Honoring the educators who open California’s wonders to us all
All across California, State Parks interpreters, educators, artists and community leaders are inspiring people to discover new places and deepen their connection to the world around them. Sometimes that spark comes through art, sometimes under the open sky and sometimes it starts in a classroom.
Nature Heals. Art Connects. California program proves both — the data backs it up.
Arts in California Parks grants program, launched by California State Parks and administered through Parks California, funds community organizations, tribal groups, local governments and nonprofits to bring community arts events and experiences into regional and local parks across the state. The premise sounds simple. The impact is profound.
Telling California’s Full Story: Partnerships that Help Bring History to Life
Through its Re-examining Our Past initiative, California State Parks is working to make sure the histories within these lands are told accurately, including the histories of the California Native American tribes who have called this land home since time immemorial, long before the creation of California state parks.
Nearly 79,000 People Participated in Arts in California Parks — 40% visiting for first time
Nearly 79,000 people participated in Arts in California Parks events during 2025, according to an independent evaluation released today by California State Parks and Parks California. The findings document a program that is reaching people who have never previously set foot in their local park — and changing their relationship to it.
California State Parks, Parks California and Faces SF Host Fourth Annual Kite by the Bay at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
California State Parks, Parks California and Faces SF will host the fourth annual Kite by the Bay festival at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. The free event is open to all ages and offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and community connection along the San Francisco Bay shoreline.
Hidden Gems: Parks California Staff Share Their Insider Tips
California’s state parks stretch from redwood forest to desert floor, coastline to alpine lake — proof that no two days here need to look the same. When it comes to finding a new favorite, we turn to the people who dedicate their days to caring for these special places.
Parks California Announces 2027 Board Leadership and Welcomes Two New Members
Parks California has announced new leadership for its board of directors, effective January 2027.
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.
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.