Visiting State Parks free of charge

Question

We will have America the Beautiful Pass for National parks and monuments, but there will be some Coastal State Parks around San Francisco which we might be interested to visit. I have read about a State Library Pass that allows free visits. How does it work? Can foreigners get one?

Answer

California State Parks do not automatically offer free entry to all visitors, but there are several programs that can grant free or discounted access. One such program is the California State Library “Library Pass” program, which allows cardholders to receive free day-use or vehicle entry to participating state parks. However, eligibility depends on holding a library card from a participating California library.

Here’s how it generally works:

Library patrons from participating libraries can check out a State Parks pass, similar to borrowing a book.
The pass usually covers day-use entry fees for one vehicle, or sometimes a family, depending on the library’s program.
Each pass has a specific validity period and can only be used once during that period, and some high-demand parks may have restrictions on usage dates.
The pass must be reserved or checked out in advance from the library; it is not available online to general public without a library card.

Regarding foreigners:

Generally, the program requires a California library card, which is usually issued to residents of that library district.
Non-residents or international visitors typically cannot obtain these library cards and therefore cannot use the Library Pass program directly.
However, some libraries offer visitor passes or day-use passes for tourists, so it’s worth checking with libraries near the parks you plan to visit.

Alternative options for foreigners to reduce costs at California State Parks:

Check the park’s website for “free days,” which are announced periodically throughout the year when entry fees are waived for all visitors.
Some parks offer discounts for seniors, students, or military personnel, but generally not for international tourists.
Plan visits around parks that charge minimal or no entry fees, especially smaller coastal or local state parks around the San Francisco area.

In summary, the California State Library Pass is a great way for residents to get free park access, but as a foreign visitor you may not be eligible. You can instead look for free-entry days or lower-cost parks to make the most of your visit.

Visiting State Parks free of charge

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