Gov. Newsom pushes free park access as Historian Passport downloads surge past 360,000
Sacramento, California – California is making one more summer push for families, students and history lovers to get into state parks for free, and the clock is ticking on one of the newest offers.
Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom are urging Californians to download the free Historian Passport before the July 6 deadline, after the program drew a fast and unusually large response. In just two weeks, more than 360,000 people downloaded the pass, which is valid through the rest of 2026 at more than 30 state historic parks.
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The pass was released in honor of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Normally priced at $50, the Historian Passport gives visitors a chance to step into California’s complicated and layered past, from preserved historic sites to places that tell stories often left outside the frame.
“Every Californian should get to see part of what makes California extraordinary-the coastlines, the golden valleys, the redwoods, the history,” Governor Newsom said.
“That’s why we’ve made free passes available, and that’s why we’re committed to expanding access to California’s park system to reach more people. The Golden State will never back down from that promise.”
The rush for the Historian Passport comes as several of California’s park access programs hit major milestones. The free California State Park Adventure Pass for fourth graders has now passed 100,000 downloads since launching in 2021. The program allows fourth graders and their families to visit 54 participating state parks for free.
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State Parks Director Armando Quintero said the milestone shows that some of California’s best classrooms are not inside buildings, but “in towering forests, along rugged coastlines and within the historic places that tell the story of who we are.”
Another major access program is also becoming permanent. The 2026-27 state budget includes $6.75 million in ongoing General Fund support for the California State Library Parks Pass, allowing library cardholders to continue checking out free vehicle day-use passes for more than 200 state parks. Around 33,000 passes are available through public and tribal libraries, and officials say they have become among the most checked-out items in the State Library system.
The Golden Bear Pass has also grown sharply after the state simplified its application process. The program, which offers free vehicle day-use entry to residents receiving public assistance, has expanded from only a few thousand passes a year to more than 146,000 issued over the past few years.
First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said removing cost barriers helps children and families build a lasting connection to nature.
“By removing the barrier of cost, we’re fostering the next generation of environmental stewards while ensuring every child can experience the breathtaking beauty and history of our state,” she said.
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California’s park system is also preparing to grow. Through State Parks Forward, announced on Earth Day, the state plans to establish three new parks and expand existing parks by more than 30,000 acres by the end of the decade, with a focus on bringing more access to communities in the Central Valley.
For now, state officials are pointing Californians toward a simple first step: download the free Historian Passport before July 6, then use it to explore the places where California’s past is still standing.
