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 16, 2025 

The opinions and views expressed in the news stories of interest do not always reflect those of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. 

The Best Boats to Skim Big Blue: Cruising along Lake Tahoe’s surface provides more than just beautiful views. Via innertube or catamaran, observing the lake and its surrounding peaks from the water has propelled generations of excitement, ambition and vision.
Adam Jensen, June 13, Best of Tahoe.
 
Sacred Burney Falls threatened by overwhelming tourist foot traffic | Bartell's Backroads: At first glance, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is just another natural wonder on a travel influencer’s bucket list—a roaring, 129-foot waterfall framed by evergreens and cooled by snowmelt filtering from Burney Mountain. President Theodore Roosevelt once called it the “eighth wonder of the world.”
John Bartell, ABC10, June 13, 2025.
 
Lake Tahoe’s Biggest Threat Spotted: Golden Mussels: Golden mussels are an invasive aquatic species that disrupt ecosystems, filter away nutrients and damage shorelines – and they were recently spotted on a boat trying to enter Lake Tahoe.
Ali Dickson, Tahoe Daily Tribune, June 13, 2025.
 
Legislature takes a pass: Program providing free access to state parks faces elimination: A California State Parks program that provides low-income and underserved residents free state park access is on the chopping block as the state Legislature seeks to reduce a $12 billion budget deficit.
Sarah Stierch, Bay City News, June 13, 2025.
 
Sutter's Fort celebrating Pride weekend (video only): It is Pride weekend, and California state parks and Sutter Health are getting in on the action.
ABC10, June 13, 2025.
 
California is renowned for its sun-drenched strips of sand dotted up and down the Pacific coast with good reason. You don't become synonymous with US beach culture without some impressive shores that put the gold in the Golden State.
Alexia Averbuck, Lonely Planet, June 13, 2025.
 
Photo | A walk in the park at Wilder Ranch: Hikers stride through the Wilder Ranch State Park greenspace across Empire Grade from the West Entrance to UC Santa Cruz. The park is approximately 7,000 acres in size and became a California state park in 1974.
Shmuel Thaler, Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 13, 2025.
 
Orange County Opt Outside on Fathers Day Sunday June 15 2025: South Orange County offers great outdoor adventures for you in 2025!
SouthOCBeaches.com, June 15, 2025.
 
Don’t Like Camping, Still Want Nature? From Yurts to Cabins, Five 'Glamping' Spots in the Bay Area and Beyond: Backpacking and camping isn’t for everyone, and that’s OK. Maybe you don’t like sleeping on the ground. Maybe you’d rather have a real bathroom nearby — or perhaps you just want to cook in a full kitchen on your next outdoor adventure. But if you’re still seeking that immersive nature experience while wanting a little more comfort, glamping — a.k.a “glamorous camping” — in a prefab tent, yurt or cabin might be your best bet.
Sarah Wright, KQED, June 16, 2025.
 
Wake Up to The Waves at These Beautiful Beach Camping Spots in California: Travelers come from all over the world to road-trip Highway 1, which runs along California’s rugged Pacific Coast. The vistas include wind-swept bluffs, tiny surfers in the distance, and sea otters or migrating whales. One of the best ways to take in those views and explore the coast is by camping. Beach camping in California is a little different than elsewhere because of the rocky shoreline. Sites are often further from the water or sit atop cliffs rather than on sand, but they offer incredible views of the ocean.
Jessie Beck, Paulina Dao, AFAR, June 16, 2025.
 
CAL FIRE responds to trees on fire in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: California firefighters responded quickly after several trees caught fire in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park early Saturday morning.
KOBI, June 16, 2025.
 
CBS10 News, June 16, 2025.
 
Sable pipeline halts production, students voice concerns, hope: Recent legal actions have hindered oil and gas company Sable Offshore’s plan to restart the Las Flores Pipeline and begin oil sales in July. A campus environmental coalition, UCSB Stop Sable, has continued to oppose the pipeline and urged California Governor Gavin Newsom to stop the plan from restarting.
Michelle Cisneros, Daily Nexus, June 16, 2025.
 
California’s Wildfires Could Be Brutal This Summer: With Los Angeles still recovering from the devastating fires that killed at least 30 people and destroyed thousands of homes, California’s residents are being warned that the summer, typically the worst season for wildfires, could be especially brutal this year.
Amy Graff, New York Times, June 16, 2025.
 
California wildfire season outlook: Better in north than south: After two years of devastating wildfires in 2020 and 2021, California experienced three relatively mild years in a row. But this year began with historic blazes in Los Angeles when months of extremely dry winter conditions combined with 100 mph Santa Ana winds, destroying more than 16,000 homes and killing 30 people in a disaster that shocked the nation.
Paul Rogers, Marin Independent Journal, June 16, 2025.
 
Man thrown from dirt bike in remote area of park airlifted to hospital: A man suffered an accident while riding his motorized dirt bike in a remote area of Prairie City OHV Park on Sunday, and required help from several emergency crews and an air ambulance from Auburn. The park is located in Sacramento County, about three miles south of Highway 50.
Midori Sperandeo, Gold Country Media, June 16, 2025.
 
Beloved Calif. state parks program on the chopping block amid $12B deficit: In a massive blow to lovers of the outdoors, a program that has provided thousands of state park passes to library card holders for free is set to be slashed next year in an effort to balance the state’s $12 billion deficit.
Anabel Sosa, SFGATE, June 16, 2025.
 
Pen in Hand: Tim Turmezei brings live snakes to Red Rock Canyon program: Tim Turmezei has had an interest and passion for reptiles since he was a small boy, and on May 24, he shared some of his extensive knowledge as he exhibited snakes for a presentation at Red Rock Canyon State Park.
Jon Hammond, Tehachapi News, June 16, 2025.
 
Map shows which 16M acres of Calif. public lands eligible for sale in GOP bill: As the Senate continues to comb through the Big Beautiful Bill, 258 million acres of public land across the western U.S., including large swaths of California, could soon be eligible for sale.
Anabel Sosa, SFGATE, June 17, 2025.
 
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Closed Until June 25 Due to Landslide on Highway 36: Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park campground, visitor center, and day-use area will be closed until June 25, 2025, due to the full road closure on Highway 36. The closure is located .5 miles west of the campground entrance and is a result of an active landslide.
Redheaded Blackbelt, June 17, 2025.
 
Big Basin rebuild plans revealed in CA State Parks draft summary: California State Parks is releasing new details on plans to rebuild Big Basin Redwoods State Park following the CZU Lightning Complex fire. Plans include rebuilding the former park headquarters as a more ecologically sensitive hub for day-use activities.
Sergio Berrueta, KION News, June 17, 2025.
 
Grizzly Creek Campground Reservations Canceled Due to Ongoing Highway 36 Woes: Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park campground, visitor center, and day-use area will be closed until June 25, 2025, due to the full road closure on Highway 36.
Lost Coast Outpost, June 17, 2025.
 
Escaped Inmate from San Diego County Reentry Program Recaptured at Carlsbad State Beach: California authorities were in motion early today, capturing an incarcerated man who had absconded from a San Diego County reentry program.
Kamal Jenkins, Hoodlink, June 17, 2025.
Funding needed for phase two of Donner Project: The Donner Project was launched to save the critically damaged Pioneer Monument that stands at Donner Memorial State Park. After withstanding a century of harsh Sierra winters, the monument was restored in July 2022 as part of a private-public partnership and good-ole philanthropy between the community, California State Parks, the Native Sons of the Golden West (NSGW), and the Sierra State Parks Foundation (SSPF).
Sierra Sun, June 17, 2025.
 
Cold, clear and crowd-free: Top secret swim spots across California: Forget fighting for a beach parking lot and jam-packed hotel pools. If you love to swim, you’re in luck — California is full of off-the-radar places to take a refreshing dip, float or cliff jump your way into summer.
Allison Palmer, Sacramento Bee, June 17, 2025.
 
A glimpse at Crystal Cove this spring and into summer: Crystal Cove Conservancy has embraced the spring and summer seasons with extensive programming for all ages that span from the beach to the trails. Visitors will be delighted to see a combination of new and returning programs at Crystal Cove State Park.
Stu News Laguna, June 17, 2025.
 
Shasta-Trinity National Forest Urges Boaters to Help Stop Spread of Invasive Golden Mussels: In October 2024, the California Department of Water Resources discovered non-native, highly-invasive golden mussels in the Bay-Delta near Stockton, California. Once established, golden mussels can spread rapidly, significantly damaging natural ecosystems, water infrastructure, agriculture, and economies.
Redheaded Blackbelt, June 18, 2025.
New Shuttle Service to Replace Dangerous Roadside Parking in Emerald Bay This Summer: This summer, unsafe, illegal, and environmentally harmful roadside parking will be removed in Emerald Bay and a new shuttle service, funded by Keep Tahoe Blue and the Tahoe Fund, will offer an easy, convenient and lake-friendly transportation alternative to access one of Tahoe’s most visited spots.
Jaclyn Tain, Tahoe Fund, June 18, 2025.
 
• Additional coverage: South Tahoe Now, FOX40 News, Tahoe Daily Tribune
 
Endangered fish saved from the Palisades fire were just returned to their Malibu home: Hundreds of tiny endangered fish slipped from orange plastic buckets into a glittering lagoon in Malibu on Tuesday, returning home five months after being whisked away from threats wrought by the Palisades fire.
Lisa Seidman, LA Times, June 18, 2025.
 
• Additional coverage: KTLA
 
Breathtaking California Spot Named 'Most Beautiful Lake' In The State: The most beautiful lake in California is calling your name this summer! With sunshine season right around the corner, there’s no better way to spend a weekend than basking in the sun at California’s most picturesque lake. This stunning destination draws visitors year-round, as its breathtaking beauty isn’t limited to just one season.
Logan Deloye, KOST, June 18, 2025.
 
Plan to rebuild Big Basin Redwoods State Park after devastating fire nears completion: Nearly five years after a massive fire burned California’s oldest state park, Big Basin Redwoods, blackening groves of famous ancient redwoods and destroying all the campgrounds, the visitor center and other facilities, state parks officials have finalized a plan to rebuild.
Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, June 19, 2025.
 
This Ghost Town 2 Hours from L.A. Was California’s Only Black-Governed Community — Honoring Juneteenth: Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were informed of their freedom after Union forces arrived to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.
Sofia Delpueche, Secret Los Angeles, June 19, 2025.
 
Exploring the Sacramento River, one of the Most Treasured Views in California: Kayak, hike or fish at majestic venues along the 60-mile northern stretch of California’s longest river, the Sacramento. The Cascade Wonderland Scenic Highway/Interstate 5 flanks the river as it flows south from Siskiyou County to Shasta County, before the river continues its 447-mile trip to the San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay.
Jessica Skropanic, Record Searchlight, June 19, 2025.
 
Navigating the Fourth: A Boater’s Guide to Safety, Etiquette, and Celebration With Help from California State Parks (subscribe for free): The Fourth of July, America’s vibrant celebration of independence, consistently calls boaters to the water. If you’re envisioning a lively raft-up with friends, a serene cruise through a bustling harbor, a tranquil picnic at your slip, or an adventurous journey out at sea, this quintessential summer holiday offers myriad excuses to cast off.
Katherine Clements, The Log, June 19, 2025.
 
Natural Bridges State Park evacuated due to fire: A vegetation fire was contained at Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz around 4:12 p.m. Thursday. Santa Cruz Fire Department Battalion Chief Josh Coleman said that firefighters arriving at the scene found a rapidly spreading fire in a eucalyptus grove near the park’s visitor center. Authorities began evacuating people from the park shortly before 3:30 p.m.
John Ross Ferrara, KRON, June 19. 2025.
Supply chain challenges delay Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park campground reopening until 2026: California State Parks announced June 10 that the seasonal campground at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, which had been scheduled to reopen Aug. 1 following renovations, has been delayed until the 2026 camping season.
Press Banner, June 19, 2025.
 
New Emerald Bay Shuttle to replace dangerous parking starting July 15: As reported in March, there will be no parking on SR-89 at Emerald Bay this summer around Emerald Bay from Inspiration Point to D.L. Bliss State Park, as part of a 90-day safety pilot project.
Paula Peterson, Carson Now, June 19. 2025.
 
Boating Clean and Green Program Featured on Nuestra Tierra Radio Program (MP3 Link-in Spanish): Environmental Boating Program Manager Vivian Matuk was recently interviewed on the Nuestra Tierra (New Earth), a one hour radio program, about the Boating Clean and Green program. The program provides a voice to different environmental topics to outreach the Spanish-language audience in Sonoma County and surrounding areas.
KBBF, June 19, 2025.
 
California Library Parks Pass program future in limbo amid budget negotiations: As Californians make their summer plans, it may be the last time they can rely on their local library to help them visit state parks and beaches along the coast.
The California State Library Parks Pass launched as a pilot program in 2022, allowing people to check out vehicle day-use passes for over 200 parks from their local library.
Jackson Ellison, ABC10, June 19, 2025.
 
‘Prepare to be blown away’: New national monument near Santa Cruz to open with trails for hiking, biking: Almost a decade ago, former President Barack Obama recognized a “spectacular” stretch of coastal mountains and prairie near the Santa Cruz County community of Davenport with the prestigious designation of national monument. The public, however, was never allowed in.
Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, June 20, 2025.
 
7 Weekend Trips in California for Adventure from Coast to Canyons: California’s golden stretch of land offers an unbeatable mix of vibrant cities, tranquil wilderness, and coastal gems. The best part? So many destinations are within driving distance for a perfect weekend getaway.
Jodi Randell, Travel Noir, June 19, 2025.