Hearst Castle, many California state parks shut because of rainstorms

Hearst Castle, Angel Island State Park in San Francisco Bay and more than a dozen other state parks have closed Thursday because of a powerful storm hitting California.

If you’re planning to visiting state parks Thursday, Friday and through the weekend, call ahead to make sure they’ll be open.

Flooding in the Bay Area has closed freeway lanes, delayed BART trains and caused power outages, according to media reports.

California Department of Parks and Recreation announced midday Thursday that Hearst Castle would close and both day and evening tours canceled because of high winds and rain in the area.

Other Northern California parks closed Thursday include Tomales Bay, Mount Tamalpais in Mill Valley and the summit of Mount Diablo.

In Santa Cruz County, Big Basin Redwoods, New Brighton, Seacliff and Sunset state beaches have closed and will remain shut until Tuesday. (You can get a refund if you have reservations to camp at any of these sites.)

Ano Nuevo State Park near Santa Cruz, where elephant seals are the main attraction in fall and winter, also closed Thursday.

Farther south in the Big Sur-Carmel area, Carmel River State Beach, Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve are closed Thursday and Friday. Also the Coastal Trail at Asilomar State Beach in Monterey is shut until further notice.

If you’re making travel plans, check the state park’s Facebook page for updates.