The “California Explorer” Annual Pass at $195 offers the most value including the popular Southern California beaches along with the Orange, Los Angeles, and San Diego Coasts like Huntington Beach, Leo Carrillo, and Carlsbad State Beaches. This pass is also honored at most parks throughout the state that is operated by California State Parks and charges a vehicle day-use fee. 

The California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass is valid for 12 months from the month purchased.  This pass does not provide access to Off-Highway Motor Vehicular Recreation areas (OHV), is not valid for camping, boat use fees, oversized vehicle fees, additional/extra vehicle fees, sanitation disposal use, or other supplemental fees, and is valid only in parks operated by California State Parks. Admittance and use subject to available space.  The pass (photocopies not accepted) must be presented at the entrance station and displayed on the rearview mirror or vehicle dashboard (as applicable) when visiting state parks that honor this pass; proof of purchase not accepted for entry.  View the California Explorer Annual Pass Terms and Conditions and complete list of parks accepting and not accepting the pass.

California Parks: Annual and Special Passes

The Golden Poppy Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass is valid for 12 months from the month purchased.  This pass does not provide access to Off-Highway Motor Vehicular Recreation areas (OHV), is not valid at the high demand Southern California Beach Parks, is not valid for camping, boat use fees, oversized vehicle fees, additional/extra vehicle fees, sanitation disposal use, or other supplemental fees, and is valid only in parks operated by California State Parks. Admittance and use subject to available space.  The pass (photocopies not accepted) must be presented at the entrance station and displayed on the rearview mirror or vehicle dashboard (as applicable) when visiting state parks that honor this pass; proof of purchase not accepted for entry.  

California Parks: Annual and Special Passes

The Tahoe Regional Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass is valid for 12 months from the month purchased.  This pass does not provide access to Off Highway Motor Vehicular Recreation  areas (OHV) and is valid only at the units listed above.  This pass is not valid for camping, boat use fees, oversized vehicle fees, additional/extra vehicle fees, sanitation disposal use, or other supplemental fees, and is valid only in parks operated by California State Parks. Admittance and use subject to available space.  The pass (photocopies not accepted) must be presented at the entrance station and displayed on the rearview mirror or vehicle dashboard (as applicable) when visiting state parks that honor this pass; proof of purchase not accepted for entry.  View the Tahoe Regional Annual Pass Terms and Conditions and the list of parks accepting and not accepting the pass.

California Parks: Annual and Special Passes

California Parks: Annual and Special Passes

The Historian Passport Day Use Admission Annual Pass is valid for 12 months from the month purchased. This pass does not provide access to Off Highway Motor Vehicular Recreation areas (OHV), is valid only at select units and not valid at high demand Southern California beach parks, at California state reservoirs and is not valid for camping, boat use fees, oversized vehicle fees, additional/extra vehicle fees, sanitation disposal use, or other supplemental fees, and is valid only in parks operated by California State Parks. Admittance and use subject to available space.  The pass (photocopies not accepted) must be presented at entrance station and displayed on the rearview mirror or vehicle dashboard (as applicable) when visiting state parks that honor this pass; proof of purchase not accepted for entry.  View the Historian Passport Terms and Conditions and complete list of state historic parks accepting and not accepting the pass.

California Parks: Annual and Special Passes

The Oversized Vehicle Pass sticker is placed on the California Explorer Vehicle Day Use or Golden Poppy Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass hangtag or a separate card for those who already have their passes. Valid for 12 months from date of purchase or through the valid date of the annual pass.  Possession of a valid Oversized Vehicle Pass sticker will waive the oversized vehicle fee as described below

Oversized Vehicle Fees

Oversized vehicles described as 25 feet or over in length or 9 feet or wider in width will be charged an Oversized Vehicle Fee (OVF) equal to and in addition to the park’s vehicle day use fee.  A vehicle pulling a trailer will also be considered an oversized vehicle except as noted below.

Oversized Vehicle Pass Stickers can be purchased to cover the vehicle’s traveling size in lieu of paying the separate Oversized Vehicle Fees. However, extra stickers cannot be purchased to cover extending the vehicle beyond the traveling size.  Any additional spaces occupied by the vehicle will be charged an extra vehicle fee for each whole or partial additional space occupied.

Distinguished Veteran or Golden Bear Pass holders will not be assessed the OVF.  Vehicles towing a boat trailer with a valid Boat Use Annual Pass Sticker or having paid a boat use fee will be not be charged the OVF.  Disabled Discount Pass holders and Limited Use Golden Bear Pass holders must pay the OVF or display a valid Oversized Vehicle Pass Sticker placard.  The Oversized Vehicle Pass will not be required at Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Areas designated as OHV units. The pass (photocopies not accepted) must be presented at entrance station and displayed on the rearview mirror or vehicle dashboard (as applicable) when visiting state parks that honor this pass; proof of purchase not accepted for entry. 

California Parks: Annual and Special Passes

A SNO-PARK permit is required for each vehicle parked at a SNO-PARK site from November 1 through May 30 of each year. Permits are sold as Day Permits or Seasonal Permits by permit vendors throughout northern California. Day permits are sold for $5.00 and are valid for one single day. Season permits are sold for $25.00 and are valid for the entire SNO-PARK season from November 1 through May 30. 

California Parks: Annual and Special Passes

For persons with permanent disabilities, this pass entitles the bearer to a 50% discount for vehicle day use, family camping, and boat use fees at California State Park operated units.  

The pass is not valid at units operated by local government, private agencies or concessionaires. It is not valid for per-person entry or tour fees (such as museums), group use or sites, special events, commercial use, oversized vehicle fees, additional/extra vehicle fees, or for supplemental fees and cannot be used in conjunction with any other pass and/or discount. Admittance and use subject to available space.  This is a lifetime pass and is valid for use of the pass holder only.  Although the benefits are lifetime, the pass holder’s passcard will need to be renewed every five years.

California Parks: Annual and Special Passes

Entitles the holder to the use of all basic facilities (including day use, camping and boating) in California State Parks at no charge. The pass is not valid for group use or sites, special events, commercial use, additional/extra vehicle fees, or for supplemental fees and cannot be used in conjunction with any other pass and/or discount. Admittance and use subject to available space.  This is a lifetime pass and is valid for use of the pass holder only.  Although the benefits are lifetime, the pass holder’s passcard will need to renewed every five years. 

California Parks: Annual and Special Passes

Persons 62 years of age or older are eligible to receive the Limited Use Golden Bear Pass.  The pass entitles the holder and spouse or registered domestic partner entry to most California State Park operated units during the non-peak season where vehicle day-use fees are collected at no charge.

The pass must be renewed each calendar year.  It is not valid for use during the peak season from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day at most state parks, and the Friday before Labor Day through Memorial Day at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Picacho State Recreation Area and Salton Sea State Recreation Area.  The pass is not valid at units operated by local government, private agencies or concessionaires. It is not valid for per-person entry or tour fees (such as museums), boat use, camping, group use or sites, special events, commercial use, oversized vehicle fees, additional/extra vehicle fees, or for supplemental fees and cannot be used in conjunction with any other pass and/or discount.  Admittance and use subject to available space.

California Parks: Annual and Special Passes