1. Sequoia National Parks (1890), the 2nd oldest National Park - these two adjoining parks, contain a significant southern portion of the Sierra Nevada (Spanish for "Snowy Mountain Range"), that extends for 400 miles (640 km) north-to-south, and approximately 70 mi. (110 km) wide. Within the parks domain are the Sequoia Trees, the largest trees (not tallest) on Planet Earth - also on the western side of the park is Mt. Whitney, the tallest (14,496 ft. - 4,418 m) peak in the contiguous 48 U.S. states.

2. Kings Canyon (1940), attached north of Sequoia NP.

3. Yosemite National Park (1890, 3rd oldest National Park) - also a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Natural). Yosemite presents a glaciated landscape of U-shaped canyons, jagged peaks, rounded domes, and waterfalls. The Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall (2,425 ft. - 739 m) in North America is also located in the park.

4. John Muir Wilderness Area (1964) - lies along the eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The eastern side of Mt. Whitney is located in this area, in the Inyo National Forest. This wilderness area also contains the largest contiguous area above 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in the continental United States.