[By Lu Plazoules]

It’s not easy these days to park at State Parks near a big city. Parking can cost $12 or more depending on where you want to go bird-watching. I’m a senior and my cost-of-living increases don’t seem to be keeping up with the price of gas (among other items) this year. So here are my solutions for a an inexpensive time at our local State Parks.

1. Advantages of getting old
If you are 62 or above, you can apply for the “Senior Golden Bear” pass from California State Parks. I have had one of these $20 +/- passes for years and I’ve used all the options for obtaining it. You can download an application, print it out on paper, send it in with a copy of your CA Driver License, and wait…especially if you’ve sent in a check with the application. Or you can get it online with a credit card and a pdf or jpeg of your ID (this never worked for me.) The option to use a credit card may be faster, but two years ago, I waited six weeks and then got billed twice for it, and got two passes from two different State Park offices.

By far the most reliable way to score this gem of a deal is to get it in person from the LA District office at Malibu Creek State Park. Just make sure that you call in advance at 310-457-8144 to ensure they have passes on hand and what hours they will be available. Theoretically the passes are available starting in December of the year preceding, however, there have been glaring exceptions. [This year they did not arrive at MCSP until mid-January.] The pass is valid at most State Parks from January through the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend, then the day after Labor Day through the end of the calendar year. Well worth the drive to the Malibu crest. And you can go birding there with your new pass right away!

The office where you get them is near the front gate: turn left just past the front gate fence, drive about 1/20th mile, if that, and [legally] park. Walk a little bit farther to the office. Give them 20 bucks, sign something-or-other, and you now have your pass. DO NOT, repeat DO NOT walk the mile or so up the creek to the Visitor’s Center to get your pass. Tell the gatekeeper where you’re going and you get in free!

2. California State Library Bonus
What to do in summer when your senior pass is not valid? Or because your license doesn’t show that magic 62? For the past four years, funds from the Federal Libraries and Museums programs have been used by the State’s Librarian to give grants to libraries to purchase State Parks passes that are valid for the entire year and are available to library cardholders without fee for the regular checkout period of a book or other material from their local library. (That can be up to 4 weeks!) During the summer months when my Senior Golden Bear is not valid, I go to my Santa Monica Public Library and get a State Parks Pass. I can even reserve it online! That’s a good reason to make sure your library card is up to date! Just as a bonus, remember that most library systems allow you to get a library card as long as you are a resident of the State (not just the district!) That means that if you live in WLA/Santa Monica you can easily drive to Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey or Overland Ave CC (LA Cty. Libr) Brentwood or WLA/Sawtelle to get a State Parks pass as long as you have their card and supply is available. Time to get multiple library cards! BTW It would be great if you sent an email to your Assembly-member and House representative stating how you love to get this benefit, now that you’re old and your knees and hips are making odd worrisome sounds! The current Administration’s budget proposal once again wants to delete the entire Federal fund from existence.

I hope I’ve made your birding easier and less expensive. See you out there!

Don’t forget: Our Malibu Lagoon monthly walk starts at 8:30 am on the 4th Sunday (not necessarily the last Sunday).

Lu