If you’re thinking of wrapping your arms around a new flat-screen TV this Black Friday, nature enthusiasts want you to consider hugging something else — a tree.

State parks from San Diego to Eureka will be free to visit on the day after Thanksgiving, thanks to a program now in its second year that’s dubbed “Green Friday.” But the complimentary passes are going fast, and preregistration is required.

The Save the Redwoods League in San Francisco and the California State Parks Foundation raised $130,000 in donations this year to offer 13,000 free passes for use Friday at 116 parks throughout the state.

“The goal of Green Friday is to establish a new holiday tradition by reconnecting California’s families with the redwood forests and spectacular landscapes of our treasured state parks, to renew their love of the outdoors,” said Sam Hodder, the league’s president and CEO.


While about 50 parks still have day-use permits available for Green Friday, more than three-quarters of the passes have been snapped up since the booking system went live last Wednesday.

In 2015, the program handed out 5,000 passes to 48 parks in just four days.

“It’s not how many people can we get out there, but how many can we connect with nature and how many learn to appreciate the beauty of state parks,” said Gloria Sandoval, a spokeswoman for the park system.

Permits can be printed out by going to greenfriday.org. Make sure to stick the printed pass onto your car’s windshield before you pull into your designated state park Friday. Normally, parking fees are about $10 per vehicle.


Among San Diego County’s 10 state parks, there are still passes available for Cardiff State Beach, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, San Elijo State Beach and Silver Strand State Beach. Destinations such as Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Border Field State Park and San Onofre State Beach have already run out of passes.

The movement to combat consumer culture and sedentary lifestyles by promoting enthusiasm for the outdoors has also received a boost from the sports equipment company REI, which closed its stores on Black Friday last year and plans to do so again this year.

Twitter: @jemersmith


Phone: (619) 293-2234

Email: joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com