Humboldt Redwoods State Park | Photo courtesy of California State ParksHumboldt Redwoods State Park | Photo courtesy of California State Parks
It’s not a competition, but if it were, we can’t think of anywhere in the country more breathtakingly beautiful and full of natural wonders than California. Sure, we have an advantage thanks to the incredibly diverse geography and climates (where else can you ski in the morning and surf in the afternoon on legitimately amazing snow and waves?), but it’s not our fault other states aren’t as geologically blessed.
After all, it is because of our lush coastal forests, dry southern deserts, and the rugged terrain of our sprawling mountain ranges that you can find giant redwood trees, epic sunsets over painted rocks, giant waves crashing into a jagged coastline, and the largest variety of plants and animals you’ll find in any U.S. state. If you’re looking for a dramatic natural vista, this is the place to visit.
The only (very) small issue is that the word’s kind of out about California’s beauty, and while there’s no doubt that Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Tahoe, etc., are among the best places to visit, if you’re looking for a nature experience with a little more nature and a little less other people, you’ve got to know the spots that fly a little below the radar.
From secret spots you may have been driving right past for years to remote areas that take a special trip all their own, look no further for some of the most beautiful hidden places to visit in the Golden State.
Arnold
Most people head to Yosemite or Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks when called to take in the wonder of the most massive trees on earth, but if you want your sequoias without the crowds, head to Calaveras Big Tree State Park, home to two spectacular groves of giant sequoia trees. This park is less crowded than some of the more popular spots to gaze at the largest trees in the world—by volume and diameter (redwoods win for height, whereas sequoias “only” average around 250 feet. Redwoods have nothing on them when it comes to circumference—needless to say, the trees are a little tougher to hug due to their circumference of over 94 feet, but don’t let that stop you from getting in there. For the most rewarding hike and the park’s most impressive sequoias, head to the South Grove for a moderately difficult 5.4-mile trek or, in the winter, a cross-country skiing journey (the roads are closed then, but if you have a sense of adventure, you can still make your way to them).
Carmel River State Beach | Photo courtesy of See Monterey
Carmel
There’s just something about a white sandy beach that always puts it just a notch above the rest. And even though Carmel River State Beach is only one mile long, Carmel River State Beach holds up the reputation. It doesn’t hurt that there’s also a lagoon formed by the Carmel River that attracts songbirds and waterfowl. The protected bird sanctuary draws bird enthusiasts and is also a popular spot for dog owners or anyone who wants to enjoy a romantic sunset picnic. While you’ll spot a number of local divers and kayakers, the waves are really powerful, so swimming is not encouraged.
Ventura County
The Channel Islands are eight distinct islands off the Southern California coast, five of which are designated as national parkland and seven of which have no permanent human settlements (the eighth is Catalina Island). That means to get to any of the five national park islands, you need to get on a boat, either a private one or a public one run by Island Packers. Once you’re there, though, it is about as remote and secluded as you can get in California—there are no restaurants, stores, or gear rentals on the island, and cell service is spotty at best. As the website warns, there are “no remedies for poor planning once you have arrived.” But with that isolation also comes stunning coastal beauty: rocky cliffs, pebble beaches, tide pools, and unique plants to discover like you’re Darwin in the Galapagos. Backpack around and camp overnight, or haul kayaks on the ferry and paddle around for the day to see the islands from the water.
Fern Canyon | Nora Yusuf/Shutterstock
Gold Bluffs Beach
The towering walls of this narrow canyon are draped with an ancient species of verdant ferns with ancestry dating back 325 million years, creating an otherworldly effect that has to be experienced in person. Every curve of the corridor brings another stunning view of vertical wetland, lush vegetation, miniature waterfalls, and a feeling like you’ve seen this somewhere before, which you have if you’ve seen The Lost World: Jurassic Park. It was the backdrop in a couple of scenes, including the one where (spoiler alert) one of the characters becomes lunch for a flock of tiny Compsognathus.
Humboldt County
Humboldt Redwoods is home to the world’s largest remaining contiguous forest of old-growth coastal redwoods. That alone is probably enough to convince you to visit, but just in case, the 53,000-acre park is also home to over 100 miles of trails where you can hike, horseback ride, and mountain bike, as well as the refreshing South Fork Eel River for fishing and cooling off when it gets hot (which it does there because it’s fairly inland for a palace where redwoods thrive). There are dozens of hikes, but the “can’t miss” spot, Avenue of the Giants, an awe-inspiring road lined with redwoods, is more easily enjoyed via car or bike. This area is also home to the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree, which is absolutely a tourist trap but still shouldn’t be missed since how often will you have the opportunity to drive through a tree that’s 276 feet high and 16 feet wide?
Photo courtesy of California State Parks
Fort Bragg
It almost seems impossible that there’s a trail that lets you see a timeline of the evolution of 500,000 years of soil and plants, but there is the 5.2-mile Ecological Staircase Trail in this coastal reserve. On this hike, you’ll see flat terraces that have been raised by geological forces, each one showcasing one stage in a progression of environments—including a rare Pygmy forest where the 100-year-old trees only grow to be about knee-high. And though Mendocino County is huge and can take several hours to cross, you’ll also be less than 10 minutes away from the Skunk Train, where you can hop aboard a historic train and journey through a redwood forest on tracks laid down in 1885.
Mono County
One of the most postcard-perfect hamlets hides just north of Mammoth, with unparalleled alpine views and tons of opportunities for outdoor activities. June Lake, which some call the “Switzerland of California,” is known for its sparkling lakes at the base of the Eastern Sierras. You’ll see plenty of wildflowers in the spring, which makes for some incredible hiking. But if you’re not up to exploring on foot, you can still see the jaw-dropping scenery by driving the June Lake Loop, a winding mountain road that takes you past all four shimmering lakes and the mountain scenery, with enough cafes on the way that you won’t even need to pack a picnic.
Lake Calavera | Flickr/Cheryl Lindo Jones
Carlsbad
Not to be confused with the state park in Northern California, Calavera Lake (just north of San Diego) is a 400-acre reservoir (no swimming or boating for the sake of nature) surrounded by a nature preserve that includes miles of hiking and biking trails, 17 native vegetation communities, and land that was once an old rock quarry. There are multiple trails to choose from that vary in difficulty but you will be rewarded with sprawling views at the top. And you don’t have to travel far to see a dormant volcano, which probably isn’t something you come across every day. The small mountain on the preserve called Mount Calavera is actually a volcanic plug, a hardened bit of magma and one of the last remaining pieces of the inactive volcano.
Morro Bay
Standing at 576 feet tall, Morro Rock, also called the “Gibraltar of the Pacific,” is the focal point of a small coastal town called Morro Bay. The rock, which is now recognized as a California Historic Landmark, is part of the Nine Sisters, nine volcanic peaks stretching from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay. The area has amazing wildlife that you can see by kayak or hiking trail, or just throw back a few oysters (Morro Bay is famous for them) at one of their seafood markets on the embarcadero and enjoy views of the massive ancient formation while watching adorable sea otters float in the water.
Mount San Jacinto State Park | Photo courtesy of California State Parks
Idyllwild
At the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, you’ll find the magnificent Mount San Jacinto State Park. The tramway takes passengers to an elevation of 8,516 feet, where you can hike more than 50 miles of trails or just take in breathtaking views of the second-highest mountain range in Southern California (no hiking required). There are two restaurants, which pretty much makes this one of the best hiking sports ever: an observation deck, a museum, and a gift shop. Most areas of the park are designated wilderness areas, so hopefully, you’ll spot a few animals during your visit.
Santa Barbara County
The Santa Ynez Valley area is best known for its wine and food scene, but if you’re looking for a break from your epicurean indulgences (or enjoy hiking to “earn” it), head to Nojoqui Falls Park, a big, peaceful green space that feels totally isolated despite being just a few minutes off the 101 freeway. The 85-acre park includes open grass, picnic tables, and thickets of knotty oak trees, but the real highlight is the waterfall for which it’s named. A short trail through a beautiful wooded ravine winds back and forth over a babbling creek, and after 10 very pleasant minutes, you arrive at Nojoqui Falls. (It’s a good idea to wear long pants and stay on the path because poison oak looms everywhere. If you want to enjoy maximum waterfall beauty, go in the spring after a rainy winter; it’s definitely more of a dripping faucet situation in the fall or during years of drought.
Painted Canyon | Flickr/Chetan Kolluri
Mecca
About 40 miles southeast of Palm Springs is one of the most unique hikes you’ll find in California. It doesn’t just involve putting one foot in front of the other over and over again (which suddenly sounds so rote), but also climbing up (somewhat rickety) ladders to ascend a magnificent (and narrow) slot canyon that looks as if it were painted with colorful mineral deposits. These deposits were pushed up hundreds of millions of years ago by the San Andreas Fault system, whose name you’ll recognize for the “Big One” (7.0 quake) it’s due to give us pretty much any day now. Can’t get all of this beauty without some impressive geological activity!
Big Sur
This stunning beach is a must-visit for anyone with an Instagram account (or even just a soul) for two reasons: purple sand and Keyhole Rock. Due to the erosion of the cliffs above the beach that contain Manganese garnet rocks, the sand is filled with a marbling of deep plum that has to be seen to be believed. And as if purple sand weren’t enough, Pfeiffer Beach also has a huge rock with a natural arch at the base. Get there before Golden Hour and position yourself in front of it to capture (with a camera or not) the last rays of sunlight as they disappear behind the horizon.
Point Reyes National Seashore | Photo courtesy of National Park Service
Marin County
If you want to experience the wild wonder that is the Northern California coast, Point Reyes (pronounced Point Rays by the locals) is one of the best places to do it. There are dozens of beaches along the 80-mile shoreline, miles of hikes along rocky headlands, all kinds of plants and animals (including a herd of Tule Elk), and Alamere Falls, one of California’s two “tidefalls” (the waterfall cascades directly into the ocean) that is not-so-easily accessible via a 13-mile round-trip hike. There’s no better place to work up an appetite as this area is home to some of the freshest oysters you’ll find in California. The go-to spot for those in the know is The Marshall Store.
San Simeon
There are a lot of beautiful gems along Highway One and San Simeon Cove is absolutely one of them. It’s one of those viewpoints that most tourists don’t know about, so you can enjoy stunning views without the busy crowds. Across from Hearst Castle, you’ll find a parking lot adjacent to the beach and this is where you’ll want to start. When you get to the white sand beach, you’ll see an uphill hiking trail, which you will follow along the bluff and continue until you see spectacular views of the coastline. If you’re in the area during January, April, or October, be sure to stop by the Piedras Blancas Rookery, where you can see these formidable marine animals doing their thing. (Which is usually males fighting for a pupping location from December to January, pregnant seals giving birth on the beach in January, the molting season in April and May, or the fall when the junior seals come to hang out and wait for the grown-ups to show up at the end of the year. If you are there for pupping season, go right after sunrise for the best chance to see the mothers giving birth.
Shaver Laker | Flickr/Dawn Ellner
Fresno County
Shaver Lake is not technically a lake so much as it is a reservoir. It is part of a series built in this section of the Sierra Nevadas by Southern California Edison in the early 1900s to create the Big Creek Hydroelectric Project. If you cruise up Highway 168 from the Central Valley on the weekend, though, it’s clear that Shaver’s industrial origins are the last thing on anyone’s mind—this is a sporting lake of the highest order. Jet skis whip past pontoons full of weekend warriors baking in the mountain sun, occasionally sliding off to dip into the freezing cold water. If you’re looking for serenity, the far side of the lake is full of hidden offshoots and free from structures, with plenty of empty beaches and forests to explore. And the surrounding area has more to offer, too, with great hiking trails and a decent (but small) ski mountain if you’re looking to get in some turns.
Mammoth Lakes
Skiers and snowboarders flock to Mammoth in the winter for the fresh plow and the versatile terrain, and—for those in the know—a natural après ski (or any time of year) relaxation remedy: a network of hot springs left behind from a volcano that exploded hundreds of thousands of years ago. Most of the springs are safe for soaking, and water temperatures range from 95 degrees to 105 degrees. Wild Willy’s (also known as Crowley’s) is a short walk from the parking lot and, in the winter, may be covered with snow, but there is a boardwalk, which makes it pretty accessible year-round (appropriate footwear required). At the end of the boardwalk, you’ll find two hot springs—the first can hold 30+ people, and the second one is heart-shaped, hotter, and only has room for a couple of folks—but both have stunning views of the Eastern Sierras that, combined with the restorative powers of a soak in a natural hot spring, will quickly remind you why California is such a magical place, while also making you forget whatever troubles are on your mind.
Zabriskie Point | Bill Perry/Shutterstock
Death Valley
Death Valley is probably best known as being one of the hottest places on the planet (it got up to 134 degrees in July of 1936), in addition to being the driest spot and home to the lowest point of elevation in North America. Skip the heat and visit in the fall or winter, which is a great time to see Badwater Basin, a sinkhole located 282 feet below sea level that was featured on the cover of the U2 album The Joshua Tree.
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Daisy Barringer is an SF-based writer who plans to happily spend the rest of her life exploring California. Follow her on Instagram @daisysf to see where her next adventure takes her.Ben Mesirow is an Echo Park native who writes TV, fiction, food, and sports. At one time or another, his writing has appeared in The LA Times, Litro, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency ,Los Angeles Magazine, and scratched into dozens of desks at Walter Reed Middle School.
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