10 Best National Parks in California

Yosemite National Park, California’s most visited national park, is lauded for its countless waterfall views. The best time to see the falls (like Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, and Chilnualna Falls, to name a few) is in the spring when snow melt is high. By August many of the falls have dried out.

Perhaps you want to give the iconic 16-mile return Half Dome hike a go. You’ll want to do so in May through October when the park rangers put up cables for a portion of the climb. (Note: permits are required.) Beyond the seasonality of the waterfalls and Half Dome, the giant sequoias and wide-open meadows are a sight to behold in any season in Yosemite National Park.

Visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, prepare to be awed by the world’s largest trees. There is nothing like walking through a landscape lined with ancient giant sequoias, especially the Giant Forest where you can see the famous General Sherman tree. Grant Grove is another spot to see many mature sequoias and is popular with photographers.

Whether you’re hiking or looking for an accessible drive, there are plenty of viewpoints to stop at and admire the landscape. Moro Rock is one worth seeing. You can access the large granite dome via a long stone stairway or by shuttle from the Great Forest Museum. Atop Moro Rock, you can see above the forest canopy and glimpse the Great Western Divide.

Death Valley National Park reigns supreme on multiple levels as the hottest, driest, and lowest (below sea level) national park, as well as being the largest in California. At more than 5,000 square miles, there is plenty to explore. Since the park is so vast and the climate can be intense, driving is a great way to see Death Valley National Park, including the backcountry. The self-guided Star Wars driving tour is a must if you want to see some famous filming locations.

Spring wildflower super blooms are another big draw to the Death Valley basin – but the rain must fall at the right time for flowers to bloom, so be sure to check the park conditions before making the trip.

If you drive north from San Francisco along the California coast, you’ll run into the beautifully verdant Redwood National Park. The famed redwood trees of the park’s namesake are among the tallest trees in the world. Hiking and camping amidst the trees are the most popular activities here.

Biking along the southern end of Redwood National Park is another great activity in this locale. As a cyclist, many of the paths will take you on old, rehabilitated logging roads. A small portion of the coastal bluff trail is also open to biking. And, if you take a break from all that exertion, you’ll be able to listen to the sea lions call from a distance.

You’ll gain a greater appreciation for desert landscapes when you visit Joshua Tree National Park. A combination of 2 deserts (the Mojave and Colorado), the 800,000 acres is home to a diverse range of plants and animals and is even within the Pacific flyway for migratory birds.

So, what to see at Joshua Tree National Park? You can snap a photo of the bizarre-looking branches of a Joshua tree or take a Desert Institute field course to learn how to capture the beauty of the desert landscape through the lens. Rock climbing, hiking, and horseback riding are other popular activities you may enjoy. October through May, when temperatures aren’t scorching, are the best months to visit.

Did you know you could have a fabulous Malibu holiday filled with both luxury and adventure? Those 2 things are possible thanks to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area and its proximity to the famed beach city.

Within the recreational area are more than 500 miles of trails and access to the beach. You won’t want to miss an opportunity to visit Paramount Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains, where Paramount Pictures has filmed projects since 1927. A place where nature and art meet, art exhibits and features are known to roll through the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area as well.

While the west coast of California tends to get the most attention, there is 1 gem you shouldn’t miss in the northeastern part of the state: Lassen Volcanic National Park. Shaped from volcanic activity, it is home to all 4 types of volcanoes. While inactive, the volcanic centre still smolders, evidenced by steam vents and boiling springs. It’s worth taking the time to learn about the volcanic history of the park while you’re there.

Beyond the volcanic action, Lassen has everything else you’d expect from a national park: hiking trails, campsites, ranger-led programmes and classes, and boating on the mountain lake. In the winter, snowshoeing is a popular activity to see the sights while the ground is covered in powder.

If you venture off the coast of Ventura, you’ll drift into the Channel Islands National Park. On any of these 5 islands (Santa Barbara, San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and Anacapa), you’ll feel as if you’re in another world entirely different from the mainland.

You can access the islands via a park concessionaire boat or private boat. Mainland visitor centers are located in Ventura and Santa Barbara. Santa Cruz Island is the most visited due to its frequent boat schedule, ample hiking trails, and well-maintained campsites. Another can’t-miss spot is Inspiration Point on Anacapa Island. From the picture-perfect overlook, you can see the other 4 islands in a near-perfect line.

East of Monterey is an otherworldly land of volcanoes, caves, and rock spires – Pinnacles National Park. Exploring all of those features is a hiker’s paradise. However, you’ll find this park more enjoyable in fall and winter, as summer can bring extreme temperatures to the area.

If you happen to visit the park during the few weeks the talus caves are open (they’re often closed to safeguard the colony of protected bats), you won’t want to miss your chance to traverse them. Rock climbing and camping are also popular activities at Pinnacles National Park.

Off of Drakes Bay, north of San Francisco, is the Point Reyes National Seashore, a haven for naturalists. In this protected area, there is an abundance of wildlife for you to see. From the Lighthouse overlook, for example, it’s not uncommon to spot migrating grey whales. Birdwatchers can find owls, osprey, cormorants, and green-backed heron. Be sure to check for seasonal closures of the beach and greater seashore, implemented to protect nesting birds and seal pups.

Hiking and horseback riding are popular ways to explore the 150 miles of trails within Point Reyes National Seashore. Another can’t-miss is a visit to Alamere Falls. The waterfall cascades over a 40-foot cliff onto Wildcat Beach and is a true sight to behold.