Fun fact: Did you know California has the most national parks? Yeah, we got nine. So we’re the best.
Another fun fact: One of the national parks in California is a group of islands, and you can get there from L.A. in a couple hours or so.
If you can’t make it out, sorry. 🙁 Below are some photos.
The National Park Service has a week of themed days lined up, kicking off with International Park Prescription Day on Saturday, encouraging all to go reap the health benefits of the great outdoors. As a bonus, on #ParkRX Day everyone gets in for free. Other themed days include Military Monday, Friendship Friday and National Junior Ranger Day Saturday.
Yosemite National Park (4.5-hour drive from Los Angeles)
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Smoke shrouds the valley in Yosemite National Park as a wildfire burns nearby in July.
(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
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The trail to Yosemite Falls.
(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
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Paddleboarders head out on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley last June.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Yosemite Valley seen from the Tunnel View overlook last April.
(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
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El Capitan is reflected in the Merced River at sunset in February.
(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
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Visitors gather on a hazy day at Yosemite Valley in 2017.
(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Sequoia National Park (4-hour drive from Los Angeles)
A researcher climbs a tree in Sequoia National Park.
(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Kings Canyon National Park (4-hour drive from Los Angeles)
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South Fork Kings River at Road’s End at Kings Canyon National Park.
(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)
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Roaring River Falls at Kings Canyon National Park.
(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)
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A person jumps into the South Fork Kings River from Muir Rock at Kings Canyon National Park.
(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)
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Kings Canyon National Park.
(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)
Joshua Tree National Park (2-hour drive from Los Angeles)
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A Joshua tree at night.
(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)
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Rock formations at White Tank Campground in Joshua Tree National Park.
(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)
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A photo illustration of a Joshua tree.
(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)
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Cholla plants at Joshua Tree National Park.
(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)
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Keys View at Joshua Tree National Park.
(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)
Death Valley National Park (5-hour drive from Los Angeles)
Mesquite Dunes at Death Valley National Park.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Channel Islands National Park (1-hour boat ride from Ventura/Oxnard + 1-hour drive from Los Angeles)
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Anacapa Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, features a lighthouse completed in 1932.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
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Anacapa Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, is home to thousands of western gulls.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
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The best view on Anacapa Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, may be from Inspiration Point, which looks out upon the island’s middle and western islets. The island is a nesting place for thousands of western gulls.
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
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Hikers stand atop a cliff at Inspiration Point on Anacapa Island, Channel Islands National Park.
