California has so many beautiful landscapes. From the high Sierra mountains to the impressive California coastline, there is always somewhere new to visit & enjoy. Pack a picnic, grab your hiking boots & make an overnight trip of it. Several areas are designated National Monuments, some of which have become National Parks. The photo below is taken from the massive granite dome called 'Dome Rock', near the Needles, on the Western Divide Highway (inside the new Giant Sequoia NM, which is part of the Sequoia National Forest). Both granite locales are popular rock climbers destinations for the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains.

California National Monuments	Maps	nearby town	county
Cabrillo National Monument Devils Postpile National Monument Giant Sequoia National Monument Lava Beds National Monument Muir Woods National Monument Pinnacles National Monument	. map map . map map	San Diego Mammoth Lakes Ponderosa Alturas Stinson Beach Hollister	San Diego Mono Tulare Modoc Marin San Benito

Recently, this park was added to the National Monument status:

In the year 2000, Giant Sequoia National Monument was honored w/ added protection

These California National Monuments have become National Parks:

In 1994, Joshua Tree National Monument was declared Joshua Tree National Park

In 1994, Death Valley National Monument was declared Death Valley National Park

Campgrounds near National Monuments Cabrillo NM: Silver Strand State Beach Campground Devils Postpile NM: Agnew Horse Camp Pumice Flat Group Campground Giant Sequoia NM: Quaking Aspen Campground Redwood Meadow Campground Long Meadow Campground Belnap Campground Coy Flat Campground Muir Woods NM: Samuel P Taylor Redwoods Campground Mount Tamalpias Campground

This spectacular geologic feature is hidden behind Mammoth Mountain. Sure you've seen the signs on Hwy 395 for Devil's Postpile NM.