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 Nov. 17, 2025  

 

Beloved Tahoe Campground Set to Reopen Following 3-Year Closure: One of Lake Tahoe’s most beloved camping destinations is officially set to reopen next year after a lengthy, multi-year closure.
Active NorCal, Nov. 21, 2025.

Negligence alleged in boy’s death: The family of the 8-year-old boy killed by a falling oak branch at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas last summer is preparing a lawsuit, claiming that those in charge of the property knew the tree was hazardous but failed to take appropriate action.
Eamon Murphy, The Acorn, Nov. 21, 2025.

Replanting Hope: Will Rogers State Historic Park Begins Renewal After 99.5% Wildfire Destruction: Will Rogers State Historic Park, nearly wiped out when the Pacific Palisades fire scorched 99.5% of the park, is officially on the path to renewal.
Michelle Edgar, Santa Monica Daily Press, Nov. 21, 2025.

‘Baywatch’ returns to local beaches as part of efforts to save the entertainment industry: Fans of the iconic red swimsuit, don’t you worry, it’s gonna be alright because forever and always, Baywatch is here.
Matthew Hall, Santa Monica Daily Press, Nov. 21, 2025.

7-Year-Old Girl Identified After Being Fatally Swept Out to Sea with Her Dad, Who Died Attempting to Save Her: The 7-year-old girl who died after she was swept out to sea in California has been identified.
Abigail Adams, People, Nov. 20, 2025.

LA Metro committee recertifies proposed Dodger gondola after lawsuits: A Los Angeles Metro Board committee Thursday re- certified the environmental impact report for a proposed gondola that aims to connect Union Station to Dodger Stadium -- a project initiated by former Dodger owner Frank McCourt -- after the original documents were challenged in court.
Jose Herrera, The Eastsider, Nov. 20, 2025.

Coastal hazard warning issued for Bay Area coastline: The National Weather Service issued a beach hazard statement for the Bay Area's coast that took effect at 4 p.m. Thursday and will continue through next Monday night.
Mark Tamayo & Mark Sayre, KTVU, Nov. 20, 2025.

Will Rogers State Historic Park Reopens 10 Months After Palisades Fire: Nearly a year after the Palisades Fire tore through the Pacific Palisades, Will Rogers State Historic Park has welcomed visitors back. The reopening comes ten months after the blaze destroyed historic structures, burned thousands of acres, and shut down one of Los Angeles’ most iconic recreation areas.
Keith Lusher, Outdoor Hub, Nov. 20, 2025.

Upgrades close Torrey Pines Natural Reserve trails through February: Most trails at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in La Jolla are closed through February for a phased improvement project to upgrade utilities, enhance accessibility, modernize the comfort station and make other site improvements.
Dave Schwab, Times of San Diego, Nov. 19, 2025.

Petition Demands Stop To Cinderella Toilets In Sonoma County: A group local has launched a campaign including a petition to stop the installation of high-temperature waste incinerator toilets on the Sonoma Coast and local state parks. A Change.org petition has collected 280 signatures, more than half of the 500 goal.
Angela Woodall, Patch, Nov. 19, 2025.

California Beach Widths Show Resilience: San Diego County beaches gained width in the past year and average beach width across all of California has remained stable since 1985.
DredgeWire, Nov. 19, 2025.

Thousands of Western Monarchs Winter in Santa Cruz — but Their Numbers Are Dwindling: The monarch butterfly window has opened at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz.
Steve Martarano, Comstock, Nov. 19, 2025.

Palisades fire victims claim a state park official restricted efforts to fight earlier blaze: Lawyers representing victims of the Palisades fire are seeking to depose Los Angeles firefighters to shed light on allegations that a California State Parks official restricted how the Los Angeles Fire Department handled an earlier blaze that reignited into the deadly firestorm that destroyed thousands of homes.
Jenny Jarvie and Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, Nov. 19, 2025.

Popular Lake Tahoe state park to reopen after being closed for three years: One of Lake Tahoe’s most popular state parks will reopen next spring after being closed for three years for repairs. D.L. Bliss State Park, on the lake’s southwest shoreline near Emerald Bay, will reopen on May 21, state park officials announced this week, with campground reservations available for booking six months out beginning Friday at ReserveCalifornia.com.
Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, Nov. 19, 2025.

What to know about Sacramento County’s newly approved Coyote Creek solar project: Sacramento County supervisors have approved one of the largest solar proposals in the the county, voting 5-0 after hours of testimony from more than 150 speakers. The Coyote Creek Agrivoltaic Ranch would bring a 200-megawatt solar farm and a 100-megawatt battery system to roughly 2,700 acres east of Rancho Cordova, along Scott Road near White Rock Road.
Gurajpal Sangha, ABC-10 News, Nov. 18, 2025.

Father and 7-Year-Old Daughter Killed After Powerful Wave on North California Beach: Witnessing the chaos, Anzi's mother rushed into the ocean in a desperate bid to help her family members.
Rudy Blalock, NTD, Nov. 18, 2025.

Beloved California state park to reopen after yearslong closure: D.L. Bliss State Park, one of Lake Tahoe’s most beloved stretches of shoreline, is finally set to fully reopen after years of closures, delays and mounting frustration over a stalled infrastructure overhaul, California State Parks announced this week.
Andrew Chamings, SF Gate, Nov. 18, 2025.

Naked suspect flees into Feather River after removing ankle monitor, Oroville police say: The Oroville Police Department arrested a registered offender after two short pursuits on Saturday afternoon.
Adoreil Ayoubgoulan, FOX 40, Nov. 18, 2025.

Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Week kicks off in California: This week marks Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Week in California, with a variety of programs and events scheduled across the state.
Bakersfield Now, Nov. 18, 2025.

Honor Jack London’s legacy with gravesite memorial, Turkey Waddle Hike at state park: On the 109th death anniversary of notable author Jack London, Jack London State Historic Park invites the public to a gravesite memorial on Saturday, Nov. 22, followed by community hikes that will take place through New Year’s Day.
Emma Molloy, Sonoma-Index Tribune, Nov. 18, 2025.

California Beach Widths Show Resilience:Two new studies from researchers at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography provide encouraging news about California’s beaches at both local and statewide scales.
Alex Fox, Mavens Notebook, Nov. 18, 2025.

Coroner identifies girl recovered near California beach: A tragic incident at Garrapata Beach in Monterey County resulted in the deaths of a 7-year-old girl and her father after they were swept into the ocean during a family outing. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has released the name of the child, whose body was recovered on Sunday.
Jacquelyn Quinones, KSBW 8, Nov. 17, 2025.

'Tragic series of events,' says man who tried to save Calgary father from drowning at California beach:Rescuers did everything they could to try and save the life of a Calgary man and child who died along a treacherous stretch of Garrapata State Beach in California, says the off-duty peace officer first on the scene.
Daniel Gonzalez, Calgary Herald, Nov. 17, 2025.

Popular Lake Tahoe park set to reopen in May 2026 after upgrades: A popular Lake Tahoe spot known for its breathtaking views and hiking trails is set to reopen next summer after years of infrastructure updates, and visitors can soon begin making campground reservations.
Lindsay Weber, KCRA 3, Nov. 17, 2025.

California offers $1.2M grants for floating restrooms on lakes (VIDEO): California's waterways are set to become cleaner with $1.2 million in grants for floating restrooms, helping reduce pollution significantly. Government agencies can apply now to be part of this impactful initiative that keeps over 1 million gallons of sewage out of our lakes and reservoirs each year.
Action News Now, Nov. 17, 2025.

Oroville police capture parolee after river escape attempt:  Oroville Police officers arrested a registered sex offender who was captured after jumping into the Feather River in an attempt to evade police on Saturday.
Alejandro Mejia, Action News Now, Nov. 17, 2025.

Man dies trying to save daughter from 'high-surf conditions' at California State Park: A man died attempting to rescue his daughter, who got swept into the ocean amid "high-surf conditions" at California's Garrapata State Park, officials said. The girl's body was found days later.
Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, Nov. 17, 2025.

Hundreds of ancient rock circles in California park defy explanation:Two hours east of San Diego, across the vast expanse of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, lie countless ancient rock circles in the remote terrain, their purpose unknown and a mystery to this day.
Christine Hitt, SFGATE, Nov. 16, 2025.

Better than Death Valley, this California desert has metal sculptures and costs 67% less: Death Valley’s parking lots overflow with tour buses as temperatures soar past 125°F. Entry fees reach $30 per vehicle while visitors queue for hours at Badwater Basin’s salt flats. California’s most famous desert has become a victim of its own success.
Jounree-Mondiale, Nov. 15, 2025.

California State Parks Encourages Off-Highway Vehicle Enthusiasts to ‘Ride to Ride Again’ During OHV Safety Week November 15-23, 2025: California State Parks invites all off-roading enthusiasts – experienced and new – to participate in the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division’s OHV Safety Week from Nov. 15 to 23. This year’s theme, “Ride to Ride Again,” emphasizes the importance of responsible and respectful riding so all riders can safely enjoy California’s diverse off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails – not only today but also tomorrow and in the future.
Sierra Sun Times, Nov. 15, 2025.

Bidwell Mansion's future under discussion as state parks meet with stakeholders: State parks officials met with stakeholders in Chico on Friday, Nov. 14, to discuss the future of the Bidwell Mansion, which was damaged by fire. The meeting is part of the "Reimagine Bidwell Mansion" planning process announced in September. This initiative aims to understand the mansion's significance to the community and explore potential future plans.
Vincent Rupena, KRCR-7(ABC), Nov. 14, 2025.

State and tribes outline California Indian Heritage Center site and 2026 Phase 1 opening in West Sacramento: Jennifer Cabrera, project manager for California State Parks, told the Washington Unified School District board that the California Indian Heritage Center (CIHC) will sit on Marina Way and Lighthouse in West Sacramento and will be built in phases across dry and wet sides of the riverfront site.
Citizen Portal, Nov. 14, 2025.

California grant funds OHV recreation study at Jordan Hill Park: The Paradise Recreation and Parks District (PRPD) has received a $219,264 grant from the State of California's Resources Agency to explore off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation opportunities at Jordan Hill Road Park. The grant, provided through the Department of Parks and Recreation's Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, will fund a feasibility study conducted by PRPD in collaboration with ICF Jones & Stokes associates.
Vincent Rupena, KRCR-7 (ABC), Nov. 14, 2025.

California’s Annual Monarch Migration Phenomenon Is Underway — Here’s Where to Spot Them Near L.A.: One of California’s most spectacular phenomena is the gathering of thousands of monarch butterflies every single winter. Along the California coast, monarch sanctuaries are starting to receive butterflies at their annual overwintering sites.
Jamie Ferrell, Secret Los Angeles, Nov. 14, 2025.