As fall 2023 approaches, our “summer” in the Bay Area and beyond is really only just beginning.

So if you’re itching to explore our state, and you have a library card, you can check out a free pass to over 200 state parks around California.

Through the California State Library Parks Pass program, each of the state’s libraries — of which there are over 1,180 — are offering cardholders a limited number of passes to most state parks, including many state parks around the Bay Area.

If you’re a library cardholder, each pass gives you free day-entry to a California state park near you for one passenger vehicle (with up to nine people in it) — or one highway-licensed motorcycle. And depending on how your local library is handling the program, which launched in 2022, you’ll be able to keep and use that pass for a certain amount of time before having to return it.[aside postID='science_1983522,news_11953853,news_11953794' label='More Outdoor Guides']California’s state park system is the largest in the nation (PDF), with a large number of parks accessible within the Bay Area itself.

Getting into nature has documented health benefits — and the state says this program is about helping more Californians explore the outdoors, and reducing financial barriers to entry.

Keep reading to find out how to get free entry to California’s state parks — and which other free or low-cost passes to state parks are available.

Which state parks will accept the California State Library Parks Pass?

The pass is valid for use any day of the week, including holidays (but only if space in the park is available). Still, it’s important to note that not every state park in California will accept the California State Library Parks Pass.

Soaring California redwoods photographed from below — Old-growth redwood trees in Armstrong Woods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville. (George Rose/Getty Images)

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The California Department of Parks and Recreation say the pass won’t be accepted “at units operated by federal and local government, private agencies or concessionaires.” In the Bay Area, for example, Angel Island, Pacifica State Beach and San Bruno Mountain State Park won’t accept a California State Library Parks Pass for free entry.[aside postID=mindshift_50949 hero='https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/23/2018/04/gettyimages-937327264-0ffed8630d3555e1c7389d3af280fffec4bcf9ef-1180x885.jpg']Still, there are a lot of state parks in the Bay Area where you can use the pass. These include Mount Tamalpais State Park, Half Moon Bay State Beach, Mount Diablo State Park, Castle Rock State Park and Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park and Big Basin Redwoods State Park — the oldest state park in California, founded in 1902. Jump to a list of the state parks around the Bay Area that will accept the California State Library Parks Pass.

Take a look at:

The full list of California state parks that offer free entry with a California State Library Parks Pass.
The state parks that won’t accept a California State Library Parks Pass.
A list of some of California’s most notable state parks, if you’re hoping to use the pass to travel further afield.
A FAQ about the California State Library Parks Pass program.

How can I check out a California State Library Parks Pass from my local library?

Each library may have different preferences for how you check out a pass, but your best bet is almost certainly by visiting in person.

Different public libraries have received different numbers of passes, with the minimum being three passes per library.

Jump to: How to get a library card (if you don’t have one yet).

If you have a library card with a public library system that has multiple locations — like in San Francisco or Oakland, for example — the California State Library Parks Passes most likely will be spread out between these locations. Contact your local branch ahead of time to confirm the location of the pass.

Your library gets to decide how many days you can keep a pass, so make sure you know that return date when you check out a pass.[aside postID='news_11953792,news_11953167,news_11943906' label='More Guides Like This']Your library may also allow you to place a hold on a pass, just like you would a book — this is, for example, what the San Francisco Public Library allows for cardholders. You may be able to place a hold on a pass in person at your local library, or online by logging into your library card account. Placing a hold on a pass could be a good way to plan in advance for an upcoming trip where you want to use the free pass.

Find your nearest local library.

How much money will I be saving by using a California State Library Parks Pass?

Entry fees usually vary between state parks, and often go up around peak visit weekends or holidays.

The California Explorer Annual Day Use Pass typically costs $195, but doesn’t cover all state parks in California.

A view up a sandy shoreline alongside steep, shaded, rocky cliffs, with the sun shining on receding waves. — Gaviota State Park in Gaviota, one of the state parks that will accept the California State Library Parks Pass. (George Rose/Getty Images)

How long can I keep the pass?

That’ll really depend on your local library — because each library gets to decide how long a pass can be checked out.

Contact your local library to find out how long they’re loaning their passes for, and to make sure you return your pass in a timely manner so the next person can enjoy it.

Can I use the pass to enter multiple state parks that accept it?

Yes, you can use it to enter as many eligible state parks as you like during the loan period.

This is another reason placing a hold on a pass may be a helpful way to plan ahead for a few days of travel (or a road trip) to enable you to visit multiple state parks.

What’s the catch?

Remember that not all state parks are participating in this program, and the passes don’t cover camping fees. The Department of Parks and Recreation also says that the pass won’t cover “per-person entry or tour fees (such as museums), boat use, camping, group use or sites, special events, additional/extra vehicle fees, sanitation disposal use or … supplemental fees.”

Also, libraries can decide on the number of days a pass can be checked out, and each library will get a minimum of just three passes to give out. So if your local library doesn’t have many passes on offer, and they allow cardholders to keep a pass for several days, you may have to wait for your turn.

Mount Diablo State Park in Alamo, with the tallest mountain in the San Francisco Bay Area, July 2016. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

What if I don’t have a library card?

Getting a library card is fairly simple, and will allow you to access not only a California State Library Parks Pass, but also the full range of your local library’s books, media, records and library services like laptop and internet access.

To apply for a library card, you must:

Be a California resident.
Provide a government-issued photo ID such as your valid driver’s license, state ID, passport, consulate ID card or active military ID.

Find your local library near you. You may be able to apply for a library card in person or online — but be sure to check whether the pandemic has changed your local library’s opening times if you go in person.

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Which California state parks offer free entry with a Library Parks Pass?

Take a look at the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s map to find the state parks nearest you, or find the state park you’re looking for in this full list.

You can also see the list of state parks where you can’t use a California State Library Parks Pass.

Here are the state parks around the Bay Area that are currently offering free entry with a California State Library Parks Pass:

Albany State Marine Reserve, Albany
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Guerneville
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, St. Helena
Bean Hollow State Beach, near Pescadero
Benicia Capitol State Historic Park, Benicia
Benicia State Recreation Area, Benicia
Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area, Byron (near Livermore)
Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Boulder Creek
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, Calistoga
Brannan Island State Recreation Area, Rio Vista
Burleigh H. Murray Ranch Park Property, Half Moon Bay
Butano State Park, Pescadero
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, San Francisco
Castle Rock State Park, Los Gatos
China Camp State Park, San Rafael
Delta Meadows Park Property, Vallejo
Emeryville Crescent State Marine Reserve, Emeryville
Franks Tract State Recreation Area, Bethel Island
Gray Whale Cove State Beach, Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay State Beach, Half Moon Bay
Jack London State Historic Park, Glen Ellen
Locke Boarding House Museum Point of Interest, Locke
McLaughlin Eastshore State Park State Seashore, Berkeley
Montara State Beach, Montara
Mount Diablo State Park, Walnut Creek
Mount Tamalpais State Park, Mill Valley
Olompali State Historic Park, Novato
Pescadero State Beach, Pescadero
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, Pescadero
Pomponio State Beach, San Gregorio
Portola Redwoods State Park, La Honda
Samuel P. Taylor State Park, Lagunitas
San Gregorio State Beach, San Gregorio
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Kenwood
Thornton State Beach, Daly City
Tomales Bay State Park, Inverness
Trione-Annadel State Park, Santa Rosa.

How else can I save money visiting California state parks?

Except where otherwise noted, these passes can be used at every California state park, excluding units operated by federal and local government, private agencies or concessionaires (like Angel Island in the Bay Area).

California State Park Adventure Pass (free)

If there’s a fourth grader in your household, you’re eligible for a California State Park Adventure Pass, which gives one family (up to three adults and other kids) and friends who can fit in the same car free entry to 19 participating state parks. The pass is valid for the one-year period during which the child is in the fourth grade, from September 1 to August 31. In the Bay Area, participating parks include Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Lagunitas and Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area (Gabilan Mountains outside San José).

Read more on how to get a California State Park Adventure Pass.

Golden Bear Pass (free)

Valid for the calendar year, this pass gives free vehicle day-use access to certain California state parks (PDF) for CalWORKs recipients, SSI recipients, and people whose incomes fall under a certain threshold.

As of August 29, the Golden Bear Pass has also been expanded to participants of California’s Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). California State Parks officials say that TANF recipients who are issued a Golden Bear pass will first receive 2023 passes valid for the remainder of the calendar year, and then another pass for 2024 will be sent to them at the beginning of next year.

Read more about how to get a Golden Bear Pass.

Limited Use Golden Bear Pass ($20)

People age 62 years and older, along with their spouse or domestic partner, can get free entry to many state parks (PDF) during non-peak season (PDF) with this pass.

Read more about how to get a Limited Use Golden Bear Pass.

Disabled Discount Pass ($3.50 for a 50% discount)

This $3.50 lifetime pass gives individuals with permanent disabilities a 50% discount on vehicle day-use, family camping and boat-use fees.

Distinguished Veteran Pass (free)

A lifetime pass for honorably discharged veterans living in California who also meet certain requirements listed here. Pass holders can use all basic facilities (day-use, camping and boating) in California state parks for free.

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At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2023. We’ve published clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID, how to cope with intense winter weather and how to exercise your right to protest safely.

So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.

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An earlier version of this story published on July 27, 2023.

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