FALL 2025
elcome to the latest edition of Parklands. After an activity-filled summer in state parks, we’re reinvigorated by meeting people like you throughout California. Whether it was at a volunteer workday, a park tour, or a California State Parks Week event, visitors are truly what make these spaces so fun and dynamic. The commitment you have, and how much you simply love spending time in parks, is such a gift to witness.
Your support is making waves across the state: trail improvements at Mount Tamalpais State Park, a new garden at Malibu Creek State Park, a community-
led art project at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, and more that you’ll read about in the following pages. You’ll also learn about short hikes you can take in parks, plus our photo contest that’s accepting entries through the end of September!
With a park system that contains 280 state parks, beaches, and historic treasures, there’s always work ahead. But the load becomes a little lighter each time a caring person lends a hand. Thanks for your ongoing dedication to these remarkable landscapes.
Crystal Cove State Park
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Partner in Parks,
A day in a state park can change everything — offering a moment of peace, a spark of wonder, or a deeper connection with nature and loved ones. Parks are where memories are made and well-being is restored.
That’s why we’re especially proud of a recent major win: continued funding for the California State Library Parks Pass. Thanks to your support and advocacy, this innovative program will remain in place, helping more Californians access our incredible state parks for free through their local libraries. This kind of access is life-changing, especially for those who might not otherwise be able to experience the outdoors.
You also helped power the fourth annual California State Parks Week, which featured more than 170 events in parks across the state. From cultural celebrations and guided walks to volunteer workdays and community gatherings, it was a powerful reminder of how parks bring people together.
At the same time, we remain focused on the bigger picture. As federal public lands and environmental protections face increasing threats, we are using our voice — amplified by your support — to advocate for the long-term resilience and funding that parks need. Your partnership helps ensure that parks not only recover from today’s challenges but thrive for generations to come.
Next month, we’ll be sending you something special: the inaugural issue of our new magazine! It’s full of stories of impact, community, and the hope you help bring to life.
Thank you for being part of this movement. California’s parks are stronger because of you.
With gratitude,
Rachel Norton Executive Director
ART AND ACTION AT CANDLESTICK POINT STATE RECREATION AREA
ou should really ask the residents of Alice Griffith what they want.” This was community organizer Reina Tello’s response when Staff Park and Recreation Specialist Lisa Whitmer shared her desire to commission artwork to beautify the street-facing side of Candlestick Point State Recreation Area’s community garden fence. Reina’s words were a potent reminder that authentic community engagement means working with local residents and not just for them.
The park is nestled in a windswept corner of southeast San Francisco, adjacent to the gaping, abandoned stretch of land where the old 49ers stadium once stood. Across the street from the park’s maintenance yard is Alice Griffith, a mixed-use affordable housing complex, some of whose residents perceive the park as unresponsive to their needs. Since she began working at Candlestick in August 2023, Lisa has been striving to make the park more welcoming. Turning a drab chain-link fence that lines the street along which many residents park their cars into a vibrant art piece was part of this vision.
Following Reina’s advice, Lisa attended several Alice Griffith tenants’ meetings to pitch the idea and get their feedback. While residents expressed support for the project, they pushed back against
Lisa’s idea for an open call for artists. “Why bring in someone from outside the neighborhood when Brother Malik works right here with our youth?” they wondered.
Heeding their advice and bolstered by the generous support of California State Parks Foundation, Lisa was able to engage local artist Malik Seneferu in the fence project. He elevated the work by running workshops with Alice Griffith residents so they could directly participate in creating the design.
Malik’s goal — to create “a space of cultural storytelling, environmental reflection, and artistic uplift” — aligns with the park’s origin story. Located in the historically Black Bayview neighborhood, the park was created as California’s first urban state park in 1977 after many years of advocacy by community members and local politicians.
With Malik’s “Back to Nature” banners, the garden’s gray fence will be turned into a colorful celebration of Bayview’s culture, Candlestick Point State Recreation Area’s ecology, and a reminder of how working hand in hand with the community makes California state parks stronger.
Read the full story and learn more here:
PROTECTING PARKS THROUGH CLIMATE-FOCUSED PROJECTS
aking climate action is on our minds year-round, and we are always looking for climate solutions in California state parks. Whether it’s enhancing park infrastructure, preserving sensitive ecosystems, or empowering park staff and volunteers, we’re committed to preparing for whatever challenges lie ahead. As the climate continues to change, our approach to parks must change with it.
Climate change is forever altering the world around us, and parks are key places in California where we can focus on preserving the diverse landscapes and wildlife that make California so extraordinary. Because of their geographic and ecological diversity, state parks can be a model in climate resilience restoration and stewardship.
Learn about two recent climate resilience projects you’re making possible:
A New Garden at Malibu Creek State Park
Thanks to members like you, grant funding for Malibu Creek State Park is creating a climate-resilient garden to enhance biodiversity and mitigate fire risk to the visitor center. Annually, more than 10,000 visitors come to the historic building — it’s over 100 years old! — and many enjoy a picnic at the tables near the lawn area. The front lawn was historically non-native grass, and
over time due to drought conditions, the lawn deteriorated. Wildfire burned the lawn in 2018, and while the roof sprinklers protected the building, the lawn never recovered. This project will convert the lawn to a climate-resilient native plant garden, bolstering biodiversity and reducing the need for irrigation. Malibu Creek Docents, the volunteer organization that operates the visitor center, will be managing the project. In addition to boosting fire resilience at the park, the garden will be an excellent space for visitors to enjoy and become more climate aware.
Preserving Sensitive Habitat at Garrapata State Park
California State Parks Foundation hosts monthly volunteer workdays at Garrapata State Park, and the ongoing efforts are critical for park upkeep. Volunteers help remove non-native, invasive plants, such as Cape ivy, mustard, ice plant, and sticky eupatorium, that threaten the persistence of native vegetation communities. Controlling invasive plants and revegetation with native species is necessary for protecting sensitive habitat and natural resources. The projects also help support sensitive species, like the Smith’s blue butterfly and multiple rare plants that call Garrapata home.
The park has two miles of beachfront with beautiful ocean views, and these volunteer days ensure visitors can continue to hike and enjoy other recreational activities throughout the year.
Our work to combat climate change is a collective effort. Your involvement and donations help us fund projects like these and safeguard the natural wonders of California’s state parks! This fall, we’re continuing our climate resilience work, and the Edison International Foundation will be doubling all donations up to $50,000 through September 30. Visit calparks.org/climate2025 to make a gift today. Thank you for your partnership in protecting parks.
California State Parks Foundation volunteers planting native species and restoring coastal habitat at Garrapata State Park.
The new garden at Malibu Creek State Park will have colorful native plants year-round.
“The Past” meadow will symbolize nature as it was, before human intervention. “The Future” meadow will symbolize human intervention and hope to heal and restore the land.
NORTH GROVE TRAIL
at Calaveras Big Trees
State Park
Length: 1.5 miles
The trail through the North Grove is a gentle, well-marked loop. Allow at least one hour for your walk through this magnificent, historically significant grove. There are wonderful views of giant sequoias with unique twists and formations.
OSO FLACO LAKE TRAIL
at Oceano Dunes State
Vehicular Recreation Area
Length: 2.2 miles
Take a mellow stroll and observe local plants and wildlife. You’ll go through a lush riparian corridor lined with willow trees and wetland species. The trail turns into a bridge pathway, which will take you over the lake and to a boardwalk leading to the shoreline and onto the beach.
BLUFF TRAIL
at Carpinteria State Beach
Length: 2.5 miles
Take a hike along the bluffs and beach from Carpinteria State Beach to Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve. You can stop at the seal rookery and tar pits along the way. There is beach access at the end of the trail; however, it is a short and steep pathway. Enjoy the ocean breeze and coastal views!
EXPLORE THESE SHORT HIKES IN STATE PARKS
et ready to explore California’s state parks on these hikes and make lasting memories along the way! All these hikes are three miles or less, but some are more strenuous than others. Before you begin your trek, make sure you know the route you’re taking and confirm that the trail is currently open.
BUZZARDS ROOST TRAIL
at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area
Length: 1.2 miles
If you’re in the mood for a short but strenuous hike, Buzzards Roost is a good choice. You’ll ascend 500 feet in less than a mile, where there is an incredible view from the top. Take a dip in Millerton Lake afterward to cool off!
DOWEN NATURE TRAIL
at Saddleback Butte State Park
Length: 0.5 miles
This self-guided nature trail is a wheelchairand stroller-accessible walk. Learn about the unique ecological features of the park, including Joshua trees that provide habitat for animals in a desert environment. The best time to visit is in the spring or fall due to high summer temperatures.
CHECK OUT THE FULL GUIDE:
Want to keep exploring?
Download our full short hikes guide by scanning the QR or visiting calparks.org/shorthikesguide.
Share your adventures with us!
@calparks
/calparks
TRAIL ENHANCEMENTS AT MOUNT TAMALPAIS STATE PARK
n exciting project at Mount Tamalpais State Park is in the works to improve access, connectivity, and public safety for outdoor recreationists. Located in Marin County just north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, the park is a beloved gem with sweeping hillsides and breathtaking vistas. Affectionately known as Mount Tam, it’s an incredible resource for the local community to hike, bike, horseback ride, and more.
The trail project involves design modifications to the Easy Grade Trail, which will soon allow the addition of cyclists. This project was first proposed by the Marin mountain biking community years ago to provide a safer route between Pantoll Station and the Mountain Theater. Currently, cyclists must ride the existing narrow and winding Pantoll Road shared with vehicular traffic to make the connection, creating a public safety concern. Lack of adequate funding since 2017 has been a hurdle to get the process started, so this project has truly been years in the making!
Thanks to a generous California State Parks Foundation donor and other community partners, we joined forces with California State Parks this summer to adapt the Easy Grade Trail. Over the past few months, crews worked on trail rerouting, stone wall building, footbridge installation, and other necessary construction updates to make the improved trail a reality.
Once complete, mountain bikes will be able to take the Easy Grade Trail instead of Pantoll Road, which will improve public safety, reduce vehicle congestion, and provide better connectivity for cyclists and a better recreational experience. The trail work began in May and is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2025.
PHOTO CONTEST: SHARE THE BEAUTY OF PARKS
California State Parks Foundation is inviting park visitors and photography enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels to submit their best shots for the 2025 California State Parks Foundation Photo Contest! The contest is now open and runs through September 30, 2025. Submit up to three original photos in the following categories:
Scenic Landscapes
Natural beauty across all seasons
Wildlife & Nature
Flora, fauna, and ecosystems
Recreation & Activities
Hiking, surfing, camping, and more
People in Parks
Enjoying parks responsibly and sustainably
California History
Cultural and historic sites in parks
There is no entry fee. Winners will receive a California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass and be featured in the 2026 calendar. Honorable mentions will appear in an online gallery and on social media.
For full details, official rules, and to enter, visit calparks.org/photocontest or scan the QR code.
Planning for the future and choosing the legacy you wish to leave behind is one of the most meaningful ways to ensure a lasting impact in state parks. When you include California State Parks Foundation in your estate plan, your generosity helps protect and preserve our park system for generations to come. Your thoughtful planning ensures that California’s diverse and culturally rich parks continue to inspire and delight future visitors.
By including California State Parks Foundation in your will, trust, or other legacy plan, you’ll make an impact that lasts forever. As a member of our William Penn Mott, Jr. Legacy Society, you’ll receive invitations to our popular Insider Tours and other special events, plus the other benefits you already receive as a member.
Find more information at calparks.org/legacy
235 Montgomery Street Suite 1202
San Francisco, CA 94104 members@calparks.org
California State Parks Foundation is an independent, membersupported nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all.
Front cover photo: Garrapata State Park Stay Connected Visit us online at calparks.org, and follow us on social media: @calparks /calparks
Humboldt Redwoods State Park