I love this type of stuff especially for families. When I was growing up, my parents took us on all kinds of family trips in our car and we'd be talking about all kinds of things as we were going to our destination. You don't have to spend $5,000 on a family vacation, you can just drive to a national park over a weekend.
California residents can get a FREE 2026 Historian Passport.
The free passes are good through the END OF THE YEAR.
But you have to grab this offer before July 6.
What it does:
• Free admission for up to 4 people
• Unlimited visits through the end of 2026
• Valid at 30+ California State Historic Parks
• Normally costs $50
Why it's worth getting:
Explore California history for free, including sites connected to Black history, Native American history, the Gold Rush, Chinese American history, and more.
How to get it:
Create a free account at ReserveCalifornia.com
Log in to your account
Search for the free "2026 Historian Passport" / special edition Historian Passport
Download the pass by July 6, 2026
Use it for unlimited visits through December 31, 2026
Even if you're not sure you'll use it, it's free and could save you $50.
Here are the places you can go with the Historian Passport:
• https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30966
The free Historian Passport is being offered to commemorate Juneteenth and America's 250th anniversary, while encouraging Californians to learn about the state's full and complex history.
The program is also part of California's Outdoors for All initiative, which aims to make state parks and cultural sites more accessible to everyone. The pass gives people free access to historic parks that tell the stories of Black Californians, Native Americans, Chinese Americans, Gold Rush communities, and other groups that helped shape the state.
The goal is to remove cost barriers and encourage more Californians to visit historic sites, learn about the state's past, and connect with its diverse cultural heritage.
