200+ California State Parks Are Free To Visit For MLK Day: Here Are The Ones Closest To San Francisco

Did you know that California State Parks are free to visit today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day? On Friday, Governor Newsom directed over 200 participating state parks to offer free admission in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “I’m encouraging all Californians to get outside on MLK Day, spend time in nature, reflect on Dr. King’s legacy , and reaffirm our commitment to advancing civil rights for all,” said Newsom. State parks near San Francisco ------------------------------ San Franciscans can enjoy numerous fantastic state parks within a short drive from the city. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the best and closest state parks where you can take advantage of free admission. * Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (located in southeast SF) : Waterfront trails and picnic spots inside SF city limits. * Mount Tamalpais State Park (30–60 minutes by car from SF): Classic Bay Area mountain with great hiking and views. * Año Nuevo State Park (1 hour and 15 minutes by car from SF): See the elephant seals during pupping season (reservation required). * Samuel P. Taylor State Park (50–70 minutes by car from SF): Explore redwood canyons and family-friendly trails. * Tomales Bay State Park (1–1.5 hours by car from SF) : Enjoy coastal views and grab Dungeness crab mac n’ cheese afterward. * China Camp State Park (40–60 minutes by car from SF) : See a 19th century Chinese shrimp-fishing village. * Jack London State Historic Park (1–1.5 hours by car from SF) : Explore the historic ranch and home of author Jack London. * Mount Diablo State Park (50–75 minutes by car from SF) : Enjoy fantastic summit views and extensive hiking and biking trails. * Bean Hollow State Beach (over 1 hour by car from SF): Go tide pooling at this San Mateo beach. * Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park (over 1 hour by car from SF): Another great tide pooling spot with one of the tallest lighthouses on the West Coast. 🌐 Learn more: See the full list of participating state parks here. Source: https://secretsanfrancisco.com/martin-luther-king-day-free-state-parks/