The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Picnic for the Planet, Earth Day 2011. Image by TNC.

Celebrate Earth Day by getting outside and experiencing the natural beauty California offers. Nature is all around us. From urban playgrounds to neighborhood parks, campgrounds to quiet hiking trails—the opportunities are endless.

In California, The Nature Conservancy protects dozens of beautiful places that make for great picnic spots. Where will you go? 

Andrew Molera State Park. Located in the heart of Big Sur, this 7.5 square-mile area offers amazing hiking, fishing and biking, in addition to plenty of places to relax and picnic. You'll see some of the state's most beautiful wildlife, from the California condor to the monarch butterfly.

Cosumnes River Preserve. Spend Earth Day on the last remaining undammed river of the western slope of the Sierra. You can picnic, hike and enjoy some of the best birdwatching in the state.  Don’t forget your binoculars to spy cranes, hawks, swans and herons.

Marin Headlands. The sprawling hills north of San Francisco Bay boast the most endangered species of any national park in the country. It's one of the most visited sites in the national park system, with millions of visitors crossing the Golden Gate Bridge each year. But with its more than 70,000 acres of protected land, you're sure to find a secluded spot for your picnic.

Santa Rosa Plateau. From wetlands to woodlands to prairies, the Santa Rosa Plateau encompasses a tantalizing variety of ecosystems. A casual stroll through the park provides amazing scenery and your choice of picnic spots.

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park– For those coming from San Diego, Cuyamaca Rancho offers exciting hiking in untamed wilderness. In some of the most biologically rich land in the country, you'll feel like nobody else is around you for miles. 

Didn’t find a picnic spot near you? Check out our full list of Nature Conservancy preserves and places we protect in California.

Or find a California state park. You can also check your county website for a list of city and regional parks.