Travel Guide to California

34 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA beaches. Farther north at Lassen Volcanic National Park, watch California take shape in the roaring fumaroles, thumping mud pots and boiling pools. Giants in the Mist While the Sierras are home to the heftiest redwoods, the state's fog-shrouded coastal range from Oregon to Big Sur boasts the loftiest—several are taller than the Statue of Liberty. These rare trees, once logged to near extinction, are now protected within California's redwood parks. At Humboldt Redwoods State Park, home to the largest contiguous old-growth redwood forest on Earth, drive the 31-mile Avenue of the Giants and make stops along the way to stroll among the titans. Founders Grove with its majestic 346-foot specimen is always a favorite. Visit in spring to see the pink redwood lilies and purple calypso orchids in bloom. Farther north and closer to the coast, the Redwood National and State Parks is a collection of four parks with miles of unspoiled coast and hiking trails. The tallest recorded coast redwood hides here, its location kept secret to protect it. How- ever, you can visit the remote Tall Trees Grove if you have a day to spare and want to nab one of the daily permits. But all the parks provide easy access to magnificent groves as well as picnic sites, campgrounds and trails for hikers, cyclists and horses. Burning Sands & Delicate Wildflowers Miles from the coast, California's deserts are lands of extremes. Vast Death Valley National Park holds the record for the hottest temperature, driest climate and lowest elevation in North America. It is also famous for its explosion of wildflowers after winter rains. For a bird's-eye panorama, stop at Dante's View. On the valley floor, walk the Badwater Salt Flats or take an afternoon drive to Zabriskie Point to snap the garishly colored badlands. Trips to Titus Canyon and the Racetrack take you deeper into the park's unique landscape, but only for those with proper vehicles and preparation. Unfortunately the road to Scotty's Castle remains closed due to flood damage. Furnace Creek Campground, one of nine in the park, with sites for RVs, groups and tents, provides a central loca- tion for exploring the park. Because of favorable weather and temperatures, fall to spring is the park's busiest time. The Mojave National Preserve is famous for its singing sand dunes and 7.6-million- year-old volcanic cinder cones. Joshua Tree National Park, a favorite with rock climbers, mountain bikers and birders, is home to the gangly tree that gives the park its name. While both have spring wildflower displays, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is legendary. Its flowers are usually the first to burst into color—catching the park's cactus bloom is the prize. To the Beach A visit to California is incomplete without spending time on the beach, but not all of them are the iconic white sandy kind. You will find black sand at Sinkyone Wilder- ness State Park on the north coast. At Mendocino Headlands State Park, bundle up and enjoy a beach walk with a view of the Victorian village. Closer to San Francisco, the sweeping arc of Point Reyes National Seashore is home to GARRAPATA STATE PARK at the gateway to Big Sur, left; climbing the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall in Yosemite National Park, below; giant coast redwood trees at Red- wood National Park, Humboldt County, opposite top; Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, opposite bottom. STATE & NATIONAL PARKS

• Cover