Sonoma County Regional Parks: Free Distinguished Veterans Parking Pass
A Sonoma County resident who holds the State Distinguished Veteran Pass, or whom the county veterans office verifies as a 50% wartime disabled veteran, former POW or Medal of Honor recipient with an honorable discharge, gets free day-use parking at every regional park for five years, renewable free.
Also called: parks, Regional Parks, parking pass, Distinguished Veteran, Spring Lake, Doran Beach, POW, Medal of Honor, Veterans Day.
Sonoma County Regional Parks gives a Distinguished Veterans Parking Pass, free day-use parking at more than 60 regional parks and trails, including Spring Lake, Doran Beach, Ragle Ranch and Steelhead Beach.
Who qualifies. A Sonoma County resident with a California driver licence or ID showing a county address who either holds a valid California State Parks Distinguished Veteran Pass, or has had a county Veterans Service Office caseworker verify one of these: a disabled war veteran, honorably discharged, rated 50% or more and with wartime service; a former prisoner of war, honorably discharged; or a Medal of Honor recipient, honorably discharged. The tests are the State pass's; see the California entry. A 50% veteran whose service was in peacetime does not qualify.
How to get it. The veterans office caseworker requests the pass from Regional Parks once eligibility is verified, and it arrives by mail. It is valid five years and can be renewed free from January of the year it expires, at the Regional Parks office, 400 Aviation Boulevard, Suite 100, Santa Rosa (707-565-2041).
Veterans Day. Regional Parks also gave free parking to all veterans, active-duty members and their families at every county park on Veterans Day 2025; check for the same on November 11, 2026.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Sonoma County Regional Parks: Free Distinguished Veterans Parking Pass
Gate
Rule
50% wartime, or a former POW or Medal of Honor recipient
A wartime service-connected rating of 50% or more, former POW status or the Medal of Honor, with an honorable discharge and county residence.
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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.