Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point

Ed Z’berg – Sugar Pine State Park may be one of the best and most beautiful natural areas that remains on Lake Tahoe. The park fronts on two miles of the famous lake and is made up of thick forest lands of sugar pine and other varieties of pine trees, firs, junipers, and aspen. This area on Lake Tahoe is known as Sugar Pine Point and was a part of the Washoe Indian territory. Generations of Washoe came to the shores here to hunt and fish.

Isaias Hellman, a wealthy financier, and his family, originally owned the land at Ed Z’Berg Park. Hellman built the family home there in 1903 and the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion is now one of the park’s attractions. In 1965 the land became a California state park. One of the more interesting things to do on a visit to the park is to take the tour of the mansion. The beautifully landscaped grounds of the mansion are also available for private events such as weddings and family reunions.

Donner Memorial State Park

When looking for parks in California, or parks in general with significant United States history a good park to look into is the Donner Memorial State Park. This park is an important asset in American history being home to a great historical tragedy. Other than just historical attractions the park has many bright and cheerful activities which can be carried out such as hiking, boating, skiing, swimming, picnics, snowshoeing, and much more.

What is the history of the Donner Memorial State Park?

Del Norte Coast Redwoods

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is one of the hundreds of beautiful parks in the California State Parks system. Part of the park system since 1929, Del Norte consists of 6,400 acres loaded with old growth redwoods. It encompasses eight miles of California coastline. Del Norte is considered a World Heritage Site, which means that it is a place with cultural or physical significance to the entire world. It is also a Biosphere Reserve which means it is protected because of its biological diversity.

The park rises from sea level to 1277 feet in elevation. The cliffs that line the coastline make most of the coast impossible to access except for the combination of two trails – Damnation Creek Trail and Footsteps Rock Trail. Some of the trees that make up the part of the forest underneath the redwoods are big leaf maple, madrone, and tonak trees. Red alder is the other vegetation and this usually is replaced by fir trees and redwoods.

D.L. Bliss State Park

D.L. Bliss State Park is located 17 miles south of Tahoe City California on the Emerald Bay, in the county of El Dorado and in the High Sierra region. In 1929 the D.L. Bliss family (a family who was known for pioneering and the lumber trade as well as being rail road owners) donated 744 acres to the state parks system.

Spring in the D.L. Bliss State Park can have temperatures reaching a high of 75 and lows in the mid-40. The winter months bring colder days with highs in the 40′s and lows in the 20′s. Camping is available in the D.L. Bliss State Park; campgrounds are closed in the winter and open from May to September. Camping can be done in tents, R.Vs. or trailers.

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, located in San Diego County California offers great outdoor activities. Fishing, hiking, horseback riding trails and biking trails are all activities that can be done while visiting Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is an oak and pine forest with over 100 miles hiking, biking and equestrian trails. There are also two family style campgrounds that take reservations from the spring and into the fall. Shallow creek pools are wonderful for cooling off and a little water play during the hot summer days.

Paso Picacho is one of the two campgrounds sits 5 miles north and at an elevation of 5,000 feet. This camp has a popular hike through Stone Wall Park (which is a two mile hike) this hike offers breathtaking views of both the desert and the coast line. Lake Cuyamaca (which is a manmade lake) offers those who prefer water sports such as boating and fishing the chance to do them. One of the great things about camping at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is the campsites themselves. Each of the 85 campsites offers campers a picnic table and fire ring. Water faucets are scattered throughout the camp ground and restrooms and pay showers are close by throughout the campground. Both campgrounds offer RV dump stations. Campsites are 30 dollars a night and allow for one vehicle. There is an extra vehicle charge of 8 dollars for every other vehicle that accompanies your campsite overnight. There is a small campground store that will assist you in getting any camping supplies or food that you may need while you are visiting the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Because of the popularity of the camp during the summer months, reservations must be made. Campers can feel free to bring their pets with them to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, but they must be leashed and they are limited to the campgrounds, paved roads and picnic areas.
For those visitors that would like to visit Cuyamaca Rancho State Park for a day visit, there is plenty to do! Day visitors are allowed to use the campgrounds picnic and grilling area for a fee of 8 dollars per vehicle. The hiking trails are available to everyone that visits the park for free. The park also has a wonderful earth day celebration every year; the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is working to rebuild the Green Valley campground and hiking trails.