A land of superlatives; California is the state with the largest population (39.5 million), the most national parks (9), and the lowest point (Badwater, -282’). California also has the highest point in the contiguous 48 states (Mt Whitney, 14,491'), the world's tallest tree, (380' coast redwood), and the world's oldest tree, (5,000-year-old bristlecone pine in the White Mountains).

California's Sierra Nevada mountain range is so formidable that a 137-mile section of its crest is uncrossed by roads.