California Parks and Recreation Areas with National Monument

Until the 1800's, many northern California coastal valleys were covered with coast redwood trees similar to those now found in Muir Woods National Monument. The forest along Redwood Creek in today's Muir Woods was spared from logging because it was hard to get to. Noting that Redwood Creek contained one of the San Francisco Bay Area's last uncut stands of old-growth redwood, Congressman William Kent and his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent, bought 295 acres here for $45,000 in 1905. To protect the redwoods the Kents donated the land to the United States Federal Government and, in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt declared it a national monument. Roosevelt suggested naming the area after Kent, but Kent wanted it named for conservationist John Muir.

Phone: (415) 388-2595   Price Range: $0 - $3   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Mill Valley   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Monument   Activities: Birding, Hiking, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs   Details Provided By: Muir Woods National Monument

Port Chicago Naval Magazine was dedicated as a National Memorial to honor the courage and commitment of the Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Merchant Mariners, and working civilians killed and injured in the largest homeland disaster during World War II. On July 17, 1944, 320 men, over 200 of which were African-Americans, were instantly killed when a loaded munition ship blew up during loading operations. The Memorial recognizes the critical role they and the survivors of the explosion played in winning the war in the Pacific. Port Chicago National Memorial was dedicated in 1994 by the survivors of that tragic event and their families, Naval personnel, and National Park Service. The explosion and its aftermath was a catalyst, one of many, that helped persuade the U.S. Navy and the military establishment to begin the long journey on the road to racial justice and equality following WWII.

Phone: (925) 838-0249   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Danville   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Monument   Activities: Birding, Wildlife Watching, Interpretive Programs   Details Provided By: Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

The Devils Postpile formation is a rare sight in the geologic world and ranks as one of the world's finest examples of columnar basalt. Its columns tower 60-feet high and display an unusual symmetry. Another wonder is in store just downstream from the Postpile at Rainbow Falls, once called “a gem unique and worthy of its name. When the sun is overhead, a bright rainbow highlights the spectacular Falls.

Phone: 760-934-2289   Price Range: $4 - $7   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Mammoth Lakes   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Monument   Activities: Backpacking, Birding, Cross Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Wildlife Watching, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs, Snowshoeing, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Devils Postpile

Lava Beds National Monument is a land of turmoil, both geological and historical. Over the last half-million years, volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano created an incredibly rugged landscape punctuated by cinder cones, lava flows, spatter cones, lava tube caves and pit craters. These lava tube caves, of which there are more than 500 in the Monument, are a favorite underground destination for visitors to explore.

Phone: 530-667-8104   Price Range: $5 - $10   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Tulelake   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Monument   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Snowshoeing, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Lava Beds National Monument

Rising out of the chaparral-covered Gabilan Mountains, east of central California's Salinas Valley, are the spectacular remains of an ancient volcano. Massive monoliths, spires, sheer-walled canyons and talus passages define millions of years of erosion, faulting and tectonic plate movement. Within the monument's boundaries lie 24,000 acres of diverse wildlands. The monument is renowned for the beauty and variety of its spring wildflowers. A rich diversity of wildlife can be observed throughout the year.

Phone: 831-389-4485   Price Range: $3 - $5   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Paicines   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Monument   Activities: Birding, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Sightseeing, Wildlife Watching, Interpretive Programs   Details Provided By: Pinnacles National Monument