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 April 13, 2026 

The opinions and views expressed in the news stories of interest do not always reflect those of the California Department of Parks and Recreation 

Off-highway vehicles kept killing birds. Now a judge has ordered this popular Calif. park to close: Off-roading and camping have been temporarily suspended at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area near Pismo Beach after a federal judge ordered the partial closure to protect a threatened shorebird. 

Amanda Heidt, SF Gate, Apr. 17, 2026 

 

West Sac Finally Breaks Ground on Long Stalled Indian Heritage Center: Shovels finally hit the dirt in West Sacramento this week, as Gov. Gavin Newsom joined tribal leaders on a riverfront site to kick off construction of the long delayed California Indian Heritage Center. 

Sarah Hernandez, Hoodline, Apr. 16, 2026 

 

Peninsula Open Space to Acquire San Gregorio Ranch to Create New Public Access Way Adjacent to San Gregorio Beach; Will Be Opened Summer 2026: The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is in the process of acquiring the property and shortly thereafter proposes transferring operation, and eventually ownership, of the property to State Parks or another public agency. 

Coastside Buzz, Apr. 16, 2026 

  

Addis bill protecting state’s monarch habitats passes through committee: A state bill that would expand protection for monarch butterfly habitats along the California coast, has passed the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, author of the bill, recently announced. 

James Herrera, Monterey Herald, Apr. 16, 2026 

  

This 6,000-Acre California State Park Is Still Largely Unknown: Tucked away in the Sierra Nevada mountains near Blairsden, California, Plumas-Eureka State Park is one of the state’s best-kept secrets. 

Evan Cook, Fast Food Club, Apr. 16, 2026 

  

How to find L.A. hikes where spring ?????? is in full bloom: Here is what I consider as I’m searching for the best spring hikes. 

Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, Apr. 16, 2026 

 

 

Poetry in Parks Returns to Empire Mine State Historic Park on April 25, 2026: California State Parks and the Sierra Gold Parks Foundation invite the public to celebrate poetry and community at Poetry in Parks, taking place April 25, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley. 

Yubanet, April 16, 2026 

 

Native American center in West Sacramento breaks ground. How it will honor tribes: Tribes and Gov. Gavin Newsom broke ground on the long awaited California Indian Heritage Center in West Sacramento on Tuesday morning. The new center, which will replace the California State Indian Museum in midtown, will reside at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers. 

Emma Hall, The Sacramento Bee, April 15, 2026 

 

California State Parks Graduates 36 New Peace Officers: California State Parks celebrated the graduation of 36 cadets on Friday, April 10. These new State Park Peace Officers (rangers and lifeguards) are ready to “Live the Parks Life” in the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system. 

Redheaded Blackbelt, April 15, 2026 

  

More hiking trails, campgrounds could come to the Salton Sea: On a recent Sunday at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area along the northeastern corner of California’s largest lake, a small group inside the visitor center examined a display about fish in the Salton Sea. 

Erin Rode, SFGATE, April 15, 2026 

  

E-bikes are all over mountain trails. Some want them banned: In bright sunshine, with the Pacific Ocean sparkling far below, two middle-aged men hopped on mountain bikes and started climbing a steep dirt road above Zuma Beach in Malibu. 

Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, April 15, 2026 

 

Herbicide Use Near Doheny Beach Triggers State Probe: A key state environmental oversight agency has launched an investigation into herbicide spraying by OC Public Works along South County’s San Juan Creek, which flows into Doheny State Beach.  

Norberto Santana Jr., Voice of OC, April 15, 2026 

  

Poachers busted for harvesting hundreds of crabs from SLO County beach: Two poachers were cited Monday after they were caught taking hundreds of small shore crabs from a San Luis Obispo County beach. 

Kaytlyn Leslie, San Luis Obispo Tribune, April 15, 2026 

  

California’s Super Bloom Season Is Finally Here— Here’s Where You Can Catch It (And What To Do There): After months of rain and the perfect mix of sunshine and temperatures, California is bursting into color. The 2026 wildflower season is shaping up to be one of the most impressive in years, with vibrant blooms popping up across deserts, valleys, and even coastal hills. 

Marissa Bradstreet, Parade, April 15, 2026 

  

This Small California State Park Is Perfect For Letting Go Of Stress: Tucked along the rugged Central Coast of California, Montaña de Oro State Park in Los Osos is one of those rare places that feels like the world slows down the moment you arrive. 

Evan Cook, Fast Food Club, April 15, 2026 

  

Out Near The CA-NV Border, On Just 5 Nights A Year, One Of California’s Best-Preserved Gold Rush Towns Hosts Eerie After-Dark Ghost Tours — Here’s When To Book A Spot: The former Gold Rush boomtown of Bodie, California, is one of the state’s most striking and best-preserved ghost towns. 

Jamie Ferrell, Secret San Francisco, April 15, 2026 

  

This U.S. State Was Just Named the Best for Spring Hiking for Its Weather, Scenery, and 18,000 Miles of Trails: With views of blooming fields, mountain summits, and oceanfront beaches, California was crowned the best state in the country for spring hiking. 

Kristine Hansen, Travel+Leisure, April 15, 2026 

  

Going on a hike in California? Here’s how to stay safe on the trail: Hiking can be a great way to see California’s natural beauty and vast landscapes. California has nine national parks — the most of any U.S. state — as well as 280 state parks. 

Alexiah Syrai Olsen, San Luis Obispo Tribune, April 15, 2026 

 

Skip Yosemite: This Underrated California Park Is Like A Mini National Park With Ancient Redwoods: Of California's record-breaking nine national parks, the iconic Yosemite is consistently the most popular. In 2024 alone, Yosemite National Park welcomed more than four million visitors. However, not everything is perfect in paradise. 

Stephen Hansen, The Travel, April 14, 2026 

 

Area of Oceano Dunes temporarily closed to off-roading: After a lengthy lawsuit involving the endangered Snowy Plover and off-road vehicles, a portion of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is temporarily closed to vehicles. 

Makayla Richardson, KSBY (NBC-Santa Barbara), April 14, 2026 

 

Oceano Dunes Shuts Down Camping and Off-Highway Vehicle Use After Court Ruling: A section of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area will temporarily close to camping and off-highway vehicle use. The area of the park south of Arroyo Grande Creek will be closed to camping and vehicle use due to a court ruling on April 9, 2026, prohibiting motor vehicle use, according to a notice issued by the park. edhat San Luis Obispo, April 14, 2026  

  

  

California State Parks honors 36 new peace officers at law enforcement academy graduation ceremony: California State Parks celebrated the graduation of 36 cadets on Friday, April 10, at the academy in Paradise. These new State Park Peace Officers – rangers and lifeguards – are ready to “Live the Parks Life” in the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system. Lake County News, April 14, 2026  

Woman found dead in Big Sur identified; death deemed suspicious: The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has identified a woman who was found dead under what they say are suspicious circumstances in the Ventana Wilderness area of Los Padres National Forest. Ricardo Tovar, KSBW, April 14, 2026  

This 14,000-Acre California State Park Remains One of America’s Best-Kept Secrets: Tucked away along the rugged Northern California coast near Orick, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is a 14,000-acre wonderland that most travelers never even hear about. Ancient redwood trees tower hundreds of feet overhead, wild elk roam open meadows, and hidden canyon trails lead to some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the entire country. Evan Cook, Fast Food Club, April 14, 2026 

 

One person arrested after hourslong oceanside standoff with Capitola police: A man was detained Monday after engaging in an hours-long oceanside standoff with law enforcement in Capitola that forced a full closure of one of the city’s primary thoroughfares. PK Hattis, Santa Cruz Sentinel, April 13, 2026 

 

Wildflower season: Here’s where to find blooms in the Bay Area: The spring provides a chance to appreciate the riches Earth gives us: small-scale splendor hiding beneath our feet. 

Alissa Greenberg, East Bay Times, Apr. 13, 2026 

  

Wildfires killed nearly 20% of the world’s giant sequoias. How crews are racing to save the rest: Growing campaign of controlled burns, thinning and replanting seedlings aims to limit fire risk this summer and beyond 

Paul Rogers, East Bay Times, Apr. 13, 2026 

  

This California State Park Is the Perfect Alternative to Muir Woods—With 800 Acres of Redwood Forests and Few Crowds: Less than two hours north of San Francisco, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is home to towering trees hundreds of years old. 

Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, Apr. 13, 2026 

  

A small California state park that’s simply too beautiful to keep secret: Tucked along the rugged Mendocino Coast, Jug Handle State Natural Reserve near Fort Bragg, California is one of those rare places that feels like a well-kept secret. 

Evan Cook, Fast Food Club, Apr. 12, 2026 

 

Sierra Speaker Series returns with ‘The Donner Party: Weathering the Storm’ talk: The Sierra State Parks Foundation, in partnership with California State Parks and the Nevada County Library, is proud to announce the return of the monthly Sierra Speaker Series. 

Sierra Sun, Apr. 12, 2026 

 

California state parks invite local families to celebrate Earth Day with hikes, volunteering and outdoor adventures: Earth Day falls on April 22 this year, and California State Parks is inviting local families to celebrate in whatever way feels right — whether that means rolling up their sleeves for a park cleanup, exploring a trail together or simply stepping outside and soaking it all in. 

Jessica Porter, Gold Mountain California News, Apr. 11, 2026 

  

California State Parks launches inclusivity training program to welcome more visitors to the outdoors: California State Parks has launched a multiyear partnership with The Unity Folks, a national outdoor inclusivity organization, to bring a new staff training program called Common Ground to parks across the state. 

Jessica Porter, Gold Mountain California News, Apr. 11, 2026 

 

Project Gold Rush: The man who will run 13 marathons in 13 days: Seth Wilmoth is days away from starting Project Gold Rush, where he'll run 13 marathons in 13 days to raise money for California State Parks [Video]. 

CBS News, Apr. 11, 2026 

 

Off-roading at Oceano Dunes will be halted temporarily to protect endangered bird: U.S. District Court Judge Anne Hwang ruled on Thursday that State Parks must halt off-highway vehicle recreation at the Oceano Dunes south of Arroyo Grande Creek until the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues the park an incidental take permit for snowy plovers, a protected shorebird. 

Stephanie Zappelli, The Tribune, Apr. 11, 2026 

  

Monterey County deputies investigate suspicious death near Big Sur hot springs: The Monterey County Sheriff's Office is investigating the suspicious death of a woman in the Ventana Wilderness area of Los Padres National Forest. 

Ricardo Tovar, KSBW 8, Apr. 10, 2026 

CAL FIRE BEU assists in search for hiker in distress at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park: The Monterey County USAR was requested to assist Big Sur Fire, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, California State Parks, and the U.S. Forest Service in Los Padres National Forest in the search for a hiker in distress at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. 

Ricardo Tovar, KSBW 8, Apr. 10, 2026 

  

A little-known California state park that feels like the Wild West: Tucked away in the rugged hills of Southern California, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a place that most people have never heard of — but those who visit never forget it. 

Evan Cook, Fast Food Club, Apr. 10, 2026