NEWS CLIPS

 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 Jan. 26, 2026

Pismo Beach monarch butterfly count is perilously low again. Here’s how many:Like last year, a dramatically small number of monarch butterflies migrated through San Luis Obispo County this winter, according to data from the conservation-focused nonprofit the Xerces Society.
Stephanie Zappelli, The Tribune, Jan. 30, 2026

Gold River To Host State Boating Commission Workshop And Quarterly Meeting:The California Boating and Waterways Commission will convene in Gold River next week for a public workshop and its first quarterly meeting of 2026, bringing together commissioners, state staff and community members to discuss boating programs and waterway initiatives across California.
Folsom Times News, Jan. 29, 2026 

Yuba City Plots $8.5 Million Bid To Turn Old Kmart Into Youth Sports Hub: Yuba City is gearing up to chase a state revitalization grant that could bring up to $8.5 million to help build a new regional youth sports complex, city officials say.
Jennifer Martinez, Hoodline, Jan. 29, 2026

These California Destinations Could Have a Superbloom This Year, Plus Where to Find Wildflowers in the State: Here are the best places to see spring wildflowers across California in 2026.
Deb Hopewell & Bailey Berg, Afar, Jan. 29, 2026 

5 Best Campsites In California's Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Have your credit card ready and know the license plate numbers of all the vehicles in your party. These recommendations draw on firsthand experiences as a Bay Area local camping at the park, as well as visitor reviews and advice from local Big Sur outdoor folk. 
Eva Johnstone, Islands, Jan. 29, 2026 

Yurok Tribe Awarded Route to Parks Grant to Expand Access to State Parks on the North Coast: Parks California and California State Parks announced more than $1.2 million in Route to Parks grants awarded to 34 community organizations statewide, with funding designed to reduce transportation barriers and expand access to California’s state parks.
Lisa Music, Redheaded Blackbelt, Jan. 29, 2026 

McNerney Urges to Preserve Tesla Park As Natural Reserve: State Senator Jerry McNerney earlier this month lent his support for classifying the Alameda-Tesla property as a state natural reserve. His request for the reserve joins those from over 35 community groups who favor protection over recreation at Tesla.
David Jen, The Independent, Jan. 29, 2026 

Prescribed burns planned at Morro Bay, Montaña de Oro state parks: California State Parks plans to conduct prescribed burning of brush piles at Morro Bay State Park and Montaña de Oro State Park in San Luis Obispo County beginning Monday, Feb. 2.
Paso Robles Daily News, Jan. 29, 2026 

King of the Hammers throttles up for the weekend; expect increased traffic on and off-road: The world famous King of the Hammers ramps up Thursday (January 29) and continues through February 7. The internationally recognized off-road rock crawl and race series draws thousands of participants and viewers from all over the United States.
Z107.7 News, Jan. 29, 2026 

Volunteer with Redwood Parks Conservancy This February to Restore Coastal Habitats: Redwood Parks Conservancy (RPC), in partnership with California State Parks North Coast Redwoods District, invites the public to volunteer this February to help restore coastal dune, prairie, and park habitats across Northern California through hands-on restoration events at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Little River State Beach, Trinidad State Beach, Tolowa Dunes State Park, and Humboldt Lagoons State Park.
Kym Kemp, Redheaded Blackbelt, Jan. 29, 2026

Plan The Ultimate Californian Summer, Brimming With Sun-kissed Days And Urban Wonders: California has long been a destination one returns to again and again—for its landscapes as much as its lifestyle. The days stretch long, cafés spill onto sidewalks, coastal highways beckon road trips, and conversations drift easily from food to culture to the outdoors.
Travel+Leisure, Maahi Shah, Jan. 29, 2026 

Body of man found in Lake Natoma near popular Folsom recreation area: A man’s body was found Wednesday in the waters of Lake Natoma near Black Miners Bar in Folsom, authorities said.
The Sacramento Bee, Jan. 28, 2026 

Wild flower superbloom this season? Experts weigh in on winter rain and what it means for season: First came the heavy winter rains that soaked the soil. Then, the sunny weather — not too hot, but just warm enough to fuel the growth. A few more winter rainfalls and Southern California could be ripe for an epic wildflower season in the coming weeks and months.
Laylan Connelly, The Orange County Register, Jan. 28, 2026

11 of the Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the United States: Most travelers never need to leave the United States to experience striking natural diversity. The US features deserts, mountains, forests, coastlines, and river systems that vary dramatically from region to region.
Moe Ergig, World Atlas, Jan. 28, 2026

Between San Francisco And Monterey Is California's Underrated State Park With Breathtaking Views And Few Crowds: California has some of the world's most picturesque state parks, particularly along the scenic drive between San Francisco and Monterey.
Reannon Muth, Islands, Jan. 27, 2026

SoCal Roadtrippers: All the Iconic Big Sur Spots You Can See Again, Now That Highway 1 is Open: Three years ago, a landslide closed part of Highway 1 through Big Sur close to the town of Lucia — making it impossible to drive all the way from Southern California to San Francisco on this world-famous coastal road overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Sarah Wright, KQED (NPR-San Francisco), Jan. 27, 2026

San Mateo County supe says fence blocks public access to Thornton State Beach: A San Mateo County supervisor wants to force a private landowner to remove an 8-foot chain link fence that he says blocks the only public access path to Thornton State Beach in Daly City.
Pete Young, Local News Matters Bay Area, Jan. 27, 2026

An American Journey - 1. The Pursuit of Happiness (podcast):James Naughtie examines the ideas tying America's founding to the modern United States. In this first episode James begins with the 'pursuit of happiness' – the American search for opportunity. He begins on the site of the original gold rush in northern California, before journeying to farms and factories; small towns and big cities across the American Midwest.
An American Journey, BBC, Jan. 26, 2026

Vibrant wildflower blooms are already on display, SoCal. Here's where: Vibrant wildflower blooms in Southern California are already underway, marking the start to another season forecasted to be quite favorable to our eyes — and our photos.
Paris Barraza, USA Today, Jan. 26, 2026 

A ‘colorful' wildflower season may be ahead for some California State Parks: Rain, sunlight, and a host of meteorological considerations swirl around the sometimes subtle and sometimes spectacular California wildflower season.
Alysia Gray Painter, KNBC (NBC-Los Angeles), Jan. 26, 2026

Prescribed fire operations continue around Lake Tahoe: The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is scheduled to begin the following prescribed fire operations this week.
SouthTahoeNOW.com, Jan. 26, 2026

Full moon ski events return to Plumas-Eureka State Park: WildBio Flourishing reports that full moon ski events are returning this winter to the Johnsville Historic Ski Bowl at Plumas-Eureka State Park.
Plumas Sun, Jan. 25, 2026

Why the two people who discovered gold in California never cashed in: On Jan. 24, 1848, gold was discovered on the American River. James Marshall, the first to find it, never made a fortune from it.
Kurt Snibbe, The Orange County Register, Jan. 24, 2026

Elephant seals return to Año Nuevo State Park, drawing visitors to battling bulls, pups: Every Winter, about 10,000 elephant seals make their way to Año Nuevo State Park in San Mateo County to fight, mate and give birth. The spectacle runs from mid-December through March, drawing wildlife watchers eager for a glimpse of the largest seals on the planet.
Associated Press, Jan. 24, 2026

One day, 1,000 trees: Preserving a rare California pine: A group of volunteers is working to plant 10,000 trees to turn a field back into a forest.
Makayla Richardson, KSBY, Jan. 24, 2026

5 Of The Best Family-Friendly Winter Sledding Destinations In California: To help you find the most family-friendly sledding spots in California this winter, we've compared these SNO-Parks to public and private snow play areas, such as resorts.
Ben Stower, Islands, Jan. 24, 2026

The 5 Most Scenic Trails In Big Sur's Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park: If images of a waterfall plunging onto a pristine beach kissed by frothy waves come to mind, you're likely thinking of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Sur, California.
Eva Johnstone, Islands, Jan. 24, 2026

State Parks forecasts strong wildflower season in California deserts this year: California State Parks expects moderate-to-strong wildflower blooms this spring across desert state parks following widespread rainfall during the fall and winter.
Paso Robles Daily News, Jan. 24, 2026

Marin Co.: Fires On Angel Island Planned By State Parks Agency Starting Monday: California State Parks plans to burn piles of debris Monday through Thursday at Angel Island State Park, if weather permits.
SFGate, Jan. 24, 2026

Beach-goers blocked by new fence at Thornton State Beach: Beach-goers who use a walking path to access Thornton State Beach in Daly City are now faced with an 8-foot-tall chain link fence and a sign warning they will be shot for trespassing, according to a San Mateo County supervisor.
Amy Larson, KRON 4, Jan. 23, 2026

Alleged child predator runs from deputies, rescued from river: A man who was wanted for an alleged child-porn crime was arrested after attempting to evade deputies by swimming in a Northern California river.
Ken Allard, FOX 40, Jan. 23, 2026

New artists-in-residence named for local parks (subscription required): The National Park Service, in cooperation with California State Parks and Redwood Parks Conservancy, has announced that Eva Agus and Nick Vasquez, both of Oakland, have been selected as Redwood National & State Parks’ spring 2026 artists-in-residence.
Times-Standard, Jan. 23, 2026