Category: California State

Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Calaveras Big Trees State Park preserves two groves of giant sequoias. The park is a mixed-conifer forest.  In addition to the giant trees, you will find the Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek, ancient volcanic formations, and natural meadows.  Phone 209-795-2334  Website   Accessible features   Park Brochure with Map   Many thanks to Teddy Hall for bringing this park and its trails to our attention!
Three Senses Trail is a 0.13 mile loop trail in a sequoia forest setting.  There are rest stops and interpretive panels in English and Braille.
North Grove Trail is a 1.7 mile loop starting from the visitor center parking lot.  Some of the largest trees in the park are along this trail.
Beaver Creek Trail  is a 0.68 mile loop originating from the South Grove Parking lot and Beaver Creek Picnic area.  There are scenic views along the Creek.
Stanislaus River Trail is 0.17 mile to the banks of the Stanislaus River.    The trail starts near the River Picnic area.

Prairie Creek State Park
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park …”protects sandy beaches and open meadows grazed by magnificent herds of Roosevelt elk. Ferns cascade down canyon walls. Lush stands of the world’s tallest living tree species, the coast redwood, stand in primeval majesty.”   The park has three scenic drives, 75 miles of hiking trails, and a 19-mile bike loop.
Many thanks to the website visitor who brought the park to my attention, sent the photos, and wrote, “… the trail I recommend most starts near the visitor center and while the trail is not paved it is kept clear and is quite doable.  When you come out at a road you can cross and go into an area where there is a very old large Redwood tree with the trail leading away from it back toward the visitor center. On this side of the road the trail is covered with fairly large broken rock which is difficult with a wheelchair. I would recommend returning on the part of the trail you were already on. Also there is at least one other accessible trail that starts near the visitor center.”
Visitor Center phone 707-488-2039   Park website.    Park Brochure.
Revelation Trail 0.25 mile, designed for all five senses.

Big Tree Trail 0.3 mile

Prairie Creek Trail 1.5 miles

Elk Prairie Trail 1.3 mile loop from Visitor Center

Point Lobos State Nature Reserve
Point Lobos State Nature Reserve has five accessible trails ranging in length from 0.25 to 0.5 miles.  The Reserve is remarkable for the “…rare plant communities, endangered archeological sites, unique geological formations, and incredibly rich flora and fauna of both land and sea….This area contains headlands, coves and rolling meadows.” Wildlife includes  thousands of seabirds, seals, sea lions, sea otters and migrating gray whales (from December to May).  Thank you to Lane Davis for letting me know about Point Lobos and for the photograph.
Phone 831-624-4909   Here is their website.   Here is lots of helpful information from the Point Lobos Foundation.      Accessible Features
Cypress Grove Trail  0.25 mile with views of the cove.

Sand Hill Trail,  0.4 mile paved loop  leading to views of the cove.

Carmelo Meadow Trail 0.3 mile compacted soil “…winds through native Monterey Pine forest and terminates at Whalers Cove.”
Granite Point Trail 0.36 mile compacted soil “…hugs the Whalers Cove bluff offering spectacular views of the coastline and its abundant wildlife.”
Bird Island Trail 0.5 mile “…provides views of Bird Island and China Cove where visitors can watch harbor seals nursing new born pups.”

Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve has accessible trails and boardwalks  The Reserve is 13 miles east of Yosemite National Park and is near the town of Lee Vining.  65 square mile Mono Lake is over 1 million years old, making it one of the oldest lakes in North America.  It is famous for its tufa towers, calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water.  The reserve protects the lake and the wetlands and other sensitive habitat for the 1 – 2 million birds that feed and rest at Mono Lake each year.
Here is their website.   Information on Accessibility.  Phone  760-647-6331

South Tufa Interpretive Trail  0.25 mile self-guided trail to the shore and through the tufa towers.  The first 0.25 mile is wheelchair accessible and the hard-packed soil beyond is easy walking.
Boardwalk Interpretive Trail 0.5 mile gives access to the north shore tufa areas and marsh.
Lake Trail  0.35 mile through the wetland to the shore.

Patrick’s Point State Park
Patrick’s Point State Park has three short accessible trails.  The 640 acre park is 30 miles north of Eureka, California and lies on a forested promontory overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  There are accessible campsites.  Patrick’s Point SP is in redwood country and you will find “Forests of spruce, hemlock, pine, fir and red alder stretch over an ocean headland with wildflower-filled meadows.”   On our very short visit we just walked along the road and enjoyed the marvelous scenery.   Accessibility   Phone 707-677-3570  Here is the park’s website.   

Ceremonial Rock/Sumeg Village Trail  0.73  goes through a spruce forest, passing near to the Native Plant Garden,Sumeg Village, and Ceremonial Rock.
Rim/Campfire Center Trail  0.87 mile is a hike along the coastal bluff with multiple views of the ocean.
Patrick’s Point Overlook Trail 0.07 a spur trail on top of coastal bluff with 180° view of the ocean.

Trinidad State Beach
Trinidad State Beach has a short trail through forest which is rated “generally accessible”.  What we liked was that you can get to the water from the parking lot without having to go down steep stairs.  The photo below was taken a short distance from the parking lot.   The beach is 19 miles north of Eureka, CA, just off Highway 101.  Park hours are from sunrise to sunset.  Phone 707-677-3570.  Here is their website.    Accessibility

?  Trinidad State Beach and College Cove 2 mile loop with some steep sections. Although AllTrails describes it as suitable for all skill levels, some of their reviewer say parts are quite steep.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California has a lovely wheelchair accessible trail and an easy loop walking trail.   The park is most famous for the 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees and lies on 4,650 acres of forested and open land.
The visitors center has a loaner wheelchair, but you had better call in advance (831-335-4598) as they are short staffed and sometimes the center is unpredictably closed.   Here is their website.  Trail descriptions
Redwood Grove Trail 0.8 mile loop –  A great horned owl’s hooting added to the pleasure of this lovely trail among giant redwood trees.  Thank you Mark Hehir, for the suggestion.

 Meadow-River Loop  1 mile loop, described as “gentle”.   Take the Meadow Trail just off Highway 9 to the Nature Store and return on the River Trail.

Accessibility within California’s State Parks  Here is a list of accessible trails in California’s State Parks.  You can arrange the list by region or alphabetically.