Enjoy the parks less traveled

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles offers hiking, camping and rock climbing; its climbing routes range from easy to multi-pitch ascents. Keep an eye out for peregrine falcons, golden eagles and maybe the endangered California condor. Info: nps.gov/pinn

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park, about 50 miles east of Redding, is known for roaring fumaroles (steam and volcanic-gas vents), bubbling mud pots, boiling pools and steaming ground. Info: nps.gov/lavo

Channel Islands National Park

Visiting the Channel Islands requires some preparation. Services and stores are scarce. Transportation to the islands is available by park concessionaire boats, Island Packers (islandpack ers.com), and Channel Islands Aviation (flycia .com) or by private boat. Info: nps.gov/chis

Redwood National and State parks

Together, the National Park Service and California State Parks manage Redwood National and State parks in Northern California, just south of the Oregon border. Along with the tallest trees on Earth, the parks showcase vast prairies, oak woodlands and nearly 40 miles of coast. Info: nps.gov/redw

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoias, found in the Sierra, are larger in volume than redwoods. Sequoia National Park is home to General Sherman, the largest tree by volume in the world. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (they’readjacent) can attract crowds and create traffic jams, especially on weekends. But the parks also have remote backpacking hideaways such as Evolution Valley. Info: nps.gov/seki