California Parks and Recreation Areas with National Park - Page 2

The World War II Home Front is a significant chapter in Americas history. Fully engaged in winning World War II, American women, minorities, and men worked toward a common goal in a manner that has been unequaled since. Women affectionately known as "Rosies" helped change industry and had sweeping and lasting impacts. Richmond, California played a significant and nationally recognized part in the World War II Home Front. The four Richmond shipyards, with their combined 27 shipways, produced 747 ships, more than any other shipyard complex in the country. Richmond was home to 56 different war industries, more than any other city of its size in the United States. The city grew nearly overnight from 24,000 people to 100,000 people, overwhelming the available housing stock, roads, schools, businesses and community services.

Phone: 510 232-5050   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: South Richmond   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park, National Historic Site   Activities: Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Boating and Watercraft, Kayaking, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Nature Walks   Details Provided By: Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park

Comprised of five in a chain of eight southern California islands near Los Angeles, Channel Islands National Park is home to a wide variety of nationally and internationally significant natural and cultural resources. Over 2,000 species of plants and animals can be found within the park. However only four mammals are endemic to the islands. One hundred and forty-five of these species are unique to the islands and found nowhere else in the world.

Phone: 805-658-5730   Price Range: $0 - $735   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Ventura   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Backpacking, Birding, Boating and Watercraft, Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Nature Walks, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Channel Islands

For thousands of years, Native Americans called the Ohlone managed and harvested the natural bounty of what is now the Presidio. In 1776, Spanish soldiers and missionaries arrived, forever disrupting Ohlone culture and beginning 218 years of military use of the area just south of the Golden Gate.

Phone: (415) 561-4323   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: San Francisco   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Fishing, Hiking, Auto Touring, Nature Walks   Details Provided By: Presidio of San Francisco

These parks are home to giants: immense mountains, deep canyons, and huge trees. Thanks to their huge elevational range, 1,500' to 14,491', these parks protect stunningly diverse habitats. The Generals Highway climbs over 5000 feet from chaparral and oak-studded foothills to the awe-inspiring sequoia groves. From there, trails lead to the high-alpine wilderness which makes up most of these parks. Beneath the surface lie over 200 fascinating caverns.

Phone: 1-559-565-3341   Price Range: $0 - $5   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Three Rivers   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Cross Country Skiing, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Sightseeing, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Interpretive Programs, Star Gazing, Tours   Details Provided By: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Death Valley is a land of extremes. It is one of the hottest places on the surface of the Earth with summer temperatures averaging well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It encompasses the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere at 282 feet below the level of the sea, and it is the driest place in North America with an average rainfall of only 1.96 inches a year.

Phone: (760) 786-3200   Price Range: $5 - $10   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Death Valley   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Death Valley National Park

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges. Native land mammals number about 37 species and marine mammals augment this total by another dozen species. The biological diversity stems from a favorable location in the middle of California and the natural occurrence of many distinct habitats. Nearly 20% of the State's flowering plant species are represented on the peninsula and over 45% of the bird species in North America have been sighted. The Point Reyes National Seashore was established by President John F. Kennedy on September 13, 1962.

Phone: (415) 464-5100   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Point Reyes Station   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Wildlife Watching, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs   Details Provided By: Point Reyes National Seashore