Free access to California State Parks
Plus, a favorite state park for you to visit here in Orange County
It certainly felt like a Monday to me today. I’m relieved it’s Friday! We had our share of sickness in our family over the holidays, as I know was the case with many of you. I feel like this is our first healthy weekend in a while. Just in time for work and school to start again. Of course! Today and throughout 2025, I promise to remind you to:
If you are a paid subscriber, make sure to check the bottom of this email for those promised play-filled extras (downloadable, printable books coming throughout this year for annual subscribers Winter, Spring/Summer, Fall)! Today you’ll find play news + something for train lovers + extras relating to CA State Parks.
Welcome to 2025!
Michele
As a friendly reminder, make sure you ALWAYS check official sources when you are heading out to any of the locations I share. These are merely suggestions. Only you know what works for your family. Plus, your experience may not be the same as mine — and there can be changes to the hours or unforeseen circumstances or conditions at the suggested locations.
Exploring Crystal Cove State Park
This park is one of my favorite places to see all sorts of local plants and wildlife, not to mention the Pacific Ocean in all her moods! No lifeguards in the winter and make sure you check the Orange County marine forecasts before you go to the beach.
Click each of the photos below to go to the full blog post about each entrance to the park!
PLAY: State parks for free — or invest in a year
This is the section of the newsletter where we talk about PLAY or connecting to nature each week. I might share a video, an article, a book, or something inspiring. Just trying to help keep you empowered to prioritize play to benefit development and preserve childhood!
You can check out the pass for FREE from your local library using the California State Library Parks Pass program!
4th graders (and their families) can get FREE access to 54 state parks (CA Adventure Pass) & national parks (Every Kid Outdoors).
Only invest in the pass if it is going to be a year when you will be able to use it! Making the mindful commitment to this ONE $195 pass for the whole year (comes out to $16.25 per month) to fill your weekends and day trips for a particular year to makes it super cost effective.
The more you visit the parks, the more affordable it becomes. Break even by going a little over 1x per month, but save tons if you go 2x-3x per month and travel to day trips on weekends or family vacations during breaks.
Choose a year when your family vacation is to other parts of California where there are state parks you want to visit, like the redwoods!
CalWORKS Golden Bear Pass. Are you a family enrolled in CalWORKS? You can apply for this pass through the California Department of Social Services on a secure form. You can apply any time during 2025 and the pass is good through December 31, 2025. This is good at the 200+ parks.
Every time you check out a pass or pay for an annual pass, you are telling California that you value these state parks & beaches and want to keep them around! It’s wasn’t too long ago when some of the parks were threatened with closures due to budget cuts. This CA State Parks Library Parks Pass program is only funded through the end of 2025.
Play-Filled Extras are now waiting below this paywall each week for all paid subscribers. Thanks for your support!