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bordering lakes and the ocean. Catalina Island and the kelp forests of Monterey Bay are popular diving spots, but be sure to wear a wetsuit in the chilly Pacific waters. Surf breaks range from 50-foot monster waves in Half Moon Bay to more gentle rollers around Manhattan Beach. Marinas dot the coast from north to south, where experienced sailors can rent power yachts for deep-sea fishing or sailboats to ride the winds. Moving inland, gentle streams and scat- tered lakes provide fertile sport-fishing grounds, while melting mountain snow can create raging rapids for kayaking and rafting enthusiasts, but those looking for a gentle river float on an inner tube with a beer cooler can still find their spots. Boating is popular with waterskiers and wakeboarders across the Sacramento Delta and at a huge number of marinas on lakes and reservoirs throughout the state. The Great Outdoors California boasts 32 national parks, seashores and monuments, 279 state parks and a plethora of wilderness areas, nature preserves and other outdoor playgrounds. With landscapes ranging from the sheer cliffs of Yosemite to the searing deserts of Death Valley and the scenic shorelines of the Channel Islands, California offers a lifetime of outdoor opportunities for the visitor. Exploration options range from multi-day backpacking trips for the hardy in remote areas such as Lake Tahoe's Des- olation Wilderness to relaxed hour-long walking tours through the gentle winding paths of Muir Woods, easily accessible from nearby San Francisco. A trip to the bubbling volcanic pools at Lassen Volcanic National Park or to the Dr. Seuss-like trees of Joshua Tree can make visitors feel they're on another planet, while sunset in Yosemite Valley with views of towering waterfalls can make you feel like you're in heaven. California's many mountains mean climbing is a popular activity, be it a hike up 14,505-foot Mount Whitney (the highest point in the continental U.S.) or technical rock climbing routes from the easy to the extreme in legendary areas such as Yosemite, Joshua Tree and Pinnacles national parks. California's state flag features a bear, and you may see some among the wildlife during your outdoor journeys. Black bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes and coyotes put the "wild" in California wildlife, but careful visitors should have no problem with them. Abundant migratory and native birdlife makes California a prime birding destination, while at sea, whale watching is a perennial tourist favorite. Even without an organized tour, visitors can walk to view sea lions on San Francisco and Santa Cruz piers, and observe sea otters playing in the surf at Monterey. 46 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 JOSHUA RAINEY PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK ; KAT CARNEY/SHUTTERSTOCK CA.SUMMER SPORTS ยป FIND YOUR FUN Biking bikecal.com labikepaths.com sfbike.org Boating dbw.ca.gov Climbing rockclimbing.com/routes/North_America /United_States/California rockclimbing.org Disc Golf pdga.com Horseback Riding horseandtravel.com /states/california Surfing surfline.com/travel surfingcalifornia.com CLIMBING in Southern California, above; surfing a big wave in La Jolla, right.