The opinions and views expressed in the news stories of interest do not always reflect those of the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
News Stories of Interest
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Week of Aug. 18, 2025
The opinions and views expressed in the news stories of interest do not always reflect those of the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
California State Parks promote free passes, learning programs for students: As students across California return to the classroom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and California State Parks are encouraging families and educators to take learning beyond school walls.
Amber Coakley, KGET-TV/ KUSI-TV (FOX San Diego), Aug. 22, 2025
- MORE COVERAGE: Beverly Press
Pasadena Library Offers Free State Park Passes to Cardholders: Pasadena Public Library branches are now offering California State Park passes for checkout to library cardholders. The passes provide vehicle day-use access to more than 200 participating state parks across California.
Pasadena Now, Aug. 22, 2025
Body of Man Leashed to Surfboard Found Off Gaviota Coast: An ocean rescue that began as a report of a surfboard off the Gaviota Coast ended with the recovery of a body Thursday afternoon.
Janene Scully, Noozhawk North County Editor, Aug. 21, 2025
Illegal dumping in the Jedediah Smith portion of Redwood National and State Parks: On Saturday, the 16th of August, an illegal garbage dump was discovered at Walker Road in the Jedediah Smith portion of Redwood National and State Parks.
Del Norte Triplicate, Aug. 21, 2025
MCSO: Woman found dead on Mendocino Coast beach: Before the deputies arrived, the MCSO reports, California State Parks Law Enforcement personnel, and personnel from the Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department “had initially responded and located a deceased subject later identified as a 66-year-old female from Las Vegas, NV.”
Fort Bragg Advocate News, Aug. 21, 2025
Hwy. 1 businesses stretched thin after years of Big Sur slide closures cut traffic: The long-held adage is that, in terms of tourism business, as Hearst Castle goes, so goes the county. Castle attendance over the past three years is probably down roughly 15% to 20%, according to California State Parks coastal district superintendent Dan Falat.
Kathe Tanner, The San Luis Obispo Tribune, Aug. 21, 2025
AUDIO CLIP: Big Basin Redwoods Recovery: Big Basin Redwoods is the oldest state park in California. It’s home to some of the oldest trees on the planet - ancient coastal redwoods - and it was nearly destroyed by the CZU Lightning Complex fire five years ago. California State Parks Director Armando Quintero joins us to talk about the park’s recovery process and lessons learned from the devastation.
CapRadio (NPR Sacramento), Aug. 20, 2025
California State Parks promote free passes, learning programs for students: As students across California return to the classroom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and California State Parks are encouraging families and educators to take learning beyond school walls — and into the heart of the Golden State’s vast natural and cultural landscapes.
Amber Coakley, KUSI-TV (Fox San Diego), Aug. 20, 2025
UC program prepares young adults for parks careers through hands-on training: Corps members gain practical experience working throughout the American River corridor, from Folsom Lake downstream to its confluence with the Sacramento River, while collaborating with staff from California State Parks and the Effie Yeaw Nature Center at Ancil Hoffman Park.
Jessica Harrison, Gold Country Media, Aug. 20, 2025
Going Camping in Super Hot Weather? How to Keep Your Campsite Comfortable (and Safe): “You always want to dress in layers,” California State Parks Central Valley District spokesperson Amber Sprock said. “Even if it’s hot, it may cool off in the evening.”
Sarah Wright, KQED, Aug. 20, 2025
As School Begins, California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom Joins State Parks In Promoting Free Passes, Educational Programs: As California students begin a new journey in the classroom this school year, they can also embark on an adventure exploring the nation’s largest state park system.
Sierra Sun Times, Aug. 20, 2025
11 of the Best Waterfall Trails in the U.S.: Burney Falls isn’t the tallest waterfall in California, but it might just be the most breathtaking. This 129-foot cascade flows from underground springs that pump out 100 million gallons of water every day.
Jessica Young, Mental Floss, Aug. 20, 2025
Dodger Stadium Gondola Faces Backlash Over State Bill and Park Impacts: At the southern entrance of Los Angeles State Historic Park, critics of the proposed Dodger Stadium gondola unfurled a rope across the grass, marking trees with paper signs that read R.I.P. For residents gathered in the summer heat, the rope traced the potential project construction zone — and what they see as one of downtown’s most beloved green spaces.
Scarlett London, Los Angeles Magazine, Aug. 19, 2025
- MORE COVERAGE: LAist (NPR Los Angeles), Los Angeles Public Press
When it comes to watching shooting stars, California is your best bet, oddsmakers say: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park have been designated Dark Sky Parks, possessing "exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment," according to the organization.
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, Aug. 19, 2025
Border Field State Park reopens road access, but restrictions remain: Border Field State Park has partially reopened vehicle access to Friendship Park, allowing cars to enter on weekends for the first time in two years. However, visitors are still unable to approach the border wall or interact with people on the Mexican side as they could in the past.
Shannon Handy, KFMB-TV (CBS San Diego), Aug. 19, 2025
??RADIO CLIP: Five years after the CZU Fire, Big Basin looks ahead
Erin Malsbury, KAZU-RD, Aug. 19, 2025
12-year-old boy seriously injured in tubing accident at Folsom Lake, officials say: A 12-year-old boy was seriously injured while tubing behind a boat in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area on Sunday, according to California State Parks.
Lindsay Weber, KCRA-TV (NBC Sacramento), Aug. 18, 2025
Five years after the CZU Fire Big Basin looks ahead to future fires: A rare storm unleashed thousands of lightning strikes above the Bay Area and the Santa Cruz mountains, igniting several small fires. After the fires burned for a couple of days, high winds whipped the blazes together, forming the CZU Lightning complex fire.
Mary Catherine O'Connor, KALW-RD, Aug. 18, 2025
One Of CA’s Most Underrated State Parks Is Known For 300-Foot Cliffs, Film Cameos, And Prehistoric Fossils — And It’s 2 Hours From L.A.: California’s Red Rock Canyon State Park is perhaps one of the most underrated state parks to visit in SoCal. It’s located about 120 miles north of L.A. at the convergence of the Sierra Nevada and the El Paso Range, and is best known for its remarkable 300-foot sandstone cliffs that are striped with burnt-orange hues.
Sofia Delpueche, Secret Los Angeles, Aug. 18, 2025
A walk in new Big Basin, five years post-CZU: Signs of rebirth amid California lilac, huckleberries and ‘Dr. Seuss trees’: The historic trauma of 2020 (one among many, in hindsight) that Santa Cruz County locals call simply “CZU” really does a stress test on the mental and emotional perception of time. Depending on your personal experience of the catastrophe that started with a freak lightning storm on Aug. 16, 2020, CZU might feel for you like a surreal dream or a fresh wound, or something that constantly oscillates between the two.
Wallace Baine, Lookout Santa Cruz, Aug. 17, 2025
Celebrate the Mining Life at Miner’s Picnic on Aug. 23: On Saturday, August 23rd, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., participate in a treasured local tradition at Empire Mine State Historic Park!
Yuba Net, Aug. 16, 2025
A California State Park 2 Hours South Of Las Vegas Hosts Stunning Hiking Trails With A Desert Backdrop: Another interesting stop to consider is Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, featuring quiet hiking trails and breathtaking desert scenery.
Bridget Gleeson, Islands, Aug. 16, 2025
State Parks is looking at two possible locations for public restrooms in Garrapata State Park.: When the number of visitors rises, so do bathroom visits. And California State Parks personnel who manage and maintain several of the most populated parks in Big Sur are no stranger to this correlation.
Katie Rodriguez, Monterey County Now, Aug. 14, 2025