To celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, California has introduced a special edition of the free state park “Historian Passport” in which holders can freely explore more than thirty historical sites and parks across California until the end of the year.
In order to obtain this physical version of the Historian Passport for free, the public must register an account through ReserveCalifornia.com before July 6th (Monday).
The pass is valid until December 31, 2026, and during this period, holders (along with up to three accompanying individuals) can use it unlimited times. This includes learning about California’s Gold Rush history, exploring military ruins, and discovering millions of historical artifacts and various museums spread across California.
This initiative by California has received funding support from the California State Parks Foundation and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, aiming to allow more people to engage with the rich cultural history.
Armando Quintero, the director of California State Parks, stated, “We hope that the free ‘Historian Passport’ will enable more Californians to understand the historical treasures of our state, stimulating their curiosity, thirst for knowledge, and sense of belonging, thereby attracting them to revisit multiple times.”
For example, at Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park, visitors can see one of the largest collections of bedrock mortars preserved, as well as a large ceremonial roundhouse still used by California’s indigenous peoples. The park’s museum also houses precious artifacts from various tribes in the region.
At Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, visitors can explore the 1848 gold mine site that sparked the California Gold Rush, learning about the rich history of the gold rush.
In addition to the special edition Historian Passport, California State Parks also offer various free passes, including the California State Library Parks Pass and the Golden Bear Pass.