Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is located approximately 300 km east of San Francisco and is one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States. The heart of the park is the Yosemite Valley, on the edges of the valley are vertical granite rocks that have been formed by glaciers. The most famous rock is El Capitan, which stretches almost 1,000 m into the sky.

The Sierra Nevada was created by plate tectonics, the American plate pushes itself over the Pacific plate. The Half Dome is the highest mountain in the Yosemite Valley at 2,675 m. The highest mountains in the national park are over 3,800 m tall.

The name Yosemite (Uzumati) comes from the Miwok people and means grizzly bear. The giant bears are extinct in Yosemite, but there are many black bears in the park. The bears plunder food supplies in tents and even open cars. Park management regulations should be taken very seriously when it comes to groceries in the park, the bears have a very good nose.

The Yosemite Valley was discovered by the whites in 1851 when a gold prospector militia passed by in the war against the Indians. They reported on the beauty of the area and the first visitors came a few years later. Yosemite National Park was founded in 1890.

The Yosemite National Park offers magnificent waterfalls in spring, but is worth seeing in every season. Roads can be closed in winter and the park can be closed in summer due to the risk of forest fires. You should inform yourself about the current conditions before arrival. Check out the link for further informations.

 

Yosemite National Park

www.nps.gov/yose

 

Stinson Beach

The crescent-shaped beach of Stinson is located about 20 km to the north of San Francisco, on a small strech of land between the Pacific Ocean and a lagoon. From here the costal "Highway 1" runs northwards in a valley for about 60 km, until it reaches the sea again at Bodega Bay.

 

Stinson Beach

 

Point Arena Lighthouse

If you continue the up to the north, you will pass the "Point Arena Lighthouse", which stands on rocks that are shaped like thin layers of pastry. "Point Arena" is located about 180 km north of San Francisco.

 

Lighthouse Rd., Point Arena

www.pointarenalighthouse.com

 

Fort Ross State Historic Park

This former Russian fort is located about 120 km north of San Francisco. It was used by a Russian trading company until 1841. Fort Ross was founded in 1812 and served as a trading post for skins. The small settlement should also produce food for the Russian colony of Alaska. Trade with the Spanish city of San Francisco was difficult for political reasons, but goods were exchanged. The name Fort Ross most likely refers to Rossiia (Russia). In 1841 Fort Ross was sold to a Mexican farmer called Sutter. The Russians leave the settlement for Alaska. In 1848 California fell to the United States. With the purchase of Alaska by the USA in 1867, Russian history in North America ends.

Today, Fort Ross State Historic Park is an open-air museum with log cabins, a windmill, and a Russian church. Here you get an impression of the hard life of the former settlers.

 

Highway 1, Sonoma County

www.fortrossstatepark.org

 

Hardy Creek Beach

From "Point Arena" another 90 km to the north, you will get to Hardy Creek at Rockport. Numerous cliffs have falled into the sea and offer a spectacular sight. Further to the north, the highway disappears in a forest, until it reaches the Pacific again at Eureka. 

 

Highway 1, Rockport

 

Redwoods National Park

Between Eureka and Crescent City the Highway 101 runs through coastal forests with mammoth trees. Here the road is also called "Redwood Highway". From Crescent City you will enter the "Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park". There are over 100 m high redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). Together with the "Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park", a large section of the coastal forests has been preserved.

 

Redwood Highway 

www.nps.gov/redw

 

Napa Valley

The famous wine growing area north of San Francisco is a popular excursion destination. The "Napa Valley" and nearby "Sonoma Valley" offer excellent wines and excellent restaurants.

 

Napa Valley

www.visitnapavalley.com

 

State Capitol Sacramento

Sacramento is the capital city of California, located about 130 km (80 miles) north-east of San Francisco. The city is surpassed by the "State Capitol" that was built in 1869.

 

Sacramento

portal.cityofsacramento.org

 

17 Mile Drive

17 Mile Drive is a famous coastal road on the Pacific between Monterey and Carmel. Monterey is around 150 km south of San Francisco. 17 Mile Drive is a private road and a fee is charged. The road is closed to motorcyclists, but 17 Mile Drive is free for cyclists. A popular photo motif is the Lone Cypress, a cypress that stands on a rock by the sea. There are many enchanting places to be found on the rugged peninsula, which is why 17 Mile Drive is one of the most famous coastal roads in the world.

 

17 Mile Drive

 

Mono Lake

Mono Lake is a lake with a very high pH and salinity. There are bizarre tufa formations on its banks. The animal species on and in the lake have got used to the special conditions. Mono Lake is located near Yosemite National Park, on the east side of the Sierra towards Nevada.

 

Mono Lake

 

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

The "Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park" is located about 400 southeast of San Francisco. The valley with the huge mammoth trees is sensational. The "Giant Forest" is home to the largest trees of Sequoia Park. The Kings Canyon is impressive with its beautiful streams, rivers and lakes. If you stay in the park, you should protect your food from the bears.

 

Sequoia and Kings Canyon

www.nps.gov/seki

 

Map of attractions in Northern-California

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California Nature Guide

Nature in Northern-Californa

San Francisco is home to great national parks and beautiful coastal landscapes. Do not miss the Redwoods, the Yosemite National Park and the 17 Mile Drive. The Golden Gate Park in San Francisco offers a Botanical Garden, a Japanese Tea-Garden and the Conservatory of Flowers

 

 

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National Parks in Southern-California and Arizona

 

If you follow Highway 1 direction Santa Barbara, you will pass the beautiful coast of the Big Sur. Southern California is dry and has several National Parks like Joshuatree, Mojave Desert and Death Valley.

In the adjoining state of Arizona there is the famous Grand Canyon and the Monument Valley

 

National Parks in Oregon

If you are heading north, you can drive along the wild pacific coast of Oregon or use the inland highway. Whoever chooses Freeway 5 should definitely make a trip to Crater Lake National Park. The "Crater Lake" is particularly worth seeing in the spring, when there is still snow around the volcano crater. 

 

 

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