SAN BERNARDINO, CA — For the fourth year in a row, the San Bernardino Public Library is offering its library cardholders free vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating state parks and beaches operated by the California State Parks. State funding for this popular program was proposed to be eliminated but was restored in the 2024-2025 budget for one more year due to a statewide petition drive.
Five passes are available at San Bernardino’s Norman F. Feldheym Main Library and three passes are available at each of the San Bernardino branch libraries.
“Libraries are trusted community hubs where Californians know they can find what they need to work, play, and thrive,” said California State Librarian Greg Lucas. “This partnership with State Parks now allows Californians to ‘check out’ California’s great outdoors at their community library.”
The California State Library Parks Pass Program has been an important way to provide residents with the opportunity to visit state parks that they might not have otherwise visited. A survey conducted by the California State Parks Foundation found that 63% of Californians considered cost to be their main reason for not having visited state parks previously.
“Every Californian should have access to the beauty and benefits of parks, and we know that cost can be a barrier to visiting. We’re excited that local branch libraries are once again a gateway to state parks,” said Executive Director of the California State Parks Foundation Rachel Norton.
The California State Library Parks Pass is valid for entry of one passenger vehicle with a capacity of nine people or less, or one highway licensed motorcycle.
Popular Orange County beaches are among the locations eligible for free admission including Doheny State Beach, Huntington State Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach, and San Onofre State Beach.
Other participating state parks include Silverwood Lake and Chino Hills State Park in San Bernardino County, Lake Perris State Recreation Area and Anza Borrego State Park in Riverside County, Carlsbad State Beach in San Diego County, and Malibu Creek State Park in Los Angeles County.
Please visit https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30813 for a complete list of participating parks. Some California State Parks have been excluded from the program. Passes may be checked out for up to three weeks at a time with a City of San Bernardino library card in good standing and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and passes may not be placed on hold or renewed.
The park passes may be checked out through December 31, 2025, at the following San Bernardino Public Library locations:
- Feldheym Central Library: 555 West Sixth Street
- Inghram Branch Library: 1505 West Highland Avenue
- Rowe Branch: 108 East Marshall Boulevard
- Villaseñor Branch: 525 North Mt. Vernon Avenue
San Bernardino Public libraries are open Mondays & Tuesdays from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesdays & Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The libraries are closed on Fridays, Sundays, and most holidays. Residents can obtain a free library card at the circulation desk of any San Bernardino Public Library. A valid identification and a permanent address are required. Children under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign their library card application.
For more information, call the City of San Bernardino Public Library at 909-998-4251 or
visit their website at https://www.sbpl.org/.
