California offers an abundance of breathtaking mountainous areas to explore. From an adventure backpacking tour in Sierra Nevada Range to waterfall trekking in Yosemite National Park, there are countless great choices.
California offers several charming mountain towns for visitors. These small spots will captivate with picturesque scenery, charming shops and recreational activities that will keep your imagination running wild!
1. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Smoky fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, and an inactive volcano are among the many surprises hidden within California mountains’ Lassen Volcanic National Park. This unique place reveals glimpses into nature’s power that drives Earth itself.
This mesmerizing volcanic landscape is truly remarkable and unlike anything on the planet. It features geologic forms like lava pinnacles, mountains fashioned by lava flows and jagged craters carved by these natural forces; lakes threaded with clear streams dot its landscape; while its higher elevations boast year-round snowfields.
Lassen is home to four types of volcanoes: plug dome, cinder cone, composite and shield. Visitors can explore its hydrothermal areas as well as take day hikes up stunning peaks for incredible landscape views.
Lassen is perhaps most known for its dark sky, far removed from light pollution and with rugged wilderness all around – an ideal environment for stargazing! But its darkest feature may just be underrated: Lassen’s deep, starry night skies make this park one of the best in America to go stargazing.
Lassen is open all year, but summer is the best time for hiking and driving tours. Since weather can change suddenly, pack layers of clothing in case the temperature fluctuates unexpectedly. Comfortable hiking shoes and sun hat are necessary as well as food and water for long days on the trail. As Lassen Park is home to various species such as raccoons and chipmunks as well as deer, black bears and more; staying on designated trails will protect these species’ habitats and prevent off-trail exploration which could damage habitat destruction that threatens their survival.
2. Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is an incredible natural wonder – an expansive wilderness of old-growth coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) which once covered much of California. Today, its 139,000 acres protect about 45 percent of these majestic trees (which visitors can explore via hikes, scenic drives, fishing trips, backpacking or camping trips).
These parks also protect wild rivers, oak woodlands and 40 miles of rugged coastline, as well as being popular tidepooling spots along their lengths. Visitors to these parks also come for tidepooling along their coastline or to admire redwood trees’ jagged, gnarled branches; leashed pets are welcome in certain backcountry trails within them.
Redwood National and State Parks offer some of the finest coastal trails in California that allow visitors to witness crashing surf and beautiful sandy beaches while hiking along their long trails. From easy strolls to strenuous day-long treks, visitors will experience all that these parks have to offer on foot.
At the core of these parks lies Tall Trees Grove, an exquisite old-growth redwood grove where some of the tallest trees in the world can be found – Hyperion stands nearly 379 feet and has an enormous diameter of 36 feet! In order to avoid excessive overtourism and damage to this unique specimen, only 50 hikers per day are allowed into this special space.
Fern Canyon is another must-see attraction of the Redwoods, an entrancing canyon reminiscent of Jurassic Park film series. This trail can either be completed as a 1.1-mile loop or out and back – the latter option provides twice the chance to experience Fern Canyon’s most captivating parts!
Park also boasts some of the finest stargazing in California, especially if visiting during late fall or winter months. Stars come out big and bright at night, making it easy to find an unpolluted view of the night sky. Plus, catch sight of banana slugs – non-toxic creatures which play an integral role in decomposition!
3. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is an essential stop on any trip to California, offering spectacular valleys, waterfalls, cirque lakes and glacially formed moraines as well as wide granite relief features and abundant flora and fauna.
Summer hikers and campers flock to this picturesque alpine landscape for its scenic lakes that reflect granite peaks, trails leading up to Half Dome hike, as well as some glaciers like Merced and Lyell Glaciers.
Yosemite National Park has long been recognized as an idyllic climbing location since the 1880s and it has long been seen as an attraction for climbers of all levels since that time. Yosemite’s rock formations provide challenging climbing routes while it also hosts some of the world’s most iconic cliffs such as El Capitan, an immense monolith that towers over Yosemite Valley; only experienced climbers should attempt scaling its face; climbing it will require courage and determination!
Tunnel View is another renowned vista within Yosemite National Park. Offering stunning panoramic views of Yosemite Valley spanning from Bridalveil Fall on the right to Half Dome in the middle and El Capitan in the background – Tunnel View has long been popular among hikers, families and picture takers. On weekends it can become especially busy.
One of the best ways to experience Yosemite’s sights is to drive along Tioga Road which runs through its center. There are a number of stops along this stretch including Crane Flat with its gas station and shops where wildflower-filled meadows await spring visitors; higher up in elevation you may encounter giant sequoia trees and mountain hemlocks amongst other vegetation types.
Tenaya Lake can also be found nestled between granite peaks and domes of the park, offering great kayaking or swimming opportunities and providing beautiful views of Cathedral Range and Lembert Dome.
4. Mount Whitney
Mount Whitney stands as one of California’s most beloved landmarks, serving as an inspiration to hikers across the state and beyond. As one of the tallest contiguous peaks, this mountain straddles two national parks (Inyo and Sequoia), as well as some of Sierra Nevada’s most challenging terrain. A popular hiking destination each year, only around 10,000 hikers successfully summit each year – this low success rate can be explained by climbing at high altitude requiring not just physical fitness but an understanding of how to deal with extreme elevation issues.
Most hikers reach Mount Whitney via the Mount Whitney Trail. Although its 21.5 mile round-trip day hike may seem daunting, with proper preparation it is completely doable in one or two days. Most trekkers take between 12-16 hours to complete it – starting hiking as early as possible for optimal conditions is advised.
Hike to the summit for unparalleled views across Death Valley and Lone Pine below; also enjoy deep glaciated canyons, cirques, hanging valleys and sharp ridges that create an ideal playground for adventurous climbers.
Though hiking Whitney is highly rewarding, it’s essential that you understand what awaits before setting out on this adventure. Hiking conditions often vary dramatically throughout a day due to elevation differences. Therefore, carrying a rain jacket and monitoring weather closely are recommended as lightning has struck this mountain before with fatal consequences in some instances – which have received ample media attention in the past few years.
Visit Whitney during late July, August or early September for optimal conditions to hike. These months provide ideal hiking conditions, including full moon summit access. To guarantee yourself an opportunity of reaching its summit and reach its peak during its full moon a full moon permit lottery must also be entered for.
