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42 2 0 1 5 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A CA.STATE & NATIONAL PARKS 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 wild- flowers 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. At Scotty's Castle, take a living-history tour to sample the life of one of the valley's most colorful settlers. 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. Fur- nace Creek Campground, one of nine in the park, with sites for RVs, groups and tents, makes for a central location 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 seven-mil- lion-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 wild- flower 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 the Mendocino Headlands State Park, bundle up and enjoy a beach walk with a view of the Victorian village. A HIKER assesses the salt in Death Valley's Badwater Basin, above; Castle Peaks sunrise in Mojave National Preserve, right. MARIDAV/SHUTTERSTOCK ; SIERRALARA/SHUTTERSTOCK . OPPOSITE: DAN SCHREIBER/SHUTTERSTOCK ; LUCKY-PHOTOGRAPHER/SHUTTERSTOCK