California State Parks Begins New Year With First Day Hikes

Photo Credit: CA State Parks website

This New Year’s Day 2016, California State Parks will kick-off the 4th Annual First Day Hikes, planned at more than 40 parks across the state. The First Day Hikes are a signature event designed to offer visitors the opportunity to connect to their parks and nature for recreation, and to promote a healthy lifestyle throughout the year. The events will all take place on Friday, January 1, 2016 with California State Parks offering more than 55 options to hike, paddle or off-road ride in the redwoods, the deserts and along the coast and on beaches. The First Day Hikes are guided by State Parks staff and volunteers. Distance and rigor will vary per hike/activity, so visitors are encouraged to check out details of start times and description of hikes.
This is the fourth year California has participated in the First Day Hikes program. Last year, there were nearly 1,000 hikes across the nation, with more than 41,000 visitors participating in all 50 states. California offered the most hikes in 2015 at 53 with participants hiking more than 4,900 miles.
Scheduled California State Parks 2016 First Day Hikes include (weather permitting):
Los Angeles County

•   Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area (1 ride, 1 ride/hike)
•   Saddleback Butte State Park (3 hikes)
•   Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park (1 hike)
  Marin County

•   Angel Island State Park (1 hike)
•   Mount Tamalpais State Park (1 hike)
  Mendocino County

•   MacKerricher State Park (1 hike)
•   Mendocino Headlands State Park (1 hike)
•   Russian Gulch State Park (1 hike)
•   Van Damme State Park/Spring Ranch Unit (1 hike)
  Orange County
•  Crystal Cove State Park (1 hike)

For a complete list and detailed information on the California State Parks First Day Hikes, go to 
the First Day Hikes page on California State Parks website or call (916) 654-7538.

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