California plans to add new state park in park desert area near Modesto
California residents will have a new state park to visit next year, thanks to the addition of a park about 10 miles from Modesto. This marks the first addition to the Golden State's park roster in more than 10 years.
Public access to Dos Rios State Park would begin sometime in 2023, though an exact date has not yet been set.
The location of the planned park in the San Joaquin Valley region of the Central Valley would fill a hole in an area where parks are lacking, per state park officials.
California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed the news via Twitter on May 18, after various outlets reported on the state's intention to acquire 2,500 acres from conservation group River Partners for the site of the new park.
The park's name, Dos Rios, comes from its location at the intersection point of the San Joaquin and Tuolumne rivers southwest of Modesto.
Since 2012, River Partners group has invested nearly $50 million to rehabilitate the space by planting native trees, brush and grass, according to the Modesto Bee. The local outlet also said the state plans to transform the park within 10 years, starting with the addition of trails and picnic tables then, eventually, campgrounds.
If approved as part of the governor's budget in July, California will invest $5 million to create the new state park. State Parks Director Armando Quintero said Dos Rios will fulfill a need in a "park-poor region" while addressing inequitable accessibility to state recreation sites, according to the Associated Press.
"Everyone deserves to have close access to vibrant parks and this opportunity is an exciting one," Quintero told AP earlier this month. "The beauty of a place like this is that many people in the Central Valley don't get to experience the Central Valley for its really incredible and local natural beauty."
Dos Rios would be located near the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, approximately 90 minutes from San Francisco in an area of California known as the Central Valley. The Central Valley encompasses the Sacramento Valley to the north and San Joaquin Valley to the south.
Other nearby parks include Turlock Lake State Recreation Area, which is about a 40-minute drive from Modesto, though it is temporarily closed. Otherwise, locals can drive about two hours to Coe State Park in Morgan Hills or approximately 30 minutes to Caswell Memorial State Park or Hatfield State Recreation Area, both located across the Stanislaus River.
If everything goes according to plan, Dos Rios will become California's 280th state park, following the 2009 addition of Fort Ord Dunes along the coast in Monterey.
Before visiting, be sure to check with the California Department of Parks and Research regarding reservations and entry fees.
Read more: From Coronado to Alcatraz: Your guide to California's coastal islands
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.