{"id":352839,"date":"2026-06-09T08:27:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T08:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/352839\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T08:27:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T08:27:08","slug":"all-the-free-nature-events-at-california-state-parks-near-you-this-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/352839\/","title":{"rendered":"All the Free Nature Events at California State Parks Near You This Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re not sure about what to bring or how to prepare for the event, check the event\u2019s registration page, where all the information you\u2019ll need is listed, Beckert said. One major bonus of this week of events is that many of their more involved excursions, like kayaking and bike tours, also include the equipment rentals for free.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal is to have it fully accessible for anybody,\u201d she said. \u201cWe try and supply everything that we can to make it easier for everybody. We don\u2019t want people to have to spend money.\u201d<\/p>\n

One note for your wallet: While the programs themselves are free, be aware that you\u2019re likely to have to pay for parking or entrance fees<\/a> at certain state parks.<\/p>\n

Keep reading for some standout events happening this week as part of 2026 California State Parks Week, or browse the full slate of offerings yourself on the state parks website:<\/a><\/p>\n

Free events for families<\/p>\n

Art at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Saturday, June 13, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

What: Artists\u2019 booths, live demonstrations, local food, craft workshops, art hikes<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

\"\"The Golden Gate Bridge as seen from Angel Island, California, on March 8, 2019. (Sundry Photography\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Family Day at Angel Island State Park<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Saturday, June 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

What: Music, dance, history, storytelling for the whole family<\/p>\n

Provided: Discounted ferry tickets, shuttle and museum entrance<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

Free events for budding artists<\/p>\n

Plant Tunes at Half Moon Bay State Beach<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Wednesday, June 10, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.<\/p>\n

What: Walk and listen to music made by plants (yes, really) and create your own artwork<\/p>\n

Provided: Art supplies<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

\"\"Hikers enjoy sunset at Trojan Point, on the western spur of Mount Tamalpais, on Nov. 21, 2025. (Sarah Wright\/KQED)<\/p>\n

Watercolor Walk at Mount Tamalpais State Park<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Thursday, June 11, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

What: 1-mile round-trip nature walk with watercolor painting<\/p>\n

Provided: Art supplies<\/p>\n

To bring: Sun protection, water, snacks<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

Free events for adventure seekers<\/p>\n

Kayak Tour at Lake Natoma<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Wednesday, June 10, 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

What: 2-hour guided kayak or stand-up paddle tour<\/p>\n

Provided: Watercraft and equipment<\/p>\n

To bring: Sun protection, snack, water (expect to get wet)<\/p>\n

Registration: Required, ages 7+ only<\/p>\n

Fishing 101 at Delta Meadows Park Property<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Wednesday, June 10, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.<\/p>\n

What: Learn to fish responsibly, tie knots and more<\/p>\n

Provided: All equipment<\/p>\n

To bring: Ages 16 and older need a CDFW fishing license<\/a> to attend (more info on how to get one and what type to get here<\/a>). There are no bathrooms on-site<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

Bike at Angel Island State Park<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Wednesday, June 10, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.<\/p>\n

What: Bike tour around the perimeter of the island<\/p>\n

To bring: A bike or rent one on the island; closed-toed shoes, layers, water, sunscreen. Food available for purchase<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

\"\"Folsom Lake, near its recent low point, in January 2014. (Dan Brekke\/KQED )<\/p>\n

Horseback Ride at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Friday, June 12, all day<\/p>\n

What: Free hour-long horseback rides<\/p>\n

To bring: Sun protection, sturdy shoes, water and snacks<\/p>\n

Registration: Call Shadow Glen Stables directly to schedule at 916-989-1826<\/p>\n

Free events for relaxers<\/p>\n

Nature Journaling at China Camp State Park<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.<\/p>\n

What: A short walk and guided journaling session<\/p>\n

Provided: journals, writing utensils, light refreshments<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

\"\"Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in California. (Sundry Photography\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Forest Bathing at Sugarloaf Ridge<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Sunday, June 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.<\/p>\n

What: Guided forest meditation<\/p>\n

To bring: Layers, comfortable footwear, water, sun protection, snacks<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

Free events for people who want to volunteer<\/p>\n

Coastal Scrub Restoration Workday at A\u00f1o Nuevo State Park<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Thursday, June 11, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.<\/p>\n

What: You\u2019ll help with brush cutting, sheet mulching and invasive plant removal<\/p>\n

To bring: Sunscreen, closed-toed shoes, long pants<\/p>\n

Provided: Gloves, tools, training, snacks, water<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

\"\"People relax outdoors on a sunny day at Half Moon Bay State Beach in Half Moon Bay, California, on May 12, 2019. (Gado Images\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Coastal Dune and Bluff Restoration at Half Moon Bay State Beach<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Sunday, June 14, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.<\/p>\n

What: You\u2019ll remove invasives and prepare restored areas for future native plantings:<\/p>\n

To bring: Water bottle, closed-toed shoes, sun protection, layered clothing<\/p>\n

Provided: Gloves<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

Free events for wildlife enthusiasts<\/p>\n

The Secret Lives of Mountain Lions at Jack London State Historic Park<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Thursday, June 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

What: 3-mile hike with stops to discuss mountain lion ecology and conservation<\/p>\n

Bring: Water, sturdy shoes, weather-appropriate clothing<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

\"\"Glen Ellen: Jack London State Historic Park in Napa Valley, California. (Ablokhin\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Birding at Folsom State Recreation Area<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Wednesday, June 10, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.<\/p>\n

What: Explore Black Miners Bar in search of Bald Eagles, Western Kingbirds and more<\/p>\n

Provided: Binoculars<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

Free events for science lovers<\/p>\n

Biodiverse Biomes at Tomales Bay State Park<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Friday, June 12, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.<\/p>\n

What: A 1.7- mile moderate hike and tour of local biodiversity<\/p>\n

\"\"A Bishop Pine at Jepson Memorial Grove, along the Johnstone Trail, at Tomales Bay State Park on Aug. 20, 2024. (Gina Castro\/KQED)<\/p>\n

To bring: Weather-appropriate layers, sturdy shoes, snacks and\/or lunch, sunscreen, water<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n

Free events for history lovers<\/p>\n

California State Symbols Scavenger Hunt<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Wednesday, June 10, all day<\/p>\n

What: Explore the California State Railroad Museum and search for symbols<\/p>\n

Registration: Required<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you\u2019re not sure about what to bring or how to prepare for the event, check the event\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":352840,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[7,9,8],"class_list":["post-352839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-california","tag-california","tag-california-headlines","tag-california-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=352839"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352839\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/352840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=352839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=352839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=352839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}