When it comes to adventure travel destinations, the Golden State has it all. Blessed with bucket-list-worthy destinations like the Julia Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and the Redwoods Sky Walk, travelers can easily find breathtaking landscapes. Specifically, California's national park system is a hotbed for nature-filled activities and photo-worthy sights!
10 Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is a well-known national park visited by 3.2 million people in 2021! Yet, despite its popularity, many argue that this world-famous destination is still worth the hassle and crowds.
Yosemite is well-known for its giant sequoia trees and collection of cascading waterfalls like the famous Yosemite Falls. Spanning 1,200 square miles, visitors of this national park can also see glaciers, rugged hiking trails, and breathtaking sights of the Sierra Nevada.
Prospective visitors are encouraged to plan their trip to Yosemite National Park to make the most of their visit (and anticipate potential weather or traffic delays).
9 Lassen Volcano National Park
Situated in Northern California, the Lassen Volcano National Park is literally one of a kind. This national park is the only place in the world where visitors can find the four kinds of volcanoes found in nature:
- Shield (Prospect Peak)
- Plug dome (Lassen Peak)
- Cinder Cone
- Composite (Brokeoff Volcano)
Visitors will feel like they stepped into a different planet while visiting this California park, especially the Sulphur Works. This area consists of hydrothermal vents that boil and bubble with steam (and mud). Sulphur Springs is also accessible during winter, unlike other hydrothermal vent areas around the park!
Besides the hiss and steam coming from volcanic activity, this stunning park offers gorgeous mountain lakes, expansive hiking trails, and recreational activities abound.
8 Channel Islands National Park
The Channel Islands National Park is a place Charles Darwin would've loved to study.
Located in Southern California, this coastal park consists of five islands, which house unique ecosystems due to their isolation over the millennium. Visit these islands, and one may encounter species not found anywhere else, including 23 endemic terrestrial animals and 11 land birds.
With five islands to explore, prospective bucket listers should plan their trip to this national park based on their interests. From surfing on the waves of Santa Rosa Island to camping on Anacapa Island, one thing's certain. There is no shortage of nature-filled activities at this California national park!
7 Golden Gate National Recreational Area
The Golden Gate National Recreational Area is one of California's most popular tourist attractions, attracting about 17 million visitors annually! Here, travelers will find iconic landmarks like Alcatraz Island, the Marin Headlands, Crissy Field, and the Rancho Corral de Tierra. This recreational area is also full of local wildlife, as this place is home to half of the continent's avian species! Visitors who are self-proclaimed plant parents will also love admiring thousands of plant species here, which houses close to one-third of the state's plant species!
6 Death Valley National Park
There is no denying that Death Valley National Park is one of the most popular parks in the US. Even with an intimidating name, the park attracts millions of visitors yearly, with good reasons!
Death Valley provides a combo of beauty and adventure to the curious traveler. At this national park, tourists can learn the history of local mining, explore spooky ghost towns, or spectate the natural beauty seen in America's driest (and hottest) national park.
Staying true to its name, visiting Death Valley in the summertime may be dreadful to some travelers, as its temperatures can hover about 120°F in the shade. In contrast, winter and spring visitors can enjoy the spoils of the park without breaking a sweat as temperatures drop.
Before venturing to the Death Valley National Park, curious travelers can also plan when to visit this famous park. The daytime is perfect for exploring stunning sights like the Badwater Basin. However, this park is also ideal for star gazing at night!
5 Joshua Tree National Park
Much like Yosemite and Death Valley, Joshua Tree is a popular national park in Southern California. For many, the tourist crowds are worth the visit!
At the Joshua Tree National Park, travelers can experience both the Mojave and Colorado Desert ecosystems. This Southern California park is particularly famous for its breathtaking sights, like the Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock, and Arch Rock. Tourists who fancy hikes will find a network of trails, from rugged trails for veteran hikers to the easiest hikes in all of Joshua Tree.
Summers in Joshua Tree National Park is well over 100°F, which may be unfavorable for heat-intolerant tourists. So instead, visitors can plan their visit sometime in Fall and Spring, which experience temperature lows around 50°F!
4 Kings Canyon National Park
For some travelers, mountains may be calling their names, especially those found at the Kings Canyon National Park. Located in the southern Sierra Nevada, visitors can see the park near the Inyo National Forest and the Death Valley National Park. It also sits beside the Sequoia National Park!
The Kings Canyon National Park is great for travelers who cannot cope with the crowds at Yosemite. In fact, much of the terrain seen at this park is similar to Yosemite. Besides hosting a network of hiking trails and a gorgeous mountainous backdrop, this park is famous for its grove of sequoia trees.
Travelers who venture to Kings Canyon National Park can witness the jaw-dropping size of the sequoia grove at Grant Grove or Cedar Grove!
3 Sequoia National Park
The Sequoia National Park sits adjacent to the Kings Canyon National Park. Due to their proximity, these parks operate together under the US National Park Service. Like its Kings Canyon counterpart, Sequoia National Park is an ideal bucket list destination for travelers who want to avoid the crowds at Yosemite.
Travelers can be among giants at this stunning park, which is home to the Giant Forest (of massive sequoia trees). Otherwise, nature enthusiasts can check out Moro Rock, a granite dome that sits between 6,400 to 6,700 feet. Trek along a dirt path and climb a 400-step stairway to reach this sturdy dome for a stunning view of the Great Western Divide!
2 Pinnacles National Park
When ancient volcanoes erupt and subside, they can create stunning landmarks like the Pinnacles National Park. This Central California park sits in the east of the Salinas Valley.
Visitors who journey to the Pinnacles National Park can admire a landscape formed millions of years ago, which now teems with chaparral and canyons. These formations are visible while hiking but may be better appreciated while rock climbing (a popular activity at this park). Otherwise, visitors can explore the Bear Gulch Cave or spot native birds through wildlife watching.
1 Redwoods National Park
In an age of self-driving cars and artificial intelligence, the Redwoods National Park remains an impressive sight. Identified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, this national park in Northern California is home to the tallest trees in the world.
These trees are giants, with some specimens measuring over 370 feet (or five stories taller than the Statue of Liberty)! After admiring these gorgeous trees, visitors can enjoy various recreational activities at the park, from horseback riding to camping.
Those planning a trip to the Redwoods National Park should remember that tourist crowds peak in the summer months, between June and August.