6 National & State Parks In California You Have To Visit
California’s enormous selection of state and national parks displays some of the most diverse landscapes in all of the United States. From towering redwoods and ancient sequoias to desert expanses and rugged Pacific coastline, these protected areas highlight the state’s ecological and cultural offerings in ways that are truly unique and spectacular. Each park discussed below tells a story, whether through geology, rare wildlife, or preserved historic sites, all of which will connect you to some of the best travel destinations the Golden State has to offer. For anyone planning a trip in 2025, you simply can't go wrong exploring these spots.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California encompasses over 790,000 acres of land where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet. Its defining feature is its namesake Joshua trees, a type of yucca that grows relatively tall and can be seen throughout most of the landscape. Established as a national park in 1994, the area is also known for enormous granite boulders and unique rock formations that attract climbers from around the world. This arid park also remains a premier location for stargazing, as it is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park. Clear desert skies allow for excellent night photography and astronomy programs.
On the other hand, in the daytime, you can check out popular trails such as Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, and Ryan Mountain, each highlighting a different aspect of SoCal's desert ecology. Wildlife includes desert tortoises, bighorn sheep, and a range of bird species. A bit of cultural history adds depth to the experience, too, with evidence of Indigenous habitation and preserved sites from early ranching and mining. Just over a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles and less than an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree is a prime destination for anyone looking for an in-depth dive into a beautiful desert environment this year, filled with a mix of undeveloped wilderness and classic national park amenities.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park remains one of California’s most important travel destinations in general. Established in 1890, it is recognized for its massive granite cliffs, fast-flowing waterfalls, and ancient giant sequoia trees, all covering nearly 750,000 acres in total. Visitors often start with Yosemite Valley, where landmarks like El Capitan and Half Dome rise dramatically above the Merced River. Then, Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America, drops about 2,245 feet. It is another must-see highlight, particularly during the spring snowmelt when water flow is at its maximum.
Beyond the valley, Glacier Point provides some of the best panoramic views in the region, accessible by car or hiking trails. Moreover, Mariposa Grove, home to hundreds of giant sequoias, takes you near trees that have stood for upwards of thousands of years! The highly renowned park is also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2025, Yosemite remains a prime destination for hiking, climbing, wildlife viewing, and camping of all kinds.
Redwood National and State Parks
For more amazing West Coast foliage, Redwood National and State Parks in northern California safeguard the tallest trees on Earth. Created officially in 1968 out of a system of smaller parks, the combined area spans around 139,000 acres of coastline, rivers, and, of course, dense woodlands.
The highlight here is none other than the region's coast redwoods, which can reach more than 360 feet in height and live for over 2,000 years! These ancient trees create an ecosystem that supports a variety of cool wildlife, including Roosevelt elk, black bears, and threatened species such as the marbled murrelet.
Feel free to explore via numerous trails, from short walks like the 1.5-mile Lady Bird Johnson Grove to longer treks through old-growth forests and along the rugged Pacific shoreline. For something a little less strenuous, scenic drives such as the Newton B. Drury Parkway provide easy access to more of the towering groves. Besides the lush forests, the parks feature wild beaches, lively tide pools, and rivers that highlight the region’s biodiversity. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area reflects both the ecological significance and cultural history of NorCal harbors, including sites tied to Indigenous peoples and early European settlers.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes National Seashore, located just north of San Francisco, protects 71,000 acres of natural coastline, grasslands, and oceanside forests. Authorized in 1962, it's meant to preserve a section of California’s rugged Pacific shore, offering a diversity of habitats for native wildlife. Best known for its lofty sea cliffs, expansive beaches, and the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse, first lit in 1870 to guide ships through the often foggy waters of the Gulf of the Farallones, there is much to see and do here for all.
A leading destination for marine life viewing as well, you should keep your eyes peeled for the populations of elephant seals that gather at Drakes Beach during winter, while migrating gray whales are visible from the headlands in late winter and spring. Moreover, Tule elk roam the preserve’s grasslands, providing some excellent opportunities for wildlife photography regardless of where you go. Be sure to also hike some of the trails that pass through the region's eye-catching coastal scrub and towering forests of Douglas fir, with the Bear Valley Trail being one of the most accessible routes to the shore.
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is one of the nation's oldest parklands, established back in 1890. Located in the southern Sierra Nevadas, this wonderful landscape is home to some of the world’s largest trees by volume, presiding over more than 400,000 acres of mountains, canyons, and forests. Its most famous resident is the General Sherman Tree, a giant sequoia measuring over 275 feet tall and 36 feet in diameter at the base, widely recognized as the largest living tree on Earth.
You can explore the aptly named "Giant Forest," where groves of sequoias create a landscape found nowhere else. Beyond the trees, however, the park also features numerous other incredible natural landmarks, including Moro Rock, a granite dome with a staircase leading to wide-ranging views of the Great Western Divide. Sequoia also contains a series of deep canyons and some of the highest peaks in the contiguous United States, including Mount Whitney on its eastern boundary (which, funny enough, is only about an hour's drive from the country's lowest point in Death Valley National Park).
Sequoia is closely linked with Kings Canyon National Park, and the two are jointly managed, allowing you to access vast wilderness areas. It truly is a park that requires time to fully appreciate, so be sure to book a campground well in advance or find accommodations in nearby Porterville, Fresno, or any of the other towns and cities sitting both east and west of the Sierras.
Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park, situated along the Orange County coastline, features a pleasant 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness and 3.2 miles of beach. Since 1979, it has preserved one of the last large stretches of undeveloped coastline in Southern California. Its landscape includes sandy shores, tide pools, coastal bluffs, and chaparral-covered hills that house a wide variety of flora and fauna.
The park’s tide pools are a particularly big draw, providing opportunities for amateurs and professionals alike to study marine life such as sea stars, anemones, and crabs. The inland trails support hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The waters offshore are actually part of a Marine Conservation Area, protecting kelp forests and marine species, making it an appealing spot for snorkeling and diving as well.
The Crystal Cove Historic District is also well worth a visit. It boasts restored beach cottages from the 1930s and 1940s that are now available for overnight stays. Newport Beach is a very short journey north, and Laguna Beach is equally distant south. Each hosts a wide variety of shopping areas, among other useful amenities.
Experience the Natural Wonders of the Golden State This Year
From the heights of the Sierra Nevada down to the desert floor below, and the lush Pacific coastline, California is perhaps the most diverse state in terms of variety of beautiful landscapes. Its many parks and green spaces have provided incredible sights and fun ways to enjoy the great outdoors for well over a century at this point. In 2025, there are more destinations than ever within the Golden State to immerse yourself in the natural world, whether you are a resident or are just visiting, so be sure to check out some of the recommendations above today!
