Alcatraz Island tours today focus on the main cellhouse, where Alcatraz inmates lived out their sentences when the site operated as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963. Caroline Purser/Getty Images
In the state with the most national parks -- nine! -- it can be difficult to decide which one to visit, much less what to do once you've arrived. To help you choose, we've compiled a list of the best things to do in every national park across California -- plus some options from a national recreation area, a national seashore and a national monument that we threw in because they're Bay Area favorites. Enjoy!
Located in San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island offers an unforgettable look at life in America's most infamous island prison. For an extra layer of intrigue, opt for the night tour, which offers a spookier and more intimate experience within the former prison. Special programs and activities that aren't offered during the day include a ferry tour around the island, during which a park ranger points out spots where imprisoned people once hid. It gets chilly fast, though, so bundle up.
Channel Islands National Park comprises five islands that are highly regarded for their wildlife and outdoor adventures. Because visitors must arrive on boats, the Channel Islands are one of the least visited national parks in the U.S. If you're looking to escape the crowds, this is the place for you. Nature enthusiasts will particularly enjoy kayaking on Santa Cruz Island, where guided tours take you into sea caves and over kelp forests. With sea life and rock formations up close, adventurers can learn more about the history of the island and its marine ecology.
Known as the hottest place on Earth and the driest place in North America, Death Valley is not for the faint of heart. And as long as we're talking about superlatives, we might as well recommend Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. At 282 feet below sea level, this desolate basin is surrounded by four mountain ranges and built on a foundation of salt flats, and it looks downright unearthly. Be sure to bring plenty of water, and note that cell reception is limited. If you go for the temporary lake that fills the basin during wintertime, be prepared for snow and rain.
Ranked at No. 9 among the top 10 most popular national parks in 2023, Joshua Tree is defined by its striking rock formations and eerie desertscapes. The Jumbo Rocks, a collection of oversized boulders in the heart of the park, are surrounded by short hiking trails. When they are scaled, they offer sweeping views. Some well-known rock formations to look out for include Skull Rock, which -- you guessed it! -- is in the shape of a skull, along with Split Rock and Arch Rock. If you choose to ascend the rocks, be aware of other climbers and your own limits.
The relatively few visitors who venture into this sleeper park in northeastern California are rewarded with soaring volcanoes, verdant forests, wildflower-strewn meadows and shimmering mountain lakes. But our favorite thing in Lassen is the hydrothermal activity. The water in Bumpass Hell, the largest hot spring in the park, measures at over 320 degrees Fahrenheit, so don't cannonball into it. But do take a walk along the boardwalk around it to view the mudpots, fumaroles and boiling springs.
Only a 45-minute drive from San Francisco, Muir Woods preserves some of the last ancient redwood forests in the Bay Area, with trees that reach over 250 feet tall and live more than 1,000 years. Our favorite woodland path is the Ben Johnson Trail, which takes visitors away from the crowds and through the old-growth redwoods. It can be combined with a return on the Dipsea Loop, which offers views of the Pacific Ocean, Mount Tamalpais and San Francisco's skyline. It's about a 4-mile hike that's mostly in the shade, with some steep climbs and descents, so prepare accordingly.
Pinnacles may be the smallest national park in California, but its caves, clifftops and condors loom large in the hearts and minds of Californians. The endangered California condor, a truly one-of-a-kind bird, is often spotted above from certain trails, including the Condor Gulch Trail. Spanning 1.7 miles one way, this trail offers top-notch views of the park's spires and chaparral, and its peak lookout areas offer prime spots for watching condors soar over nearby fields. There is no water on the trail, so be sure to bring some.
Sitting on a peninsula that juts into the Pacific Ocean, this 71,000-acre park is beloved for its secluded beaches, tranquil forests, abundant trails and historic structures. The iconic Point Reyes Lighthouse warned sailors of the rocky shores for 105 years, starting in 1870. Although retired from service in 1975, the lighthouse now draws in visitors and helps tell the story of the natural beauty and history of Point Reyes. Bring some layers to help protect yourself from the wind and fog.
As a former military outpost for the Spanish Empire, the Mexican Republic and the United States Army, the Presidio of San Francisco is both a stunning outdoor destination and a historic attraction. Three decades ago, it was turned into a park after being transferred to the National Park Service, and today, it provides some of the most iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, along with hiking trails and outdoor spaces such as Tunnel Tops. This park opened two years ago, transforming the land above the Presidio Parkway tunnels into gardens, walkways and overlooks of the city. An area just below Tunnel Tops welcomes children to play in natural structures.
Redwood National and State Parks is home to almost 40,000 acres of old-growth coast redwoods, including many of the world's tallest trees, which grow up to 380 feet tall. The four-park complex spreads out over the north coast of California, but to see as much of it as possible, hop on a bicycle. There are multiple bike trails in the parks, but on the first Saturday of every month from October to May, the famous Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is closed to cars, meaning bikers take over the road. It's mostly flat and makes for an idyllic ride through 10 miles of redwoods.
With towering mountains, vast canyons, spooky caverns and majestic forests, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks attract nature enthusiasts of all stripes. The main attraction, however, has always been the big trees. General Sherman is the largest tree by volume in the world (its trunk volume measures 52,508 cubic feet); the second-largest tree in the world by volume, General Grant, can also be found in this park. Don't skip the short hikes that bring you to these iconic giants.
Consistently ranking among the top national parks in the United States, Yosemite is a treasure chest of hiking trails, campgrounds (and glamping accommodations!), rock climbing and waterfalls. Get a taste of these gems on the Mist Trail, a classic Yosemite hike that follows the raging Merced River to two jaw-dropping waterfalls, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. The relatively strenuous path also connects with other trails, if you want more.