Nature

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Marvel at the 4,700-year-old Methuselah Tree, one of oldest living organisms on earth; hike through these rare gnarled old pines on the slopes of the White Mountains. Highway 168, Independence, CA; +1 760 873 2500.

Angel Island Take a ferry from San Francisco to the largest island in the Bay; hike to Mount Livermore for a spectacular view of Ayala Cove; camp along the ridgeline and wake up early to watch the sunrise from an ocean kayak. San Francisco Bay, CA; +1 415 435 5390. Fee.

Big Bear Lake Take a horse or pony ride around the lake; water ski until sunset; have a relaxing picnic as you watch the boats go by. 630 Bartlett Road. Big Bear Lake, CA. 800 4 BIG BEAR. Fee.

Big Sur Explore this area crisscrossed with state and national parks; climb the lighthouse at Point Sur for a panoramic view of the region; watch the waves crash at Pfeiffer Beach from the inside of a giant rock; hike the trails through Pfeiffer Big Sur park to the hidden redwood valley waterfall. Big Sur, CA; +1 831 667 2315. Fee.

Cabrillo National Monument Climb the Old Point Loma Lighthouse for a panoramic view of the spot where explorers first arrived in San Diego; comb the beach for the colorful sea stars hidden in the tide pools; hike up to Whale Watching Point Overlook to scan for gray whales as they make their annual migration. 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr., San Diego, CA; +1 619 557 5450. Fee.

Calaveras Big Tree State Park Hike through the North Grove of giant sequoias and marvel at organisms thousands of years old; admire the mountain dogwood or black bear in their native environments. Hwy. 4, Arnold, CA; +1 209 795 2334.

Channel Islands National Park Visit this remarkable collection of islands for a variety of different attractions. Watch tens of thousands of seals and sea lions as they play on the shores of San Miguel; photograph the famous Arch Rock on East Anacapa; explore Painted Cave, one of the deepest known sea cavern in the world; camp on the sizable Santa Cruz and hike its expanses to catch sight of a bald eagle. 1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA; +1 805 658 5730. Camping Fee.

Coachella Valley Preserve Spot a fringe-toes lizard; hike over acres of mesas take a covered wagon tour of the badlands; stop in at the Thousand Palms Oasis. Thousand Palms Canyon Rd., Palm Springs, CA; +1 760 343 1234. Fee.

Death Valley National Park See the hottest, driest, and lowest points in America; hike to the summit of Telescope Peak, which reaches to over 11,000 feet; look for a desert falcon or an elusive mountain lion; admire the colorful volcanic deposits at the Artists Palette rock formation. Highway 136 and 190, Death Valley, CA; Fee.

Fresno County Blossom Trail Drive through blossoming orchards, citrus groves, and vineyards as you travel along this winding 62-mile trail; stop along the way at the Mennonite Quilt Center to see the unique art form of the local community. Visitor Center/Trailhead: 848 M St., Fresno, CA; +1 559 262 4271.

Golden Gate Bridge Walk across one of the most famous bridges in the United States and enjoy breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay; examine a cross section of one of the immense cables to learn how the bridge was made; grab a snack at the Bridge Café. U.S. Hwy 101, San Francisco, CA; + 1 415 921 5858.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Try kite-boarding at Crissy Field; watch the sunset over the Pacific; hike miles of trail to enjoy a bunch of seaside daisies; glimpse a red-tailed hawk as it swoops through the air; visit the Strybing Arboretum and Botanical gardens. San Francisco, CA; +1 415 561 4700.

Griffith Park Visit the Griffith Observatory for a panoramic view of the city's sprawl; climb aboard the antique carousel; saddle up a real pony for a ride around the park's many trails; check out the Autry National Center for a unique perspective on western history and heritage. 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles, CA; +1 323 913 4688. Fee.

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve Explore one of the largest and most diverse dunes region in the state; keep your eyes peeled for black bears and mountain lions on a hike to the top of the 1,500-feet high dune known as Mussel Rock; visit the Dunes Visitors Center to see exhibits on the many movies that have been filmed at the dunes. 1055 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe, CA; +1 805 343 2455.

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge Watch a blue heron or a snowy egret nest among the Topock Marsh; take a boat tour along the Colorado River and catch a catfish for dinner; camp below the scenic Castle Rock. Off I-40, Needles, CA; +1 760 326 3853.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park Explore the Rockefeller Forest, the largest remaining grove of old-growth Redwoods in the world; see some of the largest organisms in the world without leaving your car on the Avenue of the Giants auto tour; hike the Bull Creek trail; fish for salmon in the Eel River. 17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott, CA; +1 707 946 2409.

Huntington Beach Head out past the breakers on the 1,800-foot pier to watch serious surfers; photograph blue herons as they nest in the salt marshes of Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Visitors Center: 301 Main St., Huntington Beach, CA; 800 729 6232. Fee.

Joshua Tree National Park Explore where the Mojave and California deserts meet; climb one of the rock faces in the Hidden Valley; spy Bighorn sheep as they roam through the Lost Palms Oasis. 74485 National Park Dr., Twentynine Palms, CA; +1 760 367 5500. Fee.

Kern National Wildlife Refuge Enjoy the wild beauty of this wetland refuge; photograph the migratory waterfowl in Tulare Lake; glimpse the endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox; drive the scenic 6.5-mile loop around the refuge. 10811 Corcoran Rd., Delano, CA; +1 661 725 2767.

Lake Casitas Recreation Area Fish for a trophy-size bass at this famed fishing destination at the foot of the Santa Ynez mountains; make camp and eat your catch along the Laguna ridge; cool off on one of the slides at the Casitas Water Adventure. 11311 Santa Ana Rd., Ventura, CA; +1 805 649 2233. Fee.

Lake Shasta Caverns Reach the caverns with a scenic boat ride across Shasta Lake; spot a bald eagle soaring high above; hike into the bowels of the Earth and marvel at the calcite crystal formations lining the walls of the Discovery Room. 20359 Shasta Caverns Rd., Lakehead, CA; +1 800 795 CAVE. Fee.

Malibu Lagoon State Beach Enjoy this small slice of wilderness in the middle of the bustling city; watch blue herons, avocets, and gulls from along the marshy boardwalk; fish for snapper on Malibu pier; grill your catch as you watch the surfers at Surfrider Beach. 23200 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, CA; +1 818 880 0350.

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Admire the stunning 129-foot Burney Falls; hike down to the mist-filled basin to fish for trout in Burney Creek; photograph the many resident bald eagles in the skies above Lake Britton. 24898 Hwy. 89, Burney, CA; +1 530 335 2777. Fee.

Modoc National Wildlife Refuge Hike the shores of the Pit River; admire blue herons, snowy egrets, sandhill cranes, and other waterfowl at this central nesting point. Hwy. 395, Alturas, CA; +1 530 233 3572.

Mojave National Preserve Admire the volcanically formed Hole in the Wall; hike to top of a golden white peak at the Kelso Sand Dunes; explore the inside of a mountain at the Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve. 2701 Barstow Rd., Barstow, CA; +1 760 252 6100.

Mono Lake Discover this oasis in the middle of the arid Great Basin; spy a Western Sandpiper as it rests on its long migration; scope out the beautiful tufa Calcium Carbonate towers from your canoe in the center of the lake. Hwy. 395, Lee Vining, CA; +1 760 647 3044. Fee.

Mooney Grove Park Relax in the sun alongside a duck pond; rent a rowboat for a trip around the lagoon; visit the Tulare Historic Museum to see artifacts from the local Yokuts people; play a round of Frisbee golf. 27000 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA; +1 559 733 6291. Fee.

Morro Bay Visit the town's nature preserve to view eagles, falcons, and other endangered wildlife; marvel at picturesque Morro Rock; stop by the Museum of Natural History to learn more about the local environment. 845 Embarcadero Rd., Morro Bay, CA; +1 805 772 4467.

Muir Woods National Monument Take the Dipsea Trail as it winds through the stunning Cathedral Grove; watch the sunset over the Pacific from rocky Muir Beach; fish for steelhead salmon in Redwood creek; eat it for dinner while camping nearby. Panoramic Hwy., Mill Valley, CA; +1 415 388 2595. Fee.

Newport Beach Rent one of the many boats anchored in the harbor to get a view of the bay; hit the beach at the Balboa Peninsula to watch body surfers take on the famous Wedge break; visit the Back Bay ecological reserve to see a Southern California estuary. Chamber of Commerce: 1470 Jamboree Rd., Newport Beach, CA; +1 949 729 4400.

Pinnacles National Natural Landmark Visit this unusual geological wonder, consisting of over 500 Tufa spires; hike around the Searles Dry Lake basin; camp overnight to admire the untouched night sky. Five miles south of highway 178, Ridgecrest, CA; +1 760 384 5400. Fee.

Point Reyes National Seashore Watch the majestic Tule Elk in their natural habitat; catch sight of the giant gray whales as they migrate along the coast; hike or bike over 140 miles of trail then find a quiet beach and catch some rays. 1 Bear Valley Rd., Point Reyes, CA; +1 415 464 5100. Camping Fees.

Rainbow Basin National Natural Landmark See Mars on Earth—or at least the area used by Hollywood to reproduce the Red Planet for decades; camp at Owl Canyon; explore the area to find fossilized remains of mastodons and dog-bears. Fossil Bed Rd., Barstow, CA; +1 760 252 6000.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden Walk among scenic ponds and meadows; smell wild lilacs; see beautiful, big-berry manzanitas. 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA; +1 909 625 8767. Fee.

Red Rock Canyon State Park Find the petroglyphs left behind by the Kawaiisu Indians; camp along the southernmost valley of the Sierra Nevada mountain range; glimpse roadrunners, hawks, and desert lizards as you hike trails through the El Paso Range. Abbott Dr., near Cantil, CA. +1 661 942 0662. Fee.

Salt Point State Park Explore one of the sandstone Tafoni caves that dot the shore of Gerstle Cove; watch seals bask in the sun at Stump Beach; swim in the Underwater Park to marvel at the marine life. 25050 Coast Hwy. 1, Jenner, CA; +1 707 847 3221. Fee.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Walk underneath California lilacs to the Mission Dam; learn how Chumash Indians used native wildlife to create tools and clothing. 1212 Mission Canyon Rd., Santa Barbara, CA; +1 805 682 4726. Fee.

Sequoia National Forest Marvel at the largest living organisms on Earth as you walk through the Giant Forest; see the granite monoliths tower over the surroundings; camp in the rugged terrain in the John Muir Wilderness. 1839 South Newcomb St., Porterville, CA; +1 559 784 1500. Fee.

Silver Strand State Beach Relax on the wide sandy stretch of Coronado beach; go swimming in the gentle surf; keep an eye out for the Navy SEALS that train along the waterfront. 5000 Hwy 75, San Diego, CA; +1 619 435 5184.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park Watch the majestic monarch's emerge from their cocoons at the butterfly house; try a hand at logging at Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp; marvel at the 217-foot Sundial Bridge. 800 Auditorium Dr., Redding, CA; +1 530 243 8850. Fee.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Rent a boat for a day of relaxation on Whiskeytown Lake; hike to the peak of Shasta Bally to spot peregrine falcons—watch out for the black bears that still roam the hills; camp in the Camden House historic district, which dates back to the 1849 gold rush. 14412 Kennedy Memorial Dr., Whiskeytown, CA; +1 530 242 3400.

Woodward Park Hike along the San Joaquin River on the scenic Lewis S. Eaton Trail; tour the Shinzen Japanese Garden; tumble in one of three kids' playgrounds or relax beside the koi pond. 7775 Friant Rd., Fresno, CA; +1 559 621 2900. Fee.

Yerba Buena Gardens Walk through the Butterfly Garden; wonder at the evergreen trees; admire the sculpture yard; make a wish in the fountain; glide on the ice skating rink. Fifth & Mission, San Francisco, CA; +1 415 820 3550.

Yosemite National Park Be mesmerized by the cascading water of Yosemite Falls; hike to Curry Village to marvel at the famous Glacier Point; wander through the Merced Grove and try to glimpse a majestic black bear beneath an ancient Sequoia tree; see the spirit of the area as captured by Ansel Adams at his museum and gallery. Northside Dr. (various entrances), Yosemite, CA; +1 209 372 0200. Fee.