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 August 10, 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

Bidwell Mansion rebuild talks include traditional village site concept: Stakeholders met this week to discuss the future of the Bidwell Mansion after it was destroyed by fire. California State Parks clarified what rebuilding the mansion would entail.

Kelli Saam, Action News Now, Aug. 14, 2026

Stingray attacks surge to over 3K at some Cali beaches this summer, and here's why: According to an Associated Press report, more than 3,100 incidents have been reported at Huntington State Beach and Bolsa Chica State Beach this year. Already, that’s twice the number reported through all of last year.

Lauren Barry, Audacy, Aug. 13, 2026

o   MORE COVERAGE: Surfer Magazine, KTLA, San Diego Union-Tribune (subscription required), Gizmodo, The Morning Call, edhat.com

Big Sur fire grows as containment inches up: Firefighters made headway Wednesday night against the Timber fire in Big Sur, taking advantage of a thick marine layer that tamped down activity on the southern flank, officials said. The fire had burned 4,245 acres and was 7% contained as of 6:23 a.m. Thursday, according to Cal Fire.

Michael McLaughlin and George Kelly, The San Francisco Standard, Aug. 13, 2026

o   MORE COVERAGE: KPIX-TV, KION-TV, KTVU-TV, SFGATE, San Luis-Obispo Tribune, The Pajaronian

Mystery of missing SoCal nurse deepens as human remains are found but deemed not to be hers: The mystery around a missing Southern California woman continues after authorities say human remains found near a 2,000-acre recreational area in northern San Diego County are not those of Angelica Brophy.

Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, Aug. 13, 2026

o   MORE COVERAGE: SFGATE

California expands free state park pass for fourth graders. How to get one: For California fourth graders, exploring the outdoors comes with an extra perk: a free state park pass. California fourth graders in the 2026-27 school year now have access to dozens of state parks through the Free Fourth Grade Pass, Gov. Gavin Newsom's office announced Aug. 12.
Daniella Segura, Palm Springs Desert Sun, Aug. 13, 2026

(NOTE: Subscription required to access this article online)

o   MORE COVERAGE: Action News Now, Redheaded Blackbelt,

Community input sought on proposed Dust Bowl Camp: On Saturday, the California State Parks invites the public to a community workshop on the Dust Bowl Camp. The session will allow community members to learn more about the proposed state park, located at the remains of the Sunset Migratory Labor Camp, ask questions and share ideas about future recreation, outdoor access, education, cultural and historic interpretation, and other community priorities.

The Bakersfield Californian, Aug. 13, 2026

California State Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa: The California State Mining and Mineral Museum, situated along Highway 49 in the historic gold rush town of Mariposa, houses, displays, and interprets the official California State Mineral Collection.

Escalon Times, Aug. 13, 2026

Human remains found near Palomar Mountain State Park: Human remains were found near Palomar Mountain State Park on Wednesday evening, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Amber Coakley, FOX 5, Aug. 13, 2026

San Onofre State Beach Volunteers Rally to Preserve Historic Old Man’s Shack: The iconic Old Man’s Shack at San Onofre State Beach is standing stronger than ever today thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers who recently completed a major structural repair, ensuring that the landmark will continue to welcome generations of surfers.

Ella Boyd, Picket Fence Media, Aug. 13, 2026

500 structures in California's Big Sur threatened as Timber Fire burns over 3,000 acres: Several hundred structures in Big Sur remain threatened Wednesday, as crews continued to battle the Timber Fire burning on California's Central Coast.

Tim Fang, CBS Bay Area, Aug. 12, 2026

After a 60-foot fall at a California state park, horse and rider make it out unharmed: At Montaña de Oro State Park in California, a horse survived a fall of about 50 to 60 feet from a trail and still got out safely with its rider.

Elizabeth Smith, The Cool Down, Aug. 12, 2026

Teary Siebel Newsom celebrates free State Parks pass as kids return to school: First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom kicked off the school year the California State Railroad Museum with students and state officials by celebrating California’s commitment to help fourth graders explore California State Parks.

Alula Alderson, Sacramento Bee, Aug. 12, 2026

Big Sur travel plans? Officials urge visitors to stay away as Timber Fire grows: Hotels, campgrounds and state parks are under evacuation orders or closed, while travelers with reservations elsewhere are being urged to postpone their trips

Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, Aug. 12, 2026

 

Stingray lashings up as marine heat wave off Southern California draws more to shore: Beachgoers are encountering more stingrays and suffering their lashings as a marine heat wave off Southern California draws them closer to shore

Amy Taxin, ABC, Aug. 12, 2026

Movement at the mansion: After persistent community requests, Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park Visitor Center reopens, with invitation for public to submit input for park’s “reimagining”

Ken Smith, Chico News & Review, Aug. 12, 2026

500-kilovolt Golden Pacific Powerlink could dip into OC, IE, but it’s not a done deal: One of the alternate routes proposed for the high-voltage line would keep it south of Temecula, but all of the plans call for it to end just north of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and Camp Pendleton.

Rob Nikolewski, Orange County Register, Aug. 11, 2026

Bidwell Mansion visitor center reopens in Chico after 2024 fire: The Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park's visitor center has reopened 20 months after a devastating fire at the mansion.

Genna Garcia, KCRA, Aug. 11, 2026

There’s a Cool Cathedral of Trees Just a 2-Hour Drive From Sacramento: Sonoma County’s redwoods have survived over 1,000 years thanks to natural armor and other adaptations

Brad Branan, Comstock’s Magazine, Aug. 11, 2026

Asilomar State Beach: Pacific Grove's Coastal Escape: Historic coastal retreat where ocean breezes, forest trails, and sweeping dunes create a peaceful escape along California's Central Coast

Todd Schofield, Roseville Today, Aug. 10, 2026

As Hwy 1 Closes, Visitors Urged to Stay Away From Big Sur Due to Timber Fires: As the Timber Fire in the mountains of Big Sur above Highway 1 grows, tourists are being asked to reconsider travel to the region.

Carly Severn, KQED, Aug. 10, 2026

California State Parks Pass Available at Public Libraries: California State Parks Pass holders can visit more than 200 participating state parks for free by borrowing a pass from a nearby public library.

Korea Daily, Aug. 10, 2026

Lompoc community comes together for National Night Out: The annual event brought residents together with the Lompoc Police Department, Lompoc Fire Department, Vandenberg Space Force Base’s 30th Security Forces Squadron, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and California State Parks.

Lompoc Record, Aug. 10, 2026

Tucked-away California park ranked among the best-kept secrets in US (and it’s not crawling with tourists): Butano State Park, a secluded 4,000-acre redwood oasis near San Jose, has been crowned one of America’s “best kept secrets” by travel site Islands.

Bianca Zalben, New York Post, Aug. 10, 2026

Timber Fire near Big Sur grows to 800 acres amid ongoing evacuation orders: The fire moved southwest toward Highway 1 overnight. Farther north in Big Sur, the region include historic properties and popular destinations such as Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Part of the park was under an evacuation warning.

Brooke Park, SF Chronicle, Aug. 10, 2026

Fourth graders get free California State Park access: Kids going into the fourth grade get access to the California State Park Adventure Pass, which provides free access for students and their families at 54 state parks throughout California.

Taylor Owen, NBC 5, Aug. 9, 2026

 

Grant High, two more Sacramento sites added to National Register of Historic Places: The California State Historical Resources Commission voted unanimously on Friday to add Grant Union High School to the National Register of Historic Places.

Graham Womack, Sacramento Bee, Aug. 9, 2026

A Carlsbad beach lost most of its sand in less than 2 weeks: In the past two weeks, strong swells caused by Hurricane Genevieve have battered the Southern California coast, transforming Tamarack State Beach near Carlsbad from a sandy paradise into a rocky stretch of shoreline.

Tessa McLean, SF Gate, Aug. 8, 2026

  • Additional Coverage: KTLA

Baywatch honors teenage lifeguard hero who saved boy in viral video: Ryder Williams, 16, was presented with distinctive red jacket by star of TV rescuer reboot Stephen Amell.

Ramon Antonio Vargas, The Guardian, Aug. 8, 2026

Horse tumbles 50 feet off Montaña de Oro trail, then walks 5 miles to safety: A 26-year-old horse slid off a narrow trail at Montaña de Oro State Park and tumbled roughly 50 feet on Friday night before walking about five miles to safety.

Melissa Chavez, San Luis Obispo Tribune, Aug. 8, 2026

17-year-old California boy found dead after drowning in river: A teen boy who went missing while rafting in a Northern California river was found dead following a search by local authorities and rescue teams.

Vivian Chow, KTLA, Aug. 8, 2026

California State Mining and Mineral Museum part of the historic gold rush community of Mariposa: The California State Mining and Mineral Museum, situated along Highway 49 in the historic gold-rush town of Mariposa, houses, displays, and interprets the official California State Mineral Collection.

Manteca Bulletin, Aug. 8, 2026

California is battling the Trump administration over coastal protection. The stakes are huge: Next week, as part of the review, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is scheduled to hold three days of public meetings on California’s coastal management program, the policy that establishes how the state and federal government coordinate on coastal planning.

Kurtis Alexander, SF Chronicle, Aug. 7, 2026

Marin Co.: Richardson Bay Housing Program Places Final Participant In Home: An initiative that helped move people who had been living aboard vessels in Sausalito's Richardson Bay into homes on land has ended with the final eligible participant placed in permanent housing.

SFGate, Aug. 7, 2026

State Park Shares Image of Locked Cooler Destroyed by Bear: Calaveras Big Trees State Park in California recently shared an image of a locked cooler . . and yet, a bear still managed to rip open the padlock to get to the contents inside.

Bethanie Hestermann, Outdoors, Aug. 7, 2026

Crystal Cove Conservancy promotes Hallie Jones to chief executive: Crystal Cove Conservancy announced Friday the promotion of Hallie Jones to chief executive.

Andrew Turner, LA Times, Aug. 7, 2026