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A guide to California’s best national parks

It’s tempting to quickly peg California as the United State’s stereotypical surf state or the glamorous home of Hollywood. But let’s not forget that it’s much more multi-dimensional. For example, California is privy to nine national parks – the most of any state in the US.

From cacti-studded deserts and volcanic fields, to secluded islands and the tallest trees in the world, each park offers something unique. Yet, all nine are comparable in their breath-taking beauty.

 

This guide will give you a first look into the personalities of each California national park so you can decide which one (or two, or nine) to visit on your next trip to the Golden State.

1. Yosemite National Park

Best known for: Waterfalls, famous valleys and sheer granite cliffs

 

Yosemite is California’s most-visited national park with good reason. Each year, some 4 million visitors are lured to the park to visit this dramatic landscape, defined by its wildflowers, iconic towering granite cliff faces and cascading waterfalls, all of which leave lasting impressions. One of the world’s tallest waterfalls, Yosemite Falls, resides in this national park as well as many other highly recognisable geological landmarks, such as the Half Dome. The park offers something for nature-lovers, holiday-makers looking for a luxe, forest retreat, adventurers and rock climbers alike.

 

Where: Central California.

 

Nearest airports include Sacramento International Airport (SMF) about a three-hour drive away, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) about a two-hour drive away and local Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) about an hour’s drive away.

Don’t miss:

-The Firefall: (in February) captures the light from the setting sun at dusk and glows, simulating lava flowing from the rock face. Check here for updated info on when the phenomenon will occur this year.
-El Capitan: an awe-inspiring sheer granite cliff face, which is worshipped by the rock-climbing community.
-Yosemite Falls: the tallest waterfall in North America.
-Glacier Point: a beautiful viewpoint above the Yosemite Valley with great views of the Half Dome.

Sunrise at Yosemite National Park

2. Joshua Tree National Park

Best known for: Oddball shrubbery, rugged desert and starry skies

 

Dotted with cacti and its namesake Joshua Trees (yucca trees), this park is the perfect place to rock climb, experience Old West California mining history or simply get away to the peace of a starry-skied desert. Its low humidity and lack of light pollution makes it a dazzling place to gaze at the night-time galaxies. During the day, Joshua Tree National Park exhibits unexpectedly diverse desert flora and fauna, being at the junction of the Mojave and lower Colorado Desert.

 

Where: Southern California

 

Nearest airports include Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) about a 3.5-hour drive away, San Diego International Airport (SAN) about a 3.5-hour drive away and local Palm Springs Airport (PSP) about an hour’s drive away.

Don’t miss:

-Keys View: a favourite hike and lookout.
-Cholla Cactus Garden: a top spot for a walk amid hundreds of cacti.

Shapes and colours of Joshua Tree

3. Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks

Best known for: Towering sequoia trees, deep canyons and tall mountains.

 

Standing 50 to 85 metres high, the sequoia trees are the centre of attention at these joint national parks, and rightfully so. However, they often overshadow (literally and metaphorically) the other attractions Sequoia and Kings Canyon have to offer. Mount Whitney is the tallest peak on the US mainland and Kings River Canyon is one of America’s deepest. There’s also a spectacular cave to explore.

 

Where: Central California

 

Nearest airports include Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) about a 3.5-hour drive away, Sacramento (SMF) about a 4-hour drive away, local Fresno/Yosemite airport (FAT) about an hour’s drive away and local Visalia Municipal Airport about an hour’s drive away.

Don’t miss:

-Giant Forest: comprises 8,000 sequoias, the most of any grove in the park.
-Moro Rock Trail: a short 800-metre track with stunning views.
–Tunnel Log: is a drive-through attraction that was created when a massive sequoia tree fell.
-Crystal Cave: a sparkling cave made of marble and stalactites.

Sequoia National Park forest

4. Redwood National and State Parks

Best known for: The world’s tallest living things (redwood trees), rugged ocean coasts and lush greenery.

 

Similar to Sequoia National Park, Redwood’s namesake tree is the main focus of this park. Redwoods are coastal trees that grow taller and more slender than the neighbouring sequoias. These giants easily reach 90 metres, and today’s tallest California redwood stands 115.55 metres tall. The whole park hugs the northern Californian coast, so there is also an abundance of beaches, decorated with driftwood and tidal pools.

 

Where: Northwest California

 

This park is one of the farthest from the international airports. Nearest airports include San Francisco International Airport (SFO) about a six-hour drive away, Sacramento (SMF) about a six-hour drive away and local Del Norte County Regional Airport (CEC) about a 1.5-hour drive away.

Don’t miss:

-Fern Canyon: in Prairie Creek Redwoods is a scenic place to stop and walk through the narrow canyon wallpapered with ferns and greenery.
-Lady Bird Grove Trail: an easy 2-kilometre walk through the redwoods.
-Tall Trees Grove: is crisscrossed with trails that pinball between the enormous redwoods.
-Drive Newton B Drury: along the Redwood Scenic Parkway is a 16-kilometre drive through the heart of an ancient forest.

Redwoods State Park
Redwoods State Park

5. Death Valley National Park

Best known for: Its massive size, sandstone canyons and salt flats

 

Spanning an impressive 1.34 hectares, Death Valley is larger than some states in the US. That only means there are more to explore and more of a diverse range of sights to discover. Begin your trip at a visitor centre to get the lay of the beautiful, arid land: will you descend into Badwater Basin and begin with the salt flats? Or climb Zabriskie Point for spectacular sunset views? Drive along Artist’s Drive and see the multi-coloured hues of the desert come alive in sandstone stripes of dusty pinks, rusty reds and yellows? Whatever you fancy, there’s lots of land to cover and all sorts of geographical features to explore.

 

Where: Mid-eastern California, bordering Nevada.

 

Nearest airports include Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) about a two-hour drive away and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) about a 3.5-hour drive away.

Don’t miss:

-Badwater Basin: the lowest point in North America comprises 321 square kilometres of salt flats.
-Zabriskie Point: affords panoramic views of the golden-hued badlands of the Furnace Creek formation.
-Ubehebe Crater: the 800m-wide imprint of a volcanic eruption that happened 300 years ago.

Dante’s View is the primary overlook in Death Valley National Park

6. Pinnacles National Park

Best known for: Volcanic rock formations, caves and springtime wildflowers

 

The pointed crags and winding caves of California’s newest national park are the result of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Now, the park offers endless adventure, whether it is rock climbing to the tops of the park’s rocky pinnacles or descending into its dark talus caves. In the springtime months – between March and May – this park bursts with beautiful wildflowers due to the volcanic soil.

 

Where: Central California

 

Nearest airports include San Francisco International Airport (SFO) about a 3-hour drive away and Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), about a one-hour drive away.

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Don’t miss:

-Bear Gulch Cave Trail and Balconies Caves: at Pinnacles National Park.
-Wildflowers in spring: the vast grasslands are carpeted with lilies and poppies and shooting stars.
-High Peaks: the park’s signature pinnacle rock spires.

7. Channel Islands National Park

Best known for: Crystal waters, sea caves and unique flora and fauna

 

Only reachable by boat and with no lodgings, restaurants or buildings, the Channel Islands National Park is an oceanic oasis frozen in time just off the bustling Southern California coastline. Its tropical temperatures stay fairly sunny year-round, in comparison with the other California national parks that experience harsh winter weather.

 

This park takes a fair amount of coordination to visit as it can only be reached by boat and you need to pack your own food and water. But the extra effort will reward you with an uncrowded ocean sanctuary. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Galapagos of North America’ you will see several species of plants and animals that are exclusive to the islands. If you plan ahead, you can book guided kayaking, snorkelling and hiking experiences to get up close to the park’s natural wonders. The Channel Islands stay fairly warm year-round and are made up of five islands: Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara, and San Miguel.

 

Where: Southern California

 

Plane:

Nearest airport is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) about a 2-hour drive away from Oxnard and Ventura (where the boat transports depart). Channel Island Aviation flies small planes directly to the islands from Camirillo, if you are willing to pay much more to skip the boat trip.

 

Boats:

The islands can only be reached by boat or small airplane. One- to three-hour boat ride leaves regularly from Oxnard and Ventura to the islands.

Don’t miss:

-Lighthouse on Anacapa Island: one of the park’s only manmade structures.
-Kayaking some of the world’s largest sea caves: book with a local company like Santa Barbara Adventure.

The panoramic Potato Harbor in Channel Islands National Park

8. Lassen Volcanic National Park

Best known for: Bubbling mud pots, steaming sulphur mines and an active volcano hike.

 

This is the park to visit if you’d like to see Mother Nature turning up the heat. Get used to the rotten egg smell of sulphur as geothermal activity abounds in the form of steaming fumaroles, boiling pools and roiling mud pots.

 

Lassen Park, the active volcano that overshadows the park, began eruptions in May 1914 and continued to emit steam until 1921. The volcano is considered active since it erupted in the last 100 years, but no one can know for sure if or when it will erupt again. Check here for more information on how to stay safe in an active volcanic area.

 

Where: Northern California

 

The closest airports include Sacramento International Airport (SMF) about a 3.5-hour drive away or Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) about a 2.5-hour drive away.

Don’t miss:

-Bumpass Hell: hike alongside hot springs, mud pots and more bubbling and broiling like hell on earth.
-Hike Lassen Peak: the climb to the summit of this active volcano takes about 4km.
-Sulphur Works: hike along sulphur steam vents called fumeroles, which emit plumes of steam that escape from the earth’s pressure cooker.

Bumpass Hell boardwalk in Lassen Volcanic National Park

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12 grand journeys throughout North America

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    Discover North America’s epic adventures — from Route 66 and Alaska cruises to Hawai‘i road trips, NYC culture, Mexico trails and more.

    1. Route 66, the Main Street of America

    Travelling with: Ricky French

    Sunset on Route 66 in the California Mojave Desert.
    Hit the open road and trace America’s legendary highway. (Image: Getty/Der_Thomasa)

    Dubbed the Main Street of America, Route 66 radiates serious main character energy, cemented into popular culture through everything from John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath to the Disney Pixar film Cars. Spanning nearly 4000 kilometres from Chicago to Los Angeles, the historic highway celebrates its centenary next year, a timely invitation to take the mother of all road trips along the Mother Road. Allow two to three weeks to tackle the full length, or bite off a smaller chunk at either end, cruising the dramatic deserts of California or the more pastoral landscapes of Illinois, lined with neon-lit diners, retro gas stations and quirky roadside attractions.

    2. Mexico’s Día de los Muertos

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    emblematic catrina of mexico with flowers and necklace with sempasuchil flowers
    Celebrate life and honour loved ones in vibrant style. (Image: Getty/Fabian Pacheco)

    You might know Oaxaca as the birthplace of mole and mezcal. But the state in southern Mexico is also where the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) began. Time your visit to coincide with the colourful holiday, on 1–2 November, which honours and celebrates loved ones who have passed away. Oaxaca is also Mexico’s Michelin-starred culinary capital, with 18 restaurants and a humble taco stand listed in the 2025 guide.

    3. Museum-hop in New York City

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    The Guggenheim Museum’s iconic spiralling exterior, a highlight of North America Epic Adventures.
    Step inside and marvel at bold, world-class art. (Image: Damiano Fiore)

    Your map app will look like it’s been scattered with confetti after you’ve dropped pins on all the museums you want to visit in New York City. Must-sees are the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art aka the Met, and the Museum of Modern Art. The American Museum of Natural History is also a draw. It’s also worth venturing into the boroughs to browse institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum, which has a huge permanent collection categorised by culture.

    4. The USA’s music scene

    Travelling with: Elizabeth Whitehead

    The Seattle skyline at night, aglow with city lights on North America Epic Adventures.
    Soak up skyline views and dive into the city’s coffee culture. (Image: Abigail Boone)

    If you’re a muso, chances are you’ve wanted to make a pilgrimage to the United States, the epicentre of so many beloved genres. Whether you’re head-banging your way around the Grunge Circuit in Seattle, chasing the twang of the pedal steel through Tennessee or bouncing between blues bars in the Mississippi Delta, the USA’s rich music culture has something that’ll strike a chord.

    5. Road-tripping Hawai‘i

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    A woman surfing in Hawaii, gliding across turquoise waves on North America Epic Adventures.
    Catch the waves and ride Hawaii’s iconic swells. (Image: Ben Ono)

    Hawai‘i is one of the most diverse US states to road trip around. Of the six major islands to visit, the Island of Hawai‘i packs in everything from the snowy summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa to black-sand beaches and lava fields frozen in the act of flowing forward. Change down a few gears on the island of O‘ahu, too, where you can find your own patch of sand on Waimanalo Beach. Visit poi and pineapple plantations. And hang ten on beginner-friendly waves on the North Shore.

    6. Cruising Alaska

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Explora Journeys ship cruising in Alaska.
    Sail past glaciers and spot whales in pristine waters.

    Seeing Alaska from the sea allows you to cover a lot of distance quickly. This immersive frontier now beckons more than ever before with Explora Journeys adding the American state to its global destination portfolio. Best of all are the pre-and post-journey immersions that connect the luxury of a cruise onboard Explora III with the rugged grandeur of the Alaskan interior. UnCruise Adventures also weaves in access to remote national parks, legendary wildlife corridors and authentic cultural experiences on its Alaskan itineraries.

    7. The Wixárika Route in Mexico

    Travelling with: Elizabeth Whitehead

    People journeying through the Wixarika Route.
    Journey deep into sacred Huichol traditions and art.

    For generations, the Indigenous Wixárika People of Mexico have walked a sacred path known as Tatehuarí Huajuyé, or ‘The Path of Our Grandfather Fire’. The annual pilgrimage route spans 500 kilometres, taking in significant sites in Wixárika spirituality and cosmology. The route passes through the deserts, mountains and forests of northern Mexico before reaching Wirikuta, believed to be the place the sun first emerged. The route is a living cultural landscape of Indigenous culture pre-Columbian influence and, in July this year, was formally inscribed into UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

    8. Drive the Iceberg Coast in Canada

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Iceberg off the east coast of Canada
    Chase icebergs along Expedition 51 on Canada’s east coast. (Image: Canadian Tourism Commission/ Chris Hendrickson)

    Download the icebergfinder.com map to better plan your road trip along Canada’s Iceberg Coast. The new highway, which has been nearly 25 years and CAD$1.1 billion in the making, threads through the country’s pleated coastlines around Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick before looping in the French islands of St Pierre and Miquelon. As well as chasing icebergs along Expedition 51, travellers will have the opportunity to engage with cultures that have thrived in the pristine provinces for thousands of years.

    9. A foodie tour of Nova Scotia

    Travelling with: Katie Carlin

    Lunenberg Nova Scotia
    Try lobster rolls in Lunenburg on the east coast of Canada in Nova Scotia. (Image: Natalia Kvitovska/ Unsplash)

    World-famous for its lobster, Nova Scotia is a Canadian province best savoured through its culinary clout shaped by sea and terroir. Bite into lobster rolls at historic Lunenburg’s Salt Shaker Deli & Inn and sip maple rum at Ironworks Distillery. Winery-hop around Wolfville’s rising vineyards (don’t miss Lightfoot & Wolfville). Take a maple syrup tour at Sugar Moon Farm near Earltown. And pull up a seat at waterfront Bar Sofia in Halifax, where Nova Scotia oysters aguachile arrive bright with cucumber, lime and pickled onion.

    10. Soak up the sun in the Caribbean

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

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    Experience the white-sand beaches and cerulean seas of the Caribbean on board a cruise.

    The Caribbean is on the radar for seasoned cruisers. And it’s easy to see why, with white-sand beaches, cerulean seas and swaying palms so picture-perfect they look AI-generated. Cruise with Windstar, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity on its inaugural Xcel season to the Caribbean to enjoy action-packed excursions such as snorkelling coral reefs and shopping for local trinkets. And those sea days? Spectacular.

    11. Red Chair Hikes of Canada

    Travelling with: Kassia Byrnes

    Red Adirondack chairs overlooking Lake Minnewanka in Canada
    Take a seat at Lake Minnewanka, one of more than 400 red Adirondack chairs scattered across Canada’s hiking routes. (Image: Getty Images/ Autumn Sky Photography)

    No one appreciates the great outdoors more than Canadians, emerging from snow-covered winters to tread glacial rivers and snowshoe through forests, or to hike mighty mountains and wildflower-strewn valleys come spring. Along popular hikes around the country, more than 400 red Adirondack chairs have been placed in peaceful, breathtaking locations. What started as a social media contest now sees hikers soaking in classic Canadian lake and mountain vistas, overlooking historic sites or gazing down on the mountainous path they just travelled.

    12. Ride the Rocky Mountaineer from Denver to Moab, USA

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

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    The Rocky Mountaineer will continue as the Canyon Spirit in 2026, seen here carving through Ruby Canyon.

    Sighting wild animals is one of many incredible thrills along the two-day luxury Rockies to the Red Rocks route onboard the Rocky Mountaineer across America’s Southwest between mid-April and mid-October. In addition to the lone bear, we spot bighorn sheep, elk, beavers, pronghorn antelope, bald eagles and ospreys. Riding the rails onboard the luxury train, which was founded in Canada in 1990 and has been awarded the prestigious World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train several times, has never been about just getting from A to B. Ride the train from Denver to Moab and you will see the scenery change from snow-capped peaks to meadows, red-rock canyons and soaring cliffs that resemble ornate Gaudí-esque cathedrals. But it’s not until you get off the train that you can produce the ultimate Venn diagram, with nature and adventure in the intersecting spheres.