Top State and National Parks in California

California's National and State Parks preserve California's diverse natural resources and cultural heritage. Encompassing millions of acres and one-third of California's scenic coastline, these magnificent parks include recreation and wilderness areas, underwater preserves, redwood reserves, beaches, deserts, historic structures, lighthouses, ghost towns, waterslides, off-highway vehicle parks, environmentally sensitive habitats, Native American sites, wetlands, estuaries, dune systems, lakes and rivers, diverse plant and wildlife species, and thousands of miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.

Choose one of our fine California Choice hotels for your next visit to California's national and state parks. You'll enjoy a wide array of hotel accommodations conveniently located near California's most beautiful recreation areas.

Northern California

Point Reyes National Seashore
Just north of San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore offers 100 acres of unspoiled coastal wild lands, including crashing ocean breakers, beaches, grasslands, hillsides, and forested ridges. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, beachcombing, wildlife viewing, whale watching and horseback riding on miles of scenic trails and national seashore. Trek to the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse or along the trail outlining the epicenter of the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area
One of the largest urban national parks in the world - Encompassing 75,398 acres of land and water and 28 miles of coastline - Golden Gate National Recreation Area attracts joggers, polo players, roller-skaters, cyclists and strollers to its beautiful terrain and ocean vistas. Chronicling 200 years of California history - from Native American culture to the evolution of urban San Francisco, Golden Gate NRA comprises numerous sites, including Alcatraz, Muir Woods National Monument, Marin Headlands, Fort Mason, Fort Point National Historic Site, Nike Missile Site, and the Presidio of San Francisco.

Redwood National and State Parks
A diversity of landscapes exist at Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park - on the North Coast of California - including the tallest old-growth redwoods, miles of pristine coastline, breathtaking beaches, scenic hiking trails and cascading waterfalls. Experience the planet's most majestic forests of ancient redwoods - some 300 feet tall and 2000 years old - as you enjoy activities such as backpacking, biking, bird watching, boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, nature walking, swimming, whitewater rafting, and wildlife viewing.

Yosemite National Park
With majestic rock formations, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys and breathtaking scenery, Yosemite National Park preserves 1,200 square miles of scenic lands that flank eastern California's Sierra Nevadas. Discover Yosemite's natural treasures as you hike or drive along miles of trails and roads through breathtaking views. One of the country's extreme vertical walls, the granite face of Half Dome is a vertical dream for rock climbers.

Lassen Volcanic National Park
Located at the southern end of the Cascade Mountains, Lassen Volcanic National Park is a destination of dramatic beauty created thousands of years ago by volcanic fire and glaciers. Explore a landscape of peaceful forests, geologic formations, hydrothermal springs, crystal-clear lakes, painted dunes, pristine wilderness, mountain meadows and active volcanoes. Hike, walk, drive, cross-country ski or snowshoe over miles of trails and scenic highway to volcanic wonders - steam vents, mud pots, boiling pools, volcanic peaks, and the striking Lassen Peak.

Mt. Tamalpais State Park
Adjoining Muir Woods National Redwood Monument above the Marin coast, Mt. Tamalpais State Park features 6,300 acres of redwood groves and woodlands, and offers panoramic ocean and bay views. One of California's most picturesque mountains, with miles of twisting hiking and biking trails, and Stinson Beach below, Mt. Tam is a paradise for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. Enjoy a winding bike trek to the park's 2,571 summit peak or visit the park's natural stone amphitheater.

Central California

Death Valley National Park
A land of dramatic beauty, Death Valley is one of the hottest places on the planet. Death Valley National Park has over 3.3 million acres of spectacular desert scenery, dunescapes, undisturbed wilderness, diverse wildlife, and complex geology. Bounded by the 11,049-foot Telescope Peak and the 5,475-foot Dante's View, Badwater is the lowest point (282 feet below sea level) in the western hemisphere. Catch the morning light crawling across the badlands, the shadows on sand dunes and the colorful wildflowers on the hills. Enjoy sightseeing, mountain biking, hiking, and history tours. Climb the Devil's Golf Course, but leave your clubs behind.

Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is a diverse alpine landscape of immense mountains, deep canyons, giant sequoia redwoods, pristine wilderness, beautiful caverns, high-country lakes, streams, hiking trails and peaks that soar to 14,494 feet. The second oldest national park, Sequoia NP offers unlimited outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, swimming, rafting, and climbing. Drive along Generals Highway to the breathtaking sequoia groves and the Giant Forest, where you can see the 275-foot-tall General Sherman sequoia. Hike the trails to Moro Rock, above the Kaweah River, and view the towering peaks of the Sierra's Great Western Divide.

Kings Canyon National Park
Located in the southern Sierra Nevada, Kings Canyon National Park - Sequoia's twin park - is a monument to nature's diversity and beauty. Kings Canyon NP features immense mountains, rugged foothills, deep gorges, vast caverns, and the world's largest sequoia trees. The beautiful park encompasses King's Canyon and King River gorges, the deepest in the country. Kings Canyon offers miles of winding trails, forests of giant sequoia and beautiful lands to explore.

Point Lobos State Reserve
Point Lobos State Reserve is a coastal treasure - 2 miles south of Carmel - with colorful skies, bold headlands, secluded coves, scenic meadows and colorful shifting seas. Point Lobos encompasses 550 acres of scenic trails, delightful ocean views, and 750 acres of underwater wonders, including whales and dolphins. From the shore, you can hear barking seals on the offshore rocks at Punta de los Lobos Marinos. This magical state park offers scuba diving, jogging, hiking, birding, whale watching and photography opportunities.

Channel Islands National Park
Situated along the Central California coast north of Los Angeles, Channel Islands consists of five islands - San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara. These beautiful islands and their one mile of kelp-forested ocean comprise Channel Islands National Park where you can enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, kayaking, whale watching, sailing/boating, hiking, wildlife viewing, and bird watching.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Stretching from the Big Sur coastline into 3,000-foot ridges, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park features miles of rigged coastline, tall redwood and oak trees, scenic hiking trails, an 80-foot waterfall that cascades from granite cliffs into the ocean from Overlook Trail, and panoramic views of the Central California coast. This spectacular state park is a cherished destination for scuba diving, hiking and whale watching.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park
South of San Francisco, Big Basin is the oldest and one of the most beautiful state parks in California. Home to a large stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods, the park features old-growth and recovering redwood forest, scenic hiking trails that reach over 2,000 feet, and panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Situated along the rocky Central California coast, Big Basin State Park is the perfect spot to watch a sunset across the ocean and hike down to the sea and rugged shoreline.

Southern California

Joshua Tree National Park
A sanctuary for your spirit, Joshua Tree National Park offers 794,000 acres of dramatic scenery and tranquility. Shaped by the Colorado and Mojave deserts, Joshua Tree NP is an immense and fragile land with extensive stands of undisciplined Joshua Trees and fan palm oases. Rugged mountains of twisted rock and granite monoliths against the trees and plants create a mosaic of beauty and complexity.

Mojave Desert State Parks
The Mojave Desert State Parks - Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Red Rock Canyon and Indio Hills Palms - are a colorful kaleidoscope of desert terrain - mountains, canyons, folds, steppes and exuberant wildlife. With miles of scenic trails, thousands of acres of desert wilderness, and a diverse landscape of sheer canyons, striking red rock, ancient petroglyphs, and palm groves, the Mojave Desert State Parks are a striking contrast of natural beauty and the ultimate hiker's wonderland.

Red Rock Canyon State Park
Located where the Sierra Nevadas converge with the El Paso Mountain Range, 2 hours north of Los Angeles, Red Rock Canyon State Park features intense desert terrain of cliffs, petroglyphs, buttes, hiking trails, and dramatic canyons with colorful red rock formations. With brilliant floral displays set against geologic features and the barren intrigue of the desert, this beautiful park is a favorite destination for hikers and wildlife lovers.

Mojave National Preserve
Located where the Sierra Nevadas converge with the El Paso Mountain Range, 2 hours north of Los Angeles, Red Rock Canyon State Park features intense desert terrain of cliffs, petroglyphs, buttes, hiking trails, and dramatic canyons with colorful red rock formations. With brilliant floral displays set against geologic features and the barren intrigue of the desert, this beautiful park is a favorite destination for hikers and wildlife lovers.

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