SACRAMENTO – California State Parks is launching the Annual Park Pass Program, bringing back the popular “Golden Poppy” and introducing a new Tahoe area regional pass.

The Annual Park Pass Program consists of four different passes with a variety of admissions to parks statewide, and price points designed to meet visitor’s individual needs.

Specifically, the 2015 annual passes include:

– “California Explorer” Annual Pass ($195): Offers vehicle entrance to 134 state parks, including the Southern California beaches along the Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego Coasts.  
– “Golden Poppy” Annual Pass ($125): This popular pass is making a comeback, and includes vehicle entrance to 112 state parks. 
– “Tahoe Regional” Annual Pass ($75): This new regional pass was created this year specifically for one of the jewels of the state, the Lake Tahoe region. The pass includes admission to D.L. Bliss State Park, Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, Emerald Bay State Park, Kings Beach State Recreation Area and Donner Memorial State Park. 
– “Historian Passport” ($50): Includes admission for up to four people to State Historic Parks that generally charge a per-person admission fee. Pass holders will be able to tour a California missions, see where the gold rush happened and experience Native American culture. 
– “Off Highway Vehicle” Day Use Annual Pass ($50): unchanged from last year.

Beginning Dec. 23, the Annual Passes are available in the following:

– California State Parks Online Store.
– Park Pass Sales Office at 1416 9th Street, Room 144 in Sacramento.

On Jan. 5, passes will be available at state park units where fees are collected.

All of these passes are valid for a floating 12-month period from the date of purchase.

The 2014 Annual Passes (Surf Explorer, 150th Commemorative, California Park Experience), are available for purchase until Dec. 31 at walk-in locations, and will be honored for a full year after the date of purchase. Sales of the 2014 passes will be discontinued on Jan. 1.

For more information on California State Park’s Annual Park Pass Program and the locations where each will be honored, visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1049 .