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 Dec. 29, 2025

 

Newsmakers 2025: West Cliff storm damage work finally wrapped up as city looks toward long-term plans: It took over two years, but West Cliff Drive finally reopened to two-way traffic in its entirety at the end of June as extensive repairs from the 2023 storms wrapped up at long last.
Max Chun, Lookout Santa Cruz, Jan. 2, 2026

Places To Visit In USA: 26 Bucket-List Destinations To Explore In 2026: Be it Beverly Hills’ no-holds-barred tryst with luxury, Yellowstone National Park’s hot springs and geysers, or Hawaii’s active volcanoes and dramatic coasts, the US’ landscapes ensure there’s something for everyone.
Yashita Vashishth, Travel and Leisure, Jan. 2, 2026

California State Parks Promotes Annual Passes for 2026 as State Marks 175th Anniversary: As California celebrates its 175th anniversary, California State Parks is highlighting its annual passes as the perfect gift for 2026 to experience the extraordinary beauty and diversity of the Golden State.
Redheaded Blackbelt, Jan. 1, 2026

What’s up with dead lobsters at San Onofre State Beach?: A large number of lobster carcasses have washed ashore in recent days at San Onofre State Beach. While state officials are monitoring the situation, thus far they say there is no cause for alarm.
Rob Nikolewski, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan. 1, 2026

Federal Court Declines to Halt Restart of Oil Production in Santa Barbara County: A federal court has declined to halt plans to restart oil production in Santa Barbara County after environmental groups challenged the Trump Administration's approval last week.
Andrew Gillies, KeyT News, Dec. 31, 2025

Public weighs in on Gaviota Creek estuary restoration after years of legal disputes: California State Parks held a public workshop this week outlining a proposed plan to restore the Gaviota Creek Estuary, a project required under a court-approved settlement following years of litigation over delayed environmental mitigation at Gaviota State Park.
Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX, Dec. 31, 2025 

State preserves grant to rehabilitate Marin City buildings: State officials have restored a $3 million grant to Marin City to renovate its community center and gymnasium.
Steven Rosenfeld, The Press Democrat, Dec. 31, 2025

Body recovered from Lake Natoma in search for missing man: A body was recovered from the waters of Lake Natoma late Monday morning as authorities continue an investigation connected to a missing-person case that began over the weekend, according to California State Parks and the Folsom Police Department.
Folsom Times, Dec. 29, 2025

Swimmer believed to be victim of shark is found dead, a shark-deterrent band around her ankle: For days, divers scanned the waters off Lovers Point hoping to find a trace of Erica Fox, the missing open-water swimmer believed to have been killed by a shark on Dec. 21.
Gavin Quinton, The Los Angeles Times, Dec. 29, 2025

Fort Bragg Woman Identified in Fatal Drowning at MacKerricher State Park: The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department has identified the woman who died after being swept into the ocean by a wave at MacKerricher State Park earlier this month.
Kym Kemp, Redheaded Blackbelt, Dec. 29, 2025

Cayucos gears up for annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Dip: In just a few days, people will gather on Cayucos Beach and dive into the cold waves to ring in the New Year, and even with rain in the forecast, that doesn’t seem to be changing people’s plans.
Valentina Saldana, KSBY, Dec. 29, 2025

Save Mount Diablo Expands Its Free Discover Diablo Hikes and Outings Program for 2026: Explore some of the East Bay’s premiere hiking and natural areas with Save Mount Diablo in 2026, including places normally closed to the public. The Discover Diablo outings series offers guided hikes, themed walks, and other outdoor activities: mountain biking; rock climbing; meditation in nature; plein air painting events; and property tours.
Contra Cost News, Dec. 29, 2025

Body discovered after swimmer went missing in possible shark attack in California: A body has been discovered near where a swimmer who may have been attacked by a shark went missing last week, officials in California said in an update on Sunday.
Emily Shapiro & Robert Zepeda, ABC News, Dec. 28, 2025

A new view of two critical days that set the stage for Palisades fire: The exchange between the state and LAFD employees is part of a batch of newly-released text messages and depositions from California State Parks staffers that offers new details of the state’s actions and interactions with firefighters in the critical days after the Lachman fire ignited and rekindled Jan. 7 into the deadly Palisades blaze.
Jenny Jarvie & Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, Dec. 27, 2025

Access to Remote Gem, Usal Beach, Closed!: A beloved but remote area of the northern Mendocino Coast is now completely inaccessible after county authorities closed the only road.
Kym Kemp, Redheaded Blackbelt, Dec. 27, 2025

One Of The World's Largest Mainland Northern Elephant Seal Colonies Is 1 Hour From SF — But Peak Viewing Only Lasts A Few Months: Just over an hour down the coast from San Francisco, Año Nuevo State Park makes for a fun and easy local day trip. It’s famous for housing one of the world’s largest mainland northern elephant seal colonies.
Jamie Ferrell, Secret San Francisco, Dec. 27, 2025

Only 2 Hours From L.A., This 14,000-Acre State Park Has The World's Largest Rotating Tram Car And National Park-Caliber Scenery: Southern California’s second-highest peak, Mount San Jacinto, is the center of a 14,000-acre state park that gives national parks a run for their money.
Jamie Ferrell, Secret Los Angeles, Dec. 27, 2025

Don your kicks in 2026: Join a ‘First Day Hike’ at a California State Park: 80-PLUS HIKES, all with a guide at the lead, will pop up at over 60 California State Parks on Jan. 1, 2026.
Alysia Gray Painter, NBC Los Angeles, Dec. 26, 2025

  • Additional Sources: KQED

[Updated: Open] Large Redwood Falls Across Mattole Road West of 101, Blocking Traffic: A large redwood tree—likely second-growth—fell across the Mattole/Honeydew Road about one mile west of Highway 101 in the state park areas on Friday, completely blocking both eastbound and westbound lanes.
Kym Kemp, Redheaded Blackbelt, Dec. 26, 2025