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 29, 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.

E. coli warning issued for some Folsom Lake State Recreation Area sites: California State Parks has issued a health alert for visitors after elevated levels of E. coli bacteria were found at some areas of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area.

Cecilio Padilla, CBS, July 3, 2026

  • Additional Coverage: ABC10

California Wants You to Boat Sober This Fourth of July, and Patrols Will Be Watching: California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways is leaning into Operation Dry Water, a national campaign running July 3 through 5 that targets alcohol and drug related incidents on the water. Boaters across the state can expect heavier patrols, safety checks and outreach at popular launch spots throughout the holiday.

Active NorCal, July 3, 2026

How long can I stay at California state parks in SLO County? Learn the rules: Want to watch sunset from a scenic Central Coast spot? Camp under the stars? San Luis Obispo County has a number of parks operated by California State Parks.

Alexiah Syrai Olsen, The Tribune, July 3, 2026

More alleged victims of ex-parks superintendent accused of filming nude lifeguards sue: More potential victims are speaking out in a lawsuit filed this week against a former California State Parks superintendent charged with illegally filming lifeguards in an employees’ locker room in Huntington Beach.

Sara Cardine, LA Times, July 2, 2026

California State Parks just changed campsite reservation rules: If you made plans to visit a California state park, there are new rules for canceling reservations and no-shows. You must now cancel a week or more in advance of your visit to get a full refund.

Jocelyn Fiset, KTLA, July 2, 2026

California Library Parks Pass will now be automatically funded each year: The California State Library Parks Pass Program will continue with $6.75 million in ongoing annual funding included in the state budget.

Robert Haydon, z107.7 FM, July 2, 2026

Oakley man convicted in 2025 DUI crash that killed State Parks employee: The Butte County District Attorney's Office announced an Oakley man has been convicted in the 2025 drunken driving crash that killed a 19-year-old California State Parks employee and seriously injured her brother.

Maxwell Valva, KRCR, July 2, 2026

Coastal Cleanup Day Returns Sept. 19; Marinas, Yacht Clubs and Boating Groups Encouraged to Participate: California’s largest volunteer cleanup event is set to return in September, and organizers are encouraging marinas, yacht clubs, boating organizations, anglers, paddlers and other water enthusiasts to get involved.

The Log, July 2, 2026

Dying lawn at this SLO County park will be brown, crunchy for July 4 festivities: If timing is everything, then the issue of the dried-out, dying grass at Cambria’s Shamel Park couldn’t have hit at a worse moment.

Kathe Tanner, San Luis Obispo Tribune, July 2, 2026

California’s crack down on state park no-shows starts July 1: California state parks are so popular there's a reservation system to manage attendance. But some people book a spot and then don't turn up. That's being addressed by new rules that mandate how much notice you need to give for a cancelation to avoid charges.

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, LAist, July 1, 2026

Plenty to do this special Fourth of July weekend: America celebrates 250 years of independence on Saturday, making this a truly special Fourth of July. There are plenty of free activities offered in Stanislaus County.

Jeff Benziger, The Ceres Courier, July 1, 2026

Free State Parks Passes Highlight Black And Indigenous History: California offers a free “Historian Passport” through July 6, granting admission for four to 30+ state historic parks that spotlight Black, Indigenous and immigrant histories.

Neenma Ebeledike, The Observer, July 1, 2026

Bear kills small dog at Lake Oroville Recreation Area; State Parks urges vigilance: A small dog was killed by a bear at Loafer Creek in the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area on Friday, June 26. Following the incident, State Parks officials are reminding visitors of safety measures when encountering bears in the area.

Hannah Gutierrez, KRCR, June 30, 2026

California elephant seal's unusual purple coloration caused by algae: Experts at a California state park said a seal spotted with a mysterious purple hue got its unusual coloration from algae.

Ben Hooper, UPI, June 30, 2026

Campsite reservation changes you need to know: Starting July 1st, California state park's campsite reservation system will have some changes to discourage 'no-shows'.

Laura Deehan, Environment America, June 30, 2026

Decide on Bidwell Mansion’s future: California State Parks wants a single path forward chosen for a new feasibility study.

Ken Magri, Chico News & Review, June 30, 2026

California State Parks Shares Fourth of July Holiday Safety Tips: As Americans celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary this Fourth of July holiday weekend, California State Parks is encouraging residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors safely while visiting one of the state’s more than 280 parks.

Folsom Times, June 30, 2026

Curiously Colored Elephant Seal Causes A Stir In California State Park: Why Is It Purple?: If you go down to Año Nuevo State Park in California, you might be able to see the elephant seals resting on the beach. If you look closely, however, you might notice one of them has turned from beautiful slate gray into something a little more eggplant colored. 

Eleanor Higgs, IFLScience, June 30, 2026

  • Additional Coverage: KTVU

New camping rules roll out across Monterey County’s state parks: Monterey County — home to 15 official California State Parks ranging from rocky coastal reserves and sandy beaches to historic Salinas River landscapes — will see new statewide campground reservation policies take effect July 1.

Roseann Cattani, The Californian, June 30, 2026

Cast a Line, Lend a Hand: July Brings Free Fishing and a Los Banos Wildlife Workday: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s July calendar includes two items with local impact for Los Banos and Merced County: a statewide Free Fishing Day on Saturday, July 4, and a volunteer workday at the Los Banos Wildlife Area Complex on Saturday, July 11.

Kara Hernandez, Los Banos Enterprise, June 30, 2026

Update: Suspect arrested after fatal shooting in Tuolumne County: A man sought in connection with a fatal shooting near Sonora was arrested Monday afternoon after community members reported seeing him in the Columbia area, according to the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office.

Dean J. Condoleo, Modesto Bee, June 29, 2026

Unusual purple seal shows up at Bay Area beach: An elephant seal colored an unusual shade of purple was spotted on a Bay Area beach over the weekend. 

Brooke Park, San Francisco Chronicle, June 29, 2026

Arrest made in old-growth redwood theft at Humboldt Redwoods State Park: A McKinleyville man was arrested after California State Parks rangers said old-growth redwood worth more than $32,000 was stolen from Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Adam Robinson, ABC 7, June 29, 2026

Trump administration launches federal review of California Coastal Commission: The Trump administration has launched a federal review of California's Coastal Management Program, including the role of the California Coastal Commission in overseeing the state's coastline.

Mayra Franco, FOX 26, June 29, 2026

Adaptive Chairs Are Making the Northern California Redwoods Reachable for All: The towering redwoods of the North Coast are about to become a little more reachable for everyone.

Active NorCal, June 29, 2026

Free special edition California State Parks Historian passports: In honor of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a special edition of the California State Parks Historian Passport, free to download through July 6.

Record Gazette, June 29, 2026

Dog killed by bear after chasing cubs near Lake Oroville: A dog was killed after its owners encountered a mother bear and two cubs while hiking at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area this weekend, officials said on Sunday.

Richard Ramos, CBS, June 28, 2026

California promises big penalties for no-shows at park sites: California State Parks now has a three-strikes policy for missed reservations

Erin Rode, SF Gate, June 27, 2026

Former State Parks Exec Secretly Filmed Nude Lifeguards: Prosecutors allege Kevin Pearsall used hidden cameras to record lifeguards and other employees in a California beach locker room.

John Riley, Metro Weekly, June 27, 2026

Cut It Out: Redwood Theft Investigation Leads to Arrest of McKinleyville Man, Second Suspect Sought: California State Park Peace Officers have arrested a McKinleyville man and identified a second suspect in connection with the theft of old-growth redwood from Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Kym Kemp, Redheaded Blackbelt, June 27, 2026

  • Additional Coverage: KRCR

Zmudowski State Beach: Pristine beach 2.5 hours away from 209 minus the hustle & bustle of others in Monterey-Santa Cruz area: MOSS LANDING — It’s the best keep secret when it comes to state beaches in the Monterey-Santa Cruz.

Dennis Wyatt, Manteca Bulletin, June 27, 2026

Federal arson case in Los Angeles' deadly Palisades fire ends in mistrial: A federal judge declared a mistrial on Friday in the arson case ?brought against the man accused of deliberately setting a blaze that grew into one of the deadliest, most destructive wildfires ever in Los Angeles, but prosecutors vowed to retry the suspect.

Steve Gorman & Matt Silverstein, Reuters, June 26, 2026

Lifeguard Vehicle Runs Over 20-Year-Old Woman Lying in the Sand at California Beach: A California beachgoer was run over by a lifeguard vehicle while she was lying in the sand.

Michael Gioia, Globe Magazine, June 26, 2026

Free special edition California State Parks Historian passports: In honor of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a special edition of the California State Parks Historian Passport, free to download through July 6.

News Mirror, June 26, 2026