Summer and Fall California National Park Getaways

Ready for an August or September getaway that’s family-friendly, can be done inexpensively, and will be fun for all? National Parks to the rescue! Here are eight California national parks that make for a great family trip. Be sure to check out the sidebar with free entry days plus details on the various park passes.

CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

From Ventura (ferry ~1 ½ hrs), the Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands sparkle with marine wildlife. Late summer’s calm seas still allow snorkeling and kayaking; in fall you’ll often have beaches and sea lion haul-outs to yourselves.

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Skip summer altogether—plan a late-September or October visit to witness Zabriskie Point’s ochre hills at dawn, stroll the salt flats at Badwater, and climb the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes under mild skies. This land of extremes cools off just in time for fall exploration.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

Two hours east of LA, Joshua Tree’s yucca “forests,” Cholla Cactus Garden, and Echo Cove boulders are best savored in September through October when desert days cool and starlit nights beckon. Keys View offers panoramic sunset vistas over the Colorado and Mojave basins.

LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK

About five hours north, Lassen blends Cascade volcanoes and Sierra forest. Hike the boardwalks of Sulphur Works or Bumpass Hell’s mile-plus hydrothermal loop by Manzanita Lake; fall colors reflect in its glassy waters and bring cooler, bug-free afternoons.

PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK

Just over an hour east of Monterey, Pinnacles offers volcanic spires, talus cave loops (Moses Spring, Bear Gulch, Balconies), and beginner-level rock routes. In late summer, morning hikes beat the afternoon heat; fall brings softer light for picnics among the spires.

REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK

Nearly eight hours north, find Fern Canyon’s “Jurassic” walls, Tall Trees Grove (permit required), and coastal drives beneath cathedral-tall redwoods. Fall mist among ferns and fewer crowds make these ancient forests especially magical.

SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS

Seventy-five miles south, explore General Sherman (the world’s largest tree), Tokopah Falls, and Moro Rock in Sequoia, then drive through Tunnel Log and amble Congress Trail among towering sequoias in Kings Canyon. Fall’s clear skies reward summit views of Mount Whitney and golden meadows at Zumwalt.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Four hours northeast, Yosemite Valley’s flat, paved trails lead to Bridalveil, Vernal and Yosemite Falls, plus glacier-polished viewpoints at Tunnel View and Sentinel Bridge. Early fall foliage around Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and cooler Merced River swims make it perfect for families.

Whether you’re squeezing in a final summer splash or chasing autumn hues, California’s national parks deliver dramatic landscapes and family-friendly trails all the way through fall. Pack layers, plan ahead (permits, tides, ferry schedules), and enjoy the season’s best outdoor classrooms.

NATIONAL PARK PASS OPTIONS

ACCESS PASS

COST: Free lifetime
ELIGIBILITY: US citizens/permanent residents with permanent disabilities
PERKS: Same 50% amenity-fee discounts as Senior Pass

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL ANNUAL PASS

COST: $80 (valid 12 months from purchase)
COVERS: Entrance and standard amenity fees at 2,000+ federal sites for vehicle + passengers (or up to four adults at per-person fee areas); kids 15 and under free

MILITARY PASS

COST: Free
ELIGIBILITY: Active duty US military, dependents, veterans, Gold Star families
COVERS: Same benefits as Annual Pass for 12 months (renewable)

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 4TH-GRADE ANNUAL PASS

COST: Free
ELIGIBILITY: US 4th-graders (or 10-year-olds)
COVERS: Free entry for the student and up to three accompanying adults, valid September–August

SENIOR PASS

COST: $80 lifetime (or $20 annual alternative)
ELIGIBILITY: US citizens/permanent residents age 62+
PERKS: 50% off certain amenity fees (camping, boat launch, interpretive programs)

VOLUNTEER PASS