Pinnacles was one of our most pleasant national park surprises. Just make sure to go early to beat the heat. This lesser-known California gem protects the dramatic remnants of an ancient volcano — towering rock spires, narrow talus caves, and some of the best condor viewing in the entire country. The hiking here is genuinely spectacular and refreshingly uncrowded compared to nearby California parks. Here’s everything we discovered so you can experience one of California’s most underrated national parks for yourself.
I don’t know if you have heard or read this online before, but we have seen folks say that Pinnacles National Park isn’t worth visiting. What?! We think otherwise! Yes, maybe it’s not as grand as Yosemite National Park, but it still deserves to be on the list. The best hike in Pinnacles National Park…
Planning a California National Parks itinerary? This 16-day road trip, essentially 2 weeks on the ground, covers five of California‘s most spectacular national parks in one sweeping loop through Central California: Pinnacles, Channel Islands, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite. Add in wine country, Muir Woods, Alcatraz, and San Francisco, and you have one of the…