OC Parks: Free Annual Parking Pass for Distinguished Veterans

OC Parks gives a Distinguished Veteran (a 50% or higher service-connected rating, a former prisoner of war, or a Medal of Honor recipient) its All County Parks and Beaches annual parking pass free; others pay $80, or $50 at 60 or with a disability.

Also called: OC Parks, annual pass, parking pass, beaches, Distinguished Veteran, POW, Medal of Honor.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

Orange County, CACounty

OC Parks sells annual parking passes for its regional and wilderness parks and beaches. The All County Parks and Beaches pass is $80, or $50 for a senior of 60 or a person with a disability, and it is free for a Distinguished Veteran. Who is a Distinguished Veteran. A veteran with a service-connected disability of 50% or more, a veteran who was held as a prisoner of war, or a recipient of the Medal of Honor. Proof is either the Distinguished Veteran Pass issued by California State Parks or a VA letter confirming the status; see the California entry for the State pass, which uses the same three routes. The pass covers day-use parking for one vehicle at County-operated regional recreation facilities with controlled gates, for a year from issue. Buy it in person at a staffed park office to have it at once; a pass bought online arrives by mail in 7 to 10 days.

Thresholds

Thresholds for OC Parks: Free Annual Parking Pass for Distinguished Veterans
Gate	Rule
50% service-connected, or former POW or Medal of Honor	A 50% or higher service-connected rating qualifies; a former prisoner of war or Medal of Honor recipient qualifies with no rating.

Sources

OC Parks, Annual PassesOfficial

Updated

Last updated 2026-09-30.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.