California State Parks Gallery
Torrey Pines SNR
Point Sur SP
Julia Pfefifer Burns SP
Sinkyone Wilderness SP
Pomponio SB
Marina SP
Half Moon Bay SP
Point Lobos SNR
Henry Cowell Sedwoods SP
Butano SP
Del Norte Coast Redwoods SP
Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP
Los Osos Oaks SNR
Salt Point SP
Salt Point SP
McConnell SRA
Mono Lake Tufa SNR
Emerald Bay SP
Silverwood Lake SRA
San Luis Reservoir SRA
Providence Mountains SRA
Red Rock Canyon SP
Anza Borrego Desert SP
Cuyamaca Rancho SP
Sinkyone Wilderness SP
Brown Pelican, Año Nuevo SP
Seagulls, Doheny SB
Brown Pelicans, Año Nuevo SP
California State Parks Photography
As Senior Photographer in the Interpretation and Education Division, I dedicated years to documenting the landscapes, wildlife, and communities that make California’s state parks extraordinary. The California State Parks Gallery brings together sweeping vistas and intimate details—sunlight piercing through ancient redwood groves, waves exploding against the cliffs of Point Lobos, or the quiet shimmer of Mono Lake in late afternoon light. These images reveal not only the visual grandeur of the parks but also the human stories of visitors, rangers, and conservationists who ensure these places endure.
Iconic Locations Featured
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve — home to the rare Torrey pine, dramatic coastal bluffs, and pristine beaches.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park — world-renowned for McWay Falls and the breathtaking cliffs of Big Sur.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park — California’s largest park, bursting with spring wildflowers and desert wildlife.
Half Moon Bay State Beaches — a beloved destination for beachcombing, birdwatching, and scenic coastal walks.
Red Rock Canyon State Park — striking for its vivid cliffs, layered formations, and desert panoramas.
Through photography, this gallery preserves the essence of each place, ensuring that its beauty, historical resonance, and ecological importance remain alive for future generations.
Adventure, Education, and Conservation
California’s state parks offer far more than scenic backdrops—they are places of discovery, recreation, and stewardship. Visitors hike winding trails, camp beneath star-filled skies, kayak along rugged shores, and watch wildlife in its natural habitat, creating bonds with the land that foster environmental responsibility. Educational programs and interpretive centers further enrich these experiences, exploring subjects such as climate change, native ecosystems, and California’s Indigenous history. Each encounter strengthens the link between conservation and cultural awareness.
By safeguarding these landscapes, California State Parks protect wildlife corridors, restore fragile habitats, and enhance climate resilience. At the same time, they provide accessible green spaces for both rural communities and urban centers, serving as living classrooms, hubs of scientific research, and sanctuaries for reflection, healing, and renewal.
A Tribute to California’s Natural and Cultural Heritage
The Gallery honors the extraordinary range of experiences these landscapes provide—whether it’s a strenuous backcountry trek, a peaceful picnic beneath centuries-old trees, or an exploration of California’s gold rush and Native American history. Each photograph acts as both artwork and record, celebrating the parks as places of wonder, contemplation, and cultural memory.
This collection is more than a portfolio—it is a visual record and a call to conservation. It reminds us that the beauty, biodiversity, and heritage of California’s state parks are irreplaceable treasures—ones to be cherished today and safeguarded for the future.