The American West, land of national parks
If California is considered the park state, it was Wyoming that saw the birth of the world's first classified National Park, in 1872: Yellowstone. The concept originated with naturalists concerned about the preservation of natural areas, and was soon followed by other citizens. Scottish writer John Muir (1838-1914), for example, worked to protect the environment of the Sierra Nevada and the Yosemite site.
Today, the Golden State is renowned for the richness and diversity of its national parks, which can be categorized according to distinct characteristics:
Desert parks: the most emblematic is probably Death Valley National Park, 420 kilometers north of Los Angeles, right next to Nevada. Also worth mentioning is the less-frequented Joshua Tree National Park, 210 kilometers east of the City of Angels.
Coastal parks: such as Point Reyes National Seashore - 60 kilometers north of San Francisco - offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Ideal for watching the sun go down and spotting sea lions and whales.
Redwood forests: reaching heights of over 90 metres, these majestic redwoods are preserved in two outstanding parks: Redwood National Park, 500 kilometers north of San Francisco, and Sequoia National Forest, 350 kilometers north of Los Angeles.
Mountain parks: if we had to name just one, it would be Yosemite National Park, 270 kilometers east of San Francisco. It combines sumptuous scenery with valleys, Sierra Nevada mountains and redwood forests.
Filled with canyons and extraordinary rock formations, the other states of the American West are not to be outdone when it comes to national parks. A must-see is Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park, a gigantic horseshoe-shaped natural amphitheatre featuring countless hoodoos - nicknamed "fairy chimneys" - shaped by erosion. The state also boasts the sublime Zion National Park, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas in the country. And it's hard to overlook Arizona's inimitable Grand Canyon National Park.
The emblematic species of the Californian flora and fauna
The development of plant and animal species is particularly favored in California. This is due to a multitude of microclimates and a vast expanse of forests, covering almost 40% of the state's territory, still preserved thanks to measures taken by naturalists.
The grizzly bear: now the country's emblem, the grizzly disappeared from California in 1922. However, there are plans to reintroduce it.
The gray whale: every year, it migrates along the coast in winter, from November to April.
Sea lion: equally present in the north and south of the state. However, fans of The World of Nemo (2003) will want to head to San Francisco's Pier 39 to catch a glimpse of the sea lion battalion depicted in the animated film.
Zerene eurydice(California Dogface ): this endemic butterfly species, with its beautiful yellow, pink and black hues, is one of the symbols of the Golden State; it is a formidable competitor to the hummingbird in the quest for nectar.
Giant sequoia: along with the pine, this is the tree most commonly found in California. There are two types: coastal - sequoia sempervirens - and mountain - sequoiadendron giganteum. Called "redwood" by the locals, the former is a giant tree, among the tallest in the world, but relatively slender. Although less impressive, mountain redwoods are more massive and wider.
Lambert cypress: sometimes called Monterey cypress, Cupressus macrocarpa is native to the Californian coast, in Monterey County near Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is widely distributed along the French Atlantic coast, where it was imported in the early 20th century.
Finally, vegetation is less abundant in the southern Golden State. Chaparral, a kind of scrubland, dominates the natural landscape, while the lushness of the vegetation diminishes as you move towards the center of the United States: pine and redwood forests give way to sparse, diffuse green spaces. And while Death Valley is a typical Southern California landscape, the heat is particularly unbearable in summer, preventing any vegetation from developing.
Focus on Nevada, Utah and Arizona
Like the national parks, California's neighboring states have no shortage of flora and fauna.
Nevada. Nevada's official tree is the Pinus monophylla, literally "one-leaf pine". There are also many shrubs, such as sage, while the dominant flower is the violet. Mammals include bear, deer, black-tailed deer, antelope and otter. The area is also home to a large number of birds, including partridge, pheasant and quail. Protected species include the Gila Monster - a slow-moving, venomous lizard that can grow to 60 centimetres - and the desert tortoise.
Utah is home to over 4,000 varieties of flowers. The most common trees are pine, juniper, poplar, maple, hawthorn and the Joshua tree- Yucca brevifolia . In terms of flowers, walkers can admire the poet's carnation and castilleja. Numerous mammals stand out, including deer, mouflon, lynx and grizzly bear. Bird species include large numbers of birds of prey, such as the great horned owl and golden eagle. In summer, you can follow the migration of seagulls from California.
Arizona. Although largely covered by the Sonoran Desert, Arizona is also made up of plains and mountains that are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The desert is characterized by countless varieties of cactus, from the saguaro - whose flower is the state emblem - to the cholla and the yucca. Also on the territory: spruces, junipers, umbrella pines and oaks. The diversity of animals is also impressive, with snakes, lizards, deer, prairie dogs, elk, antelope, mountain lions, jaguars, coyotes and bears. In all, Arizona boasts over 40 protected species.
