Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

BB guns prohibited in East Bay Regional Parks

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Some BB guns look like real guns. Photos: East Bay Regional Park District PD

By East Bay Regional Park District Police Department

BB guns can look incredibly similar to real firearms, especially from a distance or during a fast-moving situation. That makes it difficult for both the public and law enforcement officers to immediately tell whether someone is carrying a BB gun or a real rifle.

That uncertainty can quickly create a dangerous situation.

It’s also important to remember that East Bay Regional Park District Ordinance 38, Section 403.1 prohibits BB guns in East Bay Regional Parks.

Please leave BB guns and similar weapons at home when visiting our parks. Following park rules helps keep visitors, staff, and responding officers safe.

CA State Parks opens applications to expand outdoor spaces through federal Land & Water Conservation Fund grants

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Completed project improvements at Temescal Regional Park in Oakland include renovated fishing piers, upgraded erosion protection, improved accessible parking and restrooms, and a new accessible picnic area. The project was completed by East Bay Regional Park District with support from LWCF funds. Photos: CA State Parks

Application deadline: Jan. 14, 2027

What you need to know: Eligible public agencies can apply for up to $6 million per project through a federal grant program aimed at expanding access to outdoor spaces and recreational opportunities.

By California Dep’t of Parks & Recreation, Divisions of Boating and Waterways, Historic Preservation and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation

SACRAMENTO — California State Parks is inviting eligible public entities across California to apply for funding through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program, which is offering approximately $27.5 million in grants. The program helps agencies acquire land and develop parks and recreational amenities that support the health and wellness of communities. Applications are due by Jan. 14, 2027.

“Access to parks and outdoor recreation helps Californians live healthier, happier lives,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “Grants such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund empower communities to invest in outdoor spaces that will provide these benefits for generations to come. We encourage all eligible applicants across the state to take advantage of this opportunity to help create more open spaces in their communities.”

This funding opportunity aligns with the Newsom Administration’s Outdoors for All Initiative, which aims to expand access to Californians’ great outdoors.

Key Details

  • Grant Purpose:Supports projects to acquire or develop parks prioritizing recreational opportunities.
  • Deadline: 14, 2027, before midnight.
  • Grant Amount: Around $27.5 million in total available statewide; up to $6 million can be requested per application.
  • Criteria: Eligible applicants include cities and counties, federally recognized Native American Tribes, Joint Powers Authorities, park districts, and special districts with the authority to acquire, operate, and maintain public park and recreation areas.
  • Application Process: Applicants must first submit an online application to California State Parks by the above due date and time. State Parks will review the applications and forward selected projects to the National Park Service for final review and approval.
  • Application Guide Review: California State Parks will host virtual and in-person workshops to review the LWCF Application Guide meant to help applicants prepare their application. Visit the State Parks Land and Water Conservation Fund webpage for workshop dates, times and locations, and registration information.

If you have specific questions about a potential project, please contact your county’s assigned National Park Service Grants Project Officer.

About Land and Water Conservation Fund

Under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1964, the funding helps safeguard the nation’s natural areas, water resources, and cultural heritage. The Act intends to provide all Americans with recreation opportunities by developing public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Since its inception in 1965, the LWCF program in California has funded more than 1,600 projects totaling $395 million. View recent projects here: Parks for All Californians: Projects Gallery and Map.

About the Office of Grants and Local Services

California State Parks’ Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) develops grant programs to fund projects for local, state and nonprofit organizations. Since 1964, nearly 8,000 community parks throughout California have been created or improved with OGALS grant funding investments. Since 2000, this state program has administered approximately $4.4 billion in grant funding across the state.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.

Diablo Range officially becomes a California conservation priority

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Hikers explore Strathearn Ranch Natural Reserve in the Diablo Range. Photo: Scott Hein. Source: Save Mount Diablo

By Laura Kindsvater, Senior Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo

SACRAMENTO, CA—On August 13, the California legislature did something historic when they recognized and approved the Diablo Range as an official California conservation priority deemed critical to helping the state meet its 30×30 initiative to address the climate crisis.

A California condor soars over Pinnacles National Park in the Diablo Range. Photo: Scott Hein. Source: Save Mount Diablo

Last year, Save Mount Diablo sponsored an Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR), authored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, officially recognizing the Diablo Range as a California conservation priority.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution, ACR 107, was reviewed and approved by the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife on September 10, 2025, after we provided testimony to the committee addressing the need for the resolution.

Our Diablo Range resolution then went before the Assembly, where it was reviewed and approved on September 13, 2025.

On June 9, 2026, we provided testimony in support of ACR 107 to the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, and thereafter they approved our Diablo Range resolution.

Then on August 13, 2026, the Senate approved ACR 107 unanimously (33-0). With that final approval, our Diablo Range resolution was adopted, thereby officially recognizing the Diablo Range as a California conservation priority critical to helping the state meet its 30×30 initiative.

Introducing the resolution to the Senate floor for a vote, Senator John Laird remarked, “On behalf of Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, I rise with alacrity to present ACR 107 . . . which recognizes the importance of the Diablo Range, one of California’s most significant overlooked natural landscapes. This covers 4 million acres, 12 counties, some of which I represent. It was a trivia question at the Senate Democratic Caucus, and not many people knew where the Diablo Range was. Now they do, because this resolution celebrates the ecological, historical, and economic significance of the Diablo Range and encourages continued stewardship of the landscape.”

Tule elk in the San Antonio Valley, part of the Diablo Range. Photo: Sean Burke. Source: Save Mount Diablo

The Diablo Range is over 200 miles long, contains more than 4 million acres that are largely intact and undeveloped, and is less than 30 percent conserved. And this mountain range runs through 12 counties, with Mount Diablo in its northernmost county of Contra Costa.

The Diablo Range is an immense and important wildlife habitat corridor, teeming with biodiversity. It is home to hundreds of rare and endangered species, such as the California condor and blunt-nosed leopard lizard.

More than 10 million people reside in communities immediately surrounding the Diablo Range, so protecting more lands and creating more parks within the range has been identified as a fantastic way to help more people get access to nature.

The Diablo Range provides California with one of its best opportunities to meet multiple goals in its 30×30 initiative set up to help the state address the climate crisis.

California’s 30×30 initiative aims to conserve 30 percent of the state’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, promoting biodiversity, climate resilience, and access to nature.

California Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (center) is joined by (L-R) Save Mount Diablo Board member Jim Felton, Board President Robert Phelps, Executive Director Ted Clement and Board member Phil O’Loane. Photo: Dylan Finley. Source: Save Mount Diablo

We thank Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan; Senator John Laird, who gave ACR 107 a great introduction on the floor of the Senate before the Senate vote; and the rest of the California legislature that approved our Diablo Range resolution.

We also give thanks to our Save Mount Diablo team who worked hard on this historic effort, including a small group of staff, Board members, and leadership donors to our Diablo Range Campaign.

Further, we thank our legislative advocate, Douglas D. Houston, and his team at Houston Magnani and Associates who assisted us throughout this process. Finally, we thank all our partner organizations, agencies, and supporters who sent ACR 107 support letters to the legislature.

The California legislature’s historic approval of our resolution has just given much needed visibility, attention, and momentum to protecting the previously little-known, yet hugely important, Diablo Range.

Beyond the chainsaw debate: Finding common ground on stewardship of America’s wilderness

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Graphic source: Don Amador

By Don Amador

A recent High Country News article entitled, A Ban on Chainsaws in Wilderness is Performative, Not Practical, has sparked renewed discussion about one of the most sensitive issues in public land management. While the article focuses on whether chainsaws should be used to clear trails in designated Wilderness Areas following the unprecedented destruction caused by Western megafires, I believe the larger story is not about chainsaws at all. It is about finding common ground on stewardship of designated Wilderness areas.

For decades, wilderness stewardship has been guided by principles established in the Wilderness Act of 1964, a landmark law that has served our nation well by protecting some of America’s most treasured landscapes. At the time, few could have imagined the scale of the ecological changes that would occur during the first quarter of the 21st century. Today, millions of acres of federal forests have experienced repeated high-severity wildfires, widespread insect infestations, prolonged drought, and extensive tree mortality. Across much of the West, trails that once connected visitors to remote landscapes are now buried beneath thousands of fallen trees or surrounded by hazardous stands of dead timber.

These conditions have created management challenges unlike anything previous generations of land managers encountered. The question is no longer simply whether trail crews should use crosscut saws or chainsaws. The more important question is whether our current management framework is keeping pace with the realities on the ground.

Fortunately, this is not a new challenge for public land management. Throughout my career, I have watched federal and state agencies, conservation organizations, recreation groups, local governments, industry representatives, scientists, and volunteers come together to solve difficult resource issues that once seemed impossible to overcome. Collaborative efforts addressing post-fire recovery, watershed restoration, sustainable trail management, forest health, invasive species, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation have repeatedly demonstrated that the best solutions rarely emerge from one stakeholder acting alone.

That same collaborative model should now be applied to the growing challenge of maintaining access and stewardship within our National Wilderness Preservation System.

Unfortunately, much of the current discussion appears to be occurring within isolated circles rather than through an open, transparent collaborative process. Some conversations are taking place within the Forest Service. Others involve wilderness advocacy organizations, outfitters, volunteer trail groups, or local communities. Yet there has been little evidence of a broad national dialogue that intentionally brings together the full range of interests that care deeply about America’s wilderness.

The Forest Service has not adopted a nationwide policy authorizing chainsaw use in Wilderness, nor should anyone expect such a significant policy question to be resolved through isolated project decisions. Instead, the agency continues to evaluate requests under the long-established “minimum requirements” process authorized by the Wilderness Act. While that approach provides flexibility on a case-by-case basis, it does little to answer the larger question facing land managers across the West: How should wilderness stewardship evolve as our forests continue to change?

A collaborative forum would allow participants to move beyond the emotionally charged question of “chainsaws versus crosscut saws” and instead examine broader issues such as post-fire forest conditions, trail sustainability, volunteer capacity, workforce limitations, visitor safety, ecological impacts and long-term stewardship objectives. Rather than debating a single tool, stakeholders could focus on identifying management strategies capable of preserving both wilderness character and meaningful public access for future generations.

Decisions developed through open dialogue are far more likely to gain public acceptance than policies developed behind closed doors or through litigation. Even when consensus cannot be achieved, participants gain a better understanding of one another’s perspectives and often discover common ground that would otherwise remain hidden.

This issue also offers an opportunity for the Forest Service to demonstrate leadership. The agency has decades of experience participating in collaborative partnerships throughout the West. Applying that same collaborative model to wilderness trail management could help establish a thoughtful path forward that respects both the intent of the Wilderness Act and the unprecedented conditions facing today’s land managers.

None of us knows what the final answer will be. It may involve increased funding for traditional trail crews, expanded volunteer training, improved post-fire restoration strategies, additional research, carefully limited administrative flexibility, or perhaps entirely new approaches that have yet to be considered. Those solutions should emerge from collaboration rather than confrontation.

Massive wildfires in the American West have changed many forested lands dramatically over the past fifteen to 20 years. Rather than asking whether chainsaws belong in Wilderness, perhaps the more important question is this: Can we bring together the people who care most about these remarkable places and work collaboratively to ensure they remain healthy, accessible, and resilient for generations to come? – That is a conversation worth having.

Don Amador has been in the trail advocacy, post wildfire recovery and recreation management profession for 35 years. He served as chair of the CA State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Commission (circa 1994-2000). Don also served as an AD Driver for the Forest Service North Zone Fire Cache during the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Fire Seasons.  

California State Parks’ FREE Fourth Grade Pass now available for 2026-27 school year

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Simplified pass name, updated sign-up period makes it easier than ever for fourth graders and their families to visit 54 state parks for free

By California State Parks

SACRAMENTO — California fourth-grade families can now add a California State Parks pass to their back-to-school shopping list. And unlike the backpack, notebook and pencils, this pass is absolutely free!

Just in time for the 2026-27 school year, State Parks is updating its free pass program for fourth graders with a simplified name and new sign-up period. Now, incoming California fourth graders in public school can get their Free Fourth Grade Pass at the same time as all their other school supplies and start the new academic year with unlimited free access to 54 participating state parks. Parents and guardians can download the free pass for their incoming fourth graders at ReserveCalifornia.com.

Fourth graders previously couldn’t sign up for the pass – formerly known as the California State Park Adventure Pass – until September, after the school year had already started in many districts throughout the state. In addition to opening at the beginning of August, the pass is now valid for up to 13 months, through Aug. 31 of the following year, so it can be used from the time students start fourth grade until they begin fifth grade.

“California State Parks is committed to making it as easy as possible for fourth graders and their families to experience California’s unparalleled natural and cultural treasures. The updates to our Free Fourth Grade Pass program do exactly that,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “As the new school year begins, I encourage every California fourth-grade family to get their free pass and start exploring the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system. Parks are living classrooms filled with opportunities to learn, discover, and create lasting memories together.”

Outdoors for All

The free pass is a cornerstone of Outdoors for All, Governor Gavin Newsom and the First Partner’s commitment to equitable park access, ensuring all Californians can enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits of the outdoors. Since the free pass program was launched in September 2021, more than 100,000 passes have been distributed to fourth graders and their families.

Along with all fourth graders in public school, California residents from all walks of life — including families receiving public assistance and anyone with a library card — can access free parks passes as part of Outdoors for All:

  • California State Library Parks Pass: Allows library cardholders to check out a pass from any public library for free vehicle day-use entry at 200-plus state parks. It’s just like borrowing a book, with more than 33,000 passes available at over 1,100 public and tribal libraries in the state.
  • Golden Bear Pass: This free annual pass provides vehicle day-use entry at over 200 state parks for families who receive CalWORKs, individuals who receive supplemental security income, income-eligible Californians over age 62, and participants of California’s Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. To date, Californians have received more than 145,000 Golden Bear Passes.

State Parks also recently completed a wildly popular free promotion of its Historian Passport, which saw more than 454,000 passes downloaded in just over two weeks.

Benefits of Spending Time Outdoors

The 54 participating state parks help complement the fourth-grade curriculum, bringing to life what fourth graders are learning in the classroom. Fourth grade is a unique time in a child’s development where they begin to better understand how the world around them works in concrete ways, and they are more receptive to engaging with nature and the environment.

Studies indicate that access to parks and green space can lead to improvements in children’s physical well-being, social-emotional learning and academic outcomes, with children experiencing reduced stress and demonstrating more enthusiasm for school.

How to Get Your Free Fourth Grade Pass

Signing up for the Free Fourth Grade Pass is easy. A parent or guardian can apply on ReserveCalifornia.com (account required) to download the pass. The only information required is a name, address, phone number and email address.

For more information about the Free Fourth Grade Pass program, visit parks.ca.gov/4thGrade.

Max Korten promoted to East Bay Regional Park District General Manager

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Brings proven record of securing park funding, protecting land, and expanding public access

New General Manager Max Korten. Photo: EBRPD

OAKLAND, Calif. – Twenty-seven years ago, Max Korten was a young ranger in the Sierra Nevada, leading campfire talks for the U.S. Forest Service. Today, Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors voted 6-0 to appoint him General Manager, putting him at the helm of one of the largest regional park systems in the country. Korten has served as Acting General Manager since November 2025.

“Max has demonstrated steady, thoughtful leadership and a deep commitment to the East Bay Regional Park District’s mission, employees, and the communities we serve,” said Olivia Sanwong, president of the Board of Directors and representative for Ward 5. “The Board is confident that his experience, collaborative approach, and clear vision will guide the Park District forward as we expand access to nature, preserve our rich heritage of natural and cultural resources, provide meaningful environmental education, and ensure that an environmental ethic continues to guide all that we do. We are pleased to appoint him as general manager and look forward to continuing our work together.”

Korten joined the Park District as Deputy General Manager in October 2024. From the start, he worked closely with teams across the District to resolve challenges and build a more cohesive organization. Korten has worked diligently to build trust between the Board and staff through increased communication, transparency, and engagement. His accomplishments include collaborating with union leaders to reach an agreement on a new telework policy and working with neighboring city officials to preserve the historic Flag Barn in Brentwood. Korten is currently supporting staff and partners in efforts to reduce traffic on Del Valle Road in Livermore and is working with the Trust for Public Land, state leaders, and the cities of Berkeley and Albany on the potential acquisition of Golden Gate Fields.

Before joining the Park District, Korten spent 10 years at Marin County Parks, the last eight as director and general manager, leading an agency responsible for 34 open space preserves, 45 parks, and about 150 employees on a $35 million annual operating budget. He reported directly to the Marin County Board of Supervisors and worked with nine commissions and board-appointed committees.

During his tenure at Marin County Parks, Korten led the passage of the 2022 renewal of Measure A, the countywide sales tax that funds park maintenance, wildfire fuel reduction, farmland preservation, and public access, winning voter approval by about 75%. He also worked to eliminate park entrance fees, an initiative that aimed to expand equitable public access. He was also successful in passing a $20 million acquisition bond measure.

Looking ahead, Korten has prioritized aligning the Park District’s fire, stewardship, and operations teams around a cohesive vegetation management strategy. The effort includes mapping wildfire risk and habitat opportunities across the Park District for the first time. He is also leading development of District planning to support the Board in establishing shared goals and strategies to guide implementation in the years ahead.

“I’m honored and grateful for this opportunity, and I don’t take it lightly,” Korten said. “The Park District is a special place, and I’ve learned so much from the people who came before me. These parks are meant to be here forever, for everyone, and my focus is on keeping the organization strong so we can protect these resources while making sure they remain accessible and welcoming to all.”

Earlier in his career, Korten served as a wilderness ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, as natural resources program director for Conservation Corps North Bay, and as a backcountry ranger and trail crew supervisor for the Bureau of Land Management.

Korten holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master’s degree in natural resources from Humboldt State University. He lives with his family in Berkeley, where he is a regular on the trails of Tilden Regional Park.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

City of Pittsburg to celebrate Central Harbor Park Grand Reopening and Kickoff Party July 26

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Over $3.5 million in improvements completed

By Allen D. Payton

The City of Pittsburg invites the community to celebrate the grand reopening of Central Harbor Park with a family-friendly kickoff party on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Central Harbor Park officially reopened to the public on July 1, 2026. The improvements include:

  • New docks and berths — Increasing marina capacity and access.
  • Expanded restrooms, parking and green space — Creating a more welcoming experience for visitors and families.
  • Shoreline stabilization and ADA pathways — Enhancing resilience and accessibility for all.
  • Modernized event facilities — Encouraging year-round gatherings and civic pride.

With over $3.5 million in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy funding, and after years of planning and construction, Pittsburg’s premier waterfront event space is ready for fishing, sunset walks, gatherings and everyday enjoyment of the Delta.

The improvements were made possible with funding support from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, a California state agency whose grant funding helped bring this park to life, and the City of Pittsburg’s Waterfront Fund. The City’s Waterfront Fund is funded by lease revenues generated by users of Pittsburg’s granted submerged tidelands.  This is a reinvestment of locally generated non-tax dollars from the private sector, and so far, has totaled over $500,000.

Video screenshots source: City of Pittsburg

Guests will enjoy an evening of community activities along Pittsburg’s beautiful waterfront, including a s’mores experience, fishing demonstration, Public Safety Meet & Greet, DJ, refreshments and a preview of the park’s new event space.

The celebration provides residents and visitors with an opportunity to explore the reopened park, connect with neighbors and local public safety personnel, and learn more about the recreational and event amenities available at Central Harbor Park.

WHAT: Central Harbor Park Grand Reopening and Kickoff Party

WHEN: Sunday, July 26, 2026, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Central Harbor Park, Cutter Avenue off Marina Blvd., Downtown Pittsburg

  • S’mores bar – enjoy classic treats with a waterfront view.
  • Fishing demonstration – learn from local experts.
  • Preview of the new event space – see the upgraded facilities and seating areas.
  • Public Safety Meet & Greet – meet local law enforcement and emergency services.
  • Live DJ – for a festive evening atmosphere.
  • Refreshments – provided throughout the event.

The event is free and open to the public. Families and community members of all ages are encouraged to attend.

Photos: City of Pittsburg

Boat Launch and Fish Cleaning Station Now Open

The public launch ramps are open and the City is happy to bring with it new restrooms and a fish cleaning station, now open daily from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Whether you’re heading out early for a day on the water or wrapping up your evening catch, these launch ramp amenities are available to support your experience.

The Pittsburg Marina harbor and fuel dock is closed on Sundays. For questions contact the Marina Office at (925) 439-4958 or email marina@pittsburgca.gov.

Background

In 2021 and 2022, City staff conducted outreach to local residents, users of the boat launch, and City waterfront event-goers to determine the community’s priorities for the Central Harbor Park and boat launch area.  These facilities, while aged, are well loved and full of recreators every weekend and often throughout the week.  Via online and in-person surveys, a town hall style community meeting at the park, and many interviews at the facility, staff gathered community input resulting in three major observations:

1) The community values and enjoys the Delta access provided by Central Harbor Park and the boat launch facility. Other than youth-centered park features, the park and launch facilities provide ample opportunity to enjoy the Delta and outdoors.

2) Members of the community often feel unsafe in the project area which impacts their visit frequency.

3) Public infrastructure in the project area is old and worn down, discouraging use and dissuading people from bringing family and friends to enjoy the facilities.

On August 19, 2024, the Pittsburg City Council awarded the construction contract for the project to NTK Construction, and construction began in the fall of 2024 following the groundbreaking on Nov. 15th that year.

For more information about the Pittsburg Marina visit www.pittsburgmarina.com.

Toni Baldazo, City of Pittsburg Community Engagement Officer contributed to this report.

Tips to safely celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in California’s State Parks

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Photo collage: CA State Parks

By CA State Parks

SACRAMENTO — Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary this Fourth of July holiday weekend is the perfect opportunity to have fun in the sun at one of California’s 280 (and growing) state parks. Whether you’re interested in swimming, hiking, boating, recreating in an off-highway vehicle, or watching fireworks over San Francisco Bay, the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system has something for everyone. Following simple safety precautions, such as wearing a properly-fitted life jacket in the water, wearing sunscreen, and avoiding alcohol, can help you and your party have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend outdoors.

Here are some helpful tips to have a safe visit to California’s state parks during the holiday weekend:

  • Plan ahead and pack appropriately
    • Schedule activities based on temperatures throughout the day.
    • Dress in appropriate clothing for your planned activities.
    • Shield yourself from the sun by bringing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
    • Bring plenty of water and avoiding dehydrating beverages such as alcohol and caffeine.
  • Water safety
    • Wear a properly-fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket around the water. Water-related incidents can happen suddenly, and wearing a life jacket is the best way to increase chances of survival. View locations where public agencies and private organizations loan life jackets to the public.
    • If you encounter an ocean rip current, stay calm and do not fight it. Swim or float parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and then swim toward the shore.
    • Seek help from a lifeguard or call 911 during emergencies.
    • Never dive headfirst into the water or use rope swings.
  • Avoid alcohol and drugs
    • Operating any vehicle, including a boat or an off-highway vehicle, while impaired is against the law. Impaired drivers and boaters can be arrested and their car or boat can be towed.
    • Some parks have alcohol bans. Check each specific park website to determine if there are local ordinances concerning alcohol.
  • Practice fire safety
    • Fireworks are prohibited in California’s state parks.
    • Never leave campfires unattended. Fully extinguish fires before leaving and keep water and a shovel nearby.
    • Do not build fires larger than necessary.
  • Leave no trace
    • Leave the park better than you found it by packing out all trash and putting food waste, napkins, single-use food wrappers, and other waste in trash bags until it can be properly disposed of. For human waste, the use of waste alleviation gel bags or other portable toilet options is recommended.
    • Leaving items on a beach or park, even if they are “near” a trash can, may be considered illegal dumping.
    • Do not disturb wildlife or plants.

You can find additional safety tips and information on backpacking, biking, camping, horseback trails and laws at https://www.parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips. To find a state park near you, visit parks.ca.gov/Find-a-Park.

Reminder – Free Historian Passport: California’s state parks offer a variety of experiences, including more than 30 state historic parks that immerse visitors in California’s complex history. In honor of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the special edition of State Parks’ Historian Passport is free to download through the Fourth of July weekend. Learn how you can download the pass for free here.

You can ensure you have an enjoyable Fourth of July Weekend in State Parks by following a handful of basic safety tips. Photos from California State Parks.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.

 

Mount Diablo Initial Point’s 175th Anniversary to celebrate California’s surveying heritage July 18th

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The brass plate marks the Mount Diablo Initial Point inside the Visitor’s Center. Left source: Mount Diablo State Park. Right photo: The Center for Land Use Interpretation (CLUI)

Free historic public event commemorates one of the most significant survey monuments in the American West

By Mount Diablo State Park & Public Land Survey System Foundation

Join us on July 18, 2026, to commemorate a significant day in California mapping history.

On a hot summer day in 1851 Colonel Leander Ransom and his survey crew carried their equipment to the top of Mount Diablo and established the Mount Diablo Initial Point – the starting point for mapping property lines for much of California and all of Nevada.

Celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Initial Point with us…explore antique and modern surveying equipment, visit information booths, enjoy hands-on exhibits showcasing the science and practice of land surveying and activities designed to introduce younger visitors to the profession. Land surveyors and historians will be on hand to demonstrate equipment and answer questions about the history and significance of the Initial Point and Mount Diablo’s prominence. Guided tours will point out the original survey monuments housed inside the Summit Visitor Center.

with a day-long public celebration highlighting the history and enduring importance of one of the West’s most significant surveying landmarks.

The free educational event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Summit Upper Lot in Mount Diablo State Park. Visitors of all ages are invited to experience interactive exhibits, historical surveying demonstrations, educational presentations, and family-friendly activities that illustrate the vital role surveying has played in the development of California and Nevada.

According to The Center for Land Use Interpretation, the Mount Diablo Initial Point “is one of 37 federal survey points of origin covering the USA (outside of the 13 original colonies), known as Initial Points, selected over the course of 150 years, to anchor newly acquired federal land to the legal and cartographic grid.

“Most Initial Points are created incidentally, as baselines (and sometimes the meridians) are usually created first, with one end anchored on relatively immutable geographic features, such as the confluence of rivers, or latitudinal lines. The west has a number of exceptions, where prominent peaks were selected to be Initial Points, and then base-lines and meridians were drawn from them, as their visibility from great distances aided the surveyor’s task. Such was the case with Mount Diablo, an isolated mound rising above the surrounding valley, east of the San Francisco Bay area.”

A concrete column, built at the same time as the rest of the structure, sits atop the exposed bedrock of the summit and continues through the ceiling to a viewing gallery on the level above where it is topped with a brass plate. Photos: CLUI

“Mount Diablo has the most elaborate commemorative architectures of all the Initial Points. The building at the top of the mountain, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, contains a small museum and encloses a monument built on top of the summit. The building itself extends the peak another 45 feet in elevation. A concrete column, built at the same time as the rest of the structure, sits atop the exposed bedrock of the summit and continues through the ceiling to a viewing gallery on the level above where it is topped with a brass plate. The rock of the actual summit is exposed at the base of the concrete column. An opening at the base of the column was provided to allow access to the exact spot from which the survey was conducted, marked now by a copper bolt head left from a 1876 triangulation station.”

The survey lines from Mount Diablo extend from the Pacific Ocean to Utah, and from Monterey Bay to Oregon, covering an area that includes most of California and all of Nevada (in green) and U.S. Meridians and Baselines map. Sources: (left) CLUI and (right) U.S. Dep’t of the Interior Bureau of Land Management

According to the Mount Diablo Surveyors Historical Society, “California has three initial points; Mount Diablo Base and Meridian (est. 1851) (center), San Bernardino Base and Meridian (est. 1852) (bottom), and Humboldt Base and Meridian (est. 1853) (top). Initial points are the starting points, and were established to describe and enable the government to sell public lands covering California and Nevada which were part of the Public Lands Survey System (PLSS).”

Visitors are encouraged to bring lunch, snacks, drinks and sunscreen and plan to spend the day enjoying the mountaintop setting while learning about one of California’s most enduring historical landmarks.

California State Parks, the Mount Diablo Surveyors Historical Society and Mount Diablo Interpretive Association are presenting this event and invite visitors to drop in between 10am-4pm at the Summit Visitor Center parking lot. Parking in this lot will be very limited. Please follow signs to park in the lower parking lot. There is a $10 per vehicle park entry fee, but no charge for the event.

For more information about the Public Land Survey System Foundation visit  www.plssfoundation.org.

Click for more information about Mount Diablo State Park or www.facebook.com/MountDiabloStatePark#.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Special free pass to California’s state historic parks in honor of Juneteenth and America’s 250th anniversary

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Source: California State Parks

SACRAMENTO — California is making the incredible sites that preserve the state’s complex history free to visit through a special limited-time pass.

California State Parks is offering a special edition Historian Passport free to download through the Fourth of July weekend. The Historian Passport (typical cost $50) is valid for the rest of 2026 at more than 30 state historic parks throughout California, where visitors can immerse themselves in the state’s unvarnished, complex history.

In celebration of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California State Parks is offering a special free version of its Historian Passport — normally $50 for the year — for admission of up to four people per pass at more than 30 state historic parks throughout the state. Starting today through Monday, July 6, Californians can download the pass for free and use it for unlimited visits to participating historic parks from Juneteenth until the end of the year.

“California is marking these celebrations of freedom by inviting everyone to learn our country’s history for free in our state parks,” said Governor Newsom.

Coming on the heels of the fifth annual California State Parks Week, the limited-time free pass is the latest example of California expanding access to all Californians, giving more of them the opportunity to experience the unmatched natural and cultural resources of the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system, which includes historic sites significant to many peoples and cultures, including Native Americans. State Parks is embracing the state’s complex history through its Reexamining Our Past Initiative, working to tell the full story of how California came to be.

Supported by donations from the California State Parks Foundation and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, the special edition of the Historian Passport highlights California’s rich and complex history through places that preserve stories of freedom, resilience, innovation, and community — including Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, the most significant state park representing Black history in California. Participating parks span the state and showcase California’s diverse cultural, political, and social history, from Gold Rush-era communities and military landmarks to historic homes, missions and museums.

“California’s state historic parks preserve some of our nation’s most powerful and meaningful stories, and I’m proud to live in a state that celebrates diversity to connect more people with those stories through this limited-time free pass,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “I hope the free Historian Passport introduces more Californians to the state’s historic gems and sparks a curiosity, thirst for knowledge and sense of belonging that leads to many return visits. I thank Governor Newsom and the First Partner for their unwavering support of State Parks, and a special thanks to our partners, the California State Parks Foundation and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, for supporting the free Historian Passport.”

“Juneteenth is a celebration of Black freedom, resilience, and the enduring pursuit of equality. For generations, Black Americans were excluded from public spaces and denied access to the opportunities and experiences that others enjoyed,” said State Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D., Chair, California Legislative Black Caucus. “By widening access to California’s historic state parks to more families, we help ensure that public lands are places where everyone can learn and benefit from.”

The free pass builds on Governor Newsom’s State Parks Forward announcement on Earth Day, a bold effort to establish three new state parks — including a historic site near Bakersfield — and expand existing parks by more than 30,000 acres by the end of the decade. The announcement also follows Governor Newsom’s directive in January that more than 200 state parks offer free entry on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026.

Discover California Stories That Shaped the Nation

The California State Parks Historian Passport connects visitors to places that preserve the many cultures, communities, and defining moments that continue to shape California and the United States. Participating parks reflect stories of freedom, innovation, resilience and identity that continue to resonate today.

To visit the park sites, download your free special edition Historian Passport by July 6, and begin exploring California’s history firsthand. An account with ReserveCalifornia.com, State Parks’ official reservation service, is required to download.

Here are just a few parks passholders can access:

At Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, visitors can explore a California town founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. Established in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth and a group of Black pioneers, the state historic park stands as a powerful symbol of self-determination, opportunity and freedom, making it especially meaningful during Juneteenth commemorations.

At Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park, visitors can view what is thought to be the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America and one of the largest ceremonial roundhouse still used by Native Americans in California. Within the park, the Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum features a variety of exhibits and an outstanding collection of artifacts from tribes throughout the region.

At Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, visitors can see the site where gold was discovered in 1848, sparking the California Gold Rush that dramatically transformed the state and nation. Visitors also learn the complex history of how the Gold Rush accelerated westward expansion, drawing people from around the world in pursuit of new opportunity, while acknowledging the hard history of violence toward and resilience of California Native Americans.

At Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park, visitors can experience the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California. Built in the heart of a Gold Rush-era Chinese American community, the site reflects the enduring contributions, traditions and resilience of Chinese immigrants who helped build California despite widespread discrimination and exclusion.

These parks, alongside nearly 30 other participating state historic parks, invite Californians to explore the stories, struggles, and achievements that continue to shape our collective history. While there, visitors can take part in State Parks’ second annual Share Your Space Photo Contest through the OuterSpatial app.

“Building on our Outdoors for All initiative, we’re creating even more opportunities for Californians to explore the natural beauty and rich history that define our state. As we celebrate Juneteenth and our nation’s 250th anniversary, the free, special edition Historian Passport provides an incredible avenue for California families to immerse themselves in nature while gaining a deeper understanding of the remarkable place we’re proud to call home,” said Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the governor’s wife.

Making State Parks accessible for all

While this special edition Historian Passport is only available for a limited time, State Parks offers a number of free passes all year round in support of California’s Outdoors for All initiative. California residents from all walks of life — including families receiving public assistance, ALL fourth graders in public school, and anyone with a library card — can access free passes that open the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system and the unvarnished history of California to everyone.

  • California State Library Parks Pass: Allows library cardholders to check out a pass from any public library for free vehicle day-use entry at 200-plus state parks. It’s just like borrowing a book, with more than 33,000 passes available at over 1,100 public and tribal libraries in the state.
  • California State Parks Adventure Pass: Provides free entry to fourth-graders in public schools and their families at 54 amazing state parks. Download the pass and choose your adventure — mountains, deserts, forests, lakes.
  • Golden Bear Pass: This free annual pass provides vehicle day-use entry at over 200 state parks for families who receive CalWORKs, individuals who receive supplemental security income, income-eligible Californians over age 62, and participants of California’s Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
  • Distinguished Veterans Pass: This free pass entitles honorably discharged California resident veterans to free vehicle day-use, family camping, and boat use at over 100 state parks. In addition, active, reserve, and retired military members receive free access on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

State Parks protects the best of California’s natural and cultural history; more than 340 miles of coastline; the tallest, largest and among the oldest trees in the world; and deserts, lakes, rivers and beaches. There are more than 5,200 miles of trails, 15,000 campsites, 145,000 acres for off-highway vehicle recreation, plus prehistoric and historic archeological sites, ghost towns, historic homes and monuments – all waiting for you.

California State Parks and the recreational programs supported by its divisions of Boating and Waterways, Historic Preservation and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide the opportunity for families, friends, and communities to connect. Off-highway motor vehicle recreation, boating activities, horseback riding, cycling, hiking, camping, rock climbing, tours, hikes, school group enrichment, and special events are just some of the activities enjoyed in 280 park units organized into 21 field districts throughout the state. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.