SAN FRANCISCO – After President Donald Trump slashed free admission to national parks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, California state parks offered free admission at more than 200 state parks over the Monday holiday.

In a news conference held in San Francisco on Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state was able to raise private funds to offset the cost of granting free vehicle entry to the parks. The money came from the California State Parks Foundation, an independent, nonprofit advocacy group for the parks, Newsom’s office said in a news release.

“While Trump works to erase Dr. King’s legacy, California will honor it,” Newsom’s office said in the release.

Story Date: January 22, 2026