State parks in OC + family nature travel
Plus, important news about libraries, museums, and parks
Thanks to all who answered my Instagram poll about when Spring Break was happening for you. In addition to the 4 answers available on the poll, I got tons of messages letting me know either you’d already had Spring Break or that yours wasn’t coming until after Easter. So it looks like it’s spread across a 6-week time span with the majority happening the week before or the week after Easter (which falls on April 20th this year).
Our oldest is out of school and our youngest had spring break last week. We made some simple travel plans back in January for my husband to take time off work — he hasn’t been able to take any real vacation in the past 1+ years.
We spent most our time in nature and away from screens — and made an effort to be present with each other. It was just what we all needed to reset. I hope you can find some time to get away and unplug — even if it’s just for an afternoon.
In play,
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.
NEW! Question of the Week
This is just something fun to start the newsletter each week! I’m asking this one as a general question - not just based on today’s, but just normally.
Notice that week’s poll has that last option for you to send me your ideas/opinion. I would love that! I’m always striving to make this better and deliver on what you actually need — especially going into summer months. So don’t be shy about emailing me.
I’ll share the results next week with a shorter/same or different format based on what you send!
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION: How many California State Parks and Beaches do you think we have in OC?
According to those who filled out the poll, 66% thought the number was 10, 16% thought 7 parks and beaches, and the rest was split between the final choices of 5 (9%), 4 (6%), and 2 which got 3%. The answer is SEVEN!
My blog post has a description of “What to Do with Kids” at each park if you scroll through the list!
All of the California State Parks in Orange County are appropriate for kids and families. In fact, they are some of my absolute favorite spots because of their sheer size and the nature you can find in these protected places.
Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach
Chino Hills State Park in Brea
Crystal Cove State Park between Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar
Doheny State Beach in Dana Point
Huntington State Beach
San Clemente State Beach
NOTE: Corona Del Mar State Beach (excluded from parking pass)
And I would also add in San Onofre State Beach which is just to the south of Orange County in San Diego County. I still like to send you there it because it’s super close to San Clemente and my family likes to go there with our state parks pass.
CA State Parks Pass
There are 4 different ways to get into all these parks (except Corona del Mar where you just have to pay their parking fee or park for free on the street above).
FREE for anyone with a library card: Check out a CA State Library Parks Pass from your local library.
FREE for 4th graders + their families: 4th graders can get the California Adventure Pass which will get you into 54 parks statewide. Make this your year of CA State Parks! (There is also a free Golden Bear Pass for CalWORKS families.)
PAY DAY USE EACH TRIP: The day use parking fee is $15 per vehicle and sometimes $20 at the busier parks and beaches on weekends. If you will only go a couple times of year and don’t want to check out the library pass, then this would be a good choice.
ANNUAL INVESTMENT: You can purchase the pass for $195/year. At the $15-$20/day use rate for Orange County state beaches and parks - you only need to go 11-13 times in a year or basically once a month to make it worthwhile. So plan on going at least 1x/month! And, remember, if you end up investing in this pass then you can plan your summer trips and other vacations around the 200+ parks around the state.
Any time you pay for entrance or check out the pass, it goes to support the park and shows that you value these places when budget decisions are being made at the state level!
PLAY: Family nature travel
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!
What if you could go to a hotel that was run by a California State Park? That’s what we did for 3 nights of our spring break! It’s a hotel we return to over and over. A family favorite. It’s not fancy. No TVs or phones in the rooms. Things are dated, but cozy and comfortable. We even got breakfast included and got to eat our morning meal at family style tables sitting by the fireplace.
You can sleep to the sound of the waves.
It was walkable to see the ocean, the wildflowers, and even some wildlife (birds, deer, seals, otters, whale spouts in the distance).
And then back inside to the lobby/lounge rocking by the fireplace or sitting outside the main building gathering for conversation.
We love this place! Feel free to steal this one and make this road trip your own family tradition.
Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove (near Monterey)
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History (I don’t want to give it away - and you should NOT research it because the surprise was AWESOME - but look for the secret room. I want that room in my house! And touching the giant jade in the garden was also a highlight!)
Sea Harvest for seafood and don’t skip the fried artichoke while sitting on the back patio!
BONUS: I’m sharing another (closer) family nature travel spot in the exclusive section for paid subscribers beyond the paywall at the end of this email! That’s where I put the “play-filled extras” each week.
Important Museum, Library & Park News
Just a heads up on what’s happening out there.
Follow:
American Alliance of Museums (@aamersofficial)
American Library Association (@americanlibraryassociation)
California State Library (@californiastatelibrary)
Your local library! They all have accounts on Instagram. Get your library card!
Entire Staff of Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Placed on Administrative Leave
According to the American Alliance of Museums, staff at the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency responsible for library funding, were placed on administrative leave. ALA President Cindy Hohl: "Congress created IMLS by law, with bipartisan support. Republican and Democratic Presidents signed those laws, including President Trump in 2018. Any significant reductions to the IMLS’ small and talented workforce would undermine the agency’s ability to carry out that law."
This move continues to undermine the will of the American people—96% of whom want to see federal funding for museums maintained or increased—and prevents American taxpayer dollars from reaching America’s communities.
IMLS makes up only 0.0046% of the federal budget and efficiently provides critical resources to libraries and museums in all 50 states and territories in communities rural to urban. The museum sector, in turn, generates $50 billion in economic impact. Read Full Press Release
[Federal Impact to State Library] California State Library Receives Notice of Termination of Federal Grant by IMLS
The California State Library has been notified by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that, effective April 1, 2025, the 2024-25 federal grant awarded under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) has been terminated.
In the current fiscal year (2024-25), the State Library received $15,705,702 in funding to assist local California libraries to provide programs and services, as well as supporting the services provided by the State Library to state government, policymakers, and the public. Over 21 percent of that funding has yet to be sent to California. “We are deeply disappointed by this ill-informed decision, which immediately affects critical programs supported by these funds,” said Rebecca Wendt, California Deputy State Librarian.
“The California State Library remains committed to serving all of the people of California and will explore alternative means to ensure continued access to essential library services.” Read Full Press Release
Public Lands and Employment Status Still Under Threat
Even when it appears to be quiet things are happening to try to privatize our public lands. This timeline gives a simplified overall picture of what’s happening and things are changing all the time.
Public Lands = National Parks, National Monuments, National Wildlife Refuges, National Historic Sites, National Memorials, National Battlefields, National Recreation Areas, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness Areas, National Rivers, National Seashores and Lakeshores, National Trails, Bureau of Land Management lands (BLM), and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service lands.
Follow:
Resistance Rangers (@resistancerangers)
National Park Conservation Association (@npcapics)
Conservation Lands Foundation (@conservationlands)
Trust for Public Land (@trustforpublicland)
Western National Parks Association (@wnpa_1938)
REI Board Election and Union Ask
I am an REI co-op member — for the few times we shop there for hiking shoes, backpacks/luggage, and camping gear during years when we camp. I have participated in their OptOutside social media campaigns over the years for Black Friday. Anyways, if you are a member, you can decide how you want to approach the latest Board Election. I read up on everything and voted according to the instructions on this page. You can do your own research, but just wanted you to be informed!
Thanks for reading all that and for caring!
Summer camps and spring play ideas
You can also go to this post about Spring Break Away from the Crowds.
Or this one with 10 Things to Do Outdoors in Spring in Orange County.
Get the Guide!
This guide is all my best stuff, with some contributions from Audrey Rodriguez of Raising Little Explorers, if you are looking for stroller-friendly routes or easy nature walks on mostly flat surfaces!
There’s a full description of what’s inside this printable guide over in the bookshop!
Play-Filled Extras are waiting below this paywall each week for all paid subscribers. And the guide is actually included in your annual subscription. Thanks for your support!