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 May 25, 2026

D.L. Bliss State Park celebrates grand reopening with ribbon-cutting ceremony after three-year closure: Despite a bit of spring rain, spirits were sunny on Thursday, May 28 as the community gathered to celebrate the reopening of D.L. Bliss State Park, a long-standing jewel on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe.
Victoria Mastrocola, Tahoe Daily Tribune, May 29, 2026

Thousands of Los Angeles students gather at Dockweiler for 30th Kids Ocean Day (Subscription Only): More than 2,000 students from across Los Angeles County traded classrooms for coastline Thursday morning as they gathered at Dockweiler State Beach for the 30th Kids Ocean Day, one of California’s largest youth environmental education and beach cleanup events.
Daily News, May 29, 2026

Saws, Sewing Machines and Telescopes: The Surprising Things on Loan From Your Library: At libraries throughout the Bay Area, patrons can check out California State Parks passes along with gear like hiking backpacks and stargazing kits.
Sarah Mohamad, KQED, May 29, 2026

California fails to halt use of controversial pipeline for offshore drilling: A federal judge was unpersuaded that California faces irreparable harm from the use of a four-mile segment of the pipeline underneath a state park.
Edvard Pettersson, Courthouse News, May 28, 2026

Congressional Inquiry Into Cooperation Between Sable Offshore and Trump Administration Opened: A bicameral Congressional investigation was announced this week into the steps that led to the forced restart of oil production locally.
Andrew Gillies, KEYT News, May 28, 2026

State Parks office seeks public input on grant program to expand access: California State Parks wants public feedback on the draft application guide for a $188.5 million competitive grant program aimed at expanding access to parks and recreational opportunities in low-income areas throughout California.
The Press, May 28, 2026

Park-goers can help shape future plans for Lake Perris (Subscription only): Park-goers and other members of the public can share ideas for improvements for recreation including camping, park management, public safety and more for the Lake Perris State Recreation Area (SRA.)
Madison Hart, The Press-Enterprise, May 28, 2026 

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park part of $2.4M statewide grant program: California State Parks and nonprofit partner Parks California announced a $2.4 million investment in championing the next generation of environmental stewards — with a portion of those funds bringing paid internships and hands-on career training for high school students at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
East County Magazine, May 28, 2026

After a three-year closure, this 2,000-acre California state park is reopening following a $5M overhaul — it features 165 campsites, hiking trails, and swimming areas: Summer usually means getaways and time off, and while California is known for its sprawling beaches, plenty of people still prefer alpine escapes, surrounded by the scent of pine trees and the cool breeze of mountain lakes. Fortunately, one of the most idyllic spots of this kind has just reopened.
Sofia Delpueche, Secret Los Angeles, May 28, 2026

California Bikers Encounter Thirsty Mountain Lion On Backcountry Trail: A group of mountain bikers out for ride at Point Mugu State Park in the far western Santa Monica Mountains were stopped in their tracks when they happened upon a mountain lion sipping from a puddle on a backcountry trail.
Francis Xavier, Unofficial Networks, May 27, 2026

Mining in the Cuyamaca Mountains has a colorful history: While on a staycation trip with the family over Memorial Day weekend at Lake Cuyamaca, we hiked the trails and stumbled across the remnants of the Stonewall Mine, marked as a historical site and owned by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
Cailin Acosta, San Diego Jewish World, May 27, 2026

Federal Golden Mussel Bill Puts San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay Back in Focus: A new federal proposal aimed at slowing the spread of golden mussels is drawing renewed attention to San Luis Reservoir, O’Neill Forebay and other Los Banos-area water facilities already affected by California’s invasive mussel response.
Kara Hernandez, Los Banos Enterprise, May 27, 2026

Tahoe's DL Bliss State Park finally reopens after $5M project: D.L. Bliss State Park, one of Lake Tahoe’smost popular destinations, reopened last week after a three-year closure for a $5 million major infrastructure project.
Julie Brown Davis, SFGate, May 26, 2026

New report identifies conservation priorities for monarchs: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently announced the California Multiagency Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative has published a report to identify priority conservation actions and research needs for the Western monarch butterfly.
Ingrid Burke, Plumas Sun, May 26, 2026

San Onofre's Future's on the Brink, Make Your Voice Heard: The Surfrider Foundation and advocates for the storied California surf zone are hosting a community information session on June 14.
Jake Howard, Surfer, May 26, 2026

La Luz Center and California State Parks to host Sonoma’s Children’s Day celebration: Children’s Day celebrations will begin a week early in Sonoma with the California State Parks and the La Luz Center hosting a movie night on June 6 at the Sonoma Barracks.
Ruchi Shahagadkar, Sonoma News, May 26, 2026

Two Northern California Parks Named the Best in the Country for Peace and Quiet: Travel + Leisure ranked both Redwood National and State Parks and Lassen Volcanic National Park among the 10 best national parks in the country for peace and quiet.
Active NorCal, May 26, 2026

Assembly Advances Ramos Bills on Foster Youth Crisis Care, California Indian Heritage Center: The California State Assembly approved two bills authored by James C. Ramos on Thursday, advancing legislation aimed at improving crisis treatment options for foster youth and supporting the development of a statewide cultural center honoring California Native American history and culture.
Levo Rickert, Native News Online, May 25, 2026

Man drowns in Donner Lake during Memorial Day, missing body recovered: The body of a man who went missing during Memorial Day weekend at Donner Lake just northwest of Lake Tahoe has been recovered.
Jason Hidalgo, Reno Gazette Journal, May 25, 2026

Evacuation centers nearing capacity as Orange County chemical leak crisis reaches fourth day: Nearly all of the overnight shelters for the nearly 50,000 Orange County residents under mandatory evacuation orders have reached capacity as the ongoing chemical crisis continued into its fourth day.
Dean Fioresi, CBS News Los Angeles, May 24, 2026

OpenRoad: Restoring the Delta: In this episode of OpenRoad, we’ll travel to the shores of the Delta, where wildlife and wetlands are finding a new home at an historic ranch. We’ll also do our part for Peninsula public lands with a dedicated group of volunteers getting dirty and having fun. In addition, we’re invited to California State Parks during a very special week full of new activities and exciting adventures.
NBC Bay Area, May 23, 2026

Man dead after drowning at Black's Beach: A man is dead after drowning at Black's Beach Friday evening, according to the San Diego Police Department.
Jazlyn Dieguez, 10 News San Diego, May 23, 2026

Man arrested for allegedly starting vegetation fire in Truckee: A man has been arrested in Truckee after an investigation into a vegetation fire that started behind the Safeway on Donner Pass Road.
2 News Nevada, May 23, 2026

DL Bliss State Park reopens after 3 years of repair closures. Here’s how to visit: After three years of closures due to waterline repairs, a more than 2,000-acre state park bordering Lake Tahoe has reopened just in time for Memorial Day weekend travel.
Sean Campbell, The Sacramento Bee, May 22, 2026

Off-roading and camping returns to Oceano Dunes. Here are the new rules: California State Parks has reopened off-roading and camping at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. On April 9, off-highway vehicle recreation at the Ocean Dunes was halted south of Arroyo Grande Creek by U.S. District Court Judge Anne Hwang to protect endangered snowy plovers.
Leila Touati, San Luis Obispo Tribune, May 22, 2026

Folsom Powerhouse: Electrifying California and beyond: On July 13, 1895, a switch flipped in American history as electricity flowed through copper cables at the Folsom Powerhouse and traveled 22 miles to Sacramento.
Chloe Curtis, FOX40 News, May 22, 2026

This tiny California state park may be small, but its beauty is absolutely unforgettable: Tucked away in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Pescadero, California, Butano State Park is one of those rare places that feels like a well-kept secret. Towering redwoods, babbling creeks, lush ferns, and shaded trails make this small park a true natural treasure.
Evan Cook, Fast Food Club, May 22, 2026

Beat the Heat at These Top 20 Swimming Spots in the Bay Area: Warmer Bay Area weather has finally arrived, and there are few better ways to enjoy the summer to its fullest than by going for a dip outdoors.
Sarah Wright, KQED, May 22, 2026