Notes: California is the world's 25th largest tree, the 23rd largest giant redwood, the 5th largest tree in Kings Canyon National Park, and the 4th largest tree in General Grant Grove.

California should not be confused with other California trees, one which grows in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park and another which grows in Nelder Grove in Sierra National Forest, or with King Arthur (also known as California Tree) which grows in Garfield Grove in Sequoia National Park.

Drive: California is 202 mi (325 km) southeast of San Francisco near Fresno.

Northbound: From U.S. Interstate 5 North, transfer to California State Route 99 North toward Bakersfield. Drive north 97 mi (156 km) on California State Route 99 and transfer to California State Route 198 East toward Visalia. Drive east 86 mi (138 m) on California State Route 198, past Four Guardsmen, and turn right onto California State Route 180 East toward General Grant Grove. Drive north 1.6 mi (2.6 km) on California State Route 180, past the Kings Canyon Visitor Center and General Grant Grove Cabins, and turn left onto Grant Tree Road.

Southbound: From U.S. Interstate 5 South in Sacramento, transfer to U.S. Highway 50 East toward South Lake Tahoe. Drive east 1.7 mi (2.7 km) on U.S. Highway 50 and transfer to California State Highway 99 South. Near Fresno, transfer to California State Route 180 East. Drive east 58 mi (93 km) on California State Route 180 toward General Grant Grove, past the Kings Canyon Visitor Center and General Grant Grove Cabins, and turn left onto Grant Tree Road.

Drive west 0.8 mi (1.2 km) on Grant Tree Road to the General Grant Tree parking lot.

Hike: At the northern edge of the parking lot, turn right/northeast at the trailhead and hike east 230 ft (70 m) on the eastern half of General Grant Tree Trail Loop, past Robert E. Lee, to Fallen Monarch. Turn left, hike northwest 132 ft (40 m) through Fallen Monarch, then turn right and hike north 327 ft (100 m) on the western half of General Grant Tree Trail Loop to the trail exit point near 36.74814 -118.97225. Leave the trail here and hike south 55 ft (17 m) off-trail to California. After visiting California, hike north 100 ft (30 m) off-trail to Oregon.

View California Tree location in Google Maps

Panorama: Click panorama to take a virtual tour of California Tree

Photos: Pictures of California Tree taken from different sides