California Code, Public Resources Code - PRC § 5011

(a) Any person receiving aid to the aged, blind, or disabled under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, any person receiving aid to families with dependent children under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or any person over 62 years of age whose total monthly income from all sources, including any old age assistance payments, does not exceed the amount specified in subdivision (c) of Section 12200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for a single person, or in subdivision (d) of that section for married persons, as adjusted pursuant to Section 12201 of that code, upon application therefor and payment of five dollars ($5) to the Department of Parks and Recreation, shall be issued a “Golden Bear Pass” that is valid for the specified year and that entitles the bearer and spouse to free use on any day of the day-use facilities in units of the state park system, except Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, and the California State Railroad Museum, under limitations as may be determined by departmental regulation regarding peak hours and contractual arrangements with vendors. The pass shall entitle the bearer and spouse to have access only to day-use facilities and not to the use of any other facilities.

(b) The department shall not grant half price privileges or offer any discount for the use of state park system facilities on the basis of the pass authorized by this section.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the department shall develop and implement, on or before January 1, 1986, a senior discount program for the use of state park system facilities. The program may be modified after January 1, 1991, to include a “Golden Bear Senior Pass” available to any person over 62 years of age for an annual fee fixed by the department, valid for the specified year, and entitling the bearer and spouse to the use of day and camping facilities as specified by the department. The department shall set the fee for the “Golden Bear Senior Pass” and shall specify the facilities and times for which the pass is valid so as to minimize any loss in total annual park revenues to the department.