9 Most Beautiful Parks in California

This list includes national and state parks that are known not just for outdoor recreation but for incredible scenery, photo-worthy spots, and unforgettable hikes. Here are the 9 most beautiful parks in California that should be on your travel list.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is California’s most iconic national park—and it absolutely lives up to the hype. With granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias, and sweeping valleys, it’s one of the most photographed places in the world.

Whether you’re hiking to Glacier Point, standing beneath El Capitan, or just driving through Yosemite Valley, the views are unreal.

Highlights:

• Home to Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls
• Best for hiking, rock climbing, and scenic drives
• Beautiful in all seasons

Redwood National and State Parks

Redwood National Park is located on the northern California coast, these parks protect some of the tallest trees on Earth. Walking through the redwood groves feels almost surreal—like stepping into a real-life Jurassic Park.

The scenery here combines lush forests, rugged coastline, and fog that adds to the atmosphere.

Highlights:

• Towering redwoods over 300 feet tall
• Quiet hiking trails and scenic drives
• Coastal views with wild beaches

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree is where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet—creating a landscape full of boulders, cactus gardens, and of course, twisted Joshua trees. The sunsets and stargazing here are some of the best you’ll ever see.

It's also a hotspot for rock climbing, photography, and those eerie, silent desert vibes.

Highlights:

• Surreal desert landscape
• Amazing stargazing and sunset views
• Unique rock formations and trees

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoia and Kinga Canyon National Parks are two parks are side-by-side in the southern Sierra Nevada and often visited together. They're home to massive sequoia trees, including General Sherman, the largest tree on Earth by volume.

The deep canyon views, alpine meadows, and quiet forests make this one of the best places to escape the crowds and get into nature.

Highlights:

• Home to the largest tree in the world
• Less crowded than Yosemite
• Deep canyons and scenic alpine views

Point Reyes National Seashore

Just an hour from San Francisco, Point Reyes offers some of the most dramatic coastal views in California. With rugged cliffs, wide beaches, and a historic lighthouse, it’s a great day trip or weekend getaway spot.

You might also see elk, whales, or elephant seals depending on the season.

Highlights:

• Windswept cliffs and ocean views
• Great hiking trails and beaches
• Wildlife watching year-round

Big Sur (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park)

Big Sur is a stretch of coast that feels untouched and wild, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is one of its crown jewels. This is where you’ll find McWay Falls, a waterfall that drops straight into the ocean.

The whole area is great for scenic drives, hiking, and pulling off to take in ocean views that never get old.

Highlights:

• Home to McWay Falls
• Some of California’s best coastal views
• Great stop along Highway 1

Lassen Volcanic National Park

One of California’s lesser-known national parks, Lassen is full of geothermal activity like boiling mud pots and steaming vents—without the crowds of Yellowstone. You'll also find lakes, meadows, and plenty of alpine trails.

The park centers around Lassen Peak, a volcano you can actually hike if you’re up for the challenge.

Highlights:

• Boiling springs and volcanic features
• Clear lakes and alpine forests
• Less touristy but just as scenic

Emerald Bay State Park (Lake Tahoe)

Located on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay State Park is postcard-perfect. The turquoise water, alpine backdrop, and Vikingsholm Castle on the shoreline give this spot an almost fairytale feel.

You can hike, kayak, or just take in the view from the lookout point above the bay.

Highlights:

• Stunning lake views and clear water
• Hiking, kayaking, and beach access
• Historic castle on the shoreline

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park sits inland and is filled with redwoods, river trails, and campgrounds nestled in the forest. The Big Sur River runs through the park, making it a great place to hike or cool off during summer.

It’s also near Pfeiffer Beach, known for its purple sand and wave-carved rock arch.

Highlights:

• Redwood forests and river trails
• Great for camping and hiking
• Close to Big Sur’s top coastal stops

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