Raising a family in the Bay Area provides many opportunities for day visits to California State Parks. With regular parking at $10.00+ per day, it was a better value to purchase a California State Parks Annual Pass in advance. Six weekends, and it pays for itself. (You can even share this with a friend or family member.)
Or, if you only visit a State Park or State Beach a few times a year, you can save a bit on admission fees by becoming a "Parks Sampler" member of the California State Parks Foundation. For only $25.00 basic membership fee, first-time members receive 4 - Single Day Use Passes for FREE and a subscription to Sunset Magazine. Not bad! Seniors 62+ can pay less than that. These prices simply can't be matched any other way. It's like getting a free day+ and a free magazine subscription for joining.
If you live locally and have never visited Mt. Diablo State Park's Rock City, you're missing out! Most Santa Cruz, San Mateo County and Half Moon Bay beaches charge a $10.00 fee. I hear Southern California beaches even charge $15.00 per day. $25.00 for four days of parking and exploring is worth every penny.
For an index by Region of State Parks, CLICK HERE.
A few of the California State Parks our family has visited:
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Seacliff State Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Mt. Diablo State Park
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Pescadero State Beach
Carmel River State Beach
For an index by Region of State Parks, CLICK HERE.
A few of the California State Parks our family has visited:
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Seacliff State Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Mt. Diablo State Park
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Pescadero State Beach
Carmel River State Beach
BECOME A MEMBER
Join the California State Parks Foundation to help protect, enhance and support California’s 280 state parks. Plus, you'll receive exclusive member benefits to help you visit and enjoy state parks. All membership levels include a one-year subscription (12 issues) to Sunset magazine. View a complete list of membership benefits and park passes. Benefits subject to change.
The parks sampler used to include 7 day-use passes; now it's only 4. It used to be a great bargain; now the $45 for renewal memberships is not a savings at all compared with the typical park entrance fee of $10 or less. (Coe park, one of my favorites, is only $6-$8 depending on the entrance, and Nisene Marks, my other favorite, is $8 but also has several free entrances.)
ReplyDelete$25 is still a good deal if you are a first-time member though.