For many, a walk in the woods or a visit to a scenic stop is a way to seek out not just solitude but also to connect with nature.
The organization A Mission for Michael, a California-based mental health treatment center, commissioned a study to identify the natural places where the state’s residents feel most at peace, grounded and connected.
One of northern California’s favorite playgrounds, just a two-hour drive from the Sacramento area, is near the top of the list of spiritual landscapes.
Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe ranked No. 2 on the list. The study said that for Californians who enjoy Lake Tahoe, “the combination of forest, mountains and water can make this a meaningful place to revisit. A walk or quiet stop offers time outdoors in one of the state’s familiar lake landscapes.”
A view of Lake Tahoe from Emerald Bay State Park on Friday, July 21, 2023. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
Cherry Data Signals compiled the list after analyzing what survey participants said about their emotional connections to the landscapes, why they visit and what a loss of these natural environments would mean to them.
The researchers found that 69% of participants said losing their spiritual home permanently would represent a significant personal loss, while 48% of them said visiting these sites to express emotions they felt unable to show around others.
Additionally, the participants said they would pay an average of $1,513 annually to protect their chosen sanctuary from destruction.
“What stands out in these findings is how personally people feel those connections,” Anand Mehta, executive director at A Mission For Michael, said in an Oct. 21 news release. “Protecting a landscape also helps preserve somewhere people return to for comfort, memories, and a sense of belonging.”
What are California’s top five natural spiritual homes?
In the survey, Glacier Point claimed the top spot in California. Situated 30 miles from Yosemite Valley or Wawona, the overlook sits 3,214 feet above Curry Village and offers sweeping vistas of Yosemite’s high country via a short, paved, wheelchair-accessible trail.
“Standing above the valley provides an opportunity to slow down and take in its scale, whether visiting for the first time or returning,” the survey said.
The top five natural spiritual homes in California are:
Glacier Point, Yosemite National ParkEmerald Bay, Emerald Bay State Park, Lake TahoeStout Memorial Grove, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State ParkKeys View, Joshua Tree National ParkMcWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big SurWhy seek out nature in times of grief or self-reflection?
Beyond offering scenery, the survey found that these natural settings often serve as private sanctuaries for emotional healing.
Nearly half of participants (48%) shared visiting a natural location to express feelings they felt unable to show around others.
For many, a place remembered for its scenery also serves as a backdrop for personal moments of grief, reflection or healing, the survey said.
Why do people seeking comfort in nature?
Of those surveyed, 35% said their chosen spot brings calm and offers an escape from daily pressures, making it the most common answer, according to the survey.
Other key reasons included feeling part of something bigger than oneself (16%), holding memories with family and friends (13%), experiencing a sense of wonder (12%) and finding support during difficult periods (8%).
Additionally, childhood connections, regional pride, and spiritual or religious beliefs were also cited as factors.
Survey participants were also asked how often they had deliberately sought out a natural setting to support their mental or emotional well-being over the past year. Here were their answers:
At least once a week: 15%A few times a month: 18%About once a month: 17%A few times during the year: 22%Once: 9%Never: 19%
The most common individual answer was a few visits during the year. For these respondents, time in nature was an occasional choice rather than a standing appointment. Others made it a much more regular part of life.
The survey explores the factors that trigger people to go for outdoor comfort.
Everyday stress was the primary factor with 36% of participants saying that feeling overwhelmed prompted them to seek solace outdoors, as per the survey.
Other drivers included grief, loneliness, relationship difficulties, work and financial strain, health concerns and major life decisions.
How were the selections determined?
The survey evaluated responses from 3,000 U.S. participants, asking them to identify natural locations within their state holding the greatest personal significance.
The sample was balanced across key demographic groups—including age, gender and region to ensure broad representation before aggregating responses to highlight the top state choices.
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Gagandeep Singh is a service journalism reporter for The Fresno Bee. He holds a master’s degree in politics and global affairs from Columbia University. Prior to working at The Bee, he worked as a freelancer for CalMatters, BBC News and the Los Angeles Times. He focuses on migration, education, criminal justice and the South Asian diaspora in California.