Know-Before-You-Go: Day Passes and Parking for California State Parks Week

There are several ways to obtain a California State Parks day pass.

• Purchase online: You can purchase a day pass online through the California State Parks website. You will need to create an account and provide your payment information.

• Purchase at a park: You can also purchase a day pass at any California State Parks entrance booth. You will need to pay cash or credit card.

• Obtain a free pass: There are a few ways to obtain a free day pass to California State Parks. You can:

  • Check out a pass from your local public library.

  • Receive a pass through your participation in a state-sponsored program, such as CalWORKs or Medi-Cal.

  • Be a recipient of certain government benefits, a veteran, Gold Star Family member, or a member of the California National Guard.

Once you have purchased or obtained a day pass, you must display it on your vehicle when entering a California State Parks. The pass will allow you to enter the park and park your vehicle for the day.

Here are some of the benefits of having a California State Parks day pass:

• You can save money on admission fees.

• You can enter any California State Parks without having to pay a daily fee.

• You can park your vehicle in designated parking areas.

• You can use the park's facilities, such as restrooms, showers, and picnic areas.

If you are planning on visiting a California State Park, I recommend purchasing or obtaining a day pass. It will save you precious money and time.

How are California State Parks Day Passes different from California State Park Parking Passes?

A California State Parks day pass is different from a parking pass in several ways.

• A day pass allows you to enter any California State Parks, while a parking pass only allows you to park in a specific parking lot.

• A day pass is valid for one day, while a parking pass can be valid for a longer period of time.

• A day pass is typically less expensive than a parking pass.

If you are only planning on visiting one California State Parks, you may want to consider purchasing a parking pass for a specific parking lot. However, if you are planning on visiting multiple parks, you can consider purchasing a day pass, especially if you visiting parks that do not charge for specific parking lots.

Here's a table explaining the differences:

Feature	California State Parks Day Pass	California State Park Parking Pass
Valid for	One Day	Varies
Price	Typically less expensive	More expensive
Allows entry to	Any California State Parks	Specific Parking Lot