West Coast · Redwoods to the High Sierra · Statehood 1850
Northern California
Region
Field Guide
The tallest trees on Earth, a Sierra lake 1,645 feet deep, and a granite valley with waterfalls over 2,000 feet. Northern California runs from coastal fog to snow country. These are three classics and one volcano that most visitors skip.
Updated October 2026 · Written by artist Nick Scacco
Classic Experiences
01.
North Coast · Redwood National and State Parks
Walk AmongCoast Redwoodson the North Coast
Redwood National and State Parks protect about 45 percent of the remaining old-growth coast redwood forest, along roughly 40 miles of the northern California coast. Coast redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth, with the tallest living tree measuring about 380 feet, and some are 2,000 years old. Walk Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Fern Canyon, or drive the Avenue of the Giants in nearby Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The location of the very tallest trees is not publicly disclosed, to protect them.
02.
Sierra Nevada · Lake Tahoe
CircleLake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe straddles the California–Nevada border at about 6,225 feet in the Sierra Nevada. At 1,645 feet deep, it is among the deepest lakes in the United States, and its clear water appears deep blue. The lake is about 22 miles long, with beaches, viewpoints at Emerald Bay and Sand Harbor, and trails in every direction. Summer brings swimming and boating, and winter brings skiing. Emerald Bay is one of the most photographed views in the Sierra. The 72-mile scenic drive around the lake takes about three hours without stops, so plan most of a day.
03.
Central Sierra · Yosemite National Park
Stand BelowYosemite Fallsin Spring
Yosemite Valley is a glacier-carved granite gorge where Yosemite Falls drops 2,425 feet in three tiers, among the tallest waterfalls in North America. El Capitan rises about 3,000 feet from the valley floor, and Half Dome and Glacier Point frame the other views. Waterfalls peak in spring snowmelt, and summer and fall are crowded, so check reservation rules and road closures before you go. Yosemite became a national park in 1890.
Little-Known Gem
Lassen Volcanic: theVolcano Most Visitors Skip
Lassen Volcanic National Park · Northeast California · Mineral
Most visitors head to Yosemite and skip the volcanic landscape in the northeast corner of the state. Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the few places where all four types of volcano are found: shield, cinder cone, composite and plug dome. Bumpass Hell has boiling mud pots and steaming fumaroles along a boardwalk, and Lassen Peak is a hike of about 5 miles round trip. Snow keeps the main road closed into early summer.
Northern California Travel Questions
What are the best places to visit in Northern California outside San Francisco?
Three classics are Redwood National and State Parks, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite National Park. A lesser-known stop is Lassen Volcanic National Park. Redwood and Lassen are far north, while Tahoe and Yosemite share the Sierra Nevada and fit into a week-long loop.
When is the best time to visit Yosemite?
Spring has the biggest waterfalls, summer opens the high country, and fall is quieter with color. Winter closes many roads and brings snow, so check conditions and any reservation requirements before you go.
Do I need a reservation for Yosemite?
Reservations have been required for entry or parking during busy periods in recent years. Requirements change, so check the National Park Service website before you plan your trip.