Los Angeles, the beautiful sprawling city in South California, is best associated with the iconic Hollywood sign. Big media companies, like Universal, Paramount Pictures, and celebrity names thrive in L.A., where life is as busy as it can get. After all, Los Angeles, California, is still the third most populous city in North America, with almost 4 million people.
But more than its highly celebrated Hollywood entertainment industry, its bustling commerce, and its Mediterranean climate, Los Angeles also offers several national parks within driving distance. Geographically, Los Angeles lies adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and it is surrounded by stately mountains and interesting deserts. So, if you’re up for invigorating nature trips, you have several options. Read on to learn more about the best national parks near Los Angeles, California.
1. Channel Islands National Park
Five ecologically rich islands are found in Channel Islands National Park. You can reach the park either by boat or plane. If you prefer a slower yet more scenic journey to the island, you can take the ferry for about 1 to 3 hours from the Ventura Harbor. While the national park is open 24 hours, the visitor center in Ventura is open only from 8:30 am to 5 pm daily. If you’re a first-time visitor, it is best to schedule your trip along with the center’s opening hours so you can ask for more information. Anapaca Island, one of the most visited islands in the park, offers trail options for visitors wishing to see the 1932 lighthouse or the Inspiration Point clifftop. Meanwhile, you can explore sea caves and distinct Torrey pines when you visit Santa Cruz Island and Santa Rosa, respectively. Seals are the major attractions in San Miguel Island and nesting seabirds in Santa Barbara Island. You can learn more about the wonders of this national park beforehand when you visit its official website, where online lectures and other informative features are made available. There are no entrance fees required at the park.
Channel Islands National Park
Address: Ventura, CA 93001, United States
Website: Channel Islands National Park
Opening hours: 12am - 12pm (daily)
2. Joshua Tree National Park (from USD 235.0)
Joshua Tree National Park is the point of convergence of two distinct deserts - the Colorado and Mojave. The resulting landscapes and plant and animal species are quite unique and interesting that you realize deserts can offer captivating sceneries, too. You can camp at the national park, so you can catch stunning sunset views and sleep under beautiful night skies. Or if you have limited time and camping seems impossible, you can also take the 4.5-hour driving tour from Palm Springs. The tour has a well-informed guide and offers a free water bottle. You will have two options for trails that the group can collectively decide. In case you wonder why it’s called Joshua Tree, it’s because the infamous tree does look like Joshua, the Biblical character, reaching out to the sky. Unknown to many, early Mormon settlers have crossed the Mojave desert long before it became a national park.
Joshua Tree National Park 4.5-Hour Van Tour with Guide
Duration: 5 hours
3. Death Valley National Park
Lying beside Nevada and East California, Death Valley National Park is known for its astounding rock formations and rich diversity. Camping in the national park does take you to a different realm. Owing to its geography, Death Valley National Park presents opposing extremes of temperature. Its below-sea-level basin presents persistent drought and the temperature can hit as high as 130 °F (54.4°C) as it did recently, in September 2020. Meanwhile, the mountain peaks can get snowy and windy. The mountain storms may even lead to flooding. It is best to visit Death Valley National Park with a group or an experienced guide. The views are breathtakingly beautiful that your efforts will surely pay off. The national park is open 24 hours but the Furnace Creek Visitor Center is available only from 8 am to 5 pm daily.
Death Valley National Park
Address: Borders on California and Nevada, United States
Website: Death Valley National Park
Opening hours: 12am - 12pm (daily)
Price: From 15 USD
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4. Yosemite National Park (from USD 589.0)
The popular Yosemite National Park looks even more captivating in person than in pictures. The Sierra Nevada Mountains create the perfect sunset backdrop for your social media feed. In this park, you can safely bring your family, even your kids. They will enjoy the refreshing mountain treks and the giant sequoia trees. You can join an overnight group tour that takes care of the logistics and itinerary, so you and your family will only have to focus on sightseeing and creating more bonding moments. The tour will take you to the top tourist attractions such as BridalVeil Falls, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome.
Yosemite National Park and Glacier Point Tour from Los Angeles
Duration: 2 days
5. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is a combination of two Californa national parks, namely the Sequoia National Park and the Kings Canyon National Park. The resulting size is now 1,353 square miles or 3,504 square kilometers - quite a large area to explore on foot. There, you will see picturesque valleys, towering sequoia trees, and deep canyons that can rival those of the Grand Canyon. The national park is called the Land of Giants, not only for its gigantic trees but also for its incredibly huge mountains and vast caverns. If you intend to explore the area, it’s best to check the weather first. Weather varies not only by season but also by elevation.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Address: 47050 Generals Hwy, Three Rivers, CA 93271, United States
Website: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Opening hours: 12am - 12pm (daily)
6. Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park covers parts of Salinas Valley in northern California and is famous for its spring flowers and sweeping mountains. The area is divided into East and West districts with significantly different rock formations. Pinnacles National Park is primarily visited for hiking. If you are not conditioned for long, difficult treks, you can explore the East district where trails are relatively easy to follow through and the views are equally stunning. In general, it takes about two days to fully explore this 107.7km² (or 41.57mi²) park. You can start from the east entrance, then head on to the Condor Gulch Trail, up until you reach the topmost areas. The fees vary depending on circumstances, such as whether you travel by car or by bike. Also, if you travel in a non-commercial group, the rate is on a per-person basis. Overall, the passes are from 15 USD to 30 USD.
Pinnacles National Park
Address: California 95043, United States
Website: Pinnacles National Park
Opening hours: 12am - 12pm (daily)
Price: From 15 USD
Explore beautiful national parks near Los Angeles, California
Your Los Angeles adventure does not have to be limited to shopping centers, museums, and studio tours. You can drive extra miles to visit the country’s most amazing national parks. You can visit bioversity-rich islands and fall in love with old lighthouses and seals. You can trek through valleys and engage in some kind of forest bathing around sequoia trees. You can climb up mountains to have a better view of the sweeping formations of rocks. You can take your family with you and spend an hour just watching the currents in waterfalls. Each activity is therapeutic and enhances your mindfulness. If you wish to take a break from the city life, choose one or two places to explore from the list of national parks near Los Angeles, California.
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