California is incredibly diverse; I live near the center of the state, and within an hour or so of driving I can make my way to deserts, forests, caves, mountains, lakes, the ocean, or most any other scenery I could want to visit. There are so many more parks I would like to include that didn't make the cut--either because I haven't visited them yet, or simply because I felt they wouldn't have fit as well on this list as some of the others. That being said, these are a few of my favorite parks in California, places which take my breath away whenever I see them. I love this state, and I hope that by experiencing even one of these parks, you will understand my love, and start falling for this incredible place, too. Redwood National & State ParkRedwood National & State Park is a stunning place to visit for all forest lovers, with magnificent old-growth forests situated along the Northern California coastline. There are so many hikes to choose from, both coastal and inland, and they all offer incredible sightseeing. I love animals--I originally planned to become a marine biologist--so I'm always on the lookout for wildlife while I travel. There are many wonderful animals that roam this park, but some of the easiest to spot are the elk! You’ll often see them grazing in the fields alongside the roads (people often slow down or stop to take pictures, so you’ll definitely notice), but once we even stumbled across a herd of them on the trail we were walking! As always, be sure to keep a safe distance to avoid harming either yourselves or the animals, and never feed wildlife. I also wrote a post about the best places to visit near the Redwoods, if you’re looking for some extra fun outside of the park, too! Death Valley National ParkI’m writing about this park with a big caveat: if you’re not a fan of extreme weather, this is not the park for you. I went in late spring, and between the dry heat and wind, there were a few moments when I thought I was dying. Of course, the opposite is true during the winter, when the temperatures drop rapidly. However, that doesn’t mean you should write it off! It’s truly one of the most stunning parks California has to offer, with multi-hued cliffs that looked like they were painted by giants, incredible craters made by meteorites, and gorgeous salt flats. If you’re not a fan of hot weather… maybe try it in a cooler time of year? Lava Beds National MonumentOkay, so I cheated a little bit with this one because it's not technically a National or State Park, but I hope you'll forgive me once you learn more about this incredible place. I wrote a blog post earlier this year about the five best caves you can explore at Lava Beds, and given my deep-seated love for this park in California’s dry, inland north, I couldn’t possibly leave it off of this list. There are more than a dozen caves to explore here, and each one feels like stepping into another world. San Francisco Maritime National Historical ParkWe have officially given up on the concept of "National and State Parks" and moved onto "Parks and Monuments Run by the National Park Service Who Deserve to be Recognized by All Californians and California Visitors Because They Are Awesome." *ahem* Now, back to your regularly scheduled blog post: A delightful little park nestled into San Francisco’s waterfront, the Maritime park offers a glimpse into what life was like for the people of San Francisco in the 19th century. There was a museum on one of the ships boasting both guided tours and docents who acted out roles as crewmen, telling stories from "their" time working on these ships. I absolutely loved touring their collection of historic ships, and got so caught up in it, the park closed before I had the chance to visit the visitor center! So, I’d suggest planning to spend a bit more time here than you might expect (...particularly if you get distracted daydreaming about being a sailor like I did). Muir Woods National MonumentMuir Woods is a delightful redwood forest lurking just north of San Francisco. It features old-growth redwoods in a landscape different enough from the Redwoods parks up north to make it well worth the trip--particularly if you’re planning to visit San Francisco right after. Because it’s such a beautiful forest situated in such a popular part of the Bay Area, Muir Woods does come with some drawbacks… like the crowds. Because of the overcrowding they’ve experienced in recent years, you’ll now have to purchase a parking or shuttle reservation to access the park, in addition to park entrance fees, which adds up fast. Because of these rising prices, I haven’t visited this park as often lately, as it’s become a bit out of my college-student price range--but I'm hopeful that these changes will improve the overcrowding situation. I'm looking forward to visiting again with family soon, as despite rising prices, it’s still a truly stunning place to visit. If you have the means to go, I highly recommend it. Point Reyes National SeashoreThe rocky bluffs, sandy shores and cerulean waves of this park make it quintessentially NorCal. I debated whether or not to include Point Reyes on this list because its famous lighthouse, down a 308-step staircase at the edge of the peninsula, was undergoing restoration at the time this article was written. Luckily, it's back open now, so you get to see it in all of its glory! The lighthouse is just a part of what makes this park so magical. You can experience incredible ocean views from just about anywhere in the park, and the breathtaking trails will keep you enraptured for hours. I suggest checking out the Tule Elk Reserve and other attractions at Tomales Point, and of course, the world-famous (or at least Instagram-famous) Cypress Tree Tunnel. Yosemite National ParkYosemite is fifth most popular National Park in the US, and understandably so. With its stunning waterfalls and glacier-hewn valleys, the sheer magnitude of the forces that created this place are awe-inspiring. With beauty, however, comes tourists, so if you want to avoid the feeling of being at a prettier version of Disneyland, I’d recommend either visiting in the off-season or spending most of your time in the thousand-plus square miles outside of the popular Yosemite Valley, where there are fewer people and the views are still stunning. I first visited during winter, when the land was draped in snow, and not only were the crowds more manageable, but the scenery was no less incredible than any other time of year. For more info, I wrote a whole post about Yosemite, which you can check out here! BONUS: Joshua Tree National ParkThis juxtaposition of of the Colorado and Mojave Deserts features beautiful rock formations, animals of all kinds, and of course, the bizarre Joshua trees which look like something out of Dalí’s fantasies. I wrote a whole post on this beautiful park, which you can check out here! If you visit (or have visited) any of these parks, be sure to tell me what you think of it in the comments down below! I always love hearing your travel stories. Like this post? Why not share it?If you enjoyed this article, please leave me a comment telling me what you think! Or, if you found it useful, share it with your friends! 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Hi, there! Call me Kris. I’m a world traveler, author and artist working to showcase the world's beauty and inspire you to find your confidence to see the world!
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