The Fantastic National Parks of California

The 9 National Parks of California are some of the most breathtaking, diverse and soul-lifting in the whole of the United States. From the red earth and cholla cactuses of Joshua Tree, to the mighty Yosemite Valley, the parks of California are there to be enjoyed, revered and protected.

Which of these National Parks have you visited?

A Little About each of the National Parks of California:

Yosemite National Park

• Nearest City/Town – Mariposa, Oakhurst, or Groveland
• Famous for – Granite cliffs (El Capitan, Half Dome), Bridalveil and Yosemite Falls, giant sequoias, and stunning valleys
• Recommended Time – 2–4 days
• Date Established – October 1, 1890

Yosemite National Park sits in a glorious valley of fantastical rock formations and views that stretch for miles. Beautiful waterfalls, which seem to be unfathomably tall, pour over the valley edges, and a driving loop circles the valley floor. With a few routes into the park, and many incredible hikes and sites to see, spending 2 days in Yosemite National Park is a great taster itinerary for this magnificent park.

The dynamism of Yosemite is the routes in and out – the roads are so diverse and interesting, it was a real pleasure to drive a new route each day, and leave over Tioga Pass to visit Death Valley on the other side of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

ACCOMMODATION TIP: The Ahwahnee is a historic luxury hotel inside the park with stunning views, elegant architecture, and a rich history of hosting presidents and royalty.

Don’t drive? Take a tour of Yosemite from San Francisco!

Take a road trip around California, taking in National Parks,
national monuments and wild coastlines!

Joshua Tree National Park

• Nearest City/Town – Joshua Tree, Yucca or Twentynine Palms
• Famous for – Unique Joshua trees, cholla cactuses, dark skies, and rock formations
• Recommended Time – 1–2 days
• Date Established – October 31, 1994

I don’t know about you, but me and my husband just had to visit Joshua Tree National Park to have our Gram Parsons moment. We love music, and it’s the lore and tales of this place that bring to life how special it is.

Joshua Tree is situated 130 miles (210 km) east of Los Angeles, with a drive time of around 2.5 to 3 hours. I recommend spending 2 days in and around the Joshua Tree National Park, because even though it’s relatively small, it’s a fascinating area. Our favourite hike was Barker Dam, and our favourite sightseeing was the incredible Cholla Cactus Garden.

Don’t miss a night of music at Pappy & Harriet’s in nearby Pioneertown. And dive into your hippy side with some meditation while you’re in the area!

ACCOMMODATION TIP: AutoCamp Joshua Tree is a chic glamping site featuring Airstreams, cabins, and an awesome communal lounge near the park entrance.

Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks (a two-for-one!)

• Nearest City/Town – Fresno or Three Rivers
• Famous for – Deep canyons, roaring rivers, and giant sequoias (like Grant Grove and General Sherman Tree)
• Recommended Time – 1–2 days
• Date Established – Kings Canyon – March 4, 1940; Sequoia National Park – September 25, 1890

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are neighbouring parks in California’s Sierra Nevada, south of Yosemite. They are jointly managed and offer an incredible two-for-one adventure.

Sequoia National Park is home to the world’s largest trees, including the General Sherman Tree, while Kings Canyon features one of the deepest canyons in North America. Visit the Giant Forest (and museum), where towering sequoias line the trails, and the hike to Moro Rock is a highlight.

Being in the Sierras, many of the roads shut seasonally. With even the year-round roads closing sporadically due to snow fall. Please bring snow chains if visiting in winter.

ACCOMMODATION TIP: Wuksachi Lodge is a rustic mountain lodge nestled among giant sequoias, offering cosy accommodations and easy access to park highlights.

Redwood National and State Parks

• Nearest City/Town – Crescent City or Klamath
• Famous for – Coastal redwoods and rugged coastline
• Recommended Time – 1–3 days
• Date Established – October 2, 1968

Located 5.5 hours north of San Francisco, Redwood National and State Parks is right near the Oregon border. The park system includes Redwood National Park and three state parks—Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks—protecting over 139,000 acres of ancient forests, wild rivers, and rugged coastline.

Highlights include Tall Trees Grove, Fern Canyon, and Lady Bird Johnson Grove for walks amongst the crazy tall Coastal Redwoods. Unusually, Redwood National Park has no entrance fees, and the park remains accessible year-round (albeit with reduced winter hours).

ACCOMMODATION TIP: For a unique stay near Redwood National and State Parks, consider the Cabins at Elk Meadow – there are a variety of sizes available.

Death Valley National Park

• Nearest City/Town – Furnace Creek, Lone Pine or Pahrump, NV
• Famous for – Extreme heat, sand dunes, Badwater Basin (lowest point in North America)
• Recommended Time – 1–3 days
• Date Established – October 31, 1994

One of the hottest and driest places on earth, Death Valley is famous for its extreme temperatures. With summer highs often exceeding 120°F (49°C), and it holds the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth, reaching 134°F (56.7°C) in 1913 at Furnace Creek.

Spanning over 3.4 million acres, Death Valley is home to diverse landscapes, including salt flats, sand dunes, rocky canyons, and mountain ranges. It has Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, and historic mining towns like Rhyolite to explore.

Spending 1-2 days in Death Valley will give you a great taste of this desolate and fascinating national park.

ACCOMMODATION TIP: The Inn at Death Valley is a historic, upscale oasis in the desert with a spring-fed pool, fine dining, and incredible stargazing opportunities.

Channel Islands National Park

• Nearest City/Town – Ventura or Oxnard
• Famous for – Unique ecosystems, marine life, and secluded islands
• Recommended Time – 1–2 days
• Date Established – March 5, 1980

The Channels Islands are a group of 8 islands off the southern California coast. The Channel Islands National Park is made up of 5 of those 8 islands – Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Anacapa, San Miguel, Santa Barbara. A protected zone for unique marine ecosystems, the national park offers a glimpse of sea life, windswept landscapes, and jagged rocky shores.

You can reach the national park by boat from Ventura and Oxnard. Be aware that ladders and steep steps mean that visiting is not wheelchair-friendly. However, there are many non-landing tour options for sightseeing.

Non park Channel Island, (Santa) Catalina, is a hub for day trips, kayaking, hiking, snorkelling, and whale-watching.

ACCOMMODATION TIP: Choose the Hotel Atwater on Catalina Island, or the Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton with beach views towards the Channel Islands.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

• Nearest City/Town – Redding or Chester
• Famous for – Geothermal features, volcanic landscapes, and lakes (such as Manzanita Lake)
• Recommended Time – 1–2 days
• Date Established – August 9, 1916

Lassen Volcanic National Park is located about 50 miles east of Redding (north of Lake Tahoe). It spans 106,000 acres and is known for its active volcanic features, including boiling springs, fumaroles, and Lassen Peak, one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world. The volcanic activity is a reminder of the region’s geologic history – the last eruption happened in 1917!

The park is accessible year-round, though some areas may be closed in the winter due to snow. It is less crowded than some of Cali’s more famous parks, which means more quiet time with the stunning natural beauty and volcanic landscapes.

ACCOMMODATION TIP: Stay at the cosy Antlers Inn near Lake Almanor, where you can enjoy the conveniences of the town of Chester.

Pinnacles National Park

• Nearest City/Town – Hollister or Soledad
• Famous for – Rock spires, talus caves, and California condor sightings
• Recommended Time – 1 day
• Date Established – January 10, 2013

The unique rock formations of Pinnacles National Park make it a park apart from others in California. Home to condors, caves and a remarkable 26,000 acres of protected land, Pinnacles is the perfect place for nature-lovers that don’t want the crowds of the bigger parks.

The park was formed by volcanic activity about 23 million years ago, and over time, erosion shaped its distinctive pinnacles and rock towers. The best time to visit is during the spring and autumn when temperatures are milder, and the wildflowers bloom. 

ACCOMMODATION TIP: Stay at the San Benito Camping Resort for cute cottages in a ranch style setting.

California’s State Parks & National Monuments

California has 280 state park units – this includes state parks, state historic parks, state beaches, reserves, recreation areas etc. It is the largest state park system in the US.

The National Park Service also manages 28 additional sites in California, including national monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and preserves, such as:

• Golden Gate National Recreation Area (which includes Alcatraz)
• Mojave National Preserve
• Cabrillo National Monument
• Lava Beds National Monument

If you love national parks, then don’t miss a
road trip around Montana, Wyoming & South Dakota!
Yellowstone National Park, the Black Hills, and more…

All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.