Californians Encouraged to Cash in on Free State Park Admission Opportunities

By Olivia Wynkoop • Bay City News Foundation

California State Parks representatives encouraged Californians to take advantage of multiple ways to visit state parks for free, including utilizing the California State Parks Library Pass.

Representatives said on Jan. 31 that CalWORKs families, Social Security recipients, fourth graders and library card holders can have their admission fees waived to enter over 200 state parks and beaches — like the Bay Area’s Angel Island, Big Basin Redwoods and Mount Tamalpais.

All public library card holders can access a free vehicle day-use entry pass for any of the participating state parks via their local public library. Checkout times and the number of passes available depend on each library.

The three-year library pass pilot program distributed 5,000 passes to more than 1,000 libraries across the state during its launch in April 2022. State park officials said an additional 28,000 library passes will soon be distributed to libraries, which will raise the average number of passes available at each branch to 24.

“California’s libraries serve their communities in all kinds of ways besides providing the books Californians want to read,” said California State Librarian Greg Lucas. “They check out tools, DVDs, provide online learning you can access 24/7 — even homework tutoring. And now they’re helping open the window on California’s breathtaking state parks. Just one more great reason to visit your local library — in-person or online.”