12 Jaw-Dropping National Parks in California You’ll Regret Skipping

California is a dream destination for many travelers but what if I tell you California has the most national parks of any other U.S. state. National parks in California are more than just parks.

What if I told you there’s a place where ancient trees scrape the sky, desert sands shimmer like gold under the stars, and misty mountains guard crystal-clear lakes? Sounds good? Obviously, it sounds good.

Alone in 2023, almost 11.3 million visitors visited national parks. Now it is confirmed that there’s something best and memorable in these parks for tourists.

Keep reading to know about 12 best parks with amenities, why these are worth your time or why can you not miss?

12 Best National Parks in California

Still wondering how many national parks in California? Wonder no more. We are going to reveal the list of national parks in California and we stick to top 12 parks that are worth visiting for any type of traveler.

Before moving towards, let’s take a look at National parks in California map.

Now, let’s explore all the California National Parks one by one.

1. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is the most visited national park in California. This park stretches about 680 square miles and you may take days to explore this park. it’s no wonder that this park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This national park will surely give you timeless memories or moments that you can’t forget ever.

The park’s crown jewels are El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. These jewels are most liked by photographers, climbers and hikers.

But beyond these icons lies a labyrinth of trails, hidden valleys, and scenic viewpoints waiting to be discovered. This park played a pivotal role in U.S. national park system.

Insider Tip

• Visit during shoulder seasons (May or September).

How Many Visitors Visit Per Year?

• Over 4 million visitors per year.

Park’s Amenities

• Picnic areas
• Restrooms
• Barbeque grills
• Hiking & biking

2. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree Park is basically considered as a desert park, a second most popular park among California’s national parks. Some tourists say Joshua Tree is just rocks & dirt and this fact is true to some extent. Park protects valuable desert wildlife and this is definitely a great gesture by park’s management and officials.

This park is named after alien-like Joshua Trees that dot its high desert terrain. With time flies, this park has now become a mecca for outdoor lovers, spiritual seekers, stargazers, and creatives alike.

Because of excessive heat, try to explore this park during early morning or late afternoon, a best or perfect time.

Best for

• Stargazing
• Rock climbing
• Instagram-worthy sunsets

Insider Tip

• Don’t miss Cholla Cactus Garden at sunrise.

How Many Visitors Visit Per Year?

• Over 3 million visitors per year.

3. Sequoia National Park

The way to beautiful Sequoia National Park is truly amazing and wonderful to explore for nature lovers. The road is completely surrounded by fall and tall large trees and you will like entering into a magical fairyland. Such a beautiful park with shaded trees you have to see to believe. This park is crowded.

Inside the park, you will find ancient giants that have witnessed thousands of years of history. Moreover, this park is home to General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth by volume. What other things that set this park different from others? Peaceful meadows, marble caves, roaring rivers, and alpine lakes.

Best for

• Nature lovers
• Hikers
• Families

Insider Tip

• Visit early in the morning for peaceful walks with minimum crowds.

How Many Visitors Visit Per Year?

• More than 1 million visitors per year.

4. Kings Canyon National Park

Waterfalls, wonderful tress, overlooks and even a canyon in Kings Canyon National Park. This park is less impressive than above-mentioned Sequoia Park but still attracts a lot of visitors daily.

Kings Canyon is one of the second oldest national parks in USA. This park was established to protect big trees in forest.

One interesting and impressive fact is this park has one of the best caves in California and two of the largest trees in the whole world.

Nothing is better than exploring this park with less crowds because park is often less crowded than Sequoia. Do not forget to capture beautiful photos with lakes & waterfalls.

Best for

• Campers
• Backcountry hikers

How Many Visitors Visit Per Year?

• Around 641,000 to 650,000 visitors.

Total Size

• 721 square miles

5. Redwood National and State Parks

Redwood National Park is just as same as Sequoia National Park because both parks have large trees. The main difference between both parks is that redwood is located right on the coast and there’s beautiful view of thick fog hanging over the forests, it’s not only beautiful but also impressive.

In this area, summers are generally mild and fog can be seen near the coastline. On the other hand, winters are generally cool with low cold temperatures.

So, it clearly shows that you need to pack or wear clothes in layers to accommodate cool to warmer temperatures. Rain protection is mandatory all-year round.

Best for

• Scenic drives
• Peaceful hikes
• Wildlife lovers

Is Fishing Allowed?

• Yes, you can do fishing in this park.

Entrance Fee

• There is no entrance fee but you need to pay $5 for entering into developed areas.

6. Death Valley National Park

Looking for best southern California National parks in California? Death Valley National Park is one of them. All over North America, this place is mot hottest and driest because of hot or humid weather. The winters are mild with occasional winter storms so there’s no need to worry about extreme winter.

In terms of size, this park is the largest national park in California. Due to harsh/ unforgiving environment, extreme heat and dryness, this park is named as Death Valley. Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are some of the famous things to do in Death Valley Park.

Best for

• Photography
• Desert lovers
• Geology geeks

Insider Tip

• Go in winter to avoid extreme heat.

How Many Visitors Visit Per Year?

• More than 1 million visitors.

7. Lassen Volcanic National Park

Tourist go and visit Joshua Tree and Yosemite but only few of them also go to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Lassen National Park cannot be missed when you want to explore California’s national parks.

There is so much greenery and natural life in this park in the form of mountain lakes, and lush beautiful trees.

From mid-October to early June, snow covers much of the park and this time, much of the park’s area is closed because of heavy snowfall.

Many of the park’s attractions are inaccessible through car or food, so keep in mind this thing beforehand. You may visit in the months of July, August and September.

Best for

• Adventure Seekers
• Geology Fans

Insider Tip

• Hike Bumpass Hell for bubbling mud pots.

How Many Visitors Visit Per Year?

• 450,000 to 500,000

8. Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park is the least visited national park in California because of its difficult accessibility. To get to the park, you need to take boat and start your boat ride, which is normally too long taking time of at least 1.5 to 2 hours. There is no such other way to get to the park or island.

No doubt this island chain is difficult to reach but as beautiful as a destination. You can spend your time here by enjoying hiking or exploring the gorgeous park’s beauty.

The park consists of 249,354 acres and you can enjoy camping in any of the park’s area without paying a single penny and also zero entrance fees.

Best for

• Island hopping
• Snorkelers
• Solitude seekers

Insider Tip

• It is recommended to pack your own food as food services are limited on the island.

How Many Visitors Visit Per Year?

• Around 250,000 to 300,000

9. Pinnacles National Park

In the list of Oregon National parks, Pinnacles National Park is on top of the list, famous for rock spires, caves, endangered condors.

This is an incredible adventure that you will remember for years. Explore its crystal caves like Bear Gulch Cave and Reservoir and do not forget to miss miles of hiking trails with views.

The natural history and natural dramatic landscapes of this park are truly amazing. Also, there are nearby popular attractions like natural attractions where visitors can go to explore unlimited natural resources.

Spring and fall are best times of the year to go here because winter season become harsh for tourists.

Best for

• Rock climbers
• Birdwatchers
• Hikers

Insider Tip

• Go in spring for wildflowers and cooler temperatures.

How Many Visitors Visit Per Year?

• In 2021, 348,000 tourists visited this park.

10. Point Reyes National Seashore

By designation, this is not a national California park but more than a park with amenities & other things. It is located in Marin County, Northern California just north of San Francisco.

Point Reyes National Seashore is like a secret coastal world lost in time. This is basically a protected national seashore.

With more than 80 miles of beautiful shoreline, this national seashore area is a hidden gem in California that most visitors don’t know about.

It’s a place where fog rolls in like ocean smoke, and you may go hours without hearing anything but crashing waves and the call of a distant seabird. Visit in late winter.

Best for

• Memorable day trips
• Paradise for wildlife lovers

Insider Tip

• Visit the Cypress Tree Tunnel at sunrise.

How Many Visitors Visit Per Year?

• This place sees around 2.5 million visitors every year.

11. Mojave National Preserve

A California’s hidden desert sanctuary often overshadowed by nearby Joshua Tree or Death Valley, yet just as amazing. Mojave National Preserve cover more than 1.5 million acres, considered as one of the largest national preserves in United States of America. This preserve is most liked by nature lovers.

Whether you want to enjoy stargazing or just climb the golden Kelso Dunes, this preserve is quieter and comes with wilder side.

On this preserve, there is one famous hike named as Lava Tube Hike that takes you through an underground tunnel with light beams piercing through the darkness, absolutely amazing for photographers.

Famous for

• Sand dunes
• Lava tubes
• Joshua trees

Insider Tip

• The preserve is remote so bring plenty of water to deal with dehydration issues, not hot water.

How Many Visitors Visit Per Year?

• 589,156 visitors

12. Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Gate Recreational Area is one of the most visited recreational areas in all over the U.S.A. This area stretching over 80,000 acres and offers amazing combination of coastal cliffs, military history, wild beaches, and iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge. A park where city & nature collide beautifully.

The secret fact is that GGNRA is home to more than 3,000 plant and animal species, absolutely a wonderful experience for tourists.

Muir Woods National Monument is part of Golden Gate and you have to pay some fee for this monument but worth the price. Muir Woods National Monument, a ideal spot for adventurous travelers.

Best for

• Picnics
• Easy hikes
• Photography

Insider Tip

• To avoid crowds, go during early morning.

Total Walking Time

• 2 h 31 min to complete

National Parks in California-At a Glance

National Park Pass & Entry Info

Before you go to explore any of the California’s entire park, it is must to know about info of entry pass and park info.

Standard Entry Fees of Per Vehicle for Each Park

Best Deal: America the Beautiful Pass

If you want to explore more than 1 park like 3 or more, the America the Beautiful Pass is a must.

• Cost: $80 (Valid for 12 months from purchase date).
• Covers: Entry for 1 vehicle (or 4 adults if entering by foot/bike).
• Valid at: All U.S. National Parks, Forests, Monuments, and over 2,000 federal recreation sites.

Pro Tips

• You can enter into park with the help of digital pass too. So, keep it in your phone.
• As a U.S. citizen, if you age is more than 60, go for Senior Pass, which costs just $80.
• Military members, 4th graders, and disabled visitors may be eligible for free or discounted passes. Check NPS.gov for current offers.
• Don’t forget that Channel Islands requires a separate ferry fee.

What to Pack for Visiting California Parks?

 The parks of California come with a mix combination of scorching deserts, foggy coastlines, alpine peaks, and dense redwood forests. Pack wisely is must. Here’s what you need to know. 

• Most parks lack clean water sources so you must have hydration pack or water bottles.
• You need to have national park pass in your hand or digitally.
• Mobile phone service in not reliable in many areas so carry a paper map or offline GPS.
• Fuel up yourself with snacks or energy bars. Do not forget to pack them.
• Store all your daily essentials in small hiking backpack or daypack.
• Sun protection is needed so must pack essentials.
• The last but not least, reusable water bottle and first-aid kit.

Clothing by Climate & Terrain

Desert Parks (Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Mojave)

• Light, breathable clothing (long sleeves for sun protection).
• Wide-brimmed hat.
• Hiking boots with good ventilation.
• Layers for chilly desert nights.

Mountain Parks (Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Lassen)

• Insulated layers (even summer mornings can be cold).
• Waterproof jacket or windbreaker.
• Wool socks and hiking boots.

Gloves and beanie (late fall to early spring)

• Coastal Parks (Redwoods, Point Reyes, Channel Islands, Golden Gate NRA).
• Moisture-wicking base layers.
• Lightweight fleece or hoodie.
• Rain gear (fog and drizzle are common).
• Sneakers or hiking shoes with grip.

Few Optional Additions (Not Must-haves)

• Binoculars to spot wildlife creatures especially in those islands where wildlife is common.
• Camera / GoPro to capture beautiful shots. Do not only just rely on your mobile phone.
• Portable Charger or Power Bank if you want to stay for longer.
• For caves, dawn hikes, or unexpected delays, bring headlight or flashlight.
• Trekking Poles are helpful in steep or rocky terrain (Yosemite, Lassen).

Leave These at Home

• Drones (banned in most national parks).
• Plastic bags (opt for reusable stuff sacks).
• Bluetooth speakers (respect the natural soundscape).

Pro Tip

• Before go, must check the official website of park to check weather, alerts, trail closures, and safety tips. This is must especially if you are doing camping or backcountry hiking.

Concluding Remarks!

California is no doubt a beautiful state to explore, but nothing beat these 12 national parks in California. All these parks are worth-visiting for families, adventurous travelers and cultural history lovers.

We thoroughly mentioned what each park has to offer you with best time to visit, insider tip and number of visitors visiting per year.

We hope so that your next California’s adventure is filled with memories of these parks and nearby attractions. Do not miss out on following this blog post’s guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions