7 of the best · California, USA
California’s National Parks
Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, the Redwoods, the Channel Islands and Pinnacles, with the official visitor centres and fees.
Our 7 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in California
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love California.
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No entry reservation in 2026
Yosemite National Park
Granite cliffs, waterfalls and giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada.
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Where two deserts meet
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua trees and granite boulders where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, an hour from Palm Springs.
74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277Explore View on map
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The giant sequoias
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
The world’s largest trees, including the General Sherman Tree, in the southern Sierra.
47050 Generals Hwy, Three Rivers, CA 93271Explore View on map
The full list: National Parks, A–Z
Show all 7 places on a map
National parks 7
From the Sierra to the desert and the coast.
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Islands off the coast
Channel Islands National Park
Wild islands off the Santa Barbara and Ventura coast, reached by boat.
1901 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA 93001Explore View on map
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Desert extremes
Death Valley National Park
Salt flats, dunes and colourful badlands in the hottest, driest national park.
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Where two deserts meet
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua trees and granite boulders where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, an hour from Palm Springs.
74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277Explore View on map
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Rock spires and caves
Pinnacles National Park
Volcanic rock spires and talus caves between the Bay Area and Big Sur.
5000 East Entrance Rd, Paicines, CA 95043Explore View on map
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The tallest trees
Redwood National and State Parks
Coast redwood forests on the far north coast.
1111 Second St, Crescent City, CA 95531Explore View on map
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The giant sequoias
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
The world’s largest trees, including the General Sherman Tree, in the southern Sierra.
47050 Generals Hwy, Three Rivers, CA 93271Explore View on map
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No entry reservation in 2026
Yosemite National Park
Granite cliffs, waterfalls and giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada.
Fees and rules come from each park’s own page on nps.gov and change from time to time; check before you go.
