California National Parks and
Forests (nps.gov) include a diverse offering
of attractions called national parks, national recreation areas,
national monuments, national seashores, national historic sites,
national historic trails and national forests
National Parks Service holdings
include over 4.1 million acres operated under a national land management system. Their
diversity both geographically and in offerings are striking. Some
are located on the Pacific Ocean with others situated in
California's arid deserts. The National Park Service maintains a
total of 23 different units in California including nine National
Parks. National Park Service areas offer visitors a wide variety of
adventures from historical and cultural experiences to natural
wonders seen nowhere else on earth. Not to be confused with the 277
California State Parks (www.parks.ca.gov) operated by a division of
the State of California, the National Parks have their own set of
regulations for parking, camping and fee structure.
The National Parks in
California that are operated by the US government agency, rather
than the California State agency employ their own caretakers,
rangers and charge fees on a structure not related to the state
parks system.
Alcatraz Island - Located in the San
Francisco Bay, the island of Alcatraz is a tourist attraction today
but once served as a military fortification, home to the West
Coast's first lighthouse and an infamous federal prison long
off-limits to the public. Visitors to the island can explore and
also learn about the Native American occupation of 1969 - 1971. The
island features gardens, tide pools, bird colonies and spectacular
views of the San Francisco Bay.
Burney Falls (National
Natural Landmark) - A 129-foot Burney Falls flows at 100 million
gallons every day. Located in Shasta County 80 miles northeast of
Redding within the McArthur-Burney Falls State Park, it is one of
the best examples in the western United States of river drainage
regulated by stratigraphically-controlled springs and a waterfall
formed by undercutting of horizontal rock layers.
Cabrillo National Monument
- Cabrillo National Monument commemorates Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo's
arrival and landing at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542. A large
statue is the centerpiece of a spectacular vista park offering views
of San Diego’s harbor and skyline.
Channel
Islands National Park - Five in a chain of eight southern
California islands visible from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara,
Channel Islands National Park is home to San Miguel, Santa Rosa,
Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara Islands. Over 2,000 species
of plants and animals, including four mammals endemic to the islands
and 145 species found nowhere else in the world make up this ecological reserve and marine sanctuary
accessible to the public by boat.
Death Valley National Park
- Death Valley National Park is the driest place in North America,
experiencing less than 2 inches average rainfall per year. Combined
with temperatures over 100 degrees in the summer months, Death
Valley is has been the subject of movies
such as Federico Fellini's Zabriskie Point.
Devils Postpile National Monument
- Devils Postpile is a
formation with 101-foot high Rainbow Falls that ranks as one
of the world’s finest examples of columnar basalt. Its symmetrical
columns are 60 feet high and display an unusual symmetry. Located in
Sierra back country.
Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site - Nobel Prize winning
playwright Eugene Gladstone O'Neill was America's only Nobel
playwrigth. He built and lived at Tao House in the hills above
Danville, California from 1937 to 1944 where O'Neill wrote The
Iceman Cometh, Long Day's Journey Into Night and A Moon For the
Misbegotten." Reservations required to visit this site. Call: (925)
838-0249.
Fort Point National Historic Site - Located at the south
anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge at the end of Marine Drive, Fort
Point or “the pride of the Pacific," was constructed at the height
of the California Gold Rush, and served as a military vantage point
for attacks. Built between 1853 and 1861 by the U.S. Army Engineers
as part of a defense system of forts planned for the protection of
San Francisco Bay, it has never witnessed an attack, but was
selected as part of the National Parks for its historic significance
to the military. In the late 1930s demolition of Fort Point
was halted in the wake of construction for the Golden Gate Bridge.
Spared the knife or ax, it was dedicated as an historic site in the
1970s and is now open to the public with a visitor center.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
John Muir National Historic Site
Joshua Tree National Park
- Located in San Bernardino County less than 2 hours from Los
Angeles, the twisted trees and rock formations create a splendid
scene that eerily feels as if nature reached its hand down and
created magic out of the dust of this hot, desert spot that looks to
the tallest peaks of the San Bernardino mountains. What
contrasts, what splendor! This trip is ideal for those planning a
stay at nearby Palm Desert region.
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Featuring all four types of volcanic activity in one location,
Lassen is one of the most beautiful forest areas with lakes, cross
country ski trails and natural forests.
Lava Beds National Monument
- The historic battlegrounds of the Modoc War and the
surrounding volcanic landscape includes cinder cones, lava
flows, spatter cones, lava tube caves and pit craters. There are
more than 500 lava tube caves visitors can explore.
Manzanar National Historic Site - Manzanar War Relocation Center
was one of ten Japanese American citizen camps during World War II.
Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California's
Owens Valley, Manzanar has been identified as the best preserved of
these camps.
Mojave National Preserve
Muir Woods National Monument
Pinnacles National Monument
Point Reyes National Seashore
- Uniquely formed by the San Andreas Fault, Point Reyes
Peninsula is separated from the rest of the North American
continent. This Marin County attraction includes Tomales Bay which
is popular for fishing.
Pony Express National Historic Trail
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
Presidio of San Francisco
Redwood National and State Parks
- include not the largest trees by mass weight & circumference, but
the tallest trees in the world are located along the shores of the
northern California coast. Expect rain, maybe some fog, and the
majesty of red and green.
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
- In the heart of Los Angeles lies a 150,000 acre mountain oasis
open to the public for hiking, camping and nature watching.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
- Include the world's largest trees, the giant sequoias. In
addition, you'll find mountains, cave tours, streams, lakes, forests
and four seasons beauty to behold.
Tahoe National Forest
in Nevada City, Nevada County
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
-
This recreation area is known for its role during the
California Gold Rush. It includes a lake for fishing and mountains
with waterfalls, hiking, kayaking and camping. It is located just 8
miles west of Redding.
Yosemite National Park -
Ansel Adams was a regular at this spectacular park with a valley,
rushing waterfalls, massive, jutting rock formations and rich
traditions with fine dining and accommodations right inside the
park.
