California State Parks promote free passes, learning programs for students

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- As students across California return to the classroom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and California State Parks are encouraging families and educators to take learning beyond school walls — and into the heart of the Golden State’s vast natural and cultural landscapes.

• The above Nexstar Media video provides national park safety tips

Through a series of free access programs and innovative educational tools, students now have more ways to explore California’s 280 state parks — from towering redwoods to pristine beaches — either in person or virtually.

“Every child—no matter their zip code or background—deserves to experience and learn about the wonders of Mother Nature,” said First Partner Newsom. “Being in nature and understanding and protecting our stunning natural environment is just part of what it means to be a Californian—and one of the best parts of growing up here.”

Free access programs

Here’s a breakdown of what families and educators need to know about the state’s free offerings:

• California State Park Adventure Pass: Provides free entry to 54 state parks (including three in San Diego County) for all California fourth graders and their families. Incoming fourth graders can begin registering Sept. 1 for a full year of access.
• California State Library Parks Pass: With 33,000 passes available, this program allows library cardholders to check out free day-use entry to over 200 parks at approximately 1,100 public library branches throughout the state, including tribal libraries.
• PORTS (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students) Program: A suite of live, interactive digital programs that bring park rangers and real-time experiences into the classroom — no field trip buses required.
• Adventures in Learning: A revamped online resource hub that connects educators with field trip contacts, interpretive guides, and classroom-ready materials to support science, history, and environmental studies.

To raise awareness to these programs, Governor Gavin Newsom, First Partner Newsom and their four children recently visited Calaveras Big Trees State Park for a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) celebration. The day featured a live PORTScast reading of Dr. Seuss’s "The Lorax" under a giant sequoia and the debut of the new PORTS van, which is equipped with wireless tech and video conferencing to deliver educational content directly to classrooms.

Why it matters

California’s state parks protect more than 340 miles of coastline, thousands of miles of trails, and some of the world’s oldest and tallest trees, State Parks officials explained. With over 5,200 miles of hiking paths, 15,000 campsites, and hundreds of historic and cultural sites, these parks are now more accessible.

“State parks are open spaces and historic sites that belong to all of you," said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. "As a new school year begins, it’s the perfect time to start a new adventure in one of California’s 280 state parks. With free pass programs and virtual learning opportunities, there are no limits to where your educational and family adventures can go.”

Visit the California State Parks website for more information on how to apply for the Adventure Pass, where to check out a Library Parks Pass and how to access the PORTS Program.