Mckenna • March 16, 2026

Anza-Borrego Nominated Best State Park

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Vote for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

The voting period for this year's poll runs through April 11. Vote here.

The California State Parks Foundation has opened voting for its 2026 Best of California’s State Parks poll, with Anza-Borrego Desert State Park nominated for best hiking, best camping, and best wildflowers. The recognition highlights the park’s wide-open desert scenery, extensive trail network, and seasonal blooms that draw visitors from across California and around the world.



Facts

  • Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is nominated for:
  • Best hiking
  • Best camping
  • Best wildflowers
  • Carlsbad State Beach is nominated for:
  • Best beach


  • Voting in the poll is open through April 11, 2026


  • In the 2025 poll, Anza-Borrego won for best wildflowers


  • Other San Diego County honorable mentions included:
  • Palomar Mountain State Park for picnicking and dog-friendly adventures
  • Cardiff State Beach for best beach


Why Anza-Borrego stands out


Anza-Borrego is California’s largest state park and is known for its desert scenery, hiking, camping, and seasonal wildflower blooms. In years with enough rain, visitors may see desert lilies, dune primroses, and blooming ocotillo across the landscape.


California state parks by the numbers


According to the report, California’s state park system includes:

  • 280 state park units
  • More than 340 miles of coastline
  • 970 miles of lake and river frontage
  • About 15,000 campsites
  • More than 5,200 miles of trails


Read more

Readers can learn more and find the original report at KPBS.




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