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California has several dozen state parks that focus on historic locations. The historic parks vary in size and cover a range of subjects, so you can pick parks that meet your interests, and to visit more than one park per day.
Themes
[edit]Most historic parks focus on California's early history, especially the many California indigenous people and the Spanish and Mexican settlers. Others show the state's early government and notable people.
There are several parks related to California's industrial history, including mining, citrus farming, a water-powered flour mill, and an early hydroelectric power plant.
Hours and prices
[edit]Most California state parks, especially outside urban areas, charge for parking but not for day use, which means that entrance may be free if you walk or bike into the park. Others have per-person entrance fees or separate fees for specific activities. Most of the parks listed in this itinerary are included in the California State Park's Historial Passport special day-use pass. As of 2021, this wallet card cost $50 and entitles the original owner to park one vehicle for free (if parking is charged inside the park) or to have up to four people enter the park (where entrance fees are charged per person).
Many state parks are open from sunrise to sunset for people who want to walk around outdoors. The hours listed are the times when the main museum or other facilities are open. Some parks offer campsites for tents or RVs.
Visiting
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You can bring dogs to most state parks. Normally, dogs must be kept on a leash and are not allowed in the buildings. In some parks, dogs are only allowed in certain areas. These restrictions are not always predictable, so it's best to check the details for each park separately.
Do
[edit]Southern California
[edit]- 1 Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park, 15701 East Ave. M, Lancaster, ☏ +1 661 946-3055. Sa–Su 11AM–4PM. This museum and park is focused on Great Basin Indians. The collections are housed an unusual home that was built by one of the people who collected many of the objects on display.
- 2 California Citrus State Historic Park, 9400 Dufferin Ave, Riverside, ☏ +1 951 780-6222. 8AM–5PM daily. This modern park is dedicated to the 20th-century citrus industry in Southern California. Many types of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins, grapefruit and other citrus fruits have been grown in the park, and are sometimes available to taste. Knoll Trail, a mostly flat concrete path between the visitor center and the Sunkist Center, meanders between orange groves and has views of the city. Picnic areas are modeled after the urban park styles from the 1920s. Good for hiking, biking, and dog walking.
- 3 Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, 4011 Grant Dr, Earlimart (Hwy 43 (Central Valley Hwy), 30 miles south of Tulare, near the Pixley National Wildlife Refuge), ☏ +1 661 849-3433. 9AM–5PM daily. This bicycle-friendly park preserves the only town in California that was founded, financed, and run by African-Americans. A must-see for everyone interested in Black history, the founder's home, the original schoolhouse, a church and a library are still present. The farming community eventually collapsed due to the loss of a safe water supply. Most buildings are kept closed, but may be opened for special events. The small campground has wheelchair-accessible restrooms with showers, and RVs are welcome. Unusually, groups of 20+ people can pre-arrange for the San Joaquin Amtrak train to stop here.
- 4 El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, 123 East Canon Perdido, Santa Barbara, ☏ +1 805 965-0093. 10:30AM–4:30PM daily. El Presidio de Santa Barbara boasts of having the second-oldest extant adobe building in California, a house for one of the guards, and several other adobe buildings from later eras. The Presidio was a Spanish military outpost founded in 1782, and the park provides information about the indigenous Chumash people, the early Spanish and Mexican military and government officials, and the later European-American, Chinese and Japanese immigrants. The location, in downtown Santa Barbara, means that this park is within an easy walking distance of many hotels, restaurants, and the Amtrak train station. Consider visiting the Chumash Painted Cave State Historical Park outside of town afterwards (road to Chumash Painted Cave not safe for trailers or large vehicles, limited parking, steep hiking required).
- 5 Fort Tejon State Historic Park, 4201 Fort Tejon Rd, Lebec (75 miles north of Los Angeles off Interstate 5), ☏ +1 661 248-6692. This US Army fort was in operation from 1854 to 1864, with a focus on controlling (and sometimes protecting) Native Americans over a large territory. There are living history re-enactments on the first Saturday of each month. Some of the native Valley Oaks in the park are 400 years old. The buildings are normally closed. Picnic and camping facilities, including up to two RVs. Pit toilets.
- 6 La Purísima Mission State Historic Park, 2295 Purísima Rd, Lompoc, ☏ +1 805 733-3713, LaPurisimaMission.StateHistoricPark@parks.ca.gov. 9AM–5PM daily. The original mission was founded in 1787, and it moved to the current site in 1813. The site has been extensively restored to show what life was like in the 1820s for the indigenous Chumash people and the Spanish immigrants who lived here. Sometimes weaving, pottery making, candle making, blacksmithing, or leatherwork is demonstrated at this living history museum for visitors. La Puísima is the only California mission that keeps live farm animals on site. As with many historic buildings, the doorways are narrow, the thresholds are high, and there are occasional stairs. The trails have some steep sections and can be walked in an hour-long loop. Horseback riding permitted. Geocaching site. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms at the visitor center and exhibit hall.
- 7 Los Encinos State Historic Park, 16756 Moorpark St, Encino, ☏ +1 818 784-4849. W–Sun 10AM–5PM. This park preserves the buildings of Rancho Los Encinos and its natural spring and provides information about the Mission Indian, Mexican Californio, French, and French Basque people who lived there. The park has a nine-room adobe house from the mid-19th century (schedule a tour in advance), a two-story limestone house from the 1870s, and a duck pond. Picnic area with wheelchair-accessible restrooms. Park on the street. There's a playground at a nearby city park, Encino Park, just a few blocks west of the state park, and a Smart & Final discount grocery store next door if you need to pick up some picnic supplies.
- 8 Will Rogers State Historic Park. Horseback riding permitted. Museum and vista point.
