8 Best National Parks In California

If you are spending time in California you can expect gorgeous sunshine most of the year and what better way to get out in the sun than by spending time in some of the most beautiful national parks in California. There are many!

While California isn’t quite the biggest state in the country, you can still expect to take in hugely diverse views as a result of the many different types of geographical features across the state. You’ll find desert, coastline, forests, mountains – just about any type of terrain you can think of. It’s part of California’s diverse charm. 

With all of that terrain comes an abundance of beautiful national parks. All are very much worth a visit. Here is our guide to the best national parks in California that should be a part of anyone’s itinerary in the Golden State.

Cost to Visit National Parks in California

• Individual Entrance: Typically ranges from $10 to $20 per person. This is usually for visitors entering by foot, bicycle, or motorcycle.
• Vehicle Entrance: Costs range from about $20 to $35 per vehicle, which covers all passengers in the vehicle. The fee is valid for a specified number of days, generally between 3 and 7 days.
• Annual Park Pass: Some national parks offer their own annual pass, providing unlimited entry to that park for one year. Prices vary but are usually around $70.
• America the Beautiful Pass: This pass costs $80 and provides access to all national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and many other federal lands for one year. It covers entrance fees at sites that charge per vehicle or per person..

» Check out How to Spend 2 Days in San Francisco and Epic California Road Trip Routes.

Before You Go

There are some things we advise before visiting any national park, so you’re ready to tackle the sights with the proper preparation.

• Check the weather beforehand to prevent getting stuck in the middle of a rain spell or other unpredictable weather conditions.
• Wear the right footwear to prevent any accidents.
• Always carry plenty of water with you as it can get very hot out there.
• National parks attract a huge number of visitors, so it’s best to arrive early so you can take in the scenery before the park fills with people and/or the parking lot fills up.
• If you plan to camp, always book in advance. Few parks can accommodate last-minute bookings.

8 Best National Parks In California 

1. Yosemite National Park

Location: Eastern Central California

Yosemite is one of the most popular national parks and every year millions of visitors descend on the park grounds. This park is hallowed ground for free climbers as it is home to the towering cliff face of El Capitan.

Yosemite is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an accolade that proves its beauty and majesty. There is a huge range of activities on offer, such as hiking, rock climbing, fishing, and camping. Check out this 2-day itinerary to help you plan your trip.

As this park is incredibly popular, bookings for any of the park campgrounds should be made well in advance. There are also some amenities throughout the park grounds, such as cafes and restaurants but there is also a well-disguised Starbucks which has become a popular spot people look to find. 

Note: Check the park website before your visit. At this time, reservations are required to drive into or through the park during the peak hours of 6 am to 4 pm.

» Try this tour: Full-Day Small Group Yosemite & Glacier Point Tour Including Hotel Pickup

2. Redwood National Park

Location: Northern California Coast

Take a break from the sun under the shade of one of the towering redwood trees in this national park. This park has both national and state park status due to its precious wildlife and beautiful flora. 

This park also has UNESCO World Heritage Site, ensuring the beauty of this park remains untouched and protected. The park is built up of four separate parks, Redwood National Park and three state parks, these parks are Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek Redwoods.

This national park surprises most visitors as along with the forests filled with trees up to 370 feet tall, this park also has nearly 40 miles of California coastline running along its border. 

In Redwood you can expect to enjoy a hike, camp out under the stars, canoe along the river, enjoy the quiet while fishing, or take a swim to cool off after a great day of exploring. There are even great roaming cycling trails meandering through this park. 

» The Redwoods National Park is part of our gorgeous Northern California Road Trip Itinerary.

3. Channel Islands National Park

Location: Southern California Coast

California is a very built-up state and finding masses of undeveloped land is a rarity, particularly along the California coastline but at the Channel Islands national park you will be offered a unique opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of life to spend time in the quiet of the wilderness.

The Channel Islands National Park is made up of the islands of Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miquel, Santa Barbara, and Anacapa. Bird watchers and animal enthusiasts gather along this stretch of five islands to observe nesting seabirds and sea animals. 

There are also incredible hiking trails that will bring you high above sea level to take in some breathtaking views. To access this national park you will need to take a ferry or small plane, which can be taken from either Santa Barbara or Ventura. 

4. Lassen Volcanic National Park

Location: Northern California

This national park is alive with steaming sulfur vents, mud pots, and springs. It’s quite a sight and something you absolutely have a lot to see in Lassen Volcanic national park. The main volcano, Lassen Peak, is no longer active but you will take in unique sounds and smell thanks to the bubbling surrounds of the peak. 

This park is awesome to visit any time of the year but it is particularly breath-taking in the wintertime when the peaks are covered in white snow and the wildflowers are growing. The park is full of vivid color at a time when the rest of the world is white and pale.

Water activities in the lake and hikes through the thick forest are other popular activities in the Lassen Volcanic national park. If you are driving to this park be aware that there is limited parking so you will need to head to the park bright and early to avoid disappointment.

5. Pinnacles National Park

Location: Central California

Pinnacles National Park is a new park in comparison to others on this list as it was only granted national park status in 2013. The park offers views of unique bulging rock formations and green bushy flora. 

If you don’t want to spend your time on a busy hiking trail, a visit to Pinnacles national park may be a great choice for you. Take in the views and be sure to check out the endangered California condor as you walk through the large bird’s home. 

This park is a must-visit for hiking enthusiasts and after a long day of hiking take a dip in the park swimming pool to cool off.

6. Joshua Tree National Park

Location: Southeastern California

Here you can expect to see rolling desert dotted with the twisted silhouette of Joshua Trees, which is what makes this place so special. The park is favored by star spotters as it is a great place to stargaze.

Joshua Tree national park is known for its unique flora but it is also a great place to hike as it is predominantly quite a flat landscape with peaks that aren’t incredibly difficult to summit. 

The national park falls right at the place where the Mojave Desert meets the low Colorado Desert, giving you the choice to explore the towering rock formations or the far-spreading flatter areas of the national park, see very unique plants and trees that you won’t see elsewhere, and experience a desert environment.

Many people visiting Palm Springs take a day away from the city to explore this national park but the weather here can be extreme and so visiting during the peak of the summer weather is not advisable. It’s also great to take a tour of the valley so you can see as much as possible.

7. Death Valley National Park

Location: Southeastern California

Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in the state of California. This national park spreads across an incredible 3.3 million acres and is filled with large sand dunes and contrasting salt flats. The entirety of the ground looks like Mars with unique red coloring. 

You can choose from a huge range of activities in this national park, from backcountry driving to road and mountain biking, hiking, and night explorations. You could spend two days in this national park and never feel bored. 

If you are a fan of gorgeous sunrises we highly recommend heading to Zabriskie Point to take in the beautiful, undisturbed sunrise that can be seen almost all year round.

If you want to spend time in one of the most extreme terrains in America we recommend visiting this national park but do be aware that it is also the driest and hottest place in the country so you must bring water.

8. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Location: Southern California

While Sequoia and Kings Canyon are technically two separate national parks they are under the same park management and so often they are classed as one.

You will leave this park dizzy from spending the time with your head stretched back taking in the sheer beauty of the scaling sequoia trees that can be found in both parks.

There are several scenic drives across both parks for anyone who may not be able to hike along with the granite domes or the ascending hiking trails.

These parks are also home to the tallest mountain in the lower states of the United States, Mount Whitney, and many people visit these parks with the hopes of taking this mountain on.

There are two famous trails that avid hikers will come from across the world to come and enjoy, the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail.

Both trails would be between moderate to high difficulty and should not be attempted by those who do not have a certain level of fitness or the correct equipment and gear.

California State Parks

Aside from these major National parks, there are many state parks, recreation area, and national monuments in California State. Most of these have lodging, camping, hiking, and other things to do in the area.

Here’s a list of others you might want to check out:

California is also home to a vast array of state parks and monuments, offering diverse landscapes and historical sites. Here are some notable ones:

1. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: The largest state park in California, known for its wildflower blooms, desert landscapes, and stargazing opportunities.
2. Big Basin Redwoods State Park: California’s oldest state park, famous for its ancient coast redwoods and a network of hiking trails.
3. Calaveras Big Trees State Park: Renowned for its giant sequoias, including the first discovered by European Americans in 1852.
4. Hearst San Simeon State Park: Known for the Hearst Castle, a historic estate with opulent architecture, located near the picturesque coastline.
5. El Matador State Beach: A popular spot for photographers and beachgoers, known for its unique rock formations and sea caves.
6. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: Offers spectacular ocean views, diverse marine life, and rich underwater ecosystems, popular for scuba diving.
7. Muir Woods National Monument: This national monument is home to towering old-growth redwood trees, just north of San Francisco.
8. Bodie State Historic Park: Preserves an authentic ghost town from the late 1800s gold rush era.
9. Columbia State Historic Park: Another gold rush-era town, offering visitors a taste of life in the 1850s with its well-preserved historic buildings.
10. Castle Crags State Park: Features impressive granite crags and offers hiking, camping, and fishing opportunities.
11. Fort Ross State Historic Park: A historical site showcasing a Russian-era fort compound that includes a chapel, barracks, and other buildings.
12. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park: Famous for the McWay Falls that tumble directly into the Pacific Ocean, offering breathtaking coastal views.
13. Manzanar National Historic Site: It was one of ten camps where over 110,000 Japanese Americans were unjustly incarcerated during World War II. Today, the site offers a poignant experience with a visitor center, interpretive exhibits, and reconstructed barracks.
14. Devils Postpile National Monument: Located near Mammoth Lakes in California, is renowned for its fascinating geologic formations. The monument’s highlight is the Devils Postpile formation – a rare sight of columnar basalt that towers about 60 feet high.

These parks and monuments represent just a fraction of what California has to offer in terms of natural beauty, historical significance, and outdoor recreation. Each location has its unique charm and story, making them worth a visit.

Final Thoughts 

So there you have it! Whether you are visiting for a weekend or planning to spend longer there are plenty of national parks worth visiting. 

Explore California, see the local wildlife, and take in some gorgeous views by visiting any of the national parks that made our final list.

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February 9, 2024