California Parks Celebrate 150 Years

By Muna Cosic

The California State Parks turn 150 years old this year, and five of them are located in Malibu.

"On June 30, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill granting 39,000 acres of Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree Grove to the State of California," according to the California Department of Parks and Recreation website. "Never before had land been set aside to protect its natural state for the public to enjoy. This historic legislation was the beginning of not only the California State Park System, but the national park idea we know today."

The following five parks in Malibu are listed on the California Department of Parks and Recreation website:

• Malibu Creek State Park
• Leo Carrillo State Park
• Malibu Lagoon State Beach
• Point Dume State Beach
• Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach

For more information and the history of California State Parks, visit the department's website.