Park Fees and Info

This article is five years old, but will give you some decent info and phone numbers to work with.
ADDITION TO PARK FEES

Any disabled veteran will receive a "Golden Access Passport" to federal lands if VA ID card is presented. Even 0% is considered a disability.

A Golden Access Passport must be obtained in person at a federal area where an entrance fee is charged. It is available only to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled. You may obtain a Golden Access Passport by showing proof of medically determined permanent disability, or eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law.
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When you enter any U.S. Military base or facility, you are no longer covered by your Constitutional Rights.

JULY NEWSLETTER
EDITOR: John Del Santo
TRAVEL TIPS “RIDE, RIDE, RIDE ! !”

NATIONAL PARKS - this info is from (619) 557-5450 and (619) 445-6235.
You usually pay when you come in the front gate or door. Most parks charge “per car”, which includes 2-up. Some visitor centers charge “per person” to enter particular buildings.
When you reach age 62, you may buy a pass for $10. that will get you into ANY national park anywhere, forever. Check above phone # or at park for disabled person discounts, and camping info. To get info about a wilderness “Adventure Pass” ($30. for one year or $5. for one day) call
(619) 445-6235

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS - this info is from Park Headquarters (916) 653-6995. Some parks (such as Silver Strand) will allow you free entry for 15 minutes to use a restroom, depending on the rules set by the manager of that park. Check above phone # or at park for senior citizen (62) and disabled person discounts, and camping info.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY PARKS - this info is from Park Headquarters (858) 565-3600. The person at the park headquarters strongly stressed that the entry fee, was for
“per parking space”. Sometimes you pay at the front entry, sometimes the Ranger drives to your site. The person that I spoke to at the Park Headquarters said that if you were going to stop by the restroom at the side of the road, and use the restroom, then you should NOT be charged for a parking space. She also strongly stressed that if you were going to stop and rest for a while, and you could fit three bikes into one parking space, then you should be charged for only one parking space. Check at above phone # or at park for senior citizen or disabled person discounts, and camping info.

MEXICO - this info is from I.N.S. (619) 557-5044 & the Mexican Consulate (619) 690-5717. . you will need a passport to come back INTO the U.S. from a ride into Mexico. A passport takes several months to obtain, costs about $125., and is good for ten years. Carrying a firearm or ammunition into Mexico will get you a long jail sentence. You are NOT protected by your Constitutional Rights once you leave the United States. When you buy Mexican vehicle coverage, (for about $15. per day, bought on a daily basis) for about $2. more per day you can get legal coverage…a lawyer to call if you get into trouble. If you go into Mexico without Mexican Liability Insurance coverage on your bike, and if you are involved in just a little fender-bender, your bike will probably NOT be allowed to leave the country with you.

CANADA - this info is from Canadian Consulate (213) 346-2700.
A U.S. citizen should carry good identification and should have their drivers license and registration with them. you must convince the border guards that you are an American Citizen. A State drivers license is NOT proof of citizenship. You can use a passport, military ID, Voter Registration card (available at County Voter Registration Office) or immigration papers. You must be financially able to pay your way out of Canada when it is time to leave. Bring no firearms. Call your vehicle insurance Company and tell them that you plan on riding your bike into Canada…. They will then send you a card stating that your vehicle is covered by their insurance while it is in Canada. Without this, they may not allow your vehicle to cross the border.

WHILE TRAVELING HERE AND THERE - Some gasoline stations will not accept Your “credit” card, But will accept a “debit” card. Your map may show a town twenty miles up the road, but there is no guarantee that there will be a gas station in that town. If you are going to be on the road for a while, and you will be out of state and away from your home phone, then it’s a great idea to call your credit card companies about a week before you leave and let them know that they should not be surprised seeing your purchases pop up in Arizona, Texas, and Georgia. They have a watch on those things, being prepared to protect you from card theft, and if they have any doubt, they’ll shut your card down, and THAT can ruin your day.
John Del Santo
( 619 ) 223-0421