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 6, 2026

 

Renovated West Sacramento park reopens with ‘everything you can dream of’: The newly renovated and expanded Westacre Park in West Sacramento opened Thursday morning. Funded through a $7.8 million grant from California State Parks, the city added recreational amenities, improved accessibility and expanded opportunities for residents of all ages. Additions include a skate park, splash pad, courts, fields, labyrinth and reflexology path.
Alula Alderson, The Sacramento Bee, July 10, 2026

History lesson this weekend will share stories of Doheny State Beach, Killer Dana: The walls of Killer Dana Surf Shop are part retail store, part history lesson. Photos of the famed wave of the same name that once fired off Dana Point are framed for visitors to marvel at the long-lost surf break, once considered one of the biggest and best waves on the mainland.
Laylan Connelly, The Orange County Register, July 10, 2026

Lifeguards warn of hazardous surf at Carmel beaches, announce free life jacket stations: State lifeguards in Carmel are urging beachgoers to exercise caution as hazardous surf conditions, including sneaker waves and strong rip currents, are expected in the coming days.
Felix Cortez, KSBW 8 (NBC/ABC-Monterey), July 9, 2026 

Specialty law enforcement union warns about high job vacancies: While law and order historically has been a political priority in California, a union for special public safety professionals says current vacancies up and down the state show their jobs are undervalued by the Legislature — and its endangering residents.
Brian Joseph, Capitol Weekly, July 9, 2026

New Report Outlines Potential to Predict Coastal Cliff Collapses: ollowing a four-year study, scientists at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography released a new report to determine if an early warning system could potentially detect a landslide before it happens.
UC San Diego Today, July 9, 2026

Lake Natoma elevated E. coli levels: Health expert clarifies what you should know: Watch where you’re swimming. After a recent round of testing, public health officials warn there are still elevated levels of E. coli detected at Black Miners Bar Day Use Beach in Folsom.
Sierra Krug, KTXL-40 (FOX-Sacramento), July 9, 2026

Crews searching for missing swimmer recover body from waters of Lake Oroville: The search for a missing swimmer who vanished while swimming in Lake Oroville has ended with the recovery of a body.
Ainsley Van Reusen, ActionNews12 (CBS-Chico), July 9, 2026

Local State Park Interpreter Wins Presenter’s Choice Award: California State Parks K-12 Access Interpreter Kat Gabrielson recently won the prestigious Presenter’s Choice Award for her PORTS (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students) program.
Fort Bragg Advocate-News, July 9, 2026

Can I swim in Lake Natoma? What to know about E. coli in Sacramento-area waterways: Is Lake Natoma safe to swim in this summer? State officials are not yet certain.
Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, July 9, 2026 

  • Additional Coverage: KCRA

Ailing sea lion Irving returns to Monterey County coast after rehab: Irving, along with fellow California sea lion, Jade, were released back into the wild on June 25, 2026 at Weston Beach in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Monterey County, considered the "crown jewel" of the California State Parks.
Liz Gray & Christina Cardona, USA Today, July 9, 2026

Environmental group and Northern Chumash Tribal Council sue State Parks for Oceano Dunes habitat conservation plan: The Center for Biological Diversity and the Northern Chumash Tribal Council jointly sued the California Department of Parks and Recreation over its recently approved Oceano Dunes habitat conservation plan.
Bulbul Rajagopal, New Times, July 9, 2026

Palomar Mountain fire lookout stands alone after tower closures: Atop a mountain more than a mile above sea level, overlooking a large swath of North County, stands a historic fire tower that is now the only operating fire lookout in San Diego County.
Samantha Nelson, The Coast News Group, July 8, 2026

7 LA County Beaches Unsafe For Swimming Due To Bacteria Levels: High bacteria levels prompted public health officials on Wednesday to warn against getting in the water at seven Los Angeles County beaches.
Chris Lindahl, Patch, July 8, 2026

Search resumes for missing swimmer at Lake Oroville: Search crews returned to Lake Oroville on Wednesday as they continue recovery efforts for an adult man who disappeared while swimming Tuesday afternoon.
Ainsley Van Reusen, Action News Now, July 8, 2026

Program connects Bay Area LGBTQ youth to nature: Since going on the first trip organized by the program Outlandish!, which brings LGBTQ youth in the Bay Area on outdoor adventures, Leonard and the other participants like to keep track of how many of California’s official state slug they encounter.
Matthew S. Bajko, Bay Area Reporter, July 8, 202

Trump Administration Asked to Seize State and Private Property to Support Local Oil Production: Sable Offshore has reportedly asked the U.S. Department of Energy to use eminent domain to seize multiple properties in Santa Barbara County crossed by pipelines associated with local oil production infrastructure.
Andrew Gillies, KEYT, July 7, 2026

Ninth Circuit asked to shut down California offshore oil drilling operation: Environmental groups say the pipeline, which was restarted in March, is still badly corroded, and could burst again if the courts don't shut it down.
Hillel Aron, Courthouse News Service, July 7, 2026

Roseville police track hit-and-run suspect to Folsom Lake: Roseville police say a hit-and-run investigation led officers to Folsom Lake, where they found the suspect operating a boat.
Nala Wallace, ABC 10, July 7, 2026

4 boats searching Lake Oroville after man disappears underwater: Butte County Search and Rescue crews are looking for a man who went underwater at Lake Oroville and did not resurface.
Meghan Estes, Action News Now, July 7, 2026

El Capitán State Beach campground reopens after 18-month closure: Campers are once again settling into El Capitán State Beach campground after the popular coastal destination reopened following an 18-month closure for a $5.5 million entrance improvement project.
Gianella Ghiglino, KSBY, July 7, 2026

Monday’s Your Last Chance for a Free Pass to all State Historic Parks (Just Don’t Miss the Deadline): An annual pass that’s usually $50 is free to download — but only through July 6.
Sarah Wright, KQED, July 6, 2026

Long Beach teens can now apply to attend this year’s Outdoor Youth Connection Camp: The city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine invites Long Beach youth ages 13 to 17 to participate in the California State Parks Outdoor Youth Connection Camp – a free three-day, two-night training camp that will take place from Aug. 7 through 9 at Castaic Lake.
Christina Merino, Press-Telegram, July 6, 2026

Repair planned for failed well behind dry lawn at Cambria's Shamel Park: San Luis Obispo County Parks and Recreation says the well went down during the fall of last year. It's located on California State Parks' property in a natural preserve, one of the highest levels of environmental protection.
Valentina Saldaña, KSBY, July 6, 2026

Tahoe cleanup gathers 1,330 pounds of litter: On the Fifth of July, 446 volunteers gave up three hours of their holiday to pick up 1,330 pounds of litter in the 13th annual Keep Tahoe Red, White & Blue Cleanup.
Record Courier, July 6, 2026

What does the future hold for eroding San Onofre State Beach?: With its limited development, San Onofre Surf Beach is a step back into coastal California’s past — but its future is uncertain.
Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, July 6, 2026

Jack London State Park Raises Its Entry Fee for the First Time Since 2012: The price of visiting one of Sonoma County’s most storied parks has gone up for the first time in 14 years.
Active NorCal, July 5, 2026

California Is Cracking Down on Campers Who Book Sites and Don’t Show Up: Anyone who has watched a dream campsite vanish in seconds, only to find the campground half empty on arrival, knows the frustration these new rules are built to fix.
Active NorCal, July 5, 2026

Feedback sought for Torrey Pines State Beach ‘living shoreline project’ plans in La Jolla: A survey is available online for respondents to indicate which aspects of the project they feel should be prioritized.
Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, July 4, 2026

One of California’s favorite party rivers is overwhelmed. Now comes the $2 fix: Authorities in Nevada County are taking action to manage and improve visitation to the South Yuba River.
Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, July 4, 2026

America 250: David Muir showcases national parks and Native tribes that call them home: As America marks its 250th anniversary this Fourth of July, "World News Tonight" anchor and managing editor David Muir journeyed to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California.
Esther Castillejo, Eric Noll, & Leah Sarnoff, Good Morning America (ABC), July 4, 2026

Volunteers Invited to Help Restore Topanga State Park Trail: Palisadians looking to trade a Saturday morning for fresh air and a sense of accomplishment have an opportunity just over the hill.
Julia Ho, Palisadian Post, July 4, 2026

The troubling new trend that’s making California’s forest fires more dangerous: With July Fourth weekend, California and other Western states are heading into the beginning of peak fire season — when rain is scarce and temperatures are high.
Paul Rogers, East Bay Times, July 3, 2026

Man dies at South Yuba State Park after being pulled out of river: A 22-year-old man died on Wednesday after being pulled out of a river at South Yuba State Park in Nevada County.
Lyanne Wang, CBS News, July 3, 2026

Alameda double shooting near Crown Beach: Alameda police are investigating Lake Natoma swimmers urged to use caution after E. coli detected at beaches: Lake Natoma visitors should use caution when swimming this weekend after elevated levels of E. coli bacteria were detected at several near-shore locations in the reservoir, according to California State Parks officials.
Madison Smalstig, The Sacramento Bee, July 3, 2026

Ofrecen recomendaciones de seguridad para quienes visiten lagos y ríos durante el 4 de Julio: Entre las recomendaciones principales está el uso de chaleco salvavidas. (Video).
Telemundo, July 2, 2026