Beach Smart: Tips from California State Parks Lifeguards

Beach days are a great way to spend the longer, warmer days, but alongside your sunscreen and beach towel, don’t forget to bring a commitment to water safety.
Parks California Honored by California State Park and Recreation Commission for Advancing Access, Stewardship and Innovation

The California State Park and Recreation Commission honored Parks California with a proclamation recognizing the organization’s contributions to the California State Park System during its July 2 meeting at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Caring for California, One Conversation at a Time

On summer weekends, thousands of people gather along the South Yuba River, swimming in clear pools, hiking forest trails and soaking up one of California’s true natural treasures.
But the Yuba River is more than just a favorite spot. It’s one of California’s most important and storied rivers, full of life and history.
A 21st-Century Model for Field Trips Begins Before Students Arrive

For generations, field trips have sparked curiosity and helped students connect classroom lessons to the world around them. Today, California State Parks and our partners provide a modern, 21st-century model to make sure every student feels welcome and inspired by California’s natural wonders.
Parks California Opens Applications for 2027 Route to Parks Grants

California State Parks and nonprofit partner Parks California today invited community and tribal organizations throughout the state to apply for the 2027 Route to Parks grants. The program will award approximately $1.1 million to help more people in underserved communities experience California’s state parks, the largest and most diverse state park system in the nation.
California State Parks and Parks California Award $2.4M in Career Pathways Grants to Prepare Next Generation of Park Leaders

California State Parks and nonprofit partner Parks California today announced the award of more than $2.4 million to 13 community and tribal organizations across the state as part of the Career Pathways grants program.
Earth Day Across California

Earth Day is always a special time for us at Parks California. It’s when we join with communities, partners and supporters from every corner of the state to celebrate and care for the public lands that connect us all. But Earth Day is about more than just one day. It’s a reminder of the ongoing […]
New Analysis Shows Ecological Restoration in California’s State Parks Creates Good-Paying Careers

Study finds restoration projects generate hundreds of jobs and more than $140 million in regional economic benefit each year SACRAMENTO — A new economic analysis of large-scale ecological restoration projects in state parks on California’s North Coast shows that investments in public lands do more than restore ecosystems — each year they create hundreds of good-paying, accessible jobs, […]
Parks California Honors Doug McConnell

Parks California remembers Doug McConnell, longtime host of NBC Bay Area’s OpenRoad with Doug McConnell, KRON‘s Bay Area Backroads and a valued member of our Advisory Council. Doug devoted his life to sharing the beauty, history and stories of California’s parks and public lands, inspiring people across the state to explore and connect with these extraordinary places.
Parks California and California State Parks Announce up to $2.5 Million Available through Grants Programs for Nonprofit, Community and Tribal Organizations

For Immediate ReleaseFeb. 9, 2026 Arts in California Parks and Santa Cruz Community grants programs are accepting applications until March SACRAMENTO – California State Parks and Parks California today announce the opening of two grant programs designed to support nonprofit, community and tribal organizations in strengthening connections to California’s state parks through art, culture and […]