Welcome to California’s Volcano Alley, a hissing, spitting wonderland that is home to all four types of volcanoes – shield, composite, cinder cone and plug dome. Serene Manzanita Lake serves as the ideal base for exploring the area, offering a campground, cabins, a museum and stunning views of the 10,457-foot (3,187m) Lassen Peak.

From here, you can kayak or stand-up paddleboard on the calm lake waters, or set out on the three-mile (4.8km) Bumpass Hell Trail to explore the largest hydrothermal area in the region. For a more demanding adventure, tackle the Ridge Lakes Trail, which leads to a pair of alpine lakes nestled in a basin at an elevation of 8,000 feet (2,438m).

California's most underrated places