16 of California's most unbelievably beautiful places

At the edge of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains is this smaller, humbler, but no less stunning mountain range: the Alabama Hills. At the Alabama Hills Recreation Area, you can make the quick hike to the famed Mobius Arch, learn about movies and TV shows that were filmed here, study up on the Native American history of the area, and try your hand at backcountry camping.

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.

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.

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.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park contains nearly 600,000 acres of rugged desert beauty. Here, you'll see mountains, badlands, and washes with scrubby plant life, dotted by springs and oases. The best time to visit is the spring, when the landscape explodes with colorful flowers (even in the desert!) Camping here offers stunning views of the night sky as well.