There are so many amazing resources and benefits that you can receive with a Los Angeles Public Library Card. The California State Parks Library Pass was first introduced in the spring of 2022 and has helped so many Californians get free parking for day use at over 200 state parks and beaches. The pass is good for one passenger vehicle with a capacity of nine people or less.
This program is not exclusive to Los Angeles libraries, it is available to all of California through local libraries. However, since this blog is focused on things to do in Los Angeles for now I’ll be sharing where you can use it in Los Angeles County as well as Orange County.
On Episode 34 of the LA Dreaming Podcast, I spoke with Cisco and Mayuko from LA Library Adventures on Instagram. They visited all 73 branches of the LA Public Library system. We talk about different library branches throughout LA, the benefits of having a library card, and of course the California State Parks Library Pass. You can listen to the podcast through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or Podbean.
This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you.
California State Parks Library Pass
How does the pass work? Each library has different rules when it comes to checking out the pass. The main difference is the length that you can have the pass for. A library that I got the pass from in Long Beach lets you have it for one week at a time but you can renew it if no one else is on a waiting list for it. However, I’ve heard through social media of other locations letting people have it for less than a week as well as others saying they were able to have it for longer. So just know that the length of time you have it may vary depending on which library you rent the pass from.
All that you need to be able to check out the pass is a library card. If you don’t already have one they are easy and free to apply for. All you’ll need is proof of residence for Los Angeles County or whichever area you’re living in. If your driver’s license has an old address on it just bring a bill that you have received in the mail with your new address. I applied for a library card and was immediately able to check out the parks pass.
Find your local public library here.
How to Use the Parks Pass
When you visit a participating location you’ll show the park pass upon entering if they have a person requesting an upfront payment. If you have to take a ticket and pay on your way out you’ll just show the person at the exit booth your park pass. Or in some cases, you’ll just hang the park pass from your rearview mirror. I have used it at multiple locations without having any issues. Please note that while the pass works for a lot of state parks and beaches in California, it is not accepted at all of them. Be sure to do your research on participating and non-participating locations throughout the whole state here.
Where to Use the California State Parks Library Pass in LA County
- Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve State National Reserve
- Kenneth Hahn (Baldwin Hills Overlook Only) State Recreation Area
- Leo Carrillo (also in Ventura) State Park
- Los Angeles State Historic Park
- Malibu Creek State Park
- Malibu Lagoon State Beach
- Rio de LA State Park –
- Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach
- Saddleback Butte State Park
- Topanga State Park
- Verdugo Mountains Park Property
Places in LA County That Do Not Accept the Pass
- Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park
- Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland SP
- Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
- Dockweiler State Beach – I am so bummed about this one since this is the only beach in LA County where you can have a beach bonfire.
- Point Dume State Beach
- Santa Monica State Beach
- Will Rogers State Beach
- Will Rogers State Historic Park
Where to Use the California State Parks Library Pass in Orange County
- Bolsa Chica State Beach
- Chino Hills State Park (also in Riverside County & San Bernardino County)
- Crystal Cove State Park
- Doheny State Beach
- Huntington State Beach
- San Clemente State Beach
- San Onofre SB (also in San Diego)
Beaches in Orange County like Bolsa Chica State Beach and Hunting State Beach are places where you can have a bonfire at the beach. If you would like to see a full list of beaches in Orange County that you can have a bonfire at be sure to check out my guide here.
Places in Orange County That Do Not Accept the Pass
- Corona Del Mar State Beach
