Are you planning a tremendous journey to California and need to additionally expertise the greatest National Parks close to Los Angeles? Los Angeles is likely one of the greatest cities in the whole world, however many guests are unaware of the encompassing pure landmarks and nationwide parks!
Los Angeles has loads of totally different vacationer points of interest, however if you wish to take full benefit of the realm, you’ll be able to mix your go to with driving journeys to a number of National Parks across the metropolis.
National Parks Near Los Angeles
There are a number of nice National Parks round Los Angeles which might be inside simple driving distance, however if you happen to actually need to get pleasure from the whole lot that the realm has to supply, there are additionally loads of National Recreational Areas, National Preserves, State Parks, and National Conservation Areas. If you add these to your listing of locations to go to, you should have an nearly limitless variety of stunning locations!
1. Channel Islands National Park
Distance: 60 miles, Driving time: 2 hours
The closest nationwide park to Los Angeles, 5 of the eight Channel Islands are protected and make up the Channel Islands National Park. To entry this park, you’ll be able to take the ferry from Ventura for less than $30.
There are over 2,000 plant and animal species to see and uncover on these islands, which is why they’re generally known as the “Galapagos of North America.”
You will little doubt see dolphins, sea lions, seals, and whales within the waters round these islands, even in your method there. If you need to discover some pristine islands and see what wildlife this space has to supply, the Channel Islands needs to be in your listing of locations to go to.
2. Sand to Snow National Monument
Distance: 100 miles, Driving time: 2 hours
Sand to Snow National Monument is likely one of the three recently-created nationwide monuments in southern California and will get its identify due to the big selection of elevations it comprises. It has nearly each habitat kind you’ll be able to think about, from sandy deserts to snow-capped mountains.
This National Monument sits subsequent to Joshua Tree National Park, so it’s a great spot to go to in case you are already visiting and within the space.
At solely a brief 2 hour drive from Los Angeles, this National Monument has so many various habitats and terrain that you’re certain to seek out no matter you’re in search of right here!
3. Joshua Tree National Park
Distance: 120 miles, Driving time: 2.5 hours
Joshua Tree National Park is discovered subsequent to Sand to Snow National Monument and options loads of rocks and boulders scattered across the Joshua bushes, from whom the park will get its identify.
From tenting, mountaineering, biking, and mountain climbing, there are many totally different actions for nearly anybody who visits this park and views the attractive environment.
Joshua Tree can also be thought of the most effective locations for stargazing in the whole nation. At solely 2 and a half hours from LA, it is a nice park to take a day journey and go to from town.
4. Sequoia National Park
Distance: 200 miles, Driving time: 4 hours
Sequoia National Park is one among California’s hottest nationwide parks and is true subsequent to Kings Canyon National Park. These parks are discovered within the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains and are a few 4-hour drive.
Sequoia provides many pure wonders to see, together with General Sherman, which is the most important dwelling tree in the whole world.
This park can also be house to the Giant Forest, which is house to 5 of the world’s ten largest bushes. It can also be house to Mount Whitney, the very best mountain discovered within the continental United States. This is one park you gained’t need to miss!
5. Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Area and State Park
Distance: 200 miles, Driving time: 4 hours
Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Area and State Park are present in Morro Bay, a number of hours north of Los Angeles. On the bay’s northern finish lies a saltwater marsh that helps an infinite chook inhabitants.
Here you will discover loads of actions to do, together with kayaking, fishing, mountaineering, and chook watching. There can also be a museum and golf course for individuals who need much more.
In addition to being a superb ocean and marine park, there are additionally some nice mountains and trails all through the park. Two of the Nine Sisters, a sequence of volcanic peaks, are discovered right here.
6. Montana de Oro State Park
Distance: 200 miles, Driving time: 4 hours
Montana de Oro State Park is discovered 4 hours from Los Angeles and vies guests with wonderful views of ocean bluffs and scenic shoreline. In reality, this park covers round 8,000 acres and comprises over 7 miles of shoreline.
This park has loads of totally different mountaineering and biking trails, together with many who climb one of many surrounding hills and summits to offer you some breathtaking views.
Montana de Oro State Park additionally provides guests the choice of tenting with loads of area in a 50-site campground within the middle of the park. From the ocean views to the mountaineering trails, this park is nicely well worth the drive from LA!
7. Death Valley National Park
Distance: 210 miles, Driving time: 4 hours
Death Valley National Park holds the report for being the most important nationwide park within the continental United States. Because of this, it covers a big number of landscapes, from sand dunes to alpine mountain peaks.
If you actually need to escape the crowds of town, this place is the proper location to do it. While there are a few developed areas to go to, the remainder of this large park is pure wilderness to discover.
Death Valley National Park has loads of landmarks to see as nicely, together with the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin, Artist’s Drive, and Dante’s View.
8. Mojave National Preserve
Distance: 220 miles, Driving time: 4 hours
While it isn’t technically a nationwide park, Mojave National Preserve is the third-largest location run by the nationwide park service within the United States. With a lot land to discover, this protect has loads of totally different terrain and habitats to see.
From the entire mountaineering and tenting to the limitless issues to see, only a few folks ever get to expertise all of this protect simply due to how massive it really is.
If you go to the park, try a number of widespread spots just like the Kelso Depot, an outdated railroad station that’s now a museum within the space. Mojave cross and the Joshua tree forest are additionally widespread locations that you simply gained’t need to miss!
9. Kings Canyon National Park
Distance: 240 miles, Driving time: 4.5 hours
Kings Canyon National Park lies proper subsequent to Sequoia National Park, and most of the people will go to each parks on the identical go to. With among the identical stunning surroundings, Kings Canyon has some wonderful hikes as nicely.
Here you too can hike amongst big bushes, particularly at locations like Cedar Grove and Grant Grove, which is the place one can find General Grant, the world’s second-largest dwelling tree.
The spotlight of Kings Canyon National Park is its namesake, Kings Canyon. This is likely one of the deepest canyons within the nation and is greater than a mile deep. A scenic freeway connects Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks and is a superb place to journey from LA!
10. Pinnacles National Park
Distance: 270 miles, Driving time: 5 hours
Because of parks like Death Valley, Sequoia, and Yosemite in California, parks like Pinnacles National Park are sometimes ignored. But a fast 5-hour drive from Los Angeles will lead you to this hidden gem within the wilderness.
Pinnacles National Park is discovered on the well-known San Andreas Fault inside an enormous volcanic discipline. The fault cut up the realm in half, creating the rock formations discovered on the park.
While different nationwide parks are a lot bigger and acquire far more consideration than this one, it is a nice nationwide park that always has a lot fewer crowds than the others.
11. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Distance: 280 miles, Driving time: 5 hours
As its identify implies, the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is house to some very outdated bushes. In reality, these bushes are the oldest on the earth, a lot of that are greater than 4,000 years outdated.
Found at 11,000 ft above sea stage, this forest is a superb place to get out and hike to flee the warmth and hike on some wonderful trails.
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is normally open from the center of May to the tip of November, relying on the climate, and likewise has loads of issues to do and see at its customer’s middle. The 5-hour drive from Los Angeles is nicely value it!
12. Yosemite National Park
Distance: 280 miles, Driving time: 5 hours
Download the official Yosemite National Park Map (PDF)
Yosemite may be the preferred nationwide park in California, and it’s simple to see why. This nationwide park has the whole lot from the waterfalls to the considerable wildlife, all the best way to the rock formations and scenic drives.
Although this nationwide park is extraordinarily overcrowded through the summer season months, that is one place that you need to go to a minimum of as soon as in your life.
Some widespread landmarks right here embody El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Bridalveil Falls. This park has nearly each terrain and pure habitat that you can imagine, so there’s certain to be one thing for everybody right here.
Are you planning an epic journey to Yosemite? Make certain to verify the articles under:
National Parks Near Los Angeles | Conclusion
Los Angeles is likely one of the largest cities on the earth, so many would discover it shocking that there are such a lot of pure wonders round it to see and discover. It is difficult to seek out any metropolis within the United States that’s in such shut proximity to so many nationwide parks and pure landmarks of the southwest, however Los Angeles is well the most effective!