A new statewide poll by the California State Parks Foundation has awarded superlative titles to 12 of CA’s 280 state park units, chosen from the results of a 2026 vote across thousands of parkgoers.
One of them is Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, which was voted the “Best California State Park Hidden Gem.”
From the views at the top of Bald Mountain to a seasonal 25-foot waterfall, here’s why Sugarloaf Ridge is worth the 1.5-hour drive from San Francisco.
Visiting Sugarloaf Ridge
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a compact public land area in Sonoma County whose main feature is the 2,729-foot Bald Mountain. On a clear day, visitors can enjoy panoramic views over Sonoma and even catch glimpses of the Sierra Nevada and Golden Gate Bridge.
25 miles of trails criss-cross the terrain, which ranges from shady redwood groves to open meadows and chaparral. You can see a seasonal 25-foot waterfall after the winter rains via the 0.5-mile Lower Canyon, Upper Canyon, and Canyon Pony Gate Loop trails.
The park is also home to the Robert Ferguson Observatory, which offers public astronomy programs including star parties and astrophotography classes, and a large campground with 47 campsites and hot showers.
The ‘Best California State Parks’
Luckily for SF residents, Sugarloaf Ridge isn’t the only nearby state park to come out on top of the California State Parks Foundation poll.
In fact, 7 of the 12 winning parks are located within a 2-hour drive of San Francisco, including Half Moon Bay State Beach, voted the “Best California State Park for Beaches,” and Mount Tamalpais State Park, voted the “Best California State Park for Spectacular Views.”
You can read our article for more details about the best state parks near SF.
