California is blessed with 9 national parks (the most of any state!), and I’ve visited all of them except for Channel Islands. Here are my top five favorites based on scenery, hiking, and overall experience:
1. Yosemite National Park
Why Visit:
Yosemite is famous for its dramatic granite cliffs, countless waterfalls, and giant sequoia groves. It’s also one of the oldest national parks in the US and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights:
- See iconic landmarks like El Capitan and Half Dome from Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and Valley View.
- Go on famous hikes such as Mist Trail (Vernal & Nevada Falls), Half Dome, and Upper & Lower Yosemite Falls.
How to visit:
We drove from the SF Bay Area (~4 hours) and stayed inside the park. Since we went in July during peak season, we had to make entrance reservations online. We entered using our National Park Pass, but you can also buy tickets at the gate (cashless options only).
2. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Why Visit:
These two connected parks are home to some of the world’s largest and most impressive trees.
Highlights:
- Giant Forest (Sequoia) → see General Sherman, the world’s largest tree by volume, and walk the Congress Trail, a 2-mile (3.2 km) loop through towering sequoias.
- Moro Rock (Sequoia) → a steep but short stair climb (350 steps) with incredible Sierra Nevada views.
- General Grant Tree (King’s Canyon) → the second-largest tree on Earth.
- Zumwalt Meadow (King’s Canyon) → a scenic meadow surrounded by towering granite cliffs. Feels like a mini Yosemite but without the crowds.
How to visit:
We drove from the bay area (~5 hours) and stayed inside the parks. We used our National Park Pass but you can also purchase entry at the entrance stations (cashless options only).
3. Joshua Tree National Park
Why Visit:
Joshua Tree is known for its bizarre rock formations, desert landscapes, and its namesake Joshua trees. Fun fact: a Joshua tree isn’t actually a tree, but a distinctive succulent known for its spiky leaves.
Highlights:
- Hidden Valley Nature Trail → a 1-mile (1.6 km) loop surrounded by scenic boulder formations.
- Cholla Cactus Garden → a dense field of teddy bear cholla cacti.
- Skull Rock → a rock that naturally formed skull-like eye sockets.
How to visit:
We flew into Palm Springs and drove to the park (~1 hour). There are no hotels inside the park, so we stayed at one of the nearby towns in Twentynine Palms. We used our National Park Pass to enter the park, but you can also buy tickets at the entrance. There’s very little shade, so pack hats, sunscreen, and lots of water.
4. Death Valley National Park
Why Visit:
The hottest, driest, lowest place in North America and one of California’s most surreal landscapes.
Highlights:
- Zabriskie Point → the park’s most iconic viewpoint with panoramic badlands and mountain views.
- Badwater Basin → the lowest point in North America (282 ft / 86 m below sea level) with endless white salt flats.
- Devil’s Golf Course → jagged, otherworldly salt formations.
- Artist’s Palette → pink, green, blue, and purple rocks from mineral oxidation.
How to visit:
Death Valley is about a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas. I joined a day tour from Las Vegas for easier logistics and to learn more about the unique landscape. If visiting on your own, bring offline maps, water/snacks, and fill up gas before entering — there’s almost no cell service and limited amenities. A National Park Pass or entrance pass is required.
5. Redwood National and State Parks
Why Visit:
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these parks protect the tallest trees on Earth and offer some of the most magical forest scenery in California.
Highlights:
- Tall Trees Grove → home to the tallest known tree on Earth (exact location kept secret for protection).
- Grove of Titans → elevated walkways through massive redwoods. This opened after my visit, so I didn’t get to see it.
- Fern Canyon → a narrow canyon covered in walls of ferns, featured in Jurassic Park. I didn’t visit because the trail often involves walking through water, but it’s a top attraction for many visitors.
How to visit:
We drove about 5.5 hours from the Bay Area to Eureka and stayed overnight. From Eureka, it was about a 2-hour drive to the park. If you want to skip the long drive, you can also fly into Arcata–Eureka Airport. Entry to the park is free, but Tall Trees Grove and Fern Canyon may require permits.
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