It’s not hard to get into most California state parks. You just arrive, open up your wallet and fork out some cash. This generally ranges from $10 to $20 per car, depending on the park.
But what if you want to go without paying anything at all? Well, here’s a tip that most people don’t know: You can get a pass from your local public library that will get you into 200 participating state parks for free.
Seriously. Free. Anyone who has a public library card can get one.
There are only a limited number of these passes available at any one time, so you have to check them out as if they were books. Probably a good idea to call ahead and make sure they have one available.
This program is called, amazingly enough, the California State Library Parks Pass. What a surprise.
To use it, you’ll need to apply for a library card, which is generally free. You’ll ask at the desk, and then need to show some ID and also typically something that proves where you live, like a utility bill. (If you want a library card in an area where you don’t live, you might have to pay to join, depending on the library.)
But you’ll want a library card anyway, because you can get a surprising number of benefits from using it.
The pass gives you free entrance to one passenger vehicle with nine people or less to many of the most popular parks, beaches and historic sites. It doesn’t include camping fees.
Redwoods? Check. Beaches? Check. Historic places? Check.
Learn more at parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30806
Now, here’s the catch. You knew there was a catch, right? This is only good for California state parks that are operated by the state. National parks (like Yosemite) or federal or county recreation areas aren’t included.
Some parks also exclude themselves from the deal, such as Santa Monica and Corona del Mar state beaches and Hearst Castle. Sorry.
But there are still plenty of places to go, including Huntington, San Clemente, Carlsbad, Carpinteria, Malibu Lagoon and Leo Carrillo state beaches, plus historic parks, woodlands, forests and more. Big Sur, anyone?
Each library system might have slightly different rules for how you can use your pass. For example, it might be good for one week or two weeks, then must be returned. Some will allow you to put a pass on hold, others won’t. Check your local branch. And note that, in addition to county library branches, larger cities usually also have their own public libraries.
You can find your local library here: library.ca.gov/branches/
Or your county library system here:
- LA County libraries: lacountylibrary.org/locations
- Orange County libraries: ocls.org
- Riverside County libraries: rivlib.info
- San Bernardino County libraries: library.sbcounty.gov
- San Diego County libraries: sdcl.org
- Ventura County libraries: library.venturacounty.gov