Parklands The Newsletter for Members of California State Parks Foundation // FALL 2026
Andrew Molera State Park
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Letter From the Executive Director Dear Friends, Fall is a special time in California’s state parks. As visitation winds down from the busy summer season, it’s one of the best times to visit a popular park without the crowds. Your membership is essential to protecting and preserving our state parks while connecting more people to them every year. This year, we celebrated a landmark victory when California established ongoing annual funding for the California State Library Parks Pass Program. This lasting commitment ensures the program can connect more Californians with the outdoors through their local libraries for years to come. We were also proud to help sponsor the special edition of the Historian Passport, which offers free admission to more than 30 historic state parks. The pass was downloaded more than 450,000 times, a new record, helping more Californians discover the rich history preserved in our state parks. We also celebrated Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement of three new state parks and the expansion of three existing parks, the largest growth of California’s state park system in decades. We are beginning to look ahead to a new administration in early 2027, preparing to build on this momentum and continue working with state leaders to strengthen California’s state parks for future generations. Your support makes this work possible. Thank you for standing up and showing up for parks month after month so that we can keep them thriving year after year. With gratitude,
Rachel Norton, Executive Director
Cover Image: Los Encinos State Historic Park
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State Parks Forward Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
n Earth Day in April 2026, California State Parks Foundation celebrated the expansion of three existing state parks and the addition of three new state park properties. This is the biggest expansion of the California state park system in decades. The expansion of the three existing state parks was made possible in part by legislation championed last year by California State Parks Foundation, along with other organizations. In 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 630 (Allen), a new law that significantly accelerates the process of adding land to California’s existing state parks. The park expansions are the first to move forward thanks to SB 630 and include the following:
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Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park: Pigeon Point Lighthouse is one of the tallest on the West Coast. The expansion adds 133 acres, tripling the park’s footprint and extending the California Coastal Trail through 1.5 miles of coastline. Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve: This natural reserve includes groves of coast redwoods, and the 2-mile-long Montgomery Trail. The expansion adds 453 acres featuring coast redwoods, oak woodlands, and 1.25 miles of streams that provide habitat for imperiled fish in the salmon family. South Yuba River State Park: This state park includes a portion of the South Yuba River, its steep river canyon, and the Bridgeport Covered Bridge. The expansion adds 218 acres, bringing the entire accessible Independence Trail into the state park.
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
South Yuba River State Park
In addition, Governor Newsom announced the addition of three new state parks in the Central Valley. The park additions are the following:
Dust Bowl Camp: Located in Kern County, this new park will be California’s first state park dedicated to interpreting the history of the Dust Bowl and the migrant farming camps of the Great Depression.
Feather River Park: Located along the Feather River, this will be the first state park in Yuba County and will expand access to recreation for local residents. San Joaquin River Parkway: Located in Fresno and Madera counties, this new park will connect various properties, create expanded recreation opportunities, and provide greater access along the river.
California State Parks will begin the public engagement process for all three new parks to hear directly from the surrounding communities and stakeholders about what they want to see in the future.
To learn more about these exciting park expansions and additions, visit our website at calparks.org/newparks.
Photos by Brian Baer, ©2023, California State Parks PARKLANDS
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Giving Back to Parks Along Highway 49 ighway 49, named for the California Gold Rush of 1849, winds its way through Gold Country through the Sierra Nevada foothills. Historically used by miners and tradespeople to move among gold rush towns, today many of those stories are preserved along the route by a chain of California state parks. Many of these parks are hidden gems, located just far enough off the busy I-5 corridor to offer less crowded facilities and quieter moments to reflect on the state’s history. This also means some of these parks could use a little extra attention, which California State Parks Foundation provides through on-the-ground volunteer work. Use our Highway 49 road trip map as a starting point to plan your service-driven adventure. Check off 11 new state park visits while giving back to the parks you love by volunteering at a California State Parks Foundation workday, offered seasonally at several of the parks below.
Makaloff Diggins State Historic Park
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South Yuba River State Park
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Empire Mine State Historic Park
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Auburn State Recreation Area
Sacramento
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California Mining and Mineral Museum
San Francisco Bay Area Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
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Wassama Round House State Historic Park
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Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
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Folsom Lake State Recreation Area Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers a refreshing stop, with a scenic shoreline and miles of trails.
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
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Volunteer: Help care for the park through post-holiday cleanups and removing invasive species such as stinkwort, Italian thistle, horehound, and olive seedlings to support oak woodland restoration.
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Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park Step back in time at Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park, home to one of the nation’s first alternating hydroelectric power plants. Volunteer: Join an Earth Day Climate Action volunteer workday here in April, where volunteers have removed invasive plant species such as black mustard, helping improve the area’s wildfire resilience.
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park In 1848, James W. Marshall found gold here, making this one of the most significant historic sites in the nation. Volunteer: Protect the park’s historic buildings from the threat of wildfire. Our crew of volunteers has cleared 33,290 feet of defensible space to create a buffer against potential flames.
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Columbia State Historic Park This historic park was once a gold rush town home to more than 150 stores, shops, saloons, and other businesses. Volunteer: Remove invasive species, such as Himalayan blackberry along park trails and yellow flag iris from local waterways. 1. 2.
To find more volunteer opportunities off the beaten path or close to home, visit calparks.org/volunteer.
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A Native Garden Takes Root: Building Climate Resilience at Malibu Creek State Park Malibu Creek State Park
ears of drought, water restrictions, and impacts of the 2018 Woolsey Fire left the lawn in front of the Malibu Creek State Park visitor center overgrown with weeds and difficult to maintain. In response, Malibu Creek Docents, the park’s nonprofit partner, reimagined the landscape as a climate-resilient native plant garden that will benefit park visitors for years to come. The 1,000-square-foot garden features approximately 400 California native plants representing 35 different species. Seeds and cuttings were collected throughout the park by volunteers and propagated at local nurseries in partnership with the National Park Service and Santa 8
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Monica Mountains Fund. The garden also has ADA-accessible pathways and interpretive signage. The project was successfully completed in June 2026, with monitoring and maintenance to continue as the native plants become established. Before work began, Malibu Creek Docents partnered with University of California, Los Angeles’ (UCLA) landscape architecture program to hold a design competition for the garden. The winning concept by Amy Douglas White draws inspiration from the Chumash “Rainbow Bridge” creation story, which tells of the Chumash people’s journey from the Channel Islands to mainland California. The design features two
Malibu Creek State Park
connected meadows: “The Past,” a naturalistic landscape (pictured above) representing pre-European California, and “The Future,” a colorful, rainbowshaped meadow symbolizing healing, restoration, and hope. The garden demonstrates how climate-resilient landscaping can support both people and wildlife in state parks. By replacing the lawn with drought-tolerant native plants, the garden reduces water use and maintenance while creating habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. The garden’s changing seasonal blooms also showcase the diverse ecosystems found throughout Malibu Creek State Park. Visitors can explore the garden along its pathway while learning about Chumash history through the interpretive signage. Located in front of the park’s historic 100-year-old visitor center, the garden welcomes more than 10,000 visitors each year, including families with children and
student groups. It offers a meaningful introduction to the cultural history of the region while highlighting the role of native landscapes in building climate resilience. This project was supported by a $26,600 Building Climate Resilient State Parks Grant from California State Parks Foundation. Special thanks to Malibu Creek Docents, including President Sasan Sheibani; California State Parks’ Angeles District; Santa Monica Mountains Fund; and UCLA’s landscape architecture program for their partnership in bringing this vision to life. Our work to combat climate change takes collective effort. Your involvement and donations help us fund projects like these, preserving everything California’s state parks have to offer! This fall, every donation through September 30 will be doubled by Edison International up to $50,000 through calparks.org/parklandsgive. We hope you’ll consider making a gift today. PARKLANDS
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A Lasting Win for the Library Parks Pass Program alifornia State Parks Foundation is celebrating a major victory for park access: the California State Library Parks Pass Program now has ongoing funding in the state budget. This landmark achievement means the program will continue connecting Californians with their state parks through local libraries for years to come. Previously, lawmakers had to approve funding for the program each year during the state budget process. Now the program has a more stable future, providing certainty for libraries, California State Parks, and the communities they serve. Since launching in 2022, the California State Library Parks Pass Program has helped remove one of the biggest barriers to visiting state parks: the cost of a vehicle day-use entrance fee. Anyone with a California library card can check out a free state 10
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park pass from participating libraries, making it easier for families, students, and first-time visitors to experience the outdoors. The impact has been remarkable. Thousands of Californians have discovered new parks, spent time outside with family and friends, improved their physical and mental well-being, and created lasting memories in places that belong to all of us. This victory did not come without challenges, and California State Parks Foundation has been a constant proponent and advocate for the pass since its inception. Earlier this year, funding for the program was at risk during the state budget process. California State Parks Foundation quickly rallied supporters across the state, and more than 6,000 advocates contacted legislators,
Samuel P. Taylor State Park
urging them to protect the program and secure ongoing funding. Their grassroots advocacy demonstrated the broad public support for expanding access to California’s state parks and helped show lawmakers why this program matters. This victory is a powerful reminder that together, we can help shape the future of California’s state parks. “This is a landmark moment for expanding access to California’s state parks,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “By establishing ongoing funding for the California State Library Parks Pass Program, California is making a lasting commitment to ensuring that cost is not a barrier to experiencing our state parks.” As we continue fighting for California’s state parks and the people who love them, there will be more opportunities to make your voice heard.
To stay up to date on our advocacy efforts and learn about actions you can take to help protect and expand access to California’s state parks, visit calparks.org/takeaction.
Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
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Six Bay Area State Parks Worth the Trip he San Francisco Bay Area is home to some of California’s most spectacular state parks, whose features range from ancient redwood groves to rugged coastlines and historic landmarks. Whether you’re planning a day trip or simply looking for your next outdoor adventure, here are six parks worth adding to your list. Before you go, check park conditions, pack the essentials, and remember to leave no trace. Your next adventure is waiting.
Mount Tamalpais State Park Angel Island State Park
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Rising from the heart of Marin County, Mount Tamalpais’ redwood forests and open grasslands give way to sweeping views that can extend as far as the Farallon Islands, 25 miles offshore. On especially clear days, you can even glimpse the snow-covered Sierra Nevada 150 miles away.
Discover more parks in the Bay Area by downloading our guide at calparks.org/bayareaparksguide.
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Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park Big Basin Redwoods State Park Año Nuevo State Park Natural Bridges State Beach
Angel Island State Park
Take a ferry to the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay, where you’ll find some of the best views in the region, plus hiking, biking, and kayaking. It’s also full of history: in the early 1900s, Angel Island served as the principal West Coast port of entry for immigrants to the United States.
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park One of the tallest lighthouses in America at 115 feet, Pigeon Point has guided mariners since 1872. The surrounding waters teem with life — seals and whales pass by just beyond the surf. Ongoing restoration, supported in part by California State Parks Foundation, is helping preserve this landmark for future generations.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Established in 1902, Big Basin is California’s oldest state park. Its ancient coast redwoods — some more than 50 feet around and as tall as the Statue of Liberty — have stood for up to 1,800 years, dating back to the time of the Roman Empire. The park is recovering from a severe wildfire in 2020, so check online before you go to see which trails are open to the public.
Año Nuevo State Park
Every year, up to 10,000 elephant seals return to Año Nuevo to breed, give birth, and molt among the scenic dunes and beaches. Reserve a tour online to view the wildlife up close. The park’s Marine Education Center features a natural history exhibit, bookstore, and theater — perfect for curious visitors of all ages.
Natural Bridges State Beach
Time your visit for the winter, when thousands of migrating western monarch butterflies fill the park’s overwintering groves. The beach is also a prime spot for spotting shorebirds, migrating whales, seals, and otters, while low tides reveal sea stars, crabs, and anemones nestled in the pools. PARKLANDS
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Cardiff State Beach
Celebrate DAF Day by Supporting California State Parks Our state parks serve as the
Your generosity helps California
backdrop for memories that last a
State Parks Foundation protect,
lifetime. You can help protect the
preserve, and expand access to
places you love by making a gift
California’s remarkable state parks
through your donor-advised fund
for future generations.
(DAF) this DAF Day, October 8, 2026. DAFs are one of the simplest and most tax-efficient ways to support
Making a gift is easy through your DAF. Visit calparks.org/daf to learn more and make your gift.
the causes that matter most to you.
Emerald Bay State Park
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FALL 2026
Show Us Your California State Parks apture California’s wild beauty in the 2026 California State Parks Foundation Photo Contest. Submit your best shots of scenic landscapes, wildlife, recreation, people, and history between August 24 and September 21. Winners will be announced October 1 and featured in our 2028 calendar. The contest is free to enter, so start exploring and capturing your favorite moments today! Learn more and submit your best shots at calparks.org/photocontest.
Photo below is the winning photo from last year’s contest by Wes Bracken
Morro Bay State Park
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Mount San Jacinto State Park
235 Montgomery Street Suite 1202 San Francisco, CA 94104 members@calparks.org
California State Parks Foundation is an independent, member-supported nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all.
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