1/6 Smoke shrouds the valley in Yosemite National Park as a wildfire burns nearby in July. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 2/6 3/6 Paddleboarders head out on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley last June. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 4/6 5/6 El Capitan is reflected in the Merced River at sunset in February. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 6/6
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) 1/4 South Fork Kings River at Road’s End at Kings Canyon National Park.