Fees Being Reduced at California Parks

Visitors this month began paying less to park at California state parks, and more fee reductions are on the way, thanks to the state’s budget surplus. The cuts were in the new state budget that Gov. Gray Davis signed June 30.

Effective July 1, parking at more than 100 state parks dropped from $5 to $2 per day. In Southern California, these include Will Rogers State Historic Park, Malibu Creek State Park and Topanga State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains; and Red Rock Canyon State Park in Kern County. Museum entrance fees and most tour fees were also reduced. Starting Aug. 1, tours of Hearst Castle in San Simeon will cost $10 for adults and $5 ages 16 and under; the current rates are $14 adults, $8 ages 6-12, free under 6.

On Oct. 1, a new annual day-use parking pass will be introduced in the form of a hangtag, usable on any vehicle, including rental cars; currently, window stickers are used. The cost will be $35 versus the current $75.

January will bring a slew of reductions in camping and other fees. For instance, trail camping will drop from $3 to $1 per person, and cabins will go for $10 to $15 versus the current $20 to $30. Fees for developed campsites will remain largely unchanged: $8 to $12 versus $8 to $14 now. Day-use fees for state-owned urban beaches will also drop. For details, call the individual parks or visit the Internet site https://parks.ca.gov.