California will offer free entry at more than 200 state parks on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King’s Birthday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Friday.
In his announcement, Mr. Newsom framed the move as a direct rebuke to President Trump, whose administration last month cut Dr. King’s birthday and Juneteenth, two holidays honoring Black history, from the list of free entry days at national parks — while adding Mr. Trump’s birthday, June 14, which is also Flag Day.
“Dr. King’s legacy deserves to be honored, not erased,” Mr. Newsom said in a news release. “I’m encouraging all Californians to get outside on M.L.K. Day, spend time in nature, reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, and reaffirm our commitment to advancing civil rights for all.”
The California parks offering free entry are spread across 46 counties, from the state’s northern border with Oregon all the way to San Diego, and include beaches, historical monuments, recreation areas and more. While a handful of California’s state parks are always free to visit, most charge a day-use entrance fee of around $10.
The free day will be funded by the California State Parks Foundation, a nonprofit that also supports a program for residents to check out free state park passes from their local public library.
Some parks that charge per-person entry or tour fees, or are operated by partner organizations, will still require a fee on Monday.
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Gabe Castro-Root is a travel reporter and a member of the 2025-26 Times Fellowship class, a program for journalists early in their careers.
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