Not far from Los Angeles, San Diego or Las Vegas, Joshua Tree National Park is a magnificent confluence of the Colorado and Mojave desert ecosystems. The park is framed by wind-blown desert terrains, enigmatic rock formations and gorgeous wilderness which enlivens its arid landscape. This desert park is home to numerous varieties of plants and animals that brave the climatic extremes and unpredictable rain. Even the park's namesake, the Joshua tree, resides here and blooms in the spring. With almost 800,000 acres (3,23,748.5 hectares) of land and three ecosystems surviving within it, the park offers glimpses of either a California Mountain Lion stalking its prey or a California Desert Bat flying overhead. Strewn across the park's seemingly-desolate expanse is a troupe of campsites, whereas its marvelous, inky black skies have been a subject of many astronomical observations. It also plays host to an array of activities like hiking, birding, and climbing.

Death Valley National Park is famed for its extreme arid temperatures. While it's difficult to believe, much can survive the sweltering temperatures, which go up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Centigrade), the park's desert wildlife proves otherwise. Home to the Bighorn Sheep, Coyote and the evergreen creosote bush, the desert changes through the seasons and offers up a burst of colors in spring when the wildflowers bloom spectacularly. Top scenic spots include Zabriskie Point, overlooking the multi-hued Furnace Creek, otherworldly Twenty Mule Team Canyon and the badlands, and the desolate Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

Considered to have existed for almost 760,000 years, the Mono Lake is among the oldest in the country. Boasting an extremely productive ecosystem, the desert lake has always been a source of wonder for many. The wonder only escalated when, after huge amounts of water were diverted to another location, massive calcium-carbonate formations were exposed. These geological formations, called tufa towers, are almost 30 feet (9 meters) tall. Owing to the mystique of the tufa towers, the rare flora and fauna, and the brilliant green shade that the lake takes on in spring, a large number of tourists visit this spot every year.

Azure blue skies and emerald green waters make up the magnificent Lake Tahoe and its surroundings. A large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe is located along the border of the US states of California and Nevada. It is considered the largest alpine lake in North America and was formed about 2 million years ago. During the summer, the lake is perfect for water sports, including swimming and scuba diving. During winter, the area is draped in sheets of soft white snow that make for ideal skiing conditions. On top of gorgeous mountain and lake scenery, there are also ski resorts, casinos and many more tourist attractions here.

A World Heritage Site, Yosemite National Park is a bountiful reserve nestled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, over 140 miles (225 km) to the east of San Francisco. Giant sequoias tower to dizzying heights at the Mariposa Grove, while the bare walls of the hulking Domes rise from the verdant depths of the valley. From the thunderous descent of the Yosemite Falls to the wildflower-laden Tuolumne Meadows, the Yosemite National Park is a tapestry of awe-inspiring spectacles, dappled with pristine lakes and etched with canyons; a maze of stark granite walls riddled with tumbling cascades that drench the scene in a cool mist. Amid the varied habitats of the Yosemite National Park thrive a fascinating variety of flora and fauna including the endemic Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. Visited by thousands each year, the Yosemite National Park continues to inspire awe in the hearts of all those who venture here. There are several permanent campgrounds and accommodations, dining options, a visitor center, and a myriad of hiking trails at the Yosemite National Park, weaving the perks of civilization through the heart of the wilderness.

Nestled in the midst of the Sierra National Forest, with lofty mountains and majestic pine trees forming a stunning background, Bass Lake is a popular tourist destination throughout the year. Just a few miles away from the gateway of the Yosemite National Park, it is also a census-designated place. It is said that when the Mono Indians came to inhabit this area, it was a lovely meadow with a creek flowing through it. The lake was formed after a dam was built on the creek for electricity. Known as Crane Valley Reservoir, it lost all its fish when a lumber company polluted the lake. It was restored and filled with bass, hence its present name. Today, it has a rich population of bluegill, bass, carp, rainbow trout, crappie, Kokanee salmon and catfish. This gorgeous reservoir with its warm turquoise waters and many marinas, offers several recreational opportunities. From fishing to swimming, boating to hiking, picnicking, wakeboarding, water skiing, water scooting and camping, there is plenty to do on its shores. Its north shore features three resorts, private cabins and vacation rentals. Don't miss this spot if you are looking for a memorable, mountain lake experience.

Big Sur is one of the most beautiful stretches of the California coast. This central-California locale encompasses several state parks, gorgeous beaches, and jaw-dropping views. Big Sur stretches from the Carmel River in Monterey County to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County. The beauty of this hard-to-reach landscape has attracted artists, adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts to its shores and trails. Visitors can enjoy hiking, kayaking, swimming, and many other outdoor sports while visiting Big Sur.

Burrowed deep in the sweeping Salinas Valley, this national park is characterized by a rather enchanting set of rock formations called the Pinnacles which were created as a result of ancient volcanic activity. Spread over 26,606 acres (10,767 hectares), the park attracts rock climbers as well as avid nature enthusiasts, thanks to its rocky and craggy landscape. Uninhibited drapes of wilderness adorn this park which boasts some of the best, most dramatic vistas that central California has to offer. A safe haven for creatures such as California condors, prairie falcons and Townsend's big-eared bats, the park, along with being a geological and archaeological site, is also endowed with a wealth of many natural wonders. The park is traversed by winding trails, while its mysterious rock formations glint in hues of fine golden under the candor of the Californian sun. Interesting places to explore at the park apart from the Pinnacles are the Balconies and Bear Gulch rock caves.

A gargantuan grove of trees that shoot from the slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains depict nature's unfathomable beauty. Named after the towering resident trees that dwarf every other being in its unencumbered swathe of wilderness, Sequoia National Park is home to a warren of wonders. Cliffs of the Sierra Nevada compete with the beauty of the General Sherman tree, the largest tree on Earth. While the front country of the park is largely cloaked by blue oak woodlands and mild river valleys, where the elusive mountain lion basks in the morning sun, the back country is characterized by an astonishing expanse of trails like the High Sierra, only accessible by horseback. A host of soul-stirring alpine journeys await hikers who strive to traverse the tapestry of trails.

Kings Canyon National Park is an extraordinary place of beauty and diversity. The park, located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range, has to its credit some of the most scenic natural wonders within its 461,901 acres (186,925 hectares). Towering sequoias filter the sunlight, watching over the park as silent sentinels. Nowhere are these ancient giants more astonishing than at the Redwood Canyon, the largest grove of its kind in the world. Carved into its surface are also some of the deepest canyons on Earth. Their rocky outcroppings and weather-worn cliffs are adorned with waterfalls running into basins so clear it's like peering into a mirror. A protected environment replete with exquisite landscapes and natural beauty, it's no surprise the park receives thousands of visitors every year.