There seem to be a number of state parks between Santa Barbara and Carmel and I am trying to prioritize my stops. What say you California lovers, what are your favorite 3 parks on PCH 1, in order of preference, and why? We are looking for pleasant views and maybe a couple of short hikes (abt 2-3 miles or less). Pt Lobos is on the top of my list but I need some help with the rest of the plan.

I'm not that familiar with the parks all the way down--but Julia Pfeiffer state park, about 10 miles south of big sur, has a very short walk to a great waterfall on the beach.

Thats just why I thought to ask the fodorites. I was going to skip Julia Pfeiffer then saw pictures of the cove and it is back on the list. Other Big Sur state park favorites?

The walk to the waterfall view at Julia Pfeiffer-Burns is just a short stroll, not what I'd call a hike. But is it probably the best view from a state park in Big Sur with less than a mile hike. You cannot get down to the beach there, or even near the waterfall, just to a viewpoint. There is a trail there, the Ewoldsen Trail that takes you to a high view above the ocean, but it's about a 5 mile round trip with a bit of a climb.
http://71miles.com/features/?name=bigsurhiking


Your best bet for a scenic hike with just a couple of miles is not in a state park at all, but the first mile or so of the Salmon Creek Trail, which climbs up from a waterfall (on the inland side this time, back in the woods) through woodsy area, and then climbing up to desert like outcroppings with views of the ocean and highway below.
http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/
That's a great site for hikes in Big Sur in general.

We like Limekiln State Park. There are a couple nice short hikes along a couple picturesque creeks. One hike takes you to the base of a waterfall. Another to the old lime kilns - interesting to see Mother Nature dismantling them and reclaiming the area for herself

I like the two mentioned, and also Andrew Molera for a nice walk out to the beach.

Point Lobos!!

Point Lobos is beautiful. Really magical.

I like the hiking in Big Sur State Park. There is a brief hike to a waterfall; on Oak Creek Trail if you go early enough I always see deer; and while I am more of a "stroller" than a "hiker", there is another longer walk I think it is called Valley View.
I have also walked to the ocean in Andrew Molera (2 different ways to go--bluff top or lower down) and Julia Pfeiffer--also good.

First off, you are confusing me. You asked for the state parks between Santa Barbara and Carmel. This stretch is officially known as the Cabrillo Highway.

Then you mention PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) that terminates at Oxnard, this stretch is south of Santa Barbara.

Did you want recommendations for both stretches of the Coast Highway?

Assuming that you really want the 90+ mile stretch between Cambria and Carmel, here are my favorite three (from south to north) Limekiln for its great waterfall, Julie Pfeiffer Burns for its waterfall stroll/hike, Point Lobos for all of its trails.

There are lots of beach hikes as well. My favorite is Carmel beach.

Enjoy!

Thanks all for your helpful suggestions. This will be my longest roadtrip in many moons. Sequoia370 I love the hiking website. Easytraveler thanks for the correction, I did mean state parks between Cambria and Big Sur. Though I do plan on a few nights in Santa Barbara before heaidng up the coast. I cant wait to get out West. Feb.