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 June 8, 2026

Alameda double shooting near Crown Beach: Alameda police are investigating a double shooting that occurred Thursday night near Crown Memorial State Beach.
KTVU (FOX-San Francisco), June 12, 2026

California scales back golden mussel safeguards at vital reservoir, alarming experts: The state of California is walking back protections meant to keep destructive golden mussels out of Lake Oroville, one of the largest and most important reservoirs in the state.
Rachel Becker, CalMatters, June 12, 2026

I Live in L.A. and This Is One of California’s Most Underrated Parks—With Beaches, Mountain Trails, and Ocean Views: Ask any Los Angeles resident (including myself) about their favorite hike, and it’s likely located within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Its reputation as the city’s wild backyard means that the park is so woven into the fabric of everyday outdoor adventure that locals often forget they are in a federally protected wilderness.
Margaux Lushing, Travel+Leisure, June 12, 2026

Sheriff’s Helicopter Crew Airlift Injured Mountain Biker From Remote California State Park: A mountain biker was rescued from a remote section of Annadel State Park in Sonoma County, California, after a multi-agency operation involving ground crews, a UTV, and a sheriff’s helicopter using a 200-foot longline insertion.
Nolan Deck, Unofficial Networks, June 11, 2026

New salvo fired in the controversy over the restart of a Santa Barbara County oil pipeline: The State Coastal Commission notified an oil company that it will commence proceedings for a cease and desist order for the restart of the Santa Barbara County oil pipeline which ruptured in 2015.
Lance Orozco, KCLU (NPR, Thousand Oaks), June 11, 2026

Rising tide catches sleeping beachgoers off guard in Santa Cruz County: Two people were rescued Wednesday afternoon after rising tides swept them into the water near Yellow Bank Beach, according to CAL FIRE.
Ricardo Tovar, KSBW (ABC, NBC-Monterey), June 11, 2026

Access points to Stanislaus, San Joaquin rivers within a short drive: One of the area’s best kept secrets when it comes to recreation is also the most obvious — river access. That includes swimming beaches complete with sand, campground and picnic areas, walking trails, and fishing.
Dennis Wyatt, Oakdale Leader, June 11, 2026

Injured mountain biker airlifted from Annadel State Park in Sonoma County: A mountain biker who was injured in a remote Sonoma County trail Wednesday morning was airlifted to safety following a multi-agency rescue, authorities said.
Tim Fang, CBS, June 11, 2026

State Parks Week invites us to immerse in destinations right in our own backyard: The fifth annual California State Parks Week from June 10-14 puts added emphasis not just on the places, but also the people who interact with them thanks to the tagline “This is where you live.”
Sara Rubin, Monterey County Now, June 11, 2026

Humbug Day living history festival Saturday at Malakoff Diggins SHP: Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park will be hosting the 58th annual Humbug Day, on Saturday, June 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Union, June 11, 2026

After being closed for more than a month, the Oceano Dunes reopened to vehicles and camping: The Oceano Dunes SVRA received an incidental take permit from the Fish and Wildlife Service on May 20, which enabled the park to resume normal operations.
Katy Clark, New Times SLO, June 11, 2026

Final Destination: A new exhibit devoted to the subject – Shipwrecks: Every Broken Piece Tells a Story, [is] opening in the Casa Gutierrez Community Art Gallery on Friday, June 12.
Agata Popeda, Monterey County Now, June 11, 2026

Prosecutors paint Palisades Fire suspect as a premeditated arsonist in opening statements: Prosecutors in the federal trial of the man accused of sparking last year’s deadly Palisades Fire laid out a narrative for jurors Wednesday of a premeditated arsonist who tried to cover his tracks, while his attorneys offered an alternate story of a man who tried his best to stop the blaze.
Jaimie Ding & Christopher Weber, AP, June 10, 2026

California Coastal Commission to Sable Oil: cease and desist order is on the way: The California Coastal Commission notified Sable Oil that it intends to issue a cease and desist order aimed at shutting down crude oil extraction in the Santa Barbara Channel.
Tom Schulz, Santa Barbara News-Press, June 10, 2026

Uproar over Roundup in state park: The alarm was triggered by a California State Parks wildfire-mitigation effort that could allow a toxic weedkiller that has been linked to cancer to be used near Tomales Bay and within parts of its watershed.
Sophia Grace Carter, Point Reyes Light, June 10, 2026

Massive Waves Hit Coast Of OC, Drawing Surfers Across Region: Huge waves are crashing into the coast of Orange County, with the powerful swell impacting the famous Wedge in Newport Beach.
Miranda Ceja, Patch, June 10, 2026

From Orick to Garberville: A New Vision for California’s Outdoor Economy (Guest Column): The Cal Poly Humboldt professor and co-organizer of the inaugural California Outdoor Economy Summit is calm, grounded, and — if you listen closely — quietly fired up.
Samantha Montoya Wilson, Redheaded Blackbelt, June 10, 2026

How the Emerald Bay Shuttle went from concept to reality; Second season of corridor improvements in the works: Riding through the Emerald Bay corridor, especially in the peak summer months, usually means navigating through illegally parked cars and crowds of people.
Victoria Mastrocola, Tahoe Daily Tribune, June 10, 2026

California State Parks Week invites us not just to visit, but to get to know our parks.: Many of California’s state parks are participating with special events from June 10-14.
Sara Rubin, Monterey County Now, June 9, 2026

Santa Cruz County voters will decide offshore drilling protections, State Parks Week begins: In today's newscast: Santa Cruz ballot measure could bolster offshore drilling protections and California State Parks Week begins.
Erin Malsbury & Jillian Smith, KAZU News, June 9, 2026

When is Juneteenth? What to know about the federal holiday: Juneteenth is approaching, and this year marks five years since it was officially recognized as a federal holiday. Subscription Required.
Daniella Segura, Desert Sun, June 9, 2026

California Assembly budget plan rejects library parks pass funding, risking free visits: Free visits to California state parks through a popular library program could soon be eliminated after the state Assembly’s budget plan rejected funding for the Library Parks Pass.
Christina Mendez, KRCR, June 9, 2026

Feedback Wanted For Topanga State Park, Will Rogers State Historic Park: The city of Malibu is asking for community feedback regarding the future of Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park.
Danny Jones, Canyon News, June 9, 2026

California wildfire prevention projects fast-tracked: California has fast-tracked more than 400 wildfire prevention projects across nearly 100,000 acres and released a draft five-year action plan aimed at strengthening wildfire resilience across the state.
Lewis Tyler, Fire and Safety Journal Americas, June 9, 2026

These Three New State Parks Will Preserve Outdoor Fun And Natural Beauty In The Heart Of California: California has 280 state parks, but it's not stopping there: the Golden State is planning to add three more.
Kristin Conard, Islands, June 9, 2026

All the Free Nature Events at California State Parks Near You This Week: Head to your favorite state park — or check out a new one — for California State Parks Week.
Sarah Wright, KQED, June 8, 2026

Marin state parks to host special events this week (subscription required): Celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of California’s state parks at the fifth annual California State Parks Week. Here are the events coming up in Marin.
Colleen Bidwell, Marin Indepenent Journal, June 8, 2026

Watsonville | Juvenile humpback whale found dead on Sunset State Beach (subscription required): A dead juvenile humpback whale was spotted on Sunset State Beach Friday. California State Parks buried the whale on the beach Sunday morning.
Caroline Hemphill, Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 8, 2026

Trump’s oil agenda lands in California (subscription required): President Donald Trump’s top oil deputies descended on Santa Barbara on Friday. The appetizer was a tour of Sable Offshore Corporation’s offshore oil operation.
Noah Baustin, Politico, June 8, 2026

As Route 66 turns 100, reopened Will Rogers Ranch becomes a symbol of renewal after the Palisades Fire: As Pacific Palisades continues rebuilding after the devastating fires, one of America’s most iconic highways is helping bring new life back to one of the community’s most treasured landmarks.
Michelle Edgar, Los Angeles Daily News, June 8, 2026

California State Parks launches annual photo contest: California State Parks has launched its second annual “Share Your Space” photo contest and is inviting visitors to submit photos taken in any of California’s 280 state parks through Aug. 1.
Paso Robles Daily News, June 8, 2026

California’s only state park that allows off-road driving on the beach has officially reopened — it’s known as ‘the birthplace of dune buggy culture’: For outdoor enthusiasts, there are few places in the state that are quite like this spot. Stretching along the Central Coast near Pismo Beach, the sprawling expanse of sand is the only state park where visitors can legally drive on the beach and explore coastal dunes in off-road vehicles, making it a longtime favorite for campers, ATV riders, and adventure seekers.
Sofia Delpueche, Secret Los Angeles, June 8, 2026

9 State And National Parks Just A Day Trip Away From Bakersfield, California:Bakersfield is far from the most famous destination in California, but this underrated town has a surprisingly extensive collection of attractive options, with everything from beer and wine trails to art centers and live entertainment.
Stephen Hanson, Islands, June 8, 2026

Crews to start prescribed fires in San Luis Obispo County on Monday: Starting Monday, crews with California State Parks will be conducting prescribed burns in San Luis Obispo County. Firefighters will burn brush piles at Hearst San Simeon State Park and Morro Bay State Park.
KSBY, June 7, 2026

Roseville Residents: Check out California’s Parks with your library card: Adventure is just a library card away! Roseville Public Libraries are now offering California State Library Parks Passes for checkout, giving you free daytime vehicle access to more than 200 state parks across California.
Roseville Today, June 7, 2026

Environmentalists protest restart of Sable oil project, after visit by Trump cabinet members: Local environmental groups held an emergency protest against the restart of the Sable Offshore oil project off the Gaviota Coast after members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet paid a visit to the site.
Julianna Lozada, Santa Barbara News-Press, June 6, 2026

Celebration of JA Culture at Crystal Cove State Park: A celebration of Japanese American culture will take place on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, as part of California State Parks Week.
Rafu Shimpo, June 6, 2026

‘Jazz at the Castle’ fundraiser benefitting the Sierra State Parks: The Sierra State Parks Foundation announced its upcoming summer benefit series, Jazz at the Castle.
Tahoe Daily Tribune, June 6, 2026

Second juvenile humpback whale found dead in Monterey Bay; West Coast strandings top 60: A second juvenile humpback whale has been found dead in Monterey Bay, washing ashore at Sunset State Beach near Watsonville last night, according to authorities.
Michael Rosales, KSBW Action News, June 6, 2026

City Of Beaumont Gets Greenlight For Park Revitalization Project: The City of Beaumont received clearance to move forward with a revitalization project that officials say will be one of the most significant projects for the future of the city.
Corey Washington, Patch, June 5, 2026

Clear Lake State Park: Where flora, fauna and fun meet cultural history (subscription required): Clear Lake State Park in Kelseyville is 590 acres of wooded hiking trails, campgrounds and natural beauty where surprises await you at every turn.
Kathleen Scavone, Press Democra