California Parks and Recreation Areas - Page 2

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

Located at the west end of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, this park includes the fleet of national historic landmark vessels at Hyde Street Pier, a visitor center, a maritime museum, and a library/research facility. Visitors can board turn-of-the-century ships, tour the museum and learn traditional arts -- like boatbuilding and woodworking. The Park offers educational, music and craft programs for all ages, and provides unique opportunities for docents, interns and volunteers to learn more about the nation's maritime heritage.

Phone: (415)447-5000   Price Range: $0 - $5   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: San Francisco   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park, National Historic Site   Activities: Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Wildlife Watching   Details Provided By: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

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

Lake based recreational opportunities are Whiskeytowns primary focus during the hot and dry summer months. Whiskeytown Lake provides 36 miles of shoreline and 3,200 surface acres of water, and is excellent for most water-related activities including swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing and scuba diving. Personal Watercraft are prohibited on Whiskeytown lake, but are still allowed on Shasta and Trinity Lakes. Whiskeytown Lake has become a popular area for kayaking, long distance swimming and rowing. Ranger guided programs are offered during the summer months and include free kayak tours! Year round activities include picnicking, hiking, mountain bike riding, horseback riding, trail running, photography, bird watching and wildlife viewing on and near the lake, as well as in the mountainous back country. California 1849 Gold Rush history and remains are also found at Whiskeytown.

Phone: 530 242-3400   Price Range: $0 - $5   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Whiskeytown   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Boating and Watercraft, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting and Shooting, Kayaking, Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

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

Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps at which Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were interned during World War II. Located at the foot of the imposing Sierra Nevada in eastern California's Owens Valley, Manzanar has been identified as the best preserved of these camps.

Phone: (760) 878-2932   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Independence   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Historic Site   Activities: Birding, Auto Touring, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Manzanar National Historic Site

Yosemite National Park embraces a spectacular tract of mountain-and-valley scenery in the Sierra Nevada, which was set aside as a national park in 1890. The park harbors a grand collection of waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves of giant sequoias, the world's largest living things. Highlights of the park include Yosemite Valley, and its high cliffs and waterfalls; Wawona's history center and historic hotel; the Mariposa Grove, which contains hundreds of ancient giant sequoias; Glacier Point's (summer-fall) spectacular view of Yosemite Valley and the high country; Tuolumne Meadows (summer-fall), a large subalpine meadow surrounded by mountain peaks; and Hetch Hetchy, a reservoir in a valley considered a twin of Yosemite Valley.

Phone: 209-372-0200   Price Range: $0 - $10   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Yosemite National Park   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Boating and Watercraft, Cross Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs, Snowshoeing, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Yosemite National Park

Beneath Lassen Volcanic's peaceful forests and gem-like lakes lies evidence of a turbulent and fiery past. 600,000 years ago, the collision and warping of continental plates led to violent eruptions and the formation of lofty Mt. Tehama (also called Brokeoff Volcano.) After 200,000 years of volcanic activity, vents and smaller volcanoes on Tehama's flanks-including Lassen Peak-drew magma away from the main cone. Hydrothermal areas ate away at the great mountain's bulk. Beneath the onslaught of Ice Age glaciers, Mt. Tehama crumbled and finally ceased to exist. But the volcanic landscape lived on: in 1914, Lassen Peak awoke. The Peak had its most significant activity in 1915 and minor activity through 1921. Lassen Volcanic became a national park in 1916 because of its significance as an active volcanic landscape.

Phone: (530) 595-4444   Price Range: $0 - $10   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Mineral   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Backpacking, Birding, Boating and Watercraft, Cross Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Interpretive Programs, Snowshoeing, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Lassen Volcanic National Park

Santa Monica Mountains rise above Los Angeles, widen to meet the curve of Santa Monica Bay and reach their highest peaks facing the ocean, forming a beautiful and multi-faceted landscape. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is a cooperative effort that joins federal, state and local park agencies with private preserves and landowners to protect the natural and cultural resources of this transverse mountain range and seashore.

Phone: (805) 370-2300   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Thousand Oaks   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Boating and Watercraft, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

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