This tops my list of state parks followed by Custer in South Dakota. The water is truly amazing and the opportunity for photos never ends. We hiked to emerald bay and back....took a good chunk of day. But the beautiful trail through the park was awesome the whole time. If you see the pictures of this park they are legit and worth a view in person. $10 to get in on a day pass which is good for all CA State Parks according to the guy we paid. One of the beaches had very few boulders in the water so that's the best for swimming but all of it is beautiful!!