Photos from previous First Day Hikes at various California state parks. Top left: Carpinteria State Beach. Top right: Marshall
Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Bottom left: Angel Island State Park. Bottom right: Salt Point State Park.
December 18, 2019 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Looking to burn off some holiday calories and start the new year on the right foot? California State Parks invites the public to absorb the wonders of nature with a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day. Dedicated docents, volunteers and staff will be providing about 50 hikes at state parks throughout California.
“First Day Hike creates opportunities to connect with families, friends and communities,” said California State Parks Director Lisa Mangat. “Public outdoor places support healthy, affordable, physical and social activities. California’s state parks are a gateway to these benefits. Come join staff, docents and volunteers as well as fellow outdoor enthusiasts to welcome the new year.”
This is the 10th year California has participated in the First Day Hikes Program. The program is part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. More than 33,000 visitors took part in more than 1,110 hikes last year in the U.S. and Canada. That included more than 2,400 visitors at 55 California state parks.
California’s state parks are among the most diverse in the world in variety of natural and cultural resources. Participating state parks for the 2020 First Day Hikes initiative include:
- Saddleback Butte State Park offers scenic desert views, buttes and spectacular rock formations.
- Angel Island State Park has beautiful vistas of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge and features a rich history.
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park is California’s oldest state park with its ancient coast redwoods and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and lush waterfalls.
- Año Nuevo State Park offers a rich variety of natural and cultural resources, including its equal access walks to see the famed elephant seals.
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California, with 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and miles of hiking trails to experience the beauty of the California desert.
- Crystal Cove State Park, Salt Point State Park, Carpinteria State Beach and Torrey Pines State Beach are all offering coastal hikes with gorgeous views. If you’re lucky, you may even spot seals, sea lions and gray whales.
For a complete list of participating state parks and how to safely enjoy First Day Hikes, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/FirstDayHikes.Check for updates, as many hikes are still being planned and will be added to the list as details become available. Visitors are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hashtags: #HikeInto2020, #FirstDayHike and #CAStateParks.
In addition to hiking, visitors can also enjoy off-highway motor vehicle recreation, boating activities, horseback riding, on- and off-road cycling, hiking, camping and rock climbing in our 280 state parks units throughout the state. Visit us at www.parks.ca.gov.
Source: CA. State Parks
