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 Sept. 21, 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

Santa Barbara Zoo Celebrates 10 Years of Snowy Plover Conservation with Over 200 Birds Returned to the Wild: New state-of-the-art tracking technology gives the Zoo’s conservation program new insight into how rehabilitated and released plovers support recovery of the species

Edhat, Sept. 25, 2026

Rare Venomous Sea Snake Spotted at Popular Southern California Beach: A family walking along Crystal Cove State Beach in Orange County encountered a venomous sea snake on Friday, September 11, according to CBS Los Angeles.

Kaetlyn Liddy, Edhat, Sept. 25, 2026

Sign-ups for California State Parks’ Free Pass for fourth graders grow by 46% this year: Since Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new, simplified name and sign-up period for California State Parks’ Free Fourth Grade Pass, downloads have increased by 46% compared to the first six weeks it was offered in 2026, the governor’s office said in a press release.

The Press, Sept. 24, 2026

‘Frustrated and upset’: Angel Island burn that sent smoke across Bay Area triggers review: The Bay Area Air District said Thursday it will review how it approves prescribed burns after smoke from an Angel Island operation spread into Bay Area communities for a second time this month.

Aidin Vaziri, SF Chronicle, Sept. 24, 2026

Newsom administration proposes removing explorer John C. Frémont’s name from state park, citing his violence against Native Americans: Citing his violence against Native tribes in the 1840s, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is moving forward with a plan to remove the name of 19th-century explorer John C. Frémont from a state park on a prominent peak that straddles the San Benito and Monterey county line.

Paul Rogers, Mercury News, Sept. 24, 2026

Sept. 29 Deadline Approaching for Boating Infrastructure Grant Applications: Marina operators and other eligible entities have only a few days remaining to signal their interest in federal funding for projects designed to improve facilities serving larger transient recreational vessels.

The Log, Sept. 24, 2026

New state agency MCERP takes charge of Malibu Creek: The new state agency that's in charge is called MCERP — the Malibu Creek Ecological Restoration Project. They're the multi-agency government group that's going to restore Malibu Canyon.

Hans Laetz, Malibu.fm, Sept. 24, 2026

Prescribed burn on Angel Island finishes for the day, won’t resume rest of this week: A prescribed burn on Angel Island in San Francisco Bay wrapped up for the day Wednesday afternoon after sending smoke into the air that could be seen elsewhere around the region.

Dan McMenamin, NBC Bay Area, Sept. 23, 2026

Free state park passes available for fourth graders: More families with fourth graders are gaining free access to the California state park system under simplified rules for a special statewide parks program.

Beverly Press, Sept. 23, 2026

Torrey Pines Closed, Cat 5 Hurricane & More: La Jolla News in Brief Sept. 23: From a closure of a famous San Diego hiking spot to the nation’s largest military air show, here is your La Jolla (LaJolla.com) news in brief for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.

Mike Peterson, La Jolla, Sept. 23, 2026

Marin Co.: Angel Island Prescribed Burn To Resume: California State Parks, Cal Fire and the Marin County Fire Department plan to resume a prescribed burn on Angel Island State Park as early as Wednesday, two weeks after the operation was paused.

SFGate, Sept. 22, 2026

Smoke From Prescribed Burn in Humboldt Redwoods Drifts South: Smoke from a prescribed burn in Humboldt Redwoods State Park drifted south Tuesday and could be smelled as far away as Briceland, according to a citizen report to KMUD News.

Lisa Crenshaw, Redheaded Blackbelt, Sept. 22, 2026

California State Parks Foundation extends photography contest: The California State Parks Foundation has extended the deadline for its annual State Park Photography competition, allowing photographers to submit their work through Sept. 30.

Makena Locsin, KSBY, Sept. 22, 2026

Beachgoers Warned After Another Rattlesnake Turns Up in the Waves at Southern California Shore: The sightings are part of a wave of unusual wildlife turning up along the Southern California coast

Moná Thomas, People, Sept. 22, 2026

Division of Boating and Waterways Offers $1.4 Million in Grants to Enhance Recreational Boating Safety Education (Copy of release):California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications from organizations that teach on-the-water boating safety education to the public.
Redheaded Blackbelt, Sept. 22, 2026

Popular San Diego hiking spot begins months-long closure: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, which includes some of the most dramatic sandstone sea cliffs and oceanfront trails in Southern California, closed Monday for utility upgrades. Reopening is scheduled for March 2027.

Christopher Reynolds, LA Times, Sept. 21, 2026

  • Additional Coverage: CBS 8 (Video)

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve to close for almost 5 months for upgrades:Phase 2 of improvements will bring a new restroom, ADA-accessible parking, paths and road work to the popular San Diego hiking destination.
Joe Little, NBC San Diego, Sept. 21, 2026

Smoke could return to the Bay Area as Angel Island burn resumes:The prescribed burn at Angel Island is coming back. Fire crews could resume the operation Wednesday after a two-week pause prompted by air-quality concerns. 
Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 21, 2026

Grandview Beach access closed after bluff collapse:Grandview Beach access will remain closed for the foreseeable future following a bluff collapse late last week.
Samantha Nelson, The Coast News Group, Sept. 21, 2026

Northern Valley Yokut/Costanoan Tribe and California State Parks Formalize Collaboration with Signing Memorandum of Understanding: The Northern Valley Yokut/Costanoan Tribe (NVYT) and State Parks signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Sept. 5 for the parks within NVYT’s ancestral territory. (Copy of Press Release)

Sierra Sun Times, Sept. 21, 2026

Big Basin Just Received a $6 Million Donation to Rebuild its Burned Down Visitor Center: Six years after the CZU Lightning Complex Fire tore through 97 percent of California’s oldest state park, Big Basin Redwoods just landed the largest private gift in its history, and it comes from a family that spent decades of weekends under those trees.

Active NorCal, Sept. 21, 2026

Torrey Pines Natural State Reserve in La Jolla closed for phase two of upgrades: The Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in La Jolla will be closed for the next few months as crews begin the next step of a multi-phase renovation project.

Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, Sept. 20, 2026

Malibu officials warn public of hazardous conditions amid ongoing coastal erosion at Point Dume State Beach: The city of Malibu is reminding the public of the hazardous conditions at Point Dume State Beach caused by ongoing severe coastal erosion.

Chelsea Hylton, CBS, Sept. 20, 2026

Phosphorus flare found washed ashore at Black’s Beach, officials say: A phosphorus flare washed ashore at Black’s Beach Saturday morning, prompting an investigation by California State Parks and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, officials said.

Amber Coakley, FOX 5, Sept. 20, 2026

More Fourth Graders in the Outdoors: Sign-ups for California State Parks’ Free Pass Grow by Nearly 50%: More California fourth-grade families are gaining free access to the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system. (Copy of Press Release)

Contra Costa News, Sept. 20, 2026

Lake Mendocino boat inspections funded two more years after golden mussel scare: The grant from the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways pays for watercraft inspections and early detection work through Oct. 15, 2028, Sonoma Water said in a press release.

Roger Coryell, The Mendocino Voice, Sept. 19, 2026

California offering $1.4M for boating safety education grants: California State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways is accepting grant applications from organizations that teach on-the-water boating safety education to the public.

Ainsley Van Reuseun, Action News Now, Sept. 18, 2026

Rare venomous sea snake spotted on Southern California beach for first time since 2018: Jackie Aguilar was walking with her family at Crystal Cove last Friday night when they came across the unusual visitor on the sand.

Lily Dallow, KTLA 5, Sept. 18, 2026

California State Parks Are Bringing Native History to the Forefront: As the Trump administration seeks to erase history on public lands, these parks are offering a fuller picture

Maya Kapoor, Sierra Magazine, Sept. 17, 2026

Weather could shape 2028 Olympic surfing medals in California: The Olympic surfing competition will run from July 15-18, 2028, with waves, wind and tides helping determine the conditions athletes face.

Kai Beech, AccuWeather, Sept. 16, 2026