19 listed national monuments
Oak woodlands, chaparral and mountain habitats create a varied landscape north of the Bay Area. Choose a defined trail or scenic district for an outing that fits the season.
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Point Loma combines sweeping harbor views with a historic lighthouse and coastal habitats. A visit can move from maritime history to tidepool observation when tides and access permit.
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Offshore rocks and selected mainland areas protect a rich coastal environment. Public mainland viewing places offer the most straightforward way to enjoy scenery without disturbing wildlife.
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An open valley, seasonal wetlands and the San Andreas Fault create a distinctive California landscape. Wildflowers can be spectacular in favorable years, but the quiet grasslands deserve attention in any season.
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Forests, meadows and volcanic landscapes meet in an unusually diverse region. Choose a manageable public trail and enjoy the transition between contrasting habitats.
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Joshua trees, desert grasslands and mountain views distinguish this remote corner of the Mojave. It is a landscape outing for travelers prepared for sparse facilities and unpaved approaches.
Discover this place →Desert basins and rugged mountain ranges protect important habitats and places of enduring Tribal significance. Plan around a specific established public destination rather than the monument’s very large outline.
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At Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz, discover the work of César Chávez and the farmworker movement. The memorial setting and interpretation connect national change with a place of community and organizing.
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Geometric basalt columns rise near the San Joaquin River in a Sierra landscape of forest and meadow. A walk to the formation can be combined with a longer outing toward Rainbow Falls.
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Former military lands now offer grasslands, oak woodlands and a substantial network of recreation trails. Select a public trail suited to a relaxed walk or a longer active outing.
Discover this place →Groves of giant sequoias lie within a broader Sierra forest landscape. Select an open grove and allow time for a short walk beneath the trees.
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Lava-tube caves, volcanic landscapes and places connected with the Modoc War make a diverse visit. Above-ground history deserves attention alongside underground exploration.
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Sweeping desert basins connect volcanic features, dunes and historic travel corridors. A carefully planned drive reveals a quieter side of the Mojave beyond the freeway.
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Walk beneath towering coast redwoods along a shaded creek valley. Choose an easy main-loop experience or a longer connection into surrounding hills according to your group’s needs.
Discover this place →Canyons, high ridges and forested slopes offer a dramatic change of setting above greater Los Angeles. Choose a specific road corridor or trail that matches the day’s conditions.
Discover this place →Desert washes, foothills and mountain environments form a dramatic ecological transition. Lower-elevation nature areas and high-country hikes are very different outings.
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Steep mountain slopes rise above the Coachella Valley, linking desert habitats with cooler high country. Choose a visitor-center introduction, a foothill walk or a separately arranged mountain experience.
Discover this place →Forests and volcanic terrain around Medicine Lake protect landscapes of cultural and ecological importance. Choose a defined public destination and learn about the Tribal connections that give the area meaning.
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Historic places associated with the Tule Lake segregation center address the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans. Guided interpretation helps explain the site’s complex and painful history.
Discover this place →Different designations, with the same opportunity for a memorable visit.
A harbor crossing leads to a former federal prison, military site and place associated with Native American activism. The island’s views and stories reach well beyond its famous cellhouse.
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A broad collection of coastal and historic places surrounds the Golden Gate. Plan one district, such as the Marin Headlands or a San Francisco waterfront area, for a satisfying visit.
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