite…read morebut this is on a bigger scale than most other Cali State Parks. I ventured here once before in my early 20s back in my school boy days and felt it was time to see it again with decades worth of a wiser perspective. And I was rewarded in spades. This park is about 30 miles or so south of Carmel on Highway 1, which in my opinion is one of the most glorious stretch of road to drive. Even though it is only 30 miles or so, it still takes almost an hour to travel from Carmel. The road winds around through many curves and undulations so you simply cannot drive freeway speeds here, nor should you want to. Enjoy the views, roll down the window and take in that coastal air, play your favorite tunes and just soak in the moment. Once at the park there are campsites, as well as cabins and even a full service lodge for those that don't want to rough it at all. You are now in mountainous terrain so lots of trees, a big creek and lots of hiking trails. I did a 3 day camp stay and loved it. They keep the park clean, maintain the restrooms and patrol the grounds frequently. Even though they have almost 200 campsites available, they spread it out nice so not everyone is in the same area. I could sometimes hear my neighbors but they were never in my direct view. That is a big plus for me when rating camp sites. People can also just get a day pass and enjoy the trails and creek without having to stay. My camping pass also got me to see a couple other California State Parks nearby on the same trip, so well worth the price of admission. Very lively with animal life which are unfortunately very used to humans. Squirrels and blue jays will not be shy to investigate what they can scavenge so do not leave any food unattended. Upon setting up camp I had a ziplock bag of trail mix on the picnic bench along with the rest of my gear. While I was setting up the tent with me somewhat close by, a stellar jay swooped in and pecked at the bag. It didn't take it but ripped a good hole in the bag. So just a big fyi to keep your food on guard/lock. The big creek runs through many of the sites. Some parts are mellow whilst other parts the water rushes pretty good. I was about 50 yards from the creek so I couldn't see it but I could hear it rolling through the valley. It was very relaxing to hear the cool water rolling downstream, whether at night or waking up at sunrise. And a myriad of birds will contribute with their morning songs, which makes for the best alarm clock. TRUST A little too big for my preference but still beautiful enough that I can revisit every other year. And just outside the park are the California coastline with Highway 1 carving through it. Some of the most breathtaking views Cali has to offer. Pfeiffer thanks for the reacquaintance and the confirmation that you are still indeed one of California's top gems.

Great Stop in Big Sur -- Beautiful Trails, Swimming Spots, & Scenic Views!…read moreThe drive along CA-1 to get here is reason enough to visit--absolutely stunning coastal views the entire way! Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park itself has a lot to offer. There are tons of trails to explore, though keep in mind that there isn't a whole lot of signage. The good news is that if you start from a central area, most paths naturally end up bringing you around in a loop at some point, so it's pretty easy to find your way back. A few takeaways from our visit: Water & Swimming: There are plenty of great spots along the rocks to dip in and swim, which is perfect on a warm day. Accommodations: Great setup whether you like roughing it or prefer comfort. Plenty of campsite options, plus the Lodge if you'd rather stay in a room. Pfeiffer Falls Trail: Honestly, this hike was pretty underwhelming. The falls were down to just a trickle when we went, but at least it was a decent walk to log some good steps! Overall, it's a lovely park with plenty to do. Just keep your expectations low for the waterfall if it hasn't rained recently, and enjoy the river, trees, and incredible coastal drive!

I felt it was only appropriate to review one of my favorite state parks for my 1000th review…read more This park has an extensive history dating back to the Chumash Native American inhabitation. These people lived here long before European explorers arrived. The park was purchased in 1965 by the State of California and made a state park. Prior to it becoming a state park, the land was used for agricultural use as well as farming and dairy use. It consists of 8000 acres of cliffs, seven miles of shoreline, coastal plains, canyons and hills. There is such a peaceful and calm vibe that you feel as you enter the park. As you enter through this colossal Eucalyptus forrest, you are mesmerized with their size. Clouds flow through the forrest and open up to the mighty Pacific Ocean. I always feel like I am entering a different world when I come here. There are so many fun trails to hike at ocean level, mountain level etc. Abundant wildlife is everywhere. You can also just take leisurely walks and enjoy the beauty of the ocean. Plenty of places to picnic, and a small beach to hang out with family and friends. There is also a small campground but what a great place to camp! Dogs are allowed but need to be on a leash. My first time out here was back in 2021. I mainly walked the Bluff Trail and took in the wind shaped jagged cliffs, caves, and rocky shore. I then completed a long beach walk on the strand that led from the park to the shores of Morro Rock. I saw so many dead jellyfish which was odd. I also saw huge turkey vultures. The next summer I took a recommendation from a worker at a local coffee shop. He told me all about Coon Creek trail. I started on this trail but it was pretty flat and I wanted something a little more challenging. I saw a sign for Oats Peak Summit and I went for it. A steep climb but so worth it at the top. Views were incredible on this ultra sunny day. Last summer I took my hubby with me and we decided to hike Valencia Peak. Hiking from sea level up to 1,347 feet proved to be a challenge but such a fabulous reward at the top. I could have spent the day up there just taking in the 360 degree views of the ocean, Morro Bay, Los Osos, and the SLO valley in the background. We absolutely loved this hike! If you find yourself lucky enough to be visiting the central coast, be sure to check out this phenomenal state park. It's truly one of California's finest offerings. Most of all remember to pack in and pack out - LEAVE NO TRACE.

Gold Fashioned A…read moremere fifteen miles west of SLO sits Montaña de Oro, which is one of California's largest state parks at a whopping 8k-acres. And the cherry on top of all that acreage, is a nice seven-mile stretch of California coastline. The Good: *Shockingly--free admission! *Superlative views of rocky shores, cool ocean breezes, and plenty of vitamin sea for everyone. *Bluff Trail is the best way to take advantage of those aforementioned seven miles of shoreline; easy, flat and nonstop ocean views. *Spooner's Cove is a great little beach to have a picnic at (pit toilets available). *Restrooms throughout the park *Mountain biking trails *Campgrounds & environmental camps available The Meh: *Dogs only allowed at Spooner's Cove and campgrounds, but we saw plenty along the trails. I guess it's not heavily enforced, but you take your chances. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ *A few AC parking lots but it's gonna be mostly edge of the shoulder parking. Please pay attention to any signage to avoid tickets/tow. *Little to no shade along the trails, which normally wouldn't be an issue as it's along the coast, but even the coast can get warm. So bring ya waters. The Ugly: *Very popular place and can fill up fast, so don't dilly-dally and get here early. Conclusion: Amazing park with fantastic views, but with a bit of a people problem.

Such an idyllic park. We stopped by to give our pup some nice playtime and relaxation and were…read moregreeted with the sight of families enjoying the play structure, beautiful cave and rock formations cliffside, various coastal flora and green grass. It is called dinosaur caves park due to the caves and some dinosaur sculptures located in the play area. Apparently there use to be a big dinosaur centerfold but that was taken away. A great walk and area to coast for a bit (pun intended) but bring your own shade.

Beautiful park that sits up on a bluff offering expansive ocean views, picnic areas, playground for…read morekids and plenty of parking. We visited on a beautiful summer day and it was perfect. Park was very busy with families having a great time. In the 1940's, a large metal dinosaur was built here to attract travelers from the highway to a souvenir and tackle shop. Visitors would pay .25 to walk through the dinosaur down to the sea cave. It did not last long to the public complaining as the dinosaur was an eye sore. After many years of this space deteriorating, the city of Pismo Beach bought the land and in 2003, this park opened. If you walk down to the bluffs edge, you will be able to see one of the sea caves. Great place to enjoy a leisurely afternoon.

My husband and I love to come and play tennis here! The courts have always been open and we've…read morenever had to wait for a court. Plus it's free!! They also have pickleball courts but we haven't checked them out yet.

Cool little park in Paso Robles that has a decently long walking path with a few slight…read moreinclines/declines. There are lots of green areas to enjoy a picnic or bring your dogs along for a walk and some catch. This place is very, very dog friendly which is always nice! Visited in February so the pools were all closed but they are open during the summer (bummer), but they have a lot going on. There also have a large barbecue area, basketball, tennis and pickleball courts, and even a community garden! Lovely spot to go for a walk with your dog or enjoy an outdoor game of tennis, pickleball, etc.