California State Parks

Looking for something ROMANTIC to do in celebration of Valentine's Day this weekend? Check out Monterey State Historic Parks' Secret Gardens Adventure with Adventure Lab's app available in the Apple Store or Google Play Store: https://labs.geocaching.com/ Or simply use your phone's native QR code scanner to open this adventure in the Adventure Lab mobile app, or share the following URL: https://adventurelab.page.link/f6h1 These lovely gardens are open daily!!

Point Lobos Closure Extended Through Friday, Feb.5, 2021 Temporary Closure of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: Feb. 3 through Feb. 5, 2021 California State Parks will be temporarily closing public access to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve beginning Wednesday, Feb. 3 through Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, due to scheduled tree maintenance and removals. Due to the work locations within the Reserve and amount of equipment involved, the Reserve will remain periodically closed on Wedne...sday, Feb. 3, and then temporarily fully closed on Thursday, Feb. 4 and Friday, Feb. 5, for the duration of the project. The Reserve will re-open to the public on Saturday, February 6. For more information about Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and to reconfirm the reopening date, please contact the Point Lobos Kiosk between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (831) 624-4909.

Temporary Closure of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: FEB. 3 & 4, 2021 California State Parks will be temporarily closing public access to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve beginning Tuesday, Feb. 3 through Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, due to scheduled tree maintenance and removals. Due to the work locations within the Reserve and amount of equipment involved, the Reserve will remain temporarily closed for the duration of the project. For more information about Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/pointlobos, or contact the Point Lobos Kiosk to confirm re-opening between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: (831) 624-4909.

Celebrate World Wetlands Day with CA State Parks on February 2, 2021 California State Parks is wild about wetlands and will be celebrating World Wetlands Day on Tuesday, February 2, from 2-3 p.m., with a livestream event from locations across the state. Viewers will learn how wetlands and water are inseparable and vital for life as we explore the following California state parks: Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, San Elijo State Beach, Morro Bay State Park, a...nd Big River Estuary at Mendocino Headlands State Park. Within our State Park System, we have 280 park units, which contain more than 240 unique river mouths, estuaries, lagoons, marshes and moreall of which are considered wetlands. These essential ecosystems are home to countless plants and animals, serve as a serene scene for humans to recreate in and are important tools in the fight against climate change. While traveling up the coast, viewers of the Wild About Wetlands event will hear from wetland specialists Nick DaSilva from State Parks Natural Resource Division’s Coastal Programs and Dr. Tim Stillinger, scientific research director of Nature Collective who will both share the importance of protecting and restoring wetland ecosystems. Later, we will join in a kayak tour of Morro Bay, where we will learn the importance of natural spaces and recreation for our health and well-being. Along the way, we will hear valuable tips for actions we can take to care for our local watersheds and the estuaries and ocean downstream. Tune into the event on California State Parks’ Facebook page or register to watch the event live with the PORTS program at bit.ly/CAStateParksWetlandsEvent. See more

Big Sur Area Update: Severe Weather Warning: January 26, 2021 The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for Carmel, River and Dolan Fire Burn Scar Areas effective January 25th at 4:00 p.m. Areas within and two miles downslope of the Carmel Fire, River Fire, and Dolan Fire burn scars are at risk for debris flows as a result of the upcoming atmospheric river. If you are not living in close proximity to a burn scar, you may have received a message in ...error. If you are unsure if you are in an evacuation zone visit the evacuation map: https://bit.ly/2MpXkgU This warning is being given well in advance of our incoming storm system due to anticipated rainfall. Beginning late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, the US National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area/Monterey California is predicting 8 to 10 inches of rain over the course of the storm in the Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County, which would impact all wildfire burn scar areas. The Evacuation Warning that will be in place will be upgraded to an Evacuation Order if the Flash Flood Watch in place upgrades to a Flash Flood Warning, but those who live in dangerous areas are highly encouraged to consider leaving sooner for their safety. Due to heavy winds, those who need to leave one of the impacted areas could find exit routes impassable. Once an Evacuation Order has been issued there will likely be less than 30 minutes to evacuate. An Evacuation Warning means individuals need to be prepared to leave immediately with a ‘go bag’ and planned evacuation route. If your situation requires more time to evacuate than an Evacuation Order allows, consider leaving early to avoid delays due to traffic congestion. An Evacuation Order is expected to be issued at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26th. If you feel that your life is in danger, do not wait for an emergency notification. Winter Storm Preparedness: www.co.monterey.ca.us/winterstorm To register for emergency alerts, visit: www.alertmontereycounty.org To receive text message updates, text: Text "MCWINTER" to 888777 #BigSurStateParks #castateparksmonterey #castateparks #pfeifferstatehistoricpark #andrewmolerastatepark #juliapfeifferburnsstatepark #rainydays #campingelsewhere

Temporary Closure of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: JAN. 25-29, 2021 California State Parks will be temporarily closing public access to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve beginning Monday, Jan. 25 through Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, due to scheduled tree maintenance and removals. Due to the work locations within the Reserve and amount of equipment involved, the Reserve will remain temporarily closed for the duration of the project. For more information about Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/pointlobos, or contact the Point Lobos Kiosk to confirm re-opening between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: (831) 624-4909.

Please note our Office Hours have changed due to the Governor's Stay at Home Orders: The Monterey District Office will be closed through Monday, December 28, 2020. Additional 2020 Holiday Hours include:... Thursday 12/31/20 8:00 4:00pm New Year’s Eve Friday 1/1/21 Office Closed New Year’s Day https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/ About COVID-19 restrictions - Coronavirus COVID-19 Response All individuals living in the State of California are currently ordered to stay home or at their place of residence, except for permitted work, local shopping or other permitted errands, or as otherwise authorized (including in the Questions and answers below).. State orders in place: covid19.ca.gov

Did you miss the livestream of 'Over and Under' Monterey Bay with CA State Parks PORTS (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students) Interpreter, Daniel Williford, at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, and Monterey Bay Aquarium Diver and Social Media Specialist, Patrick Webster?? NOT TO WORRY - you can catch the YouTube video here to learn more about Over and Under Monterey Bay': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjffVwzsQhY And be sure to check out more of CA State Parks PORTS online home learning programs and videos at www.ports-ca.us #castateparks #castateparksmonterey #InventYourAdventure #overandundermontereybay

Dive Into Monterey Bay App Launches!! This FREE app invites users to explore the unique underwater habitats found in the Point Lobos State Marine Reserve which wraps around the shores of PLSNR. The Dive into Point Lobos app provides an immersive, 360 underwater experience that allows users to swim through a towering kelp forest, descend into a deep submarine canyon, learn about California's network of marine protected areas, and more! The Dive into Point Lobos app is now available to download from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Over and Under Monterey Bay California State Parks Collaborates with Monterey Bay Aquarium for Online Educational Programs - Tuesday, October 20 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. California State Parks Point Lobos Interpreter, Daniel Williford, and Monterey Bay Aquarium Diver and Social Media Content Creator, Patrick Webster, join forces to present a special digital home learning program, Over and Under Monterey Bay, on Tuesday, October 20 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. In this program, student...s will explore the Kelp Forest surrounding Point Lobos State Natural Reserve with the help of Monterey Bay Aquarium Diver Pat Webster and the Aquarium’s underwater kelp forest exhibit! Students will have the chance to explore up-close the life and bio-diversity of this unique Marine Protected Area within the Monterey Bay. Designed to align with 6th -8th grade student curriculum, anyone interested in viewing this program is invited to attend digitally, of course! Please click this URL to join. https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n2HLkkKESRScwQ0Hxvk7DA Pre-registration is required. This program may be available on our youtube channel at a later date http://www.youtube.com/c/CaliforniaStateParksPORTSPrograms For Teachers: Please send this registration link to your students, and not the access link you receive after registering. If each student is registered, it ensures that they will be able to access this program. For more information, please visit our Teacher Page https://www.ports-ca.us/teachers. Visit https://www.ports-ca.us/passports to learn how PORTS is re-imagining the K12 field trip with its new passPORTS program and partnerships like this one between CA State Parks and the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Be sure to join us again on October 28th at 9:00am for our next collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Monterey County Office of Education.

Saturday, October 10, 2020 - Point Sur State Historic Park tours resume! In keeping with Covid-19 guidelines, we are excited to reopen for tours again using a Phase One approach. Tours will resume on Saturday, October 10th, 2020. Access to Point Sur is by tour only. More information on tours, tour schedules, and accessibility accommodation is at this website: www.pointsur.org or by calling 831-625-4419. We require all tour attendees to follow these Tour Guidelines during C...OVID-19: - All tours are conducted outside only; there is no entrance into buildings, including the lighthouse. - Each tour is limited to a maximum of 20 visitors total. - Masks must be worn at all times, and Social Distancing between attendees is required. - Anyone feeling ill, having a fever or recently exposed to Covid-19 will not be admitted. - Tours are held on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are not accepted. - Only Credit cards are accepted for payment at this time. No cash or checks, please. We look forward to sharing the history of the iconic Pt Sur lightstation as well as the fascinating story of the Pt Sur Naval Facility with you!! #castateparks #castateparksmonterey #pointsur #explorethebeautyofcastateparks #InventYourAdventure See more

September 2-26 is Sea Otter Awareness Week!! Who doesn't love these furry denizens of the ocean? Each day this week is focused on a different aspect of the sea otter's life experience. Thursday's focus is on Sea Otter Reproduction: At birth sea otters are completely reliant on mom. Since their pup fur is so buoyant, keeping them safely bobbing at the surface, mom will nurse and share her tasty snacks until the pup’s adult fur begins to the grow in. Most pups begin to dive for... greater than 5 seconds around 6-7 weeks, and they may not get their own prey item until 8-9 weeks. That adult fur = foraging freedom! Tune in tonight (7-8PM PDT) for the Cal Academy’s livestream of Sea Otters & the Bay for #SeaOtterAwarenessWeek! The unique Night School curriculum is all about your favorite fluffy-furred, tool-using, urchin-eating marine mammal endemic to the Pacific Coast. Get a peek into the Academy’s Mammalogy collections and learn how researchers use these to study sea otters with collections manager Moe Flannery. Learn about the history of the Southern sea otter in San Francisco and its possible return to the Bay Area with Sea Otter Savvy advisors: Andy Johnson (California Representative at the Defenders of Wildlife), and Lilian Carswell (Southern Sea Otter Recovery Coordinator at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). #WeWereHere #BridgingtheGaps Meet the experts and become #seaottersavvy! Event will be streamed live on Facebook through @calacademy and @seaottersavvy pages. Event page: https://fb.me/e/1Dr7JRdMH #SeaOtterAwarenessWeek #SeaOtterSavvy #castateparksmonterey

UPDATE: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Garrapata State Park/Soberanes Canyon Trail, and Andrew Molera State Park California State Parks has reopened for active recreation. Some walking trails are open, and parking is available to vehicles on a limited basis. Social distancing protocols of maintaining a 6-ft distance and wearing masks are required. California State Parks continues to work to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public ...health ordinances can be achieved. Due to the Dolan Fire burning across the southern region of Monterey County, California State Parks urges the public to avoid traveling to impacted areas/park units in Monterey County due to safety and health concerns for any visitors. Air quality remains poor. Current Park Closures The following State Parks, including all campgrounds, day use areas, and hiking trails, are closed due to fire and/or traffic concerns on Highway 1 in the greater vicinity of the Dolan Fire: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park John Little State Natural Reserve Limekiln State Park Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Point Sur State Historic Park California State Parks is asking for the public’s cooperation at this time when our state is severely impacted by the multiple fires burning throughout the state, including fires in Monterey County and in neighboring Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. Your assistance is appreciated!

California State Parks, Monterey District What is Open and Closed for the Labor Day Weekend? California State Parks has fully closed a number of state parks and beaches due to the numerous wildfires burning across our state. Some parks/beaches are partially closed with limited resources available to visitors. California State Parks urges the public to avoid traveling to impacted areas/park units in Monterey County due to safety and health concerns for any visitors. Air qua...lity remains poor throughout the state. Current Park Closures The following State Parks, including all campgrounds, day use areas, and hiking trails, are already closed due to fire and/or traffic concerns on Highway 1 in the greater vicinity of the Dolan Fire: Andrew Molera State Park Garrapata State Park Soberanes Canyon Trail, east side of Hwy 1 closed Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park John Little State Natural Reserve Limekiln State Park Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Point Sur State Historic Park Labor Day Weekend September 4-7, 2020 California State Parks Monterey District is working with neighboring agencies on beach closures for all Monterey County beaches for the Labor Day Weekend. California State Parks in partnership with local agencies in Monterey County are closing beaches for the Labor Day Weekend (September 4-7, 2020). State Beaches will be closed to public access with exceptions for transiting across the beach to engage in recreational uses of the ocean, e.g., surfing, swimming, diving, fishing, etc. Affected State Beaches include: Asilomar State Beach Carmel River State Beach No Ocean Activities allowed Fort Ord Dunes State Park Garrapata State Park Soberanes Canyon Trail, east side of Hwy 1 closed Marina State Beach Monastery State Beach Monterey State Beach Moss Landing State Beach Salinas River State Beach Zmudowski State Beach All California State Beach parking lots will be closed. California State Parks is asking for the public’s cooperation at this time when our state is severely impacted by the multiple fires burning throughout the state, including fires in Monterey County and in the neighboring counties of Santa Cruz and San Benito. Your assistance is appreciated! For additional information about the Dolan Fire, please see the below resources: Public Information Phone: 831-272-0222 Media Information Phone: 831-272-0221 Incident Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018

Sounds like they want us to talk trash!! Join Save Our Shores for a walk on the plastic side ...

Big Sur State Parks Closing Due to Dolan Ridge Fire Monterey, Calif. The fast-moving Dolan Ridge Fire located in the Big Sur Region has triggered road closures on Hwy 1, preventing access to many state parks in the Big Sur area. Due to the emergency situation caused by the fire and resulting concerns for the safety and health of our State Parks visitors, the following parks including all campgrounds, day use areas, and hiking trails are being closed to visitors until furt...her notice: John Little State Natural Reserve Limekiln State Park Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Andrew Molera State Park Point Sur State Historic Park Garrapata State Park Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Visitors to these Monterey District California State Parks are advised to respect the emergency services and public safety efforts in the area. Please check the park unit websites to find out when the Big Sur State Park units will re-open at a future time. Photo: Monterey County Weekly For additional information about the Dolan Ridge Fire, please contact the Incident Command Public Information Officer, Andrew Madsen: (805) 961-5759.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Regulations PROPOSED REVISIONS NOTICE: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing revised regulations, a revised management plan, and a draft environmental assessment for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS or sanctuary). The proposed rule includes four modifications to existing MBNMS regulations, the modification of an appendix to the MBNMS regulations that describes sanctuary zone boundaries, an...d the addition of one new definition to the MBNMS regulations. A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared for this proposed action. NOAA is soliciting public comments on the proposed rule, draft revised management plan, and draft EA. DATES: NOAA will consider all comments received by September 30, 2020. NOAA will accept public comments on this proposed rule during the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary virtual advisory council meeting on Friday, August 21, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. PT and at the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary virtual advisory council meeting on Monday, August 24, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. PT. The public is invited to visit these sites for additional information: Video simulation link is: https://www.boem.gov/regions/pacific-ocs-region/march-9-2020 The central California visual simulation links are: https://www.boem.gov/Julia-Pfeiffer-Burns-State-Park-Visual The panoramic visual simulations for central California areas identified by the Offshore Working group is: https://www.boem.gov/node/14546 In this link people can click on Limekiln State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park etc. People can submit their public eComments at: https://efiling.energy.ca.gov//Ecomment.aspx%3Fdocketnumbe or can mail them to: Email: Include the docket number, 17- MISC-01, and Offshore Renewable Energy in the subject line and send to [email protected]. Hard mail public comments to: California Energy Commission Docket Unit, MS-4 Re: Docket No. 17-MISC-01 1516 Ninth Street Sacramento, CA 95814-5512 Contact Information is: Jean Thurston-Keller BOEM Renewable Energy Specialist [email protected] Eli Harland Advisor to California Energy Commissioner Karen Douglas [email protected] #NOAA #montereybaynationalmarinesanctuary #regulationrevisions #publiccomments #ecomments See more

Every year we partner in this awesome event - every year it gets more important!!

With apologies to Ghostbusters: If there's somethin' broke in your State Parks hood Who you gonna call? Park Maintenance! If there's somethin' wrong and it won't work good Who you gonna call? Park Maintenance!... We depend on so MANY ways that State Parks Maintenance staff help keep our parks looking good. Check out the new Fort Ord Dunes State Park Interpretive Panels which got a "facelift" and were installed this week by Monterey Sector Park Maintenance staff. A BIG thank you to Maintenance Chief, Patrick Bauers, and maintenance staffers Greg and Noah. The panels give important snapshots of information to everyone who visits Ft Ord Dunes State Park - they are located along the trail adjacent to the main visitor parking lot. We hope you can visit soon! #castateparks #InventYourAdventure #montereydistrict #fortorddunesstatepark #whoyougonnacall

Come cleanup Calfornia State Parks beaches on Saturday, September 21st from 9 a.m. to noon. Sign up at coastalcleanupday.org. Be sure to bring your own container or reuseable bag, gloves, and bring water in a reuseable container and wear a hat. You can join me at Fort Ord Dunes State Park. Pat

Information below on how to become a California Junior Lifeguard. MONTEREY JUNIOR LIFEGUARDS... ATTENTION EVERYONE: There is still time to sign up for the best ocean safety summer camp in the Monterey Bay area. The Monterey Junior Lifeguard program still has spaces available for July Session 2. These spots will not last long so don’t wait Sign Up Today!!! Summer Activities: This unique program gives local youth in Monterey County the opportunity to receive instruction and practice in ocean safety awareness skills, paddle boarding, body surfing, surfing, snorkeling, calisthenics, self rescue and more! Field trips are included during each session of the program as well. Some of these field trips include days at: Point Lobos State Reserve, Lovers Point picnic area, Monterey Municipal Wharf II, San Carlos beach, and Asilomar State Beach. This program gives young men and women the opportunity to be in top physical condition as well as develop ocean awareness skills that benefit them, others, and the ocean environment around them. Session 1 has already been filled, so don’t wait -register for Session 2 today! For more information please refer to our California Department of Parks and Recreation Junior Lifeguard website (www.ca.parks.gov/montereyjg) and click on ‘Monterey Junior Lifeguards’ in the related pages column. We hope to see you join us out on the beach this summer! WHO: Boys and Girls Ages: 9-15 WHERE: Monterey State Beach (Roberts parking Lot) WHEN: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. July 8 August 2, 2019 COST: $440