The Top 20 Natural Monuments in California
California’s landscape is a beautiful place to explore — something that you can best experience by visiting one of our 20
beautiful natural monuments in California. To help you find the one for, you can see all the details you need to explore the best natural monuments, and better plan your next outdoor adventure!
beautiful natural monuments in California. To help you find the one for, you can see all the details you need to explore the best natural monuments, and better plan your next outdoor adventure!
Last updated: November 14, 2025
Half Dome Summit
Highlight • Summit
A long full adventure filled day is half dome. Starting at L.YV. or the Valley floor will be the two common approaches up Half Dome. The hike is strenuous and …
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Vernal Fall
Highlight • Waterfall
Vernal Falls is one of the most prominent waterfalls within Yosemite National Park and therefor also very popular. To get here, start at the Happy Isles trailhead and hike up …
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Mist Trail: Vernal & Nevada Falls, Yosemite
Highlight (Segment) • Waterfall
Two of the spectacular waterfalls of Yosemite National Park can, and have to be, accessed very closely along this hiking trail, which connects to the long-distance John-Muir-Trail. Nevada and particularly …
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Mariposa Grove
Highlight • Forest
This area has the highest number of imposing sequoias in Yosemite. Absolutely go there. In recent years, the area has been restructured to protect the plant world from human influences.
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Muir Woods National Monument Entrance
Highlight • Natural Monument
Dipsea Trail is one of the iconic paths across the flanks of Mt Tamalpais between Mill Valley and Stinson Beach. The route of a national race of endurance, this section …
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Four Mile Trail, Yosemite National Park
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
This trail begins near the base of Sentinel Rock and climbs to the top of Yosemite Valley at Glacier Point. The trail maintains a continuous steep grade, following the path …
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Coastal Trail - Land's End
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
Spectacular coastal and Golden Gate views from this trail that is part paved, part narrow climbing stairs through landslide areas that destroyed the former rail line built by Adolph Sutro, …
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Sea Lion Point
Highlight • Viewpoint
As part of Point Lobos, the Sea Lion Point & Cove offers an incredible experience. Among the diverse plant life and botanics, you'll likely be able to witness many sea lions and seals going about their day.
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Sand Hill Cove
Highlight • Beach
Part of Point Lobos, Sand Hill Cove features a stunning natural cove, with outstanding Pacific Ocean views and colorful rocks.
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Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Highlight • Natural Monument
Point Lobos is a protected area of south of Monterey, California. With a unique landscape, the area offers stunning hiking trails, diverse wildlife, and sea wonders for water and wildlife …
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Torrey Pines State Beach
Highlight • Beach
The beach trail leads you right down to where you'd expect. One of the things people love to do is to 1) park at the beach parking lot right after …
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Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Find even more amazing natural monuments in California by checking out the top Highlights region by region:
Santa Clara CountyTuolumne CountyKern CountyEl Dorado CountyTahoe National ForestCoast RangeMadera CountySan Mateo CountyPlumas CountySierra CountyVentura CountyLos Angeles CountySan Diego CountyMarin CountyMariposa CountyShasta CountyMendocino CountySan Bernardino CountyContra Costa CountyAlpine CountyHumboldt CountyRiverside CountyDel Norte CountyAlameda CountyTulare CountyOrange CountyModoc CountySanta Cruz CountySan Luis Obispo CountySierra NevadaSan Benito CountyInyo CountyFresno CountyButte CountyPlacer CountySiskiyou CountyTehama CountyTrinity CountySanta Barbara CountyCalaveras CountyMono CountyMonterey CountySonoma CountyShasta-Trinity National Forest
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UtahArizonaHawaiiNew YorkColoradoAppalachian MountainsSan FranciscoMaui CountyWyomingKauaʻi CountyVirginiaNevadaWashingtonHawaiʻi CountyOregonNorth CarolinaNew HampshireMaineGeorgiaMassachusettsSouth DakotaDistrict Of ColumbiaWashington D.CHonolulu CountyMarylandTennesseeTexasFloridaAlaskaMinnesotaSan FranciscoIllinoisOhioNew MexicoNew JerseyPennsylvaniaIdahoWisconsinOregon Islands WildernessSouth CarolinaMichiganWest VirginiaKentuckyMontanaAlabamaConnecticutIndianaVermontMissouriIowaArkansasNebraskaLouisianaNorth DakotaKansasOklahomaPuerto RicoMississippiMonroe CountyRhode Island
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