
Yosemite National Park © Judith Duk
National parks in the state of California encompass a wide range
of ecosystems, from the spectacular desert scenery and vegetation
of Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks, and Lassen Volcanic
National Park's active volcanic landscape, to the marine life and
kelp forests of the island chain lying off the south coast that
make up the Channel Islands National Park. Sequoia and Kings Canyon
National Parks feature impressive deep canyons and geological
formations, while the glacial valley at Yosemite contains mighty
granite monoliths, cliffs and waterfalls.
Attractions

Zabriskie Point, Death Valley © National Park Service
Death Valley National Park
The name itself suggests images of all that is harsh,
inhospitable and hellish, and it is not by chance that many
of the park's features have names like Coffin Peak, the
Funeral Mountains, Dante’s View, the Devil’s Golf
Course and Furnace Creek. These are the topographical...
see full details
Half Dome at sunset, Yosemite © National Park Service
Yosemite National Park
One of the country's premier national parks, Yosemite receives
millions of visitors each year with more than four million people
visiting the Yosemite Valley alone. It is home to the biggest piece
of exposed granite in the world, some of the highest waterfalls,
and...
see full details