California, Featured

The 30 MOST Beautiful Nature Spots In California

September 29, 2023

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the 30 most breathtaking California Nature Spots.

From the enchanting Ojai Valley to the awe-inspiring Hidden Valley in Joshua Tree National Park, each destination offers a unique and awe-inspiring experience.

Join us as we explore the unparalleled beauty of California’s natural wonders!

30. Ojai Valley

Located northwest of LA and east of Santa Barbara, Ojai Valley is running completely east-west.

That’s the reason for the so-called “pink moment”, a brief moment before sunset that creates a warm glow on the mountains. One of the most unique California nature spots for sure.

29. Big Bear Lake

This jewel of the San Bernardino National Forest is California’s largest recreational lake.

Worth visiting in all seasons, it offers spectacular sights around every corner: Mountains, forests, waterfalls, and lots of wildlife.

The trails in this area are perfect for all nature lovers.

28. Cypress Tree Tunnel

About 45 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, you’ll find Point Reyes National Seashore.

Here you can drive through a long, scenic tunnel of Monterey cypress trees.

Wake up early in the morning and you might see the sun rays shine through the tunnel.

27. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

At more than 4.000 years old, these are some of the oldest trees in the world in Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.

Their growth forms and the coloring of the wood is eye-catching and fascinating.

26. Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta is located about 200 miles north of Sacramento.

This potentially active volcano with its many trails, breathtaking waterfalls, and scenic lakes is always worth visiting.

The impressive view of Mount Shasta is visible from many miles away and one of the best nature spots in California.

25. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

California’s largest State Park is in the Colorado Desert of Southern California.

Although it’s just two hours from San Diego, Anza-Borrego is a different world. You’ll discover cactus-spotted slopes, badlands, palm oases, and canyons.

24. General Sherman Tree

Around more than 2000 years old, the General Sherman Tree is the largest known living single-stem tree on earth by volume.

Located in in Sequoia National Park, this tree is already 275 feet high and has a diameter of 25 feet. The giant sequoia adds enough wood to make another 60-foot tall tree yearly.

23. Mossbrae Falls

The Mossbrae Falls are considered one of the most scenic waterfalls in the state.

This unique waterfall is a moss-draped cliff where the springs coursing down the canyon wall create an effect of many waterfall streams.

It’s very unique and won’t disappoint.

22. Gray Whale Cove State Beach

About 18 miles south of San Francisco, this California State Park has a protected cove enclosed by cliffs dropping directly into the Ocean.

Gray Whale Cove State Beach has its name thanks to the gray whales that can often be spotted close to the beach.

21. Burney Falls

Burney Falls are located in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorials State Park, the second oldest State Park in California.

Even during the dry summer months, the Burney Falls provide an almost constant daily flow rate of 100 million gallons.

President Theodore Roosevelt even called the falls “the Eighth Wonder of the World”.

20. Bowling Ball Beach

Located in Mendocino County, Bowling Ball Beach is perfect for tide pooling!

Be sure to check the tide charts before visiting this beach though, as the rocks that look like bowling balls are just exposed when the tide is out.

19. Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley Vineyards

Here it depends on you: Napa is the more costly region, while Sonoma is more far-reaching and laid-back.

Sonoma Valley is twice the size of Napa, and produces far more grapes.

But both have romantic vibes and offer incomparable beauty.

18. Mendocino Coast

Mendocino County features more than 90 miles of dramatic coastline.

You can explore cliffs as well as quiet, protected coves, you can breathe in fresh, cool air, and experience panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

A well deserved spot on our list of the most beautiful California nature spots.

17. Vernal Falls

This 317-foot waterfall is among the most powerful in Yosemite National Park.

It flows the whole year, but by the end of summer it is considerably reduced and can split into multiple strands.

16. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Preserved by two marine protected areas, Point Lobos is known as the “crown jewel” of California’s state parks.

It’s one of the richest marine habitats in the state.

Australian-born landscape artist Francis McComas called this place the “greatest meeting of land and water in the world”.

15. Bumpass Hell

Bumpass Hell has the largest concentration of hydrothermal features in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

While walking the three-mile round-trip trail from the parking area, you’ll experience a stunning panorama of peaks, colorful soils, and turquoise pools.

14. Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

This place is located in the western Mojave Desert at an elevation ranging between 2600 and 3000 feet.

As the poppies don’t bloom all year round, be sure to visit during the wildflower season, which is from mid-February till May.

13. Algodones Dunes

Located near the border of Arizona and Mexico, this 8 by 40 miles large area is the largest mass of sand dunes in the state of California.

It has been used as the setting of movies like “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Star Wars”.

This is a unique and captivation nature spot in the great state of California.

12. Fern Canyon

This stunning mini canyon in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park was described by Steven Spielberg as “an unforgettable natural wonder”. It’s no surprise he chose it as a location for “Jurassic Park 2”.

While you won’t see towering redwoods here, sitka spruce and other conifers surround Fern Canyon.

11. Pebble Beach

Located on the Monterey Peninsula, this region is packed with natural beauty.

Walk along the boardwalk above the beach at Spanish Bay, enjoy watching the legendary Lone Cypress, and visit the giant trees at Crocker Grove.

Also Pescadero Point with its ghost trees is a unique destination with sun-bleached, overgrown cypress trees.

We’ve arrived at the top 10 California nature spots. Let’s start with…

10. South Tufa area at Mono Lake

Mono Lake is the oldest lake in North America and is home to some otherworldly natural features.

The tufa of Mono Lake are unusual limestone formations formed by carbon accumulations over thousands of years.

9. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes area is one of the most beautiful nature spots in Death Valley National Park.

Named for the mesquite tree that grows in the area, the dunes are known for dramatic shadows at dawn and dusk, as ripples and edges in the dunes are highlighted in higher contrast.

Observing Death Valley’s well-known dark night skies is also a great experience.

8. Channel Islands National Park

Although being close to the shore, the Channel Islands have been relatively undeveloped.

You can find over 2000 species of plants and animals in the National Park, including the Channel Island foxes, sea lions, seals, pelicans, and lizards.

Marine life around the islands ranges from microscopic plankton and dolphins to endangered blue whales.

7. Glass Beach

Located in Fort Bragg, Glass Beach is one of the most beautiful nature spots in California.

Mixed into the pebbles, you’ll find polished colorful pieces of glass which give this beach its name.

Till 1967, this place was a dumping site, and over the years, nature transformed the old, broken glass into the smooth, beautiful pieces that can be found on the beach.

If you want to want to learn about some other beautiful beaches, here are the most beautiful beaches in the US!

6. Muir Woods National Monument

This cathedral of redwoods houses trees that are several hundred years old and up to 250 feet high.

Redwood Creek flows the whole year through the park and there’s plenty of wildlife, including deer, owls, chipmunks, skunks, and river otters.

5. Catalina Harbor

Catalina Harbor, or Cat Harbor, as it is called by locals, is the calmest harbor on Catalina island, that offers a peaceful escape from the buzzing LA.

Due to it being cut deep into the island, the harbor is also sheltered from prevalent breezes and big waves.

Catalina Island also has some of the cleanest waters in the world.

4. McWay Falls

Located along Big Sur’s dramatic coastline, the McWay Falls are undoubtedly one of the best California nature spots!

The turquoise water in the breathtakingly beautiful bay, the magic waterfall falling directly on the beach, and the view of the Pacific Ocean create a gorgeous experience.

The McWay Falls are almost directly on Pacific Coast Highway, be sure to read here about its best stops!

3. Bridalveil Fall

This year-round flowing waterfall is, with 617 feet in height, one of the most prominent waterfalls in Yosemite National Park.

Impressive views and a breathtaking experience of the National Park’s natural beauty blend perfectly with a fairly easy hike to the vistas.

2. Emerald Bay

Mark Twain titled Lake Tahoe as “the fairest picture the whole earth affords”. Emerald Bay State Park is a big reason why.

Its amazing bay with Fannette Island right in the middle boasts some of the best views of the entire lake. This combined with Lake Tahoe’s crystal clear water makes the lake always worth visiting.

1. Hidden Valley

Our top ranked California nature spot is Hidden Valley in Joshua Tree National Park.

Hidden Valley is probably one of the most beautiful and scenic hiking trails in the park and offers a view of the enormous rock formations. It’s surrounded by the typical Joshua trees and all the other flora, including juniper, oak, yucca, and various cacti.