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 August 3, 2026 

10-Year-Old Had ‘Infinitesimally Small’ Chance of Surviving Before Viral Rescue: ‘He Was Drowning for About 40 Seconds,’ Dad Says: A father and his son are “bonded” for life with a teen lifeguard who saved the 10-year-old child after powerful California waves swept him into the ocean.

Brian Brant, PEOPLE, Aug. 7

Annual Nature and Community Fair returns to Sonoma this weekend(subscription required): California State Parks will host its annual Nature and Community Fair on Saturday, Aug. 8.

Ruchi Shahagadkar, The Sonoma Index-Tribune, Aug. 6

Officials warn of elevated E. coli levels at Kings Beach: California State Parks issued a health advisory Wednesday warning the public that the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board has detected elevated levels of E. coli bacteria at the Kings Beach State Recreation Area.

Sierra Sun, Aug. 6, 2026

Bidwell Mansion Visitor Center reopens Friday with special commemoration: Kelli Saam talked to Noel Lopez from California State Parks about the reopening of the Bidwell Mansion Visitor Center 20 months after a fire destroyed the mansion. (Video)

Action News Now, Aug. 6, 2026

Two land use advisory committees advance long-awaited ParkIT! shuttle plans: Plans for the ParkIT! shuttle, a community-based initiative launched in 2018 to reduce congestion along the Highway 1 corridor from Carmel to Big Sur, are finally taking a step forward.

Katie Rodriguez, Monterey County Now, Aug. 6, 2026

Anderson Marsh plans guided nature walk and ranch house tour Aug. 8: The next "Second Saturday" guided nature walk at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8.

Henry Bornstein, Lake County News, Aug. 6, 2026

Hero California lifeguard shares story behind viral beach rescue: California State Parks lifeguard Ryder Williams shares the story behind his viral rescue. (Video)

Kat Filardi, USA Today, Aug. 5, 2026

A viral rescue is fueling a push to officially recognize California lifeguards as first responders: State Sen. Catherine Blakespear, who represents District 38 and whose daughter is a lifeguard in San Diego, is a co-author of a new state resolution urging public agencies to give lifeguards the first responder title.

Karina Vargas, Action News Now, Aug. 5, 2026

Indian American father thanks teen lifeguard for saving 10-year-old son from deadly California surf: An Indian American father says a 16-year-old California lifeguard saved his 10-year-old son's life after powerful waves swept the child into the ocean, calling the rescue a miracle and saying only seconds separated him from death.

India Weekly, Aug. 5, 2026

State Parks promotes national grant program: California State Parks is inviting eligible public entities across California to apply for the federal Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program aimed at expanding access to outdoor recreation in underserved communities. (Copy of Press Release)

Mountain Democrat, Aug. 5, 2026

Dallas boy, 10, thanks California lifeguard who rescued him from powerful waves: After a near drowning, two families are now connected stemming from the heroic rescue.

Jala Washington, NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, Aug. 4, 2026

Couple walks away after van falls 10 feet over beach embankment: San Diego Fire-Rescue said the vehicle went over the embankment, which was around 10 feet, near the 12600 block of N. Torrey Pines Road, just south of Lifeguard Tower 4, at 8:36 a.m.

Anna Ashcraft, FOX 5, Aug. 4, 2026

Nudity no longer OK at San Mateo beach long frequented by queer men: The acquisition of San Gregorio Ranch by the state means no more nudity at a site on the San Mateo County coast that has been a popular gathering space for queer people for generations. 

John Ferrannini, Bay Area Reporter, Aug. 4, 2026

Clear Eyes on the Coast: Expanded Shoreline Monitoring at San Onofre: Two new shoreline monitoring cameras have been installed overlooking the beach as part of California State Parks and Surfline’s Proud Partnership program to support the San Onofre Shoreline Resilience Project.

Surfrider, Aug. 4, 2026

Park highlights California town founded by African Americans: In the southern San Joaquin Valley, a modest but growing assemblage of restored and reconstructed buildings marks the location of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.

Oakdale Leader, Aug. 4, 2026

10-Year-Old Boy Saved by Teen Lifeguard Speaks Out About Terrifying Rescue: ‘I Thought I Was Going to Die’: Nathanial Rai recalls being swept into dangerous surf before 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams pulled him to safety

Dave Quinn, People, Aug. 4, 2026

  • Additional Coverage: WSVN, and more

California State Parks Are Cracking Down on Reservation No-Shows: As of July 1, 2026, there are more consequences for last-minute cancellations and no-shows. Each cancellation comes with a non-refundable $8.25 fee, however, you may be charged more depending on when you submit your cancellation. 

Blake Bakkila, Sunset, Aug. 4, 2026

Bystanders Save Unconscious Teen Found In Water at San Mateo County Beach: Quick-thinking bystanders are being credited with saving an 18-year-old’s life at San Gregorio State Beach in San Mateo County after they took immediate action by calling 911 and resuscitating the teen using CPR.

Leanne Maxwell, SFist, Aug. 3, 2026

Recuperan el cuerpo de un adolescente de 17 años en el río Stanislaus en el Valle Central: El adolescente se sumergió en el agua mientras practicaba rafting en el parque estatal Caswell, indicaron las autoridades.

Telemundo 33, Aug. 3, 2026

‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway opens to the public: A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Friday of last week for the ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway — a 125-acre Yurok Tribe owned and managed preserve just north of Orick at the southern end of Redwood National and State Parks. (Subscription Required)

Robert Schaulis, Times-Standard, Aug. 3, 2026

'No Parking' signage coming to Bixby Bridge: At a Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council meeting on July 20, state Sen. John Laird said he had been meeting with various stakeholders, including the California Coastal Commission, Caltrans, California State Parks, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, the California Highway Patrol and local businesses, to find a path forward to support enforcement of the parking ordinance.

Katie Rodriguez, Monterey County Now, Aug. 3, 2026

How to borrow free hiking kits and free state parks passes: Did you know you can check out a free pass to visit one or more California state parks — and also borrow a hiking backpack full of stuff like binoculars, flashlight, compass, field guides and more? These are available at more than 200 libraries around the state.

Marla Jo Fisher, Orange County Register, August 3, 2026

Mother shares heartbreak after son drowns in Stanislaus River: Gabriel Santiago, a 17-year-old boy, drowned in the Stanislaus River at Caswell Memorial State Park over the weekend, leaving his family heartbroken.

Anahita Jafary, KCRA, August 2, 2026

Bystander CPR helps save 18-year-old after near-drowning at San Gregorio State Beach: An 18-year-old was hospitalized Sunday evening after bystanders performed CPR following a near-drowning at San Gregorio State Beach, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said.

Richard Ramos, CBS, August 2, 2026

Community is Invited to Celebrate California Admission Day Celebration with Free Cake & Ice Cream at the State Capitol on September 9, 2026: Come one, come all…visitors to the California State Capitol in downtown Sacramento on California Admission Day — Wednesday, September 9, 2026 — are in for a special treat.

Traci Rockefeller Cusack, Sacramento Press, August 2, 2026

 

Hero teen lifeguard speaks out about viral rescue of 10-year-old boy: The 16-year-old lifeguard who was captured on camera pulling a young boy to the shore off the coast of California over the weekend is speaking out for the first time.

Katie Kindelan, ABC News, August 1, 2026

California State Parks offering Free Fourth Grade Pass program for students to have free access to state parks: California State Parks on Saturday announced the start of their Free Fourth Grade Pass program.

Will Anderson, Action News Now, August 1, 2026

Independence Trail flume rebuilding on track: The Independence West Trail continues to be closed to the public, due to severe public safety hazards and structural destruction caused by the August 2020 Jones Fire when the intense blaze burned through the BYLT and South Yuba River State Park corridors.

Marianne Boll-See, The Union, August 1, 2026

Containment reaches 30% on Woodside Fire as heavy smoke continues to affect much of Sonoma County: Nighttime helicopter drops and cool conditions helped firefighters battling a wildfire burning on the Sonoma Coast reach 30% containment, according to Cal Fire officials early Friday.

Alana Minkler, Press Democrat, July 31, 2026

Yurok Tribe opens California cultural park on former lumber mill land: A long-shuttered 125-acre former lumber mill located in the heart of Native American ancestral territory in the far North State on the California Redwood forest's doorstep has been transformed into a new public recreation area that is owned and operated by the Yurok Tribe. (Subscription Required)

Michele Chandler, Redding Record Searchlight, July 31, 2026

California unveils plans for three new giant parks — including historic camp that inspired ‘The Grapes of Wrath’: If all goes to plan, the Golden State could be beautified even further by up to three new state parks — and the California State Parks wants Californians’ input on the process.

Allison Lax, New York Post, July 31, 2026

San Gregorio State Beach doubles in size as historic ranch becomes public land: San Gregorio State Beach is now roughly twice its size after expanding into the formerly private ranch, San Gregorio Ranch.

Sooji Nam, CBS, July 31, 2026