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 Jan. 12, 2026 


Another place where Newsom and Trump differ: Making MLK Day free to enter parks: Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California State Parks will be free to enter on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday on Monday, after the Trump administration ordered national parks to charge entry fees that day.
Summer Lin, The Los Angeles Times, Jan. 16, 2026

Will Trump’s Push to Drill on California Public Lands be More Successful This Time Around?: While President Donald Trump pursues Venezuelan oil reserves abroad, his administration continues to double down on efforts to expand drilling in the United States, most recently in California.
Blanca Begert, Inside Climate News, Jan. 16, 2026

Trump administration sues California over oil setback law: The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state of California over a law that prevents oil and gas wells near homes and schools.
Brett Stover, FOX40 (Sacramento), Jan. 15, 2026 

State Park Weighing Options to Alter Trestles Access Points Ahead of the 2028 Olympics: California State Parks officials are exploring ways to make access to Trestles safer ahead of the 2028 Olympics, according to a recent report in the Orange County Register. The iconic cobblestone A-Frame south of San Clemente, California will be the venue for the next Olympic surfing competition.
Evan Quarnstrom, The Inertia, Jan. 15, 2026

California State Parks to conduct pile burning at Big Basin, Henry Cowell: California State Parks will be burning piles created by park volunteers in Big Basin Redwoods State Park and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz County.
Press Banner, Jan. 15, 2026

Olympic Spotlight in San Clemente Reignites Debate Over Access to Trestles: With Lower Trestles slated to host surfing during the 2028 LA Olympic Games, a long-standing debate in San Clemente has resurfaced over whether the informal dirt path access route to the iconic break should be built up or left untouched.
Ella Boyd, Picket Fence Media, Jan. 15, 2026

Two construction projects along Highway 1 in Marina lead to challenges for cyclists: A highly visible stretch of dunes west of Highway 1 between Marina and Seaside is getting a makeover, with two projects under construction simultaneously. That work is leading to delays and reroutes for both drivers and bicyclists.
Celia Jimenez, Monterey County NOW, Jan. 15, 2026

Will unseasonably hot weather dash Southern California’s hopes for a 2026 superbloom?: Heavy rains this winter created high hopes for a superbloom of California wildflowers this spring. However, this week’s near record highs could damage emerging seedlings and ruin the region’s chances of a superlative bloom of native flowers, experts say.
Jeanette Marantos, LA Times, Jan. 15, 2026

California’s Most Iconic Highway Has Reopened. Here’s What to Do When You Go: After three years of rebuilding road infrastructure damaged by winter storms, Highway 1 through Big Sur has reopened ahead of schedule.
Krista Simmons, Sunset, Jan. 14, 2026

9 spectacular state parks to visit this winter: Come for the sun or snow, stay for the stillness; these are some spectacular state parks to visit this winter.
Cassandra Brooklyn, National Geographic, Jan. 14, 2026

Sneaker Wave Threat Prompts Caution Along Northern California Coast: Beachgoers along Northern California’s coast are being urged to use extra caution as an elevated risk of sneaker waves develops through tonight.
Zach O’Brien, Active NorCal, Jan. 14, 2026

Surfers face rising stingray encounters at Bolsa Chica State Beach: Surfers have been out in great numbers at this popular surf spot, thanks to smallish surf, somewhat warm water — by winter standards — and sunny skies after days of rain, meaning more beachgoers came across the stingrays and their pointy barbs.
Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, Jan. 14, 2026

Lobster Shells at San Onofre Likely Tied to Molting, Not Contamination: Beachgoers at San Onofre State Beach recently encountered an unusual sight: clusters of lobster shells scattered along the shoreline, particularly near and just north of the former San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).
Angélica Escobar, Picket Fence Media, Jan. 14, 2026

Sand replenishment starting at Ponto Beach in Carlsbad: Sand replenishment will start this week at South Ponto Beach, part of South Carlsbad State Beach on the Carlsbad-Encinitas city border, officials said.
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan. 13, 2026

Bay Area hosts one of world's largest Northern Elephant Seal mainland-breeding colonies: The Bay Area is home to one of the world’s largest mainland-breeding colonies for the Northern Elephant Seal, and breeding season for the massive pinnipeds is now underway.
Sharon Song, KTVU, Jan. 13, 2026

Early-season wildflowers are already blooming in this beloved SoCal park: If you’ve been waiting for a reason to point the car toward the desert and trade L.A. traffic for wide-open skies, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is beginning to offer one.
Mark Peikert, Time Out, Jan. 13, 2026

Trump admin says drilling by Bay Area parks will have ‘minimal’ environmental impacts: The Trump administration’s plans to expand oil drilling across the state, including in parts of the Bay Area, are another step closer to moving forward.
Alise Maripuu, Bay City News, Jan. 13, 2026

BLM draft plan finds for opening some Central Coast lands to oil, gas leases: A draft federal environmental study released this week proposes opening up to 850,000 acres of land in Central California for oil and gas leasing, including areas in and around Lompoc, the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria.
Lisa André, Lompoc Record, Jan. 13, 2026

‘It’s a blanket of silence’: Fire victims’ attorneys accuse city of blocking Palisades fire transparency: Attorneys for the city of Los Angeles moved this week to block the release of long-awaited depositions of firefighters that could provide a deeper understanding of their decisions and actions in the days leading up to the deadly Palisades fire.
Jenny Jarvie and Alene Tchekmedyian, LA Times, Jan. 13, 2026

One Of Southern California's Most Popular Beaches Is A Highly-Coveted Surfing Paradise: California is certainly home to some of the world's most magical beaches. And in southern California specifically, there are many exciting destinations for beachgoers. One such place is the San Onofre State Beach.
Olaoluwa Akinbayo, Explore, Jan. 13, 2026 

California State Parks launch free educational programs for North Coast students: California State Parks is rolling out several free educational programs this spring for students and teachers across the North Coast Redwoods District, offering both virtual lessons and guided in-person field trips designed to bring local history, ecology and culture directly to classrooms.
Emma Underwood, KRCR, Jan. 12, 2026 

Volunteers Needed for January Coastal Habitat Restoration in Northern California: Northern Californians looking to give back to the outdoors this month will have several chances to do so along the coast, as Redwood Parks Conservancy kicks off a series of habitat restoration days throughout January.
Zach O’Brien, Active Norcal, Jan. 12, 2026 

Coastal repairs underway near Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey: An area near the Custom House by Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey is undergoing repairs due to erosion that has caused about six feet of undercutting along the coastline.
Ricardo Tovar, KSBW, Jan. 12, 2026 

The Top 10 Bikepacking Routes in North America to Tackle in 2026: Bikepacking is an amazing fusion of bicycle touring and minimalist camping, which has gained immense popularity in North America. For those seeking epic adventures, here are eight of our favourite bikepacking routes.
Ron Johnson, Momentum, Jan. 12, 2026 

Explore California State Parks Through: Virtual and In-Person Educational Programs: This Spring education season, California State Parks North Coast Redwoods District is thrilled to announce several FREE educational opportunities available for students, focused on the old-growth redwood forests, wild and scenic rivers, rugged coastlines, and the rich culture and history of Native peoples of California’s North Coast.
Redheaded Blackbelt, Jan. 11, 2026

Top Humboldt County Outdoor Destinations and Local Attractions Guide: This guide outlines Humboldt County’s most visited and locally cherished sites, from old-growth redwood groves to undeveloped coastline, and highlights common outdoor activities residents and visitors pursue.
Marcus Wiliams, Prism News, Jan. 10, 2026

Mount Diablo State Park plans vegetation pile burns this winter to reduce fire fuels: Crews will conduct pile burns at Mount Diablo State Park sometime between January and March to reduce vegetation on the south side of the mountain, California State Parks officials announced.
Kiley Russell, Stocktonia, Jan. 10, 2026

19-Year-Old Hiker Rescued After Garmin SOS Activation in Bald Hills Area Near Orick: On Jan. 3, 2026, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received notification from the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) regarding a Garmin SOS Activation from a 19-year-old male hiker last known to be in the Bald Hills area near the Redwood Creek Trail in Orick.
Redheaded Blackbelt, Jan. 10, 2026

Highway 1 near Big Sur nears reopening after two-year closure: Caltrans is nearing the completion of repairs on Highway 1 south of Big Sur, which has been closed for nearly two years due to the Regent's Slide, potentially allowing the road to reopen earlier than the scheduled end-of-March date.
Felix Cortez, KSBW 8, Jan. 9, 2026

State Parks planning pile burns at several parks across Santa Cruz County in coming weeks: California State Parks has announced plans to carry out fuel reduction operations across several parks in Santa Cruz County in the coming weeks.
Pk Hattis, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Jan. 9, 2026