California

California offers some great history and 4×4 destinations. The state boasts a history going back over 10,000 years with the Native Americans and was discovered by the Europeans in 1542. Since then, the state has seen dramatic population explosions and financial booms with the discovery of gold at Sutters Mill in 1848. California 4×4 trails allow the explorer an opportunity to see history and some outstanding landscapes. The great photographer Ansel Adams made his home here.

The southern half of California is mostly an arid land, while the central and eastern sections of the state feature some of the best mountain ranges in the world. The High Sierra range dissects the state down the middle and features Mt. Whitney at over 14,000 feet in elevation. Ever diverse, just about 120 miles away to the east, Death Valley features the second lowest elevation on Earth. The high peaks of the White Mountains host the oldest living tree, the Bristle Cone pine tree, and the coastal forests and western slopes of the High Sierra feature the worlds largest Redwood trees.

The western side of the state, features the higher population growth areas and the Golden State coastal landscapes are world famous for good reason. California is a large state with diverse landscapes, weather, people, culture and history.

All campfires and gas stove fires on public lands in California require a California Camp Fire permit which is free and available online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/

California Destinations and 4×4 Trails

National Forests

Angeles National Forest

Just minutes from the bustling streets of Los Angeles, Angeles National Forest offers over 700,000 acres of rugged beauty, towering peaks, deep canyons, and tranquil forests. Encompassing much of the San Gabriel Mountains, this “urban national forest” provides a refreshing escape for hikers, adventurers, families, and nature lovers. From snow-capped summits to cascading waterfalls, the forest delivers year-round recreation with stunning views of Southern California.

Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest

Spanning an awe-inspiring 6.3 million acres, Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest is the largest national forest in the contiguous United States. This vast landscape stretches across most of Nevada and into a portion of eastern California. Unlike traditional forests, it consists of numerous large, non-contiguous sections scattered across dozens of mountain ranges, creating a mosaic of extraordinary natural beauty.

Inyo National Forest

Inyo National Forest is a vast and spectacular United States National Forest in the eastern Sierra Nevada of California, with a small portion extending into western Nevada. Established in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt, it covers approximately 1.9 million acres (about 2,974 square miles) and stretches roughly 165 miles along the California-Nevada border, between the Los Angeles and Reno areas.

San Bernardino National Forest

Spanning nearly 823,000 acres in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountain ranges, San Bernardino National Forest offers a stunning escape from Southern California’s urban bustle. From desert foothills at 2,000 feet to alpine peaks soaringover 11,000 feet, the forest features dramatic elevation changes, diverse ecosystems, and year-round recreation. It includes eight designated wilderness areas, two national monuments (Sand to Snow and Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains), and some of the tallest mountains in Southern California.

California 4×4 Trails

California Ghosttowns

 

California Campgrounds

Important: if you want to have a campfire in California, you need a Campfire permit. http://permit.preventwildfiresca.org/

California Birds

California Mammals

California Reptiles

California Wild Flowers