Everybody knows about California's impressive national parks: Yosemite, with its mountains and valleys; Death Valley, where ridges of sand dunes rise in America's driest locale; and Sequoia, home to towering, thick-trunked trees. But California's state parks and reserves are the region's hidden gems, offering spectacular views and wildlife, and often, fewer crowds.

Point Lobos State Reserve is one of our favorites. Three miles south of Carmel, Point Lobos offers rocky shores, easy trails and frequent sightings of sea lions, otters and harbor seals. Some trails wind by aromatic stands of California sagebrush and apricot-colored monkey flowers while others lead you under canopies of Monterey pines and cypress trees to panoramic views of the sea. As you walk along Sea Lion Point trail, look carefully and you might catch sight of sea otters in the kelp. More obvious are the harbor seals basking in the sun and the sea lions barking on the offshore rocks. Binoculars come in handy so kids can view these noisy critters up close.

Along Cypress Grove Trail between December and May, you can spot migrating gray whales. Bird Island Trail cuts through woods and above sandy beaches. The sea surges through the crevices in the offshore cliffs, and cormorants, oystercatchers and brown pelicans circle above.

In the 19th century, Chinese fishermen built homes on the Point at Whalers Cove. One of these, Whaler's Cabin, still stands. Constructed of wooden planks, granite and six whale vertebrae, the structure houses a small whaling museum containing scrimshaw, tools and pots (www.parks.ca.gov).

Sun and Surf

The classic California experience includes beaches and time on a long board. You can enjoy both at state parks. Take wannabe surfers to Doheny State Beach, south of Dana Point in Orange County. The Dana Point Harbor breakwater causes long, gentle waves, good for beginners. Expert surfers catch the waves at Huntington State Beach. Non-surfers can build sandcastles in the sun (www.parks.ca.gov).

Twelve miles south of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria State Beach Park's natural breakwater creates a long stretch of calm water plus another area for surfing. Young kids can explore the tide pools and at low tide, search for sea stars and crabs lurking in the rocks (www.parks.ca.gov).