California Blog #36: The Art of National Parks

Here in the state of California, there are many national parks. There are five in NorCal, and there are nine in SoCal. So when I come here to California once again, my family and I will join Leta and Mark for a trip to a national park somewhere in the California area. And so to start this blog off, let’s begin with today’s top ten list. And let’s begin!

A.J.’s Top Ten National Parks

10. Redwoods National Park

In case you didn’t know, Redwoods preserves other indigenous flora, fauna, grassland prairie, cultural resources, portions of rivers and other streams, and 37 miles (60 km) of pristine coastline. In 1850, old-growth redwood forest covered more than 2,000,000 acres (8,100 km²) of the California coast. The northern portion of that area was originally inhabited by Native Americans that were forced out off their land by gold seekers and timber harvesters. Redwoods is also known for the Yurok Native American plankhouse constructed by redwood boards, and the tallest tree.

9. Joshua Tree National Park

This national park has some of the finest hiking in the California desert. The Indian Canyons feature more than 100 miles of hiking and horse trails, ancient palm groves, panoramic vistas and a huge, 60-foot seasonal waterfall, making it a feast for the eyes at every turn.

Fun fact of this place is that it’s famous for the album from U2.

8. Sequoia National Park

The U.S. National Forest is named for the majestic Giant Sequoia trees which populate 38 distinct groves within the boundaries of the forest. The Giant Sequoia National Monument is located in the national forest. It’s located at the southern Sierra Nevada east of Visalia, CA.

7. Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon is famous for its pine trees and snowy mountains, and it’s home to Grant Grove.

Originally established in 1890 as General Grant National Park, the park was greatly expanded and renamed to Kings Canyon National Park on March 4, 1940. The park's namesake, Kings Canyon, is a rugged glacier-carved valley more than a mile (1,600 m) deep. Other natural features include multiple 14,000-foot (4,300 m) peaks, high mountain meadows, swift-flowing rivers, and some of the world's largest stands of giant sequoia trees. Kings Canyon is north of and contiguous with Sequoia National Park, and both parks are jointly administered by the National Park Service as the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

6. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

If you haven’t heard of The Beach Boys song “Big Sur” or that Mac model from last year, get this.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is named after John Pfeiffer, who lived in a cabin on the property beginning in 1884. He was the son of Michael Pfeiffer and Barbara Laquet. The Pfeiffer family immigrated from France. Their son and his family were among the first European settlers in the area. In the winter of 1869, Michael and Barbara Laquet Pfeiffer were on their way to the south coast of Big Sur when they were forced to stop for the season in the Sycamore Canyon area near present-day Big Sur Village. They liked the area so much they decided against moving south again the following spring. They brought four children with them: Charles, John, Mary Ellen, and Julia. They later had four more: William, Frank, Flora, and Adelaide. After the Homestead Act of 1862 was passed by Congress, he filed for patents on his land in 1883 and 1889. Many features in Big Sur are named for the descendants of the Pfeiffers.

In 1930, John Pfeiffer was offered $210,000 for his land by a Los Angeles developer who intended to build a subdivision. Pfeiffer wanted to preserve the land he and his family had grown to love, and instead sold 700 acres (2.8 km²) to the state of California in 1933.

Now if you like the info of Big Sur, then you might get to hear the song about it by The Beach Boys.

7. Death Valley

Death Valley is the hottest place in the state of California. This national park is famous for those sand dunes, salt-flats, badlands, valleys, canyons, and mountains. Oh, this place is also famous for its location. Badwater Basin.

If you’re looking forward to a hot summer day camping here, then it’s best that you bring in a lot of ice cold water, snack foods, some juice or soda, and stay cool. Read. My. Lips. DON’T BE DEHYDRATED!

But enough of that one for now. In fact, the Sahara at Death Valley can be tough this time a day. If you haven’t visited that place yet, it’s a great place to ride bikes around.

6. Pinnacles National Park

Unlike other national parks, Pinnacles is most popular to visit in the spring season especially in the cooler months. During the spring, when the grasses are green and a variety of wildflowers can be seen along any trail, hiking is at its best. Fall and winter are also excellent times to visit.

5. Channel Islands National Park

Get this. Channel Islands is where you can go whale watching or dolphin spotting, go hiking, camping, wildlife watching, go fishing, go snorkeling or scuba diving. Duh!

This is a wild and remote environment with no services or amenities, and visitors need to bring everything they need for the day or night. The boat ride to any one of the five islands adds to the experience of visiting Channel Islands National Park, with common wildlife sightings including dolphins and whales. Other popular activities on all five islands include hiking, picnicking, and exploring the rugged shore in a sea kayak.

4. Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park is an American national park in northeastern California. The dominant feature of the park is Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world and the southernmost volcano in the Cascade Range.^[3] Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the few areas in the world where all four types of volcano can be found—plug dome, shield, cinder cone, and stratovolcano.

The source of heat for the volcanism in the Lassen area is subduction of the Gorda Plate diving below the North American Plate off the Northern California coast.^[5] The area surrounding Lassen Peak is still active with boiling mud pots, fumaroles, and hot springs.

Lassen Volcanic National Park started as two separate national monuments designated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907: Cinder Cone National Monument and Lassen Peak National Monument. Starting in May 1914 and lasting until 1917, a series of minor to major eruptions occurred on Lassen. Because of the eruptive activity and the area's stark volcanic beauty, Lassen Peak, Cinder Cone, and the area surrounding were established as a National Park on August 9, 1916.

3. The Santa Monica Mountains

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is a United States national recreation area containing many individual parks and open space preserves, located primarily in the Santa Monica Mountains of Southern California. Perfect for camping.

2. Devils Postpile National Monuments

One of seven national monuments in California, Devils Postpile protects a rare natural phenomenon and a towering example of columnar basalt. Within the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the National Monument is surrounded by rich recreation activity, including the long-distance Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Covered in deep snow throughout the colder months, Devils Postpile National Monument is most accessible during the summer months.

And now, your number one national park of California state.

1. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is the most popular national park surrounded on the southeast by Sierra National Forest and on the northwest by Stanislaus National Forest. The park is managed by the National Park Service and covers an area of 759,620 acres (1,187 sq mi; 3,074 km²)

Yosemite National Park is also famous for hiking and camping. You can also be on top of the Sierra mountain logo.

Phew! There you have it. My top ten national parks.

Do you agree with my list?

If you do, pick your choice of which national park we can all visit when the time comes.