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 Nov. 2, 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

County Seeks Input on Mendenhall Park Plans (Press Release):Community feedback requested on a grant application submission to California State Parks’.
Sierra Wave Media, Nov. 6, 2026

Ano Nuevo State Park: Guided Elephant Seal Viewing:During the winter season, Año Nuevo State Park requires the usual self guided elephant seal viewing to be only led by a tour guide.
Santa Cruz County, Nov. 6, 2026

San Onofre Parking Lot Closes Thru Winter; Dana Point Celebrates Film Festival, ‘Boo-Heny Bash’:California State Parks announced that the lower dirt road and parking areas at San Onofre Surf Beach will remain closed through the fall and winter.
Ella Boyd, San Clementine Times, Nov. 5, 2026

California Raises Mussel Fee Sticker Cost as Golden Mussels Spread:Higher fees will support inspections, decontamination and other efforts aimed at preventing invasive mussels from reaching additional waterways.
The Log, Nov. 5, 2026

State parks offers free admission to veterans on Veterans Day:California State Parks is offering free admission veterans and their families on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 to the 145 state parks, including Mount Diablo.
The Press, Nov. 5, 2026

Pilot dies on Ocotillo hillside:A pilot has died after a deadly plane crash near Imperial County.
The Desert Review, Nov. 5, 2026

Antelope Valley Indian Museum highlights 2 artists during Native American Heritage Month (Press Release):As part of its celebration for Native American Heritage Month, California State Park’s Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park, 15701 East Ave. M, will showcase two talented Indigenous artists in November.
Valley Press, Nov. 5, 2026

This California Beach Is Stunning Year-round, With Protected Dunes, Incredible Sunsets, and Expert-only Surfing:The Central Coast is full of gems, but Asilomar State Beach is one of the prettiest.
Cu Fleshman, Travel Plus Leisure, Nov. 5, 2026

Avoid California's Crowded Trails With These 5 Quiet Coastline Hikes: These 5 spectacular trails in San Luis Obispo are along Highway 1, offer beautiful scenery, and are all but empty.
Alisha McDarris, BackPack, Nov. 4, 2026

Massive crack beneath Pacific Coast Highway prompts emergency repairs near Laguna Beach:A massive crack in the coastal bluff beneath Pacific Coast Highway has prompted emergency repairs and lane closures near Crystal Cove State Park.
Fairoz Saleh, Lariat, Nov. 4, 2026

Third Rare Sea Turtle Nest Discovered in Southern California amid Record Ocean Temperatures:A third olive ridley sea turtle nest was discovered in Southern California, this time on San Buenaventura State Beach in Ventura.
Desiree Anello, People, Nov. 4, 2026

Historic Bidwell Mansion takes next steps toward rebuilding:Reimagine Bidwell Mansion, the project rebuilding the historic site, held an open house for community input on the project.
Alyssa Davis, The Orion, Nov. 4, 2026

Huntington Beach Walk To End Alzheimer's Returns To Bolsa Chica:The free event will bring residents, families and supporters together for a two-mile fundraising walk benefiting Alzheimer's care.
Doc Louallen, Patch, Nov. 4, 2026

Yet another rare sea turtle nest discovered in Southern California, this time in Ventura: Amid record ocean temperatures, a third olive ridley sea turtle has laid its eggs in Southern California — this time on San Buenaventura State Beach in Ventura. The rare event occurred on Sunday, according to witnesses and officials, and marks the third naturally occurring sea turtle nest ever found on the U.S. West Coast.
Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, Nov. 3, 2026

o   MORE COVERAGE: KTLA, ABC7 Los Angeles, edhat

One killed in small plane crash in Ocotillo Wells: One person died when a small plane crashed into a hill Tuesday morning in Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, according to Cal Fire.
Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov. 3, 2026

o   MORE COVERAGE: KFMB-TV (CBS San Diego), Patch, KOGO News

Slain teens ID'd in Moss Landing shooting, one was days from 14th birthday: Authorities have identified the two people who died in a shooting at Moss Landing State Beach on Monday morning as teenagers from Salinas.
Olivia Hebert and Madilynne Medina, SFGATE, Nov. 3, 2026

o   MORE COVERAGE: NBC Bay Area, Monterey County Now, San Luis Obispo Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, ABC7 News Bay Area, KTLA, KTVU, SFist, Patch, Lookout Santa Cruz, The Pajaronian and more.

California State Parks giving veterans free admission on Veterans Day: California State Parks is inviting U.S. military veterans and their families to enjoy free admission to 145 state parks on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
Gold Mountain California News, Nov. 3, 2026

(Copy of Press Release)

Small plane crashes in Ocotillo Wells:The person who reported it, shortly after 9 a.m., said they saw the plane hit a mountain and burst into flames.
Solano Espino, NBC San Diego, Nov. 3, 2026

Coroner's office identifies 2 teens killed in Moss Landing shooting; youngest was 13:The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two people killed in a shooting at Moss Landing State Beach early Monday.
Ricardo Tovar, KSBW 8, Nov. 3, 2026

Veterans Get Into 145 California State Parks Free on Nov. 11, Including Burney Falls and Mount Tam:California State Parks is opening 145 park units to veterans, active-duty service members and reservists at no charge on Veterans Day.
Active NorCal, Nov. 3, 2026

Prescribed burning to begin soon at state park in southwest Stanislaus County:Prescribed burns could start within a week at a state park partially located within southwest Stanislaus County.
Deke Farrow, The Modesto Bee, Nov. 2, 2026

Saving Mono Lake was a California victory. But it still needs water:Will the latest round of the West's water wars mean the death of Mono Lake?
Julie Brown Davis, SF Gate, Nov. 2, 2026

Monterey County sheriff reports shooting with ‘multiple fatalities’ in Moss Landing: The shooting happened shortly after midnight along Jetty Road, a street located adjacent to the beach in Moss Landing, an unincorporated coastal community on Monterey Bay known for whale watching.

Anna Bauman, SF Chronicle, Nov. 2, 2026

Sierra State Parks Foundation’s online Parks for All Holiday Auction returns: The Sierra State Parks Foundation is excited to announce the return of its annual Parks for All Holiday Auction, an online fundraising event featuring exclusive travel experiences, unique adventures, local artwork, and one-of-a-kind opportunities that cannot be purchased anywhere else. (Subscription Required; Copy of Press Release)

Sierra Sun, Nov. 2, 2026

I’ve Traveled California for 20 Years and This Is One of Its Best Parks—With 140,000 Acres of the World’s Tallest Trees: Located just south of the California-Oregon state line, Redwood National and State Parks encompass almost 140,000 acres of old-growth redwood forests, beaches, and prairies.

Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, Nov. 1, 2026

A tribe returns, joyful, to 51 acres in the San Gabriel foothills: A 51-acre piece of land along the Pacific Crest Trail above Santa Clarita is going back to descendants of the people who once lived there.

Noah Haggerty, LA Times, Oct. 31, 2026

Progress at Palmdale parks: The City of Palmdale broke ground on two parks undergoing renovations this week, as part of a nearly $35 million revitalization of three parks.

Alan Hendry, Antelope Valley Press, Oct. 31, 2025