Best Time to Visit California National Parks
California has 23 National Park Service units that report visitation. Below, each is ranked by annual visits, with the month our data recommends for the best balance of light crowds, comfortable weather and daylight. Crowds peak in summer almost everywhere — the recommended months show where the quieter shoulder seasons fall.
| Park | Annual visits | Best time | Busiest | Quietest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden GateNational Recreation Area | 15,748,676 | February | Aug | Jan |
| YosemiteNational Park | 4,278,413 | May | Jul | Jan |
| San Francisco MaritimeNational Historical Park | 2,944,483 | November | Jul | Jan |
| Joshua TreeNational Park | 2,932,644 | September | Mar | Jul |
| Point ReyesNational Seashore | 2,429,601 | March | Jul | Mar |
| Death ValleyNational Park | 1,320,134 | January | Mar | Jun |
| RedwoodNational and State Parks | 1,202,480 | October | Jul | Feb |
| Fort PointNational Historic Site | 1,010,870 | November | Aug | Jan |
| CabrilloNational Monument | 845,912 | September | Jul | Sep |
| WhiskeytownNational Recreation Area | 763,798 | October | Jul | Dec |
| Muir WoodsNational Monument | 756,573 | October | Jul | Feb |
| Santa Monica MountainsNational Recreation Area | 722,626 | December | May | Dec |
| MojaveNational Preserve | 569,844 | August | Nov | Aug |
| Lassen VolcanicNational Park | 504,777 | May | Jul | Feb |
| PinnaclesNational Park | 343,208 | September | Mar | Sep |
| Channel IslandsNational Park | 227,186 | November | Jul | Jan |
| Lava BedsNational Monument | 143,659 | September | Jul | Jan |
| ManzanarNational Historic Site | 95,764 | March | Jul | Jan |
| John MuirNational Historic Site | 38,384 | September | Apr | Dec |
| Rosie the Riveter WWII Home FrontNational Historical Park | 34,913 | October | Jul | Jan |
| César E. ChávezNational Monument | 31,497 | August | Apr | Dec |
| Eugene O'NeillNational Historic Site | 14,881 | January | May | Jan |
| Tule LakeNational Monument | 4,868 | September | Aug | Jan |