THE US CALIFORNIA NATIONAL PARKS DESTINATIONS
U
S cities will always be a major draw for British
travellers, but it’s the natural scenery that keeps us crossing the Atlantic for more. California, more than any other state, presents a bewildering array of landscapes; it’s possible to explore parched desert terrain, snowy mountains, dense ancient forest and rugged coastal scenery all on a two-week fly- drive. In such a vast and varied state, it can be hard to know where to start, but happily the National Park Service, which celebrates its centenary this year, offers international visitors that most longed-for of experiences: holidaying the way the locals do. Home to more national
parks than any other state (nine in total) a road trip around its national parks is a direct route to the heart of California.
w YOSEMITE Best for: Dramatic glacier- sculpted geology and top-notch outdoors action. Stretching across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, 200 miles east of San Francisco, Yosemite is California’s busiest national park, with more than 3.7 million visitors each year. They’re not wrong: with spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves and enviable biological diversity, this belongs on every nature-loving traveller’s
bucket list. There’s no danger of getting bored, with abundant rafting, fishing, hiking, biking and rock-climbing opportunities. Avoid the super-busy summer months, and visit in spring, when wildflowers adorn meadows, or the snowy paradise that is winter, when beautiful Mirror Lake freezes, cross-country ski routes open and the hot tubs at rustic retreats seem like a very good idea indeed. For a huge post-hike lunch, head to 1850 for a burger.
1850restaurant.com Stay: Tenaya Lodge offers luxurious family-friendly cabins and rooms from £110. Rustic cabins at Yosemite Bug start at £45.
tenayalodge.com yosemitebug.com
w JOSHUA TREE Best for: Other-worldly desert landscapes and a hipster vibe. In recent years, visitor numbers
at Joshua Tree have soared, fuelled by its proximity to Los Angeles (a mere two-hour drive), well-palmed rock-climbing routes, rocky desert landscape and the undeniable Instagram-appeal of both the park and the quirky peripheral settlements, where a Wild-West-meets-1970s-hippy vibe pervades. More than any other Californian park, Joshua Tree is surrounded by characterful accommodation, such as vintage airstream trailer camps and retro motels, and excellent dining options, from the vegan fare at The Sisters Cafe to the
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