Explore 7 California National Parks on a Monumental Road Trip

In Northern California, Redwood National Park protects nearly half of the world’s old-growth redwoods—with the tallest soaring to heights of more than 370 feet—as well as prairies, oak woodlands, rugged coastline, and rivers. To see the giant trees up close, first grab a permit from the visitor’s center to take the eight-mile hike to Tall Trees Grove. Here you’ll find some of the park’s largest trees along Redwood Creek, with more solitude thanks to the work it takes to reach them.

And while the redwood trees are the park’s standout attraction, don’t miss the easy hike to Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Covered in lush ferns and moss, this rare vertical-walled river canyon wowed director Steven Spielberg so much that he chose the location as a filming site for Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World.

At day’s end, drive the scenic 31-mile Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park toward the hotel. Paralleling Highway 101, it features multiple stops at famous trees. To really enjoy this drive and the park, plan for a two-day visit. It’s open year-round, but always check road conditions before visiting in the winter season.

Yosemite is known for its roaring waterfalls, giant sequoia trees, verdant valleys, and mighty granite monoliths and is one of the most visited American national parks. It was the first natural place in America protected for its beauty and recreation. While the term “national park” was not yet coined in 1864, Yosemite’s land became a precedent for all future parks. Despite its popularity, 95 percent of Yosemite is wilderness, so it’s easy to escape the crowds if you go beyond the most famous sights.

But some destinations are famous for a reason, and the striking Yosemite Valley is a must see on any first visit. This seven-mile-wide canyon is home to the mighty granite playgrounds of Half Dome and El Capitan and teeming with wildlife. As the world’s tallest granite monolith, El Capitan is an impressive sight to behold and one epic rock climbing destination. But if you’re not ready for expert-level climbing, get a permit to summit Half Dome instead on its hanging cables trail. You’ll pass Vernal and Nevada waterfalls and Sequoia trees on the trek in, completing the well-trod John Muir Trail and Mist Trails along the way—meaning you’re checking off three hikes in one.

While you can’t always catch the park’s famed “Firefall” phenomenon, seeing the world’s fifth tallest waterfall, Yosemite Falls, is alone worth the journey. (Note that waterfall flows peak in spring and early summer months and can slow to a trickle by late summer.) Beyond the valley and falls, stare up at 3,000-year-old giant sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove.

You’ll need at least two days to accomplish this itinerary, but if you can add another day, head east to the far less visited Tuolomne Meadows on Tioga Road. It’s one of the highest elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada and is surrounded by dome peaks—but devoid of crowds.

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are the lands of giants: huge alpine peaks, massive trees, and deep canyons dominate the landscapes. The Central California parks are adjacent to one another, and while you can hit the highlights in a day, it’s better to take two.

The General Sherman Tree is Sequoia’s main claim to fame. Why? It’s the largest (by volume) currently living single-stem tree on Earth and more than 2,000 years old. Pictures don’t do it justice, you must simply see this still-growing tree for yourself.

View other Giant Sequoias on the Big Trees Loop through a giant meadow, or take a stone stairway to heaven on the climb up Moro Rock. The half mile roundtrip hike is a little unnerving if you’re afraid of heights—but the views are worth it. Pass some of the world’s most giant sequoias on a 50-mile drive along Generals Highway from Sequoia National Park to Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park.

Once in Kings Canyon, Zumwalt Meadow shines with an easy boardwalk trail showcasing granite cliffs, brilliant green plants, and a flowing river. And because you’ll never tire of seeing giant trees, take a 0.3-mile stroll to the General Grant Tree—the second largest tree in the world. Find the best views of the park on a curvy road leading to Panoramic Point.

The name says it all: Death Valley is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in America. And while its record-breaking summer heat makes it one of the hottest places on Earth, you’ll find comfortable temperatures in cooler months.

Starting at Furnace Creek Visitor Center, you can see many Death Valley highlights in a few hours. Start with Badwater Basin—the lowest elevation in North America at -282 feet below sea level. This salt flat appears endless, but a quarter-mile hike leads to Death Valley’s well-known polygon salt formations. Just don’t think of attempting the walk during summer’s scorching temperatures.

From here, see eroded minty green and mauve desert hills on a one-way, nine-mile drive along Artists Drive. Then cruise over to the salt-eroded Devils Golf Course, where you’d never actually want to go golfing. The area is unique due to the pings and pops you may hear when listening carefully—all caused by salt crystals bursting as they expand and contract in the desert heat.

If you have more time, see the sparkling Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes—the area’s largest. End your day in Death Valley watching the sunset over Zabriskie Point, the park’s most famous viewpoint, and a connector to popular hiking trails. (Always bring plenty of water for hiking due to changing temperatures and oppressive heat.)

The park’s namesake Joshua Trees draw visitors year-round to this protected desert landscape the size of Rhode Island. The park is the meeting place of two deserts, the Mojave and Colorado, which differ in elevation and ecosystems. The Mojave is higher and colder while the Colorado is lower and covered in harsh cactus landscapes. Desert bighorn sheep, jack rabbits, kangaroo rats, and coyotes survive in these daunting landscapes formed by wind and rain over millions of years.

And while it appears barren and harsh, spring brings colorful blooming cactus flowers to the desert floor. Walk among them in the Cholla Cactus Garden, but keep your distance as being stuck by the barbs is painful. Find the unique gnarled Joshua Trees on Hidden Valley Trail, near Hidden Valley Campground, and along numerous back roads through the park. The trees appear most magical when backed by a setting sun or underneath a clear sky filled with stars.

Just outside the park, make your last stop of this trip Pioneertown. Though it’s no ghost town, this old live-in movie set is worth preserving. Feel as if you’ve stepped into an old Hollywood Western movie with mock gunfights on Mane Street (yes, mane like horse’s mane) and dine in old saloons and storefronts.

New shops are improving the town, but Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace is the real draw. Catch leading acts such as Paul McCartney and Vampire Weekend on its intimate stage—or refuel with a tasty bison burger.

Claiming the title of California’s newest national park, Pinnacles protects a mountainous region in Central California with distinct volcano-formed rock formations. Many come torch climb the spires or hike to overlooking views of the reservoir and volcanic structures. Explore underground on the Bear Gulch or Balconies Cave Trails, or soar to new heights on the ascending High Peaks Trail along a rocky ridge. Bring kids and beginner hikers on the Moses Spring Trail, which loops past rock formations, talus caves, and blooming meadows.

Summertime temperatures often soar above 100 degrees, making cooler months the best (and most popular) time to visit. Spring is beautiful thanks to blooming waterfalls, but the mountain climbs and cave hikes are also excellent in fall and winter months.