San Mateo County, CA

01/21/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/21/2026 16:19

Do Not Pick or Eat Wild Mushrooms

January 21, 2026
View this warning from the California Department of Public Health. Also viewable in Spanish and Mixteco.

Recent rain has contributed to the widespread growth of deadly death cap mushrooms throughout California, including San Mateo County Parks. Mushroom foraging is not allowed in our parks and we urge you not to pick and eat any wild mushrooms during this high-risk season.

Poisonous death cap mushrooms, which are easily mistaken for mushrooms that look safe to eat, can cause severe liver damage and death. No amount of cooking, boiling or drying makes these mushrooms safe. These mushrooms are often found near trees such as oaks and pines and also pose a risk to pets that may ingest them while outdoors.

Please inform yourself further about the warnings against mushroom foraging this season by reading the statement from San Mateo County Health in English, Spanish, or Chinese.

San Mateo County, CA published this content on January 21, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 21, 2026 at 22:20 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]