Sonoma State Historical Park   Let the adventures begin. California State Parks and First Partner invite fourth-graders and their families to experience the state's unmatched beauty and history for free. It’s easy for Sonoma State Historical Park visitors to picture life here in the 1800s. The historic old town of Sonoma comes alive at the state park. Sonoma State Historical Park is an easy drive from this area. Photo courtesy of California State Parks, 2025

STATE OF CALIFORNIA  (MPG) - Families of fourth-graders in California public schools are invited to download the free California State Park Adventure Pass at parks.ca.gov/AdventurePass

The pass opens the door to California's stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage, granting students and their families a year of free entry to 54 state parks full of sandy beaches and desert canyons, majestic redwood forests and eye-opening historic sites.

Championed by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, whose California for All Kids initiatives support children's physical, mental and social-emotional well-being, and the Newsom Administration's Outdoors for All initiative, the California State Park Adventure Pass expands the opportunity for fourth-graders and their families to enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature, each other and their communities.

The pass for this school year's fourth graders is valid until Aug. 31, 2026. To date, more than 89,000 passes have opened new doors and fostered a love of state parks for California fourth-graders. 

"As a mom, I know how much time in nature shapes a child's health, happiness and love for the outdoors," Siebel Newsom said. "The California State Park Adventure Pass has opened the door for more kids and families to experience the joy and benefits of our beautiful state parks. I encourage all public school fourth-graders and their families to take advantage of this opportunity and to explore all the incredible natural treasures California has to offer."

Said State Parks Director Armando Quintero, "California's state parks are true wonders of nature and human history.  The Adventure Pass is an invitation to fourth-graders and their families to discover the world of California. It's your home." 

And California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot said, "California's natural treasures belong to all of us. By opening our parks to public school fourth-graders at no cost, we're investing in healthier kids, stronger communities and the next generation of stewards who will care for the Golden State's wealth of natural and cultural resources."

Obtaining a free California State Park Adventure Pass online is easy. Parents and/or guardians can go online to reservecalifornia.com or call 800-444-7275 (Spanish-speaking customer service available). If they don't already have a ReserveCalifornia account, they can set up a profile by providing their name, address, phone number and email address. After completing the form, the free pass will be immediately sent to their email to be used at the 54 participating parks.

Individuals without access to a smartphone, computer, printer and/or email address can request a pass by visiting a State Parks Pass Sales Office or by calling 800-444-7275.

Through the Adventure Pass program, fourth-graders in California public schools can visit 54 state parks for free, including the Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley. The park contains many of the mine’s buildings, the owner’s home and restored gardens, and the entrance to 367 miles of abandoned and flooded mine shafts. Photo courtesy of California State Parks, 2025

What are some of the picturesque state parks that fourth-graders and their families can visit? Two parks within a few hours’ drive from home include the Empire Mine State Historic Park and the Sonoma State Historic Park.

Empire Mine State Historic Park is the site of one of the oldest, deepest and richest gold mines in California. The park is at 10791 East Empire St., Grass Valley. In operation for more than 100 years, the mine extracted 5.8-million ounces of gold before it closed in 1956. The park contains many of the mine’s buildings, the owner’s home and restored gardens, and the entrance to 367 miles of abandoned and flooded mine shafts. The park encompasses 856 acres of forested backcountry and 14 miles of trails, including easy hikes for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Sonoma State Historic Park is a scattering of historical sites consisting of six midtown locations near Sonoma's Plaza. Off the Sonoma Plaza are Mission San Francisco Solano, the Blue Wing Inn, Sonoma Barracks, the Toscano Hotel & Kitchen, and the Servants Quarters (the remains of La Casa Grande). General Vallejo's Home, less than a mile west of the Plaza, was the estate of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, Military Commander and Director of Colonization of the Northern Frontier and founder of Pueblo de Sonoma. The park’s main office address is at 363 3rd St. West, Sonoma,

Closer to home are the California State Railroad Museum, Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park, State Indian Museum State Historic Park and Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park in Sacramento.

Find all 54 participating parks at parks.ca.gov.

Made possible by Assembly Bill 148, the California State Park Adventure Pass program was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in July 2021. The pass is valid for the one-year period during which the child is a fourth-grader or fourth-grade equivalent and attends a public school, from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 of that year. The pass is also a good educational tool for California fourth-grade teachers, who can encourage students to extend their classroom learning into state parks and explore these living classrooms.

In addition to the California State Park Adventure Pass, all Californians can check out a California State Parks Library Pass by using their library cards to access more than 200 participating state park units.

Families receiving California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs), individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and income-eligible Californians 62 and over can apply for the Golden Bear Pass with their smartphone or other web-based device and have access to more than 200 California state park units. The Golden Bear Pass is also available to participants of California's Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.  

For more information on all three State Park Pass programs, visit parks.ca.gov/OutdoorsForAll.