parks
California now offers free passes to state historic parks (just don’t miss the deadline)
By Sarah Wright | KQED at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 22, 2026
· 1 min read
Historical buildings are visible at Sonoma State Historic Park, Sonoma, California, May 31, 2026.(Smith Collection/Gado / Getty Images)More than two dozen state historic parks are free through the end of the year in honor of Juneteenth — and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration...
Key takeaway (Smith Collection/Gado / Getty Images)More than two dozen state historic parks are free through the end of the year in honor of Juneteenth — and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration...
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
For Angelenos, the free Historian Passport offers a unique opportunity to explore the state's rich cultural heritage without having to travel far. Several state historic parks are within a few hours' drive from Los Angeles , making them ideal day-trip destinations. The passport's emphasis on educational content also aligns with the city's own efforts to promote historical awareness and cultural sensitivity. By providing free access to these parks, Governor Newsom's initiative may encourage more Los Angeles residents to engage with the state's complex history, including its indigenous and cultural narratives. As the deadline to download the passport approaches, locals would do well to take advantage of this offer and plan a visit to one of the many state historic parks that showcase California's diverse heritage. This initiative may also have a positive impact on local tourism, as visitors from other parts of the state come to explore Los Angeles' own historic sites.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Historical buildings are visible at Sonoma State Historic Park, Sonoma, California, May 31, 2026.(Smith Collection/Gado / Getty Images)More than two dozen state historic parks are free through the end of the year in honor of Juneteenth — and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sarah Wright | KQED at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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