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. 8, 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
California State Parks conducts pile burning in Santa Cruz Mountains: California State Parks is burning piles in various mountain state parks in Santa Cruz County and plans to continue the work through next spring.
Press Banner, Dec. 12, 2025
Donation saves part of Mount Diablo from future development: Land was donated by Bob Nunn in memory of his late father, Ron Nunn.
Hema Sivanadam, East Bay Times, Dec. 11, 2025
GoFundMe set up for tragic dad, 55, who died saving his seven-year-old son after kayaking accident: A California community is rallying together to support the family of a 55-year-old father who died while saving his seven-year-old son after a kayaking accident.
Katie Hawkinson, The Independent, Dec. 11, 2025
Christmas in the Adobes offers unique access to Monterey's historic sites: The Christmas in the Adobes event in Monterey provides access to historic buildings while supporting California State Parks programs.
Brooke Kinebrew, KSBW, Dec. 11, 2025
State Parks brings old stories of local shipwrecks to life, and more such talks are on deck: One night earlier this fall, California’s First Theatre in Monterey is filled to near-capacity, and the draw – aside from the historic theater itself – is the chance to learn more about shipwrecks in and around Monterey Bay.
David Schmalz, Monterey County Now, Dec. 11, 2025
Healing Together: Yurok Tribe welcomes back salmon, native plants, and Indigenous sovereignty to a former lumber mill site in Northern California.
Teddi Lynn Chichester, Earth Island Journal, Dec. 11, 2025
Chico community unites to honor Bidwell Mansion one year after devastating fire:It was one year ago that the community was hugging, crying and reflecting on their memories at the Bidwell Mansion. On Thursday, the community came together to honor what many still call ‘the heart of the city.’
Hannah Gutierrez, KRCR, Dec. 11, 2025
- Additional Coverage: KCRTV, Action News Now (Video), Enterprise Record (Subscription Required), Action News Now
Tiny tracker following monarch butterflies during California migration: Project Monarch Science is placing tiny tracking devices on migrating butterflies in California to track their movements in precise detail.
Drew Tumina & Tim Didion, ABC 7, Dec. 10, 2025
Borrow a state parks day-use pass with your San Bernardino County Library card: Through a continued partnership with the California State Library and California State Parks, cardholders can borrow a California State Library Parks Pass from participating County Library branches.
Hey SoCal, Dec. 10, 2025
Doctors Believe Dad Who Died Saving 7-Year-Old Son’s Life Had Heart Attack and Drowned, Wife Says: A California woman is mourning the loss of her husband, who drowned over the weekend while saving his 7-year-old son’s life after their kayak capsized.
David Chiu, People, Dec. 10, 2025
California's Lofty Park Hidden In The Mayacamas Mountains Is Crisscrossed With Trails And Quiet Campsites: Sonoma County, California, has a wealth of natural beauty, from the miles of bluffs and beaches at Sonoma Coast State Park to inland destinations like Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in the Mayacamas Mountains that separate the Napa and Sonoma valleys.
Kristin Conard, Islands, Dec. 9, 2025
This California State Park Is the Highest-rated in the U.S.—and It Has a Massive Old-growth Forest and a Scenic Highway: Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which stretches along California’s Route 101 north of San Francisco, was recognized for its extremely high visitor ranking on Tripadvisor, hovering around 4.9 (out of a possible five stars). The study found that over 90 percent of the park's Tripadvisor reviews give it five stars. Not an easy feat.
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, Dec. 9
15 top events and shows during the winter months in San Diego County: The Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce and Mormon Battalion Historic Site are presenting a recreation of Mary and Joseph’s story at the 67th Annual Las Posadas. The event highlights the travels of a pregnant Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, looking for shelter.
Carlos Rico, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec. 9
‘Great dad’ who died saving 7-year-old son from drowning on California lake was strong swimmer, wife says: California State Parks peace officers were called to the Moreno Beach area around 4:15 p.m., after the accident. They found Ahmadi unconscious and partially submerged, a State Parks news release said. Artin “was in distress, but conscious and holding his father, helping to keep himself above water,” the release said.
Brian Rokos, East Bay Times, Dec. 9, 2025
MORE COVERAGE: SFGATE, New York Post, Desert Sun, Breitbart, Newser, The Independent UK, and more
VIDEO: California's Gold Rush comes alive at Columbia State Historic Park: California Live’s Jobeth Devera steps back into the 1850s at Columbia State Historic Park, a beautifully preserved Gold Rush town where history comes alive. Visitors can wander wooden sidewalks, chat with townspeople in period attire, and immerse themselves in the world of the forty-niners.
NBC4 Los Angeles, Dec. 8
Prescribed Fires This Week In Napa, Sonoma Co. To Know About: CAL FIRE and California State Parks crews will be conducting control burns to reduce flammable debris in and around Sonoma and Napa counties and the Sonoma Coast this week, with smoke visible from miles away.
Angela Woodall, Patch, Dec. 8
California’s Monarch Butterfly Numbers Continue to Plummet With One of the Lowest Tallies Ever: Two sites in Santa Cruz County—Natural Bridges State Beach and Lighthouse Field State Beach—are once again the bright spots, each hosting over a thousand butterflies and open to public viewing.
Active Norcal, Dec. 8
Gold in the mountains: The story of San Diego County’s amazing mining era: Long before San Diego became known for its beaches, research labs, and urban growth, the mountains to the east briefly thrived with the promise of gold.
Debbie Sklar, Times of San Diego, Dec. 8, 2025.
Father dies while keeping young son afloat after kayak capsizes on Lake Perris: A 54-year-old man died while keeping his young son afloat after their kayak capsized in a state lake in Perris, the California Department of Parks and Recreation announced Sunday.
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, Dec. 7, 2025.
- Additional coverage: CBS News, NBC-4, KTLA-5, Patch, People, Redlands Daily Facts, Daily Mail
Man Dies After Multiple Fatal Drownings in Northern California: On Wednesday, a 32-year-old man was found dead in the water off Northern California. The body of the unidentified victim was discovered at Bean Hollow State Beach, close to the town of Pescadero and south of San Francisco.
Dashel Pierson, Surfer Magazine, Dec. 5, 2025.
Family organizes private search for missing US Army specialist in Big Sur waters: The family of the U.S. Army specialist swept out to sea in Big Sur last month continues to search for him. They have organized a private search in the hopes of finding closure in the disappearance of 35-year-old Amanpreet Thind from New Jersey.
ABC-7 News, Dec. 5, 2025.
State Parks to burn hundreds of piles in the mountains: California State Parks announced yesterday it has begun burning hundreds of piles of dead sticks, leaves and branches at various locations in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This work will be dependent on dry weather and conditions that allow for smoke dispersal. Burning will continue as it is safe, through April 2026.
Los Gatan, Dec. 5, 2025.
A closer look at California's fascinating ferns | Explore Outdoors: Ferns are a fascinating part of the flora at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, offering visitors a chance to explore the diverse greenery with the guidance of California State Parks interpreters.
Brian Hickey, KCRA-3, Dec. 5, 2025.
A castle, great beaches, wineries galore and a unique urinal: Why visit San Luis Obispo County? If you asked me that as an eighth grader — based on my first impression — it would have been two things: A men’s urinal and a big rock.
I kid you not.
Dennis Wyatt, Oakdale Leader, Dec. 5, 2025.
10 Best Winter Camping Spots in California: California’s diverse and varied landscapes make it one of the best places to pitch a tent, unfurl a sleeping bag, and reconnect with nature.
Kathakali Nandi, EdHat San Luis Obispo, Dec. 5, 2025.