California residents normally can pay around $10 per visit to the state's parks, but there are several ways you can visit for free this year.
If you have a library card, you can visit for free on certain days. This allows for one vehicle with up to nine people or one motorcycle.
The Adventure Pass allows fourth graders and their families to visit for one school year starting on September 1 until August 31. The pass is also good during the summer. Parents can sign up at Reserve California website.
The Golden Bear pass is for Californians age 62 and older and costs $20 a year, but it can not be used during the peak season or to bypass park fees.
And then there is the Distinguished Veteran Pass, which allows free entry for any distinguished veteran, prisoner of war, or Medal of Honor recipient and have an overall disability benefits rating of at least 50%. Honorably discharged veterans can also receive the pass.
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