16 of California's most unbelievably beautiful places

When it comes to National Parks with steamy geothermal features, people usually think of Yellowstone National Park-- but it's certainly not the only park that's hot to trot. There's also California's Lassen Volcanic National Park. It's one of the only places in the world that has all four kinds of volcanoes, so you know a park that's packing that much heat is definitely gonna have some cool sights to see. From Bumpass Hell to Devils Kitchen, hikes here are marked by brightly colored pools, bubbling mudpots, and steaming geysers. Oh, and if you smell something a little funky, don't worry... it's just sulphur.

There are several units in Redwoods National and State Parks, each offering its own views of the majestic trees. Jedidiah Smith State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and Redwood National Park all feature groves of massive redwood trees. Visit one of the drive-through trees, hike around the stands of trees, and soak up the lush serenity of these special forests.

If you're road-tripping through Northern California, a drive along the Avenue of the Giants is a must. Once a part of Highway 101 (aka the Pacific Coast Highway), it's since been designated State Route 254. The 31.6-mile-long stretch of road takes you right through groves of California's oldest and tallest redwood trees, along the scenic Eel River, and past some pretty great roadside attractions.

Fort Bragg Glass Beach's colorful sand actually has a pretty gnarly past: The beach was once a dump established by local residents. The ocean pounded the glass bottles from the trash heap into small, smooth stones that gently washed back up on the beach. Visit and appreciate nature's gift for turning trash into treasure, but remember that you aren't allowed to remove any glass sand from the shore: Leave it for everyone to enjoy!

Central California has the country's prettiest beaches, hands down, bar none. They're rugged, foggy, secluded, and utterly breathtaking. They're not lined by boardwalks and souvenir shops like beaches on the East Coast or along the Gulf of Mexico. And if you're not convinced, take Point Reyes National Seashore as proof. Point Reyes is almost entirely separated from the mainland via a sunken rift in the San Andreas fault, and it's famed for its rugged coastal scenery, misty and hidden beaches, trails that wind past untamed fields of wildflowers, and rare and endangered wildlife.

McWay Falls, which tumble right onto the beach and are visible from one of the many scenic overlooks along the coast, are reason enough to visit Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, but Pfeiffer Beach and the camping add to the experience. The beaches, rocky coast, and lush forests, give you Big Sur at its best.

Yosemite National Park will always have a special place in the National Parks System. A favorite of famed naturalist John Muir, the Yosemite Valley offers iconic views from Tunnel View and Glacier Point... but even though pictures of this stunning park are everywhere, it's still worth visiting in person. Seeing the sweeping beauty in real life is an intense and heart-stopping experience.

You can find multicolored layers of sandstone worn into cliffs, buttes, and other rock formations at Red Rock Canyon State Park. Hike into the desert, and admire the striking views as you look for paleontology sites, the abandoned ruins of 1890s mines, and Native American petroglyphs.