If the holidays treated you right this season, you’ve got a few extra holiday calories you can safely let go of. What better way to do that than with a First Day Hike in the most beautiful state in the nation: California, the Golden State! This year marks the 10th year California State Parks has participated in the America’s State Parks First Day Hikes program with docents, volunteers, and staff hosting hikes at state parks throughout California on January 1st, 2020.
“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.”
California has been participating in the First Day Hikes program for the last 10 years. The program is part of a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the National Association of State Park Directors 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.
The California State Parks website has put up a page with all of the First Day Hike offerings through the Golden State, you can find the here: First Day Hikes – California
From the California State Parks website:
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.