Every year, both Californians and outside visitors flock to Yosemite, Sequoia and Joshua Tree to experience the breathtaking beauty of our native National Parks, and rightly so. But we’d be remiss not to celebrate other National Parks in California that also deserve a visit. In honor of National Park Week, which kicks off today, let’s get a quick preview of the natural treasures here in the Golden State you should add to your bucket list.

Pinnacles National Park

Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park. The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky spires and deep canyons. Visitors can explore diverse environments, from chaparral and oak woodlands to the cool, shaded depths of canyon floors. Located southeast of Salinas between the 101 and 5 freeways, it’s easily missed by casual road trip travelers. But the unusual topography, great hiking trails and accessible campgrounds make it a must visit. 

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was. This is the perfect destination for ocean enthusiasts, where you can scuba dive, spearfish and explore sea caves in kayaks. During migrations, this is also a prime spot to view gray whales. 

Kings Canyon National Park

North and contiguous with Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon often gets overshadowed by its southernly sister. Yet it’s stands out for its glacial-carved valley and towering peaks. Like Sequoia, this park also has its share of gigantic trees, including Grant Grove, home to many of the park’s sequoias, especially General Grant, the second largest tree in the world measured by truck volume, and the beautiful Cedar Grove. The combined Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail, popular backpacking routes, traverse the entire length of the park from north to south.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to steaming fumaroles, meadows freckled with wildflowers, clear mountain lakes, and numerous volcanoes. Jagged peaks tell the story of its eruptive past while hot water continues to shape the land. It’s also one of the few places in the world where all four types of volcanos can be seen: plum dome, cinder cone, shield and stratovolcano. The most prominent in the park, Lassen Peak, is still active with boiling mud pots, fumaroles and hot springs. Beautiful Reflection Lake attracts waterfowl like Canada geese, great blue heron, snowy egret, and kingfisher.