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 20, 2026

WATCH: Felony suspect's ocean getaway unravels after 90-minute standoff with lifeguards: The man allegedly fled on foot before running past a lifeguard tower and into the water at Will Rogers State Beach.
Stepheny Price, Fox News, July 17, 2026

Sunken Boat Located: Cause of Fatal Capsize Under Investigation: Officials from the San Francisco Police Department on Friday located the submerged wreckage of the Volare.
Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, KQED, July 17, 2026

Historic Santa Barbara Presidio Renovations to Last Through Summer: The Cañedo Adobe and Padre’s Quarters at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park are undergoing porch and roof restorations, and construction is expected to last through the summer.
Noelle Cabrera, Noozhawk, July 18, 2026

California's beaches are public, but access isn't equal: California’s beaches attract millions of visitors each year. Yet for many people, getting to the shoreline is far more difficult than it should be.
Rodielon Putol, Earth.com, July 18, 2026

New Beach Dress Code Will Bring $1,000 Fines and Possible Jail Time: What You Need to Know: A long-established clothing-optional beach in California is about to undergo a major policy change as it joins the California State Park system. (Subscription Required)
Econostrum, July 19, 2026

Napa County's Open Space District still blazing trails after 20 years: Using grants to bolster the county contribution, the district has achieved milestones it can point to on its two-decade anniversary.
Barry Eberling, Napa Valley Register, July 20, 2026

Two children found ‘face down’ in Northern California lake saved from drowning: Two children were resuscitated Sunday after nearly drowning at the Nelson Bar Boat Ramp in Lake Oroville, according to California State Parks Capt. Todd Jones.
Nathan Chiochios, East Bay Times, July 21, 2026

What to know about the elevated levels of E. coli at Lake Natoma: People who come in contact with water with elevated levels of E. coli are at an increased risk of becoming ill.
Shelley Ho, PBS KVIE, July 21, 2026

Hiker Rescued After Getting Lost at Montaña de Oro State Park: A hiker who became lost while hiking alone in the Valencia Peak area of Montaña de Oro State Park was rescued Friday evening after a coordinated search by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team.
Anthony W. Haddad, GWire, July 21, 2026

Yolo County declares local emergency over threat of invasive golden mussels: Yolo County’s Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency Tuesday in response to the threat of invasive golden mussels spreading through the county’s waterways, officials announced. (Subscription Required)
Reeti Malhotra, Sacramento Bee, July 21, 2026

Community Invited to Celebrate California Admission Day: The California State Capitol Museum Volunteer Association invites the community to celebrate California's 176th birthday, which is known as Admission Day. (Copy of a Press Release)
Carmichael Times, July 21, 2026

Controversial Reservation Systems Come to State Parks Across the Nation: Many state parks are requiring visitors to make reservations in advance.
Mary Andino, Gear Junkie, July 21, 2026

A Mom and a Stranger Just Saved Two Kids From Drowning at Lake Oroville: Two young children are alive today because their mother and a passing stranger refused to give up on them at Lake Oroville.
Active NorCal, July 22, 2026

California State Parks are seeking quilters for Centennial Celebration Quilt: The California State Park System is celebrating 100 years with a one-of-a-kind quilt project. In honor of the 1927–2027 Centennial celebration, California State Parks is creating a Centennial Quilt featuring every state park unit.
Z107.7 News, July 22, 2026

Coast Guard rescues teen stuck on cliff above Agate Beach: A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a 13-year-old boy Monday evening after he became stranded on a cliff about 200 feet above Agate Beach at Sue-Meg State Park, the Coast Guard said.
Adam Robinson, KRCR, July 22, 2026

Lost Hiker Rescued at Montaña de Oro State Park in San Luis Obispo: On July 17, 2026, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) Team successfully located a lost hiker after a coordinated search in the Valencia Peak area of Montaña de Oro State Park.
Edhat San Luis Obispo, July 22, 2026

Photographic tribute to Anza-Borrego opens at California Nature Art Museum: The California Nature Art Museum (CalNAM) is pleased to announce the opening of its latest exhibition Untamed Desert ~ Captured by Paulette Donnellon. The show will be on view from July 26, 2026 to January 18, 2027 in the museum’s Valley Oak Gallery.
Jessica Tade, Santa Barbara News Press, July 22, 2026

State Parks reopening Bidwell Mansion Visitor Center to the public on Aug. 7: The Bidwell Mansion Visitor Center is set to reopen its doors to the public on August 7. The center closed following the December 2024 fire that destroyed the mansion, leaving community members eager to see what comes next for one of Chico’s most significant historic sites.
Hannah Gutierrez, KRCR-TV, July 23, 2026

Quilters: Help California State Parks celebrate 100 years: If you like to quilt and you live in California or have an attachment to any of its state parks, then maybe this is for you. Help celebrate 100 years since the legislature established the California State Park System by contributing to a one-of-a-kind commemorative quilt.
RV Travel, July 23, 2026

This 250-mile Route Is One of California’s Prettiest Drives—With Swimming Holes, Small Towns, and 9 Stunning Waterfalls: A little geography lesson for the uninitiated—the state of California covers almost 156,000 square miles of land. That is to say, the Golden State is one of the most geographically diverse places in the U.S. While Southern California is best known for its deserts, sunny beaches, and palm trees, Northern California’s scenery is a far different story. 
Cu Fleshman, TRAVEL & LEISURE, July 24, 2026 

Kids2Parks applications open soon for free state park field trips:Applications for the 2026-27 Kids2Parks program will open July 27, offering free field trips to California state parks for eligible elementary school students in Santa Cruz County and select schools in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
PRESS BANNER, July 24, 2026