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 July 27, 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 

‘Leave immediately’: Growing forest fire closes Highway 1 in Sonoma County, as smoke pours over region: A forest fire broke out Thursday afternoon along the Sonoma County coast, prompting officials to order mandatory evacuations and close a stretch of Highway 1 as a dark plume of smoke clogged the sky, according to Cal Fire. 

Anna Bauman, Anthony Edwards, & Lucy Hodgman, SF Chronicle, July 31, 2026 

Chico's Bidwell Mansion visitor center reopens after 2024 arson fire: The visitor center at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park will reopen to the public for regular weekly hours beginning Friday, Aug. 7. The visitor center will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Ainsley Van Reusen, Action News Now, July 31, 2026 

Crystal Cove's beloved Beachcomber restaurant sits in a cottage 'time forgot': A trip to Crystal Cove State Park, an Orange County gem known for its natural beauty, crystal-blue waters and old-timey cottages, is not complete without a meal at the Beachcomber. 

Olivia Harden, SFGate, July 31, 2026 

James Marshall's 1848 discovery set off California's greatest migration; Sutter's Mill is now a historic landmark with a visitor influx: Carpenter James W. Marshall discovered gold flakes in the tailrace of a mill he was constructing for John Sutter on January 24, 1848, along the South Fork of the American River. That moment helped set off a major shift in the American West. 

Economic Times, July 31, 2026 

Lifeguard in viral Santa Cruz surf rescue gains recognition as officials highlight beach safety: The brave 16-year-old Santa Cruz lifeguard, seen in a viral video rescuing a 10-year-old boy from dangerous conditions, says he is grateful for all the accolades -- but he's also pretty stunned by it all. 

Gloria Rodríguez, ABC 7, July 30, 2026 

‘I love what I do’: Teenage lifeguard speaks out on heroic Santa Cruz beach rescue: Rookie lifeguard Ryder Williams was advising Santa Cruz beachgoers on water safety when he saw a young boy stumble in ankle-deep water. 

Brooke Park, SF Chronicle, July 30, 2026 

Authorities warn of dangerous surf following rescue at Santa Cruz beach: The viral rescue at a Santa Cruz beach on Saturday served as a powerful reminder of why experts say people should swim only at beaches with lifeguards on duty. 

NBC Bay Area, July 30, 2026 

He calls it his duty. America calls this 16-year-old California lifeguard a hero: The dramatic footage of a teenage lifeguard saving a child from punishing waves along the California coast has captured the attention of the nation, drawing praise from the shores of Santa Cruz all the way to the White House. 

Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, July 30, 2026 

  

 

Coast Guard copter crew rescues 13-year-old from Sue-Meg State Park cliff (press release): A Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay helicopter crew rescued a 13-year-old boy stranded on a cliff at Sue-Meg State Park, Monday evening, July 20. (Copy of Press Release) 

Mad River Union, July 30, 2026  

California Department of Water Resources Announces Three-Pronged Strategy to Protect the State Water Project from Golden Mussels (press release): As the operator of the State Water Project (SWP), DWR is deploying a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impact of golden mussel infestation and prevent further colonization. 

Sierra Sun Times, July 30, 2026   

Volunteer workdays benefit local habitats (subscription only): Redwood Parks Conservancy, in partnership with California State Parks North Coast Redwoods District, invites the public to volunteer in August to help restore coastal dunes, prairies, forests and native plant habitats across Northern California. 

The Times Standard, July 30, 2026 

Teenage Lifeguard Fights Intense Waves to Bring Boy to Safety: As relentless, crashing waves pummeled the shores of Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, Calif., over the weekend, churning up sand and turning the surf into a salty foam, a teenage lifeguard with an unrelenting grip pulled, dragged and lifted a young boy from the water to bring him to safety. (Subscription Required) 

Sejal Govindarao & Pooja Salhotra, New York Times, July 29, 2026 

Carmel teacher arrested again for public intoxication and resisting officers: A Carmel teacher has been arrested for the second time in less than two years. 

Felix Cortez, KSBW, July 29, 2026 

Fire on Brannan Island reignites (video): Carmela Karcher reports. 

CBS News, July 29, 2026

  • Additional Coverage: ABC 10 (Video) 

Critical salmon habitat and 125 acres of land handed over to indigenous CA tribe after Gold Rush era loss: A massive part of the coastal Redwood land in Northern California is now back in the hands of a Native American Tribe, protecting a critical salmon habitat and giving the public an unprecedented experience. 

Katie Jerkovich, New York Post, July 29, 2026

Swim advisories lifted as presence of E. coli at Lake Natoma drops to safe levels: Officials will lift swimming advisories at Lake Natoma following test results showing the presence of E. coli has dropped to safe levels for two consecutive weeks after being elevated for five weeks at Black Miners Bar Swim Area. 

Shelley Ho, Abridged, July 29, 2026

‘I’m super proud of him’: father of teen lifeguard recounts dramatic ocean rescue: A rookie, teenage California lifeguard who saved a young boy from drowning amid massive waves has spent his whole life preparing for such a moment, according to his father. 

Ramon Antonio Vargas, The Guardian, July 29, 2026

Lifeguard battles pounding surf to save a child swept out to sea: A lifeguard dashed into the water and grabbed the child, locking his arms around the boy as they bobbed up and down about 15 yards off shore. (Subscription Required) 

Maggie Penman, Washington Post, July 29, 2026

Nighttime hike, art workshops set for August at Jack London State Park: With the summer in full swing, Jack London State Historic Park is offering a varied, monthlong lineup of events in August. (Subscription Required) 

Ruchi Shahagadkar, Sonoma Index-Tribune, July 29, 2026

Trump weighs in on miracle Santa Cruz beach rescue by ‘heroic’ lifeguard — and teases huge reward: President Trump said Tuesday he will reward a Santa Cruz lifeguard with a “high civilian honor” after he saved a little boy from monster waves that sucked him into the surf. 

Ross O’Keefe, New York Post, July 28, 2026

California redwoods gateway is returned to Indigenous tribe. ‘That’s healing our people too’: The Yurok Tribe has regained 125 acres of ancestral land in Humboldt County. 

Alex Wigglesworth, LA Times, July 28, 2026

Ecology and Stargazing Event at Will Rogers Park Highlights Postfire Recovery: A shared sense of community and recovery drew families and nature enthusiasts to Will Rogers State Historic Park Sunday evening for a joint event hosted by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society and environmental nonprofit TreePeople. 

Jack Newman, Palisadian-Post, July 28, 2026

Trump says he wants to honor California lifeguard who rescued boy from pounding surf: A lifeguard who dove into pounding surf to save a boy in a dramatic rescue off the California coast has caught the attention of President Donald Trump, who said Tuesday that he would invite him to the White House. 

Olga R. Rodriguez, AP, July 28, 2026

Yurok Tribe regains 125 acres in ancestral territory in deal with Save the Redwoods League: A 125-acre property in the heart of the Yurok Tribe’s ancestral territory near Redwood National and State Parks is now under tribal ownership, permanently protected and scheduled to open to the public Aug. 1, 2026. 

Veonna King, KRCR, July 28, 2026

Crews respond to fire near Brannan Island State Recreation Area in Sacramento County: Crews are responding to a large fire along the Delta in Sacramento County, footage from LiveCopter 3 shows. 

Jeremiah Martinez, KCRA, July 28, 2026

Plane makes emergency landing on California beach: A small two-seater airplane made an emergency landing on Huntington State Beach after losing engine power shortly after takeoff from John Wayne Airport Monday afternoon, July 27, according to tower communications. 

Nathaniel Percy & Jeff Gritchen, Mercury News, July 28, 2026

Control, not eradication: Managing invasive plants in the Delta: With eradication out of reach, the Aquatic Invasive Plant Control Program focuses on keeping invasive aquatic vegetation from overwhelming Delta waterways. 

Maven’s Notebook, July 28, 2026

Hammond Park reopens after multimillion dollar expansion: After 10 months of work, a Monday afternoon event officially reopened the newly expanded and renovated Hammond Park. Thanks to a $2.3 million state grant, the park — located at 6935 Hammond Ave. in Nice — is now much bigger, with more amenities. 

Elizabeth Larson, Lake County News, July 28, 2026

One rescued following severe fall at South Yuba River State Park at Bridgeport: Just before noon Sunday July 26, Penn Valley Fire Protection District, North San Juan Fire Protection District, and California State Parks responded to reports of a patient who had suffered a significant fall along the South Yuba River. 

Jon Pitts, the Union, July 27, 2026

Will Rogers and Topanga state parks burned. Now you can help shape their future: The Palisades Fire burned down historic buildings in Will Rogers and Topanga state parks. California State Parks wants to know what you think about how they should rebuild. 

Cato Hernández, LAist, July 27, 2026 

Police release identity of swimmer whose body was found washed ashore in Carlsbad: The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday released the identity of a 53-year-old man whose body washed ashore in Carlsbad on Sunday after he was reported missing while swimming Saturday evening. 

Sharisse Cohee, FOX 5, July 27, 2026

Child severely injured in ATV crash, airlifted from Oceano Dunes: A child was severely injured and airlifted from the Oceano Dunes on Saturday after the ATV they were driving crashed into two other riders on Saturday. 

Hannah Poukish, San Luis Obispo Tribune, July 27, 2026 

‘We’re cooked!’ Small plane makes emergency landing on Huntington State Beach: An uncle and his nephew had a harrowing experience Monday afternoon when the engine on their two-seat plane died, forcing them to make an emergency landing on Huntington State Beach. 

Clara Harter & Evan Schaben, LA Times, July 27, 2026 

Dramatic video shows teenage lifeguard rescue boy from violent waves at Santa Cruz beach: In a roughly two-minute struggle with relentless, towering waves, the lifeguard — a teenager, according to Scott Vander Dussen and media reports — helped pull the boy to safety. 

Brooke Park, SF Chronicle, July 27, 2026

Classic California park bike trail adds much-needed extension through Mt. Tam wilderness: Cyclists are cheering as they can finally bike through the white-knuckle road segment through Mt. Tamalpais State Park in Marin County. 

Sheetal Banchariya, New York Post, July 27, 2026

Dramatic California beach rescue caught on video as powerful surf, rip currents hit coast: A dramatic rescue at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz is highlighting the dangers of powerful surf and rip currents along the California coast this week. 

Sooji Nam, CBS, July 26, 2026

Coast Guard recovers body of missing swimmer off Carlsbad coast: California State Parks received a report around 7 p.m. Saturday of a 53-year-old man who was last seen in the water near Tower 26 at South Carlsbad State Beach. 

CBS 8, July 26, 2026

California 13-year-old stranded on 200-foot cliff above beach is hoisted out by Coast Guard: Emergency crews in Northern California used a helicopter to recover a 13-year-old boy after he became stuck on a cliff about 200 feet above the beach, the Coast Guard said. 

Ray Brennan, The Cool Down, July 26, 2026 

California State Parks Celebrates Opening of New Historic Preservation Center at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds: California State Parks, in partnership with Aramark Destinations, celebrated the opening of the new Historic Preservation Center at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds with a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 15. (Copy of Press Release) 

EIN, July 25, 2026

The ‘Ellis Island of the West’ offers history, pleasant hikes, spectacular views, unique campsites & ferry rides to reach: It isn’t as famous as “The Rock” but Angel Islands in San Francisco Bay is arguably one of the most unique units in the California State Parks system. 

Dennis Wyatt, Manteca Bulletin, July 25, 2026

3 years after rope swing death, Katie Hoedt's family continues push for water safety awareness: Former KCRA 3 news producer Katie Hoedt's parents caution visitors about underwater hazards 

Melanie Wingo, KCRA, July 24, 2026

Lifeguard Competition Returns to Will Rogers State Beach: The 46th annual California Surf Lifesaving Championships were held Friday and Saturday at the south end of Will Rogers State Beach. 

Jack Newman, Palisadian Post, July 24, 2026

E. coli levels improve in Lake Natoma but rise in Folsom Lake, water samples indicate: Water samples recently collected at Lake Natoma show E. coli levels have dropped, but elevated levels were detected in one area of Folsom Lake. 

David Aguilar, KCRA, July 23, 2026