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 Dec. 15, 2025
California State Parks reminds public of beach hazards (subscription only): During the weekly county briefing Wednesday, Chief Ranger Mike Dippel said beaches such as Garrapata, Monastery and Carmel River State Beach are especially dangerous due to strong shorebreaks, large waves and rocky terrain.
Kyarra Harris, Monterey Hearld, Dec. 18, 2025
California State Auditor's Office finds more than $5M in waste: A new report released by the California State Auditor's Office found more than $5.1 million of waste, misuse or improper spending of taxpayer funds. The report comes just weeks after the Legislative Analyst's Office released its own report that the state faces an $18 billion shortfall for the 2026-27 budget.
Madeline Shannon, The Center Square, Dec. 18, 2025
Solo Outings and Small Vessels: Safety on the water is an evergreen topic for California’s boating community, and one that will continue to be discussed and reiterated. Even the most experienced anglers and paddlers can find themselves in danger when conditions shift, equipment fails, or a moment of inattention leads to catastrophe.
Katherine Clements, The Log, Dec. 18, 2025
Hike Malibu Creek State Park this New Year’s Day: California State Parks is inviting outdoor enthusiasts to bring their family and friends to the annual First Day Hikes on Thursday, Jan. 1, to embrace a healthy start and breathe in fresh air.
Beverly Press, Dec. 18, 2025
NPR's U.S. travel guide: Where we went this year: If you're up for adventure, here's a list of where we went and why we think these places are worth a visit.
NPR, Dec. 18, 2025
San Simeon trail to get a makeover with new boardwalk and other updates: The San Simeon trail at Hearst San Simeon State Park is being completely reconstructed in order to adhere to accessibility guidelines.
Valentina Saldana, KSBY, Dec. 17, 2025
A historic Valley grasslands area aims to reconnect with the past: A new project in the Central Valley is aiming to restore hundreds of acres of grasslands to reconnect the San Joaquin River.
Israel Cardona Hernandez, KVPR, Dec. 17, 2025
Photos | Monarch butterflies cluster together at Natural Bridges State Beach: Monarch butterflies from the western United States have arrived in Santa Cruz and other parts of the California coast, clumping on branches of Monterey pine, coastal redwoods and eucalyptus, where they will spend the winter hibernating in large clusters.
Shmuel Thaler, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Dec. 17, 2025
California spots named among the best places to visit in 2026: California’s diverse landscapes and vibrant cities have long drawn travelers, and now five of the state’s hotspots have been named among the best places to visit in 2026.
Roseann Cattani, Desert Sun, Dec.17, 2025
Why So Many Shark Attacks Happen in Northern California’s Red Triangle: California just recorded its third reported shark attack of the year—and once again, it happened along Northern California’s rugged coastline.
Active NorCal, Dec. 17, 2025
Santa Barbara County Supervisors Deny Permit Transfer to Sable Offshore Citing Operator, Financial Issues: The Texas-based oil company, Sable, is attempting to restart the Santa Ynez Unit (SYU), which includes three old offshore platforms, onshore oil and gas processing stations, and the same defective pipeline responsible for one of the worst oil spill disasters in state history—the 2015 Plains oil spill at Refugio State Beach.
edhat, Dec. 17, 2025
Group connects LGBTQ people to the outdoors: ...The Monte Bello excursion drew people mostly from the Peninsula and South Bay, while a queer ecology nature walk at Mt. Diablo State Park earlier in the year had a largely East Bay contingent of participants.... Branching Out Adventures has two tide pool outings planned for the end of the year, one on December 31 at Carmet Beach in Bodega Bay along the Sonoma Coast and another January 1 at one of the Sonoma Coast State Park sites.
Matthew S. Bajko, The Bay Area Reporter, Dec. 16, 2025
The Bidwell Mansion, one year later: December 11 marks the one-year anniversary of the arson fire that gutted Bidwell Mansion State Historical Park, the beloved 19th century home of Chico’s founder, John Bidwell.
Ken Magri, Chico News & Review, Dec. 16, 2025
State to begin reconstruction of San Simeon Boardwalk trail: California State Parks will reconstruct the San Simeon Boardwalk Trail at Hearst San Simeon State Park to accessible trail standards.
Paso Robles Daily News, Dec. 16, 2025
- Additional Coverage: KSBY
California State Parks offer free New Year's Day hikes for families: California families looking to start 2026 with a healthy outdoor tradition can join free guided hikes at more than 60 state parks across the state on New Year's Day.
Jessica Harrison, Gold Country News, Dec. 15, 2025
Los Angeles faces another lawsuit as Pacific Palisades homeowner seeks jury trial, compensation: The number of lawsuits against the city and county of Los Angeles grew Monday after a homeowner filed a complaint, alleging the governments failed to act accordingly before and during the Palisades Fire.
Helen Jeong, NBC Los Angeles, Dec. 15, 2025
Fire alarm went off in middle of night at Hearst Castle. Here’s what happened: Smoke and a stench of electrical malfunction prompted a fire alarm at Hearst Castle early Sunday, but after investigation, State Parks said the alert was far less serious than it could have been. (Subscription Required)
Kathe Tanner, The Tribune, Dec. 15, 2025
These state parks were trending the most in 2025, according to Google: State parks had a real moment in 2025 as more people looked to experience the great outdoors.
Gerrish Lopez, Time Out, Dec. 15, 2025
Shark bites surfer on hand on Northern California coast, officials say: A shark bit a surfer on the hand near Bodega Bay along the Northern California coastline, sheriff’s officials reported. A surfer at North Salmon Creek Beach on the Sonoma County coast reported being bitten on Friday, Dec. 12, the county sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Don Sweeney, The Sacramento Bee, Dec. 14, 2025
- Additional coverage: Los Angeles Times, KRON-4 News, KTVU (Fox), Active NorCal, Patch, People, Surfer Magazine
Monarch butterfly count very low in Pismo Beach. ‘It’s definitely disheartening’: The monarch butterfly migration is off to a tough start this season — with fewer butterflies than usual fluttering to the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove.
Stephanie Zappelli, The Tribune, Dec. 13, 2025
Gov. Newsom denounces Trump administration’s national park policy changes: California leaders are highlighting their commitment to broad and equitable access to state parks after sharply criticizing recent changes to federal park policies under the Trump administration.
Amber Coakley, KUSI (Fox), Dec. 12, 2025
Lawyers claim photos show how state officials hampered efforts to put out Lachman Fire: Lawyers representing Palisades Fire victims released new photos and evidence, which they claim show California State Parks officials hampering efforts to put out the Lachman Fire.
Tim Wait, Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News (Los Angeles), Dec. 12, 2025
Judge rules State Parks are in violation of Environmental Species Act: At the Oceano Dunes, animals like the endangered Western Snowy Plover make the sand their home. They’re not the only ones who enjoy this area but a California judge just ruled in favor of the birds after a legal battle that’s lasted almost a decade.
Makayla Richadson, KSBY(NBC), Dec. 12, 2025
Here’s How You Can Visit 200+ California State Parks for Free: Through the California State Library Parks Pass, anyone with a library card can check out a pass that covers day-use vehicle admission at more than 200 state parks across the state. The pass works for one car carrying up to nine people or a street-legal motorcycle and is borrowed like any other library item, with checkout periods set by each location.
Active NorCal, Dec. 12, 2025
San Marcos receives $5 million state grant for city park improvements: The City Council approved a resolution on Tuesday accepting a $5 million grant from the California State Parks under Senate Bill 105.
Leo Place, The Coast News, Dec. 12, 2025