Channel Islands National Park

The Channel Islands National Parks is reportedly the least visited national park in the country. It could simply be because it’s quite remote. It’s 70 miles north of L.A. or an80-minute ferry ride out of Ventura Harbor.

Highlights include beautiful beaches, kayaking, canyons and valleys for hiking, and striking cliff faces. You can explore sea caves on Santa Cruz Island. You can also go snorkeling through the verdant kelp forest and share a bag lunch with tiny island foxes.

Yosemite Valley

The breathtaking Yosemite Valley is a natural wonder situated in Yosemite National Park (and not that far from Lake Tahoe). This glacial valley is nearly 7.5 miles long and between 3000 and 3500 feet deep. Rock climbers from all over the world praise this place. It’s framed by plunging waterfalls and surrounded by granite summits. Don’t-Miss spots include Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome, Mirror Lake, Tunnel View, Vernal Falls, and Yosemite Falls.