ABOUT

The California Outdoors Hall of Fame recognizes California’s greatest outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen in the natural environment. These are people who have dedicated themselves to advancing the understanding of, appreciation for and conservation of California’s great outdoors.

Outdoors Hall of Fame inductees have demonstrated exceptional breadth of skills and commitment to the outdoors and have touched many thousands, if not millions, of Californians through their passion for the outdoors and outdoor recreation.

The California Outdoors Hall of Fame strives to sustain what they accomplished, inspiring future generations toward adventure and conservation.

Personal achievement in outdoor sport, by itself, is not enough. The California Outdoors Hall of Fame only recognizes those whose  profound scope of outdoor accomplishments have impacted others, improved the lives of Californians and benefitted the outdoors.

Photo Credits: Steve Arita, Elliot McGucken, John Poimiroo, Philip Reedy

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Recent Inductees

BIOGRAPHIES
Dale Bard
Dale Bard

A key figure of Yosemite’s “Stone Master” era, Dale Bard pushed the boundaries of big-wall climbing, becoming known as the “Crack Master” for his breathtaking ascents.

Mike Baxter
Mike Baxter

The complete outdoorsman, Mike Baxter was a sportfishing boat captain, salmon fisherman, boar hunter, radio show host, widely traveled adventurer and conservationist.

Doug Laughlin
Doug Laughlin

Doug Laughlin combines a passion for the outdoors and for serving it and fellow outdoorsmen and women. An accomplished diver, he has been instrumental in saving California abalone and salmon. His videos of the outdoors have won acclaim and awards.

Frank LoPreste
Frank LoPreste

A life at sea well-spent has been Frank LoPreste’s legacy. During his more than 70 years on sportfishing boats, he led San Diego’s legendary sportfishing fleets far beyond the horizon and great heights.

Pat McDonell
Pat McDonell

A champion of tournaments, sportfishing, broadcasting and outdoor reporting, Pat McDonell has introduced thousands to the joy of the outdoors.

MIKE AUGHNEY
MIKE AUGHNEY

Mike Aughney is the originator of online fishing reports. An outspoken proponent of fisheries and the environment, he has been a leading voice for California salmon.

DUSTY BAKER
DUSTY BAKER

Major League Baseball legend Dusty Baker is also a legendary angler and duck hunter. This extraordinary champion has inspired thousands to head to the outdoors and accomplished a scope of adventures that has made him one of the nation’s most traveled outdoorsmen.

BELNO “BEL” LANGE
BELNO “BEL” LANGE

One of California’s first outdoor broadcasters, Bel Lange started his Emmy-winning TV show, ‘The Outdoorsman’ the mid 1950s. He introduced his viewers, listeners and readers to the greatness of California’s outdoors for decades thereafter.

YANCEY FOREST-KNOWLES
YANCEY FOREST-KNOWLES

Described as the embodiment of the authentic outdoorsman, Yancey Forest-Knowles has experienced the outdoors like few others. He has fished fresh and saltwater species worldwide, guided white water trips, sailed the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, been a competitive sporting clays shooter and been a key voice in the halls of government for the outdoorsman.

BRIAN RILEY
BRIAN RILEY

Brian Riley is the California originator of what has become a national trend in outdoor youth education. Three generations of young outdoorsmen and women have been inspired at his Red Bank Outdoor Academy.

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