Adventure
Angeles National Forest Escape the metropolitan sprawl of Los Angeles; cast a line in Jackson Lake to catch trout; rent a horse to ride up to Big Pines; see the highest point along the San Andreas Fault. 701 N. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia, CA; +1 626 574 1613. Fee.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Camp in Borrego Palm Canyon; listen to the lonely coyotes as they howl at the expansive night sky; hike the Narrows Earth trail and admire the purple desert wildflowers. 200 Palm Canyon Dr., Borrego Springs, CA; +1 760 767 5311. Fee.
California Cavern State Historic Landmark Raft across the underground Tom's Lake; crawl and squeeze through the Mammoth Cave; see still-growing stalactites; marvel at the crystal vines that adorn the walls. 9565 Cave City Rd., Mountain Ranch, CA; 866 762 2837. Fee.
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area Hike up to the San Marco pass; stop at the scenic viewing areas to spot one of the local eagles; take a scenic tour on the Osprey, a cruiser that circles the lake; rent a yurt, a cross between a tent and a teepee, to camp along the waterfront. HC 59-Hwy 154, Santa Barbara, CA; +1 805 686 5054. Fee.
Crystal Cove State Park Catch a wave at Reef Point; trek one of the dozens of wooded trails along the shore of this secluded beach; explore the tide pools and sandy coves that showcase colorful starfish. 8471 Pacific Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA; +1 949 494 3539.
La Jolla Cove Admire the iridescent blue water; scuba dive or snorkel in the cove; have a picnic in nearby Scripps Park. 1100 Coast Blvd., San Diego, CA.
Lake Tahoe Ride the Heavenly Gondola to the top of the mountain for a spectacular view of the valley; shred the slopes at Squaw Valley resort or one of the countless other ski attractions; hike and camp among the wildlife along the 71 miles of shoreline. Fee.
Lassen Volcanic National Park Take the Bumpass Hell boardwalk over bubbling mud and steaming springs; hike to the top of still active Lassen Peak to examine the massive damage from its 1915 eruption; camp beside the 400-ton Hot Rock and the hydrothermal vents that surround it. 38050 Hwy. 36E, Mineral, CA; +1 530 595 4444. Fee.
Lava Beds National Monument Climb down into one of the geological wonders known as a lava tube; watch cinder cones as they splatter lava; hike through craters; admire the wildflowers as they sprout from recently cooled lava flows. 1 Indian Wells, Tutelake, CA; +1 530 667 8100. Fee.
Mammoth Lakes Hit the slopes on the 11,053-foot Mammoth Mountain; take the panorama gondola up to the peak to see the inactive volcanic crater; during warmer seasons fish for freshwater trout in Lake June or rent a boat for some wakeboarding in the shadow of giant mountains. Hwy. 395, Mono County, CA; 888 466 2666. Fee.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Ride a cable car to the top of Mount San Jacinto State Park; enjoy a view that stretches 75 miles to the Salton Sea; rent cross-country skis or snowshoes during winter for an exciting ride down the slopes. 1 Tramway Rd., Palm Springs, CA; +1 760 325 1391. Fee.
Pinnacles National Monument Admire the remains of the ancient volcano that once dominated this stretch of the Gabilan Mountains; explore Bear Gulch cave; hike up to Pinnacle Rock for a chance to see one of the endangered California condors that inhabit the area. 5000 Hwy. 146, Paicines, CA; +1 831 389 4485. Fee.
Point Lobos State Reserve Follow the Cypress Grove Trail to a secluded forest of Monterey Cypress; take the Sea Lion Point Trail to see some of the creatures playing on the beach; rent scuba equipment and check out the 750 acres of underwater marine preserve. Hwy 1, Carmel, CA; +1 831 624 4909. Fee.
Salton Sea Discover one of the world's largest inland seas; catch a gulf croaker; put on your skis for some on the water fun; relax and float on the super-buoyant surface of this extra salty sea. 100-225 State Park Rd. North Shore, CA; +1 760 393 3052. Fee.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Explore the subterranean depths of Crystal Cave; trek up to the peak of Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States; hike into Kings Canyon and admire the huge Sequoias of Giant Forest; photograph a peregrine falcon as it dives through the air to catch its prey. 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA; +1 559 565 3341. Fee.
Shasta-Trinity National Forest Angle for steelhead and salmon; try to make it to the peak of the 14,162-foot Mount Shasta for a stunning panorama of the area; hit the slopes at the Board and Ski Park; spend the night camping under the stars along the shoreline of the Iron Canyon Reservoir. 3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding, CA; +1 530 226 2500. Fee.
