California State Parks Camping Rules Changed in 2026: What Campers Need to Know
Booking a campsite at a California state park comes with stricter cancellation and no-show rules in 2026. California State Parks changed its reservation policies for stays beginning July 1, introducing new refund deadlines, penalties for repeated no-shows, limits on reservation modifications, and updated early-departure rules. The changes matter whether you are planning a beach campground […]
Visiting Yosemite in 2026: What to Know About Entrance Reservations, Camping, and Permits
Planning a Yosemite National Park trip is a little simpler in 2026. Visitors do not need a timed entrance reservation simply to drive into Yosemite this year, a major change from reservation systems used during several recent high-demand seasons. That does not mean visitors can arrive without planning. Yosemite remains one of California’s busiest outdoor […]
California Michelin Guide 2026: New Stars and Dining Trends Worth Knowing
California’s restaurant scene reached another milestone in 2026. The latest MICHELIN Guide California selection includes 523 restaurants representing 54 cuisine types, reinforcing the state’s position as one of the most diverse dining destinations in the United States. The biggest headline came from San Francisco, where Californios was promoted to Three MICHELIN Stars. The achievement made […]
New Prisoners Harbor Campground Opens on Santa Cruz Island: What Campers Need to Know
California campers have a new reason to look beyond the mainland in 2026. Channel Islands National Park is opening Prisoners Harbor Campground on Santa Cruz Island on August 27, creating a small new overnight option in one of the state’s most distinctive national park landscapes. The campground is notable for more than its opening date. […]
California Is Adding Three New State Parks: What to Know About the Central Valley Expansion
California is preparing to add three new state parks, and this time the spotlight is on the Central Valley. Feather River Park in Yuba County, San Joaquin River Parkway in Fresno and Madera counties, and Dust Bowl Camp in Kern County are moving through the planning and acquisition process as part of the state’s State […]
Highway 1 Is Open Again: How to Plan a Big Sur Road Trip in 2026
California’s Highway 1 through Big Sur is once again one of the most talked-about road trips in the state. After years of landslide-related closures and difficult detours, the iconic coastal corridor fully reopened in January 2026, restoring through access between the Monterey Peninsula and the San Luis Obispo County coast. The reopening has already brought […]