Tired of the post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy? San Diegans are encouraged to trade their shopping bags for hiking boots this holiday weekend with the return of Green Friday, a wonderful initiative by San Diego County Parks designed to get friends, families, and residents out and about enjoying our spectacular green spaces on Thanksgiving Weekend November 27-29. Plus, the County is waiving all of its $5 day-use parking fees at participating parks, making it even easier to connect with the great outdoors!
Read on to learn more about this weekend-long celebration, offering free activities for all ages, interests, and abilities.
Green Friday Weekend Events
Friday, November 27
YOGA CLASS
Waterfront Park
1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
10 a.m. Start
Free all-levels yoga class on the expansive green lawns of Waterfront Park. San Diego Bay and the historic County Administration Center serve as the beautiful background for this restorative yoga session. Bring your own mat and water. All ages. No RSVP needed.
BIRD AND BUTTERFLY GARDEN RESTORATION
Tijuana River Valley Regional Park
Bird and Butterfly Garden, 2310 Hollister St, San Diego, CA 92154
8:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Join us in the Tijuana River Valley to celebrate Green Friday by helping to care for our Bird and Butterfly Garden. Volunteers will learn about local wildlife, plant trees, and remove invasive species.
STAR PARTY
Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch County Preserve
Sycamore Canyon (Highway 67 Staging Area), 13898 CA-67, Lakeside, CA 92040
7 - 10 p.m.
Join Park Rangers and the San Diego Astronomy Association for an unforgettable evening of stargazing and out-of-this-world educational fun. All ages are welcome and there’s no cost to attend. This program will be held at the Highway 67 Staging Area located at the end of Sycamore Park Drive, accessible only from the southbound direction on Highway 67 at 13898 SR-67, Lakeside, CA 92040. Cloud cover will cancel this event. For more information, call (858) 513-4737.
Saturday, November 28
YOGA at PQ
Los Peñasquitos Ranch House
12122 Canyonside Park Drive, San Diego, CA 92129
8 - 9 a.m.
Free all-levels yoga class on the scenic veranda of an historic ranch house. Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve serves as the backdrop for this restorative yoga session. Bring your own mat and water. All ages. No RSVP needed.
Walk, Talk, and Read: Story Trails
The popular Story Trails program is back in partnership with the San Diego County Library! Book pages will be placed on signs along popular, kid-friendly trails, allowing you to walk, talk, and read your way through 16 county parks. Books vary by location, with some available in both English and Spanish, and will be available through the entire Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Partnering parks:
- Adams County Park (Valley Center)
- Dos Picos County Park (Ramona)
- El Monte County Park (Lakeside)
- Estrella County Park (Spring Valley)
- Felicita County Park (Escondido)
- Flinn Springs County Park (El Cajon)
- Lake Morena County Park (Campo)
- Lincoln Acres County Park (National City)
- Louis A. Stelzer County Park (Lakeside)
- Otay Lakes County Park (South County)
- Pine Valley County Park (Pine Valley)
- Potrero County Park (Potrero)
- Guajome Regional Park (Oceanside)
- San Dieguito County Park (Del Mar)
- Santa Ysabel Nature Center (East County)
- Spring Valley County Park (Spring Valley)
Green Friday Weekend Volunteer Opportunities
For those who want to give back to the parks they love, there are numerous family-friendly volunteer opportunities throughout the weekend. Supplies and instruction will be provided for all activities.
For more information and future volunteer sign-up links, visit the San Diego County Parks website.
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