A short drive to east of Fremont brings you to the almost 7,000 acre Sunol Regional Wilderness, which offers amazing bird-watching opportunities, access to the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, amazing views of the Bay Area, and a fantastic backcountry experience less than an hour away from the sprawling East Bay metropolitan area.

Spur Cross Ranch is the newest and only designated conservation area in the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation system. Despite its small size, the variety of habitat is host to a myriad wildlife, with expansive recreation opportunities that will make you forget this unit is only 2,154 acres!

The only water-based park administered by Maricopa County is also its most popular – at Lake Pleasant Regional Park northwest of Phoenix, you can fish, water ski, even scuba dive in addition to hiking, camping, and stargazing in the park’s almost 25,000 acres!

Tucked away in the Oakland hills, the 290-acre Leona Canyon Open Space Regional Preserve offers a peaceful haven featuring a spring-fed creek and riparian area that is popular with locals and dog-walkers.

What it lacks in acreage (and the creek for which it is named), Cave Creek Regional Park north of Phoenix more than makes up in recreational opportunities, from guided horseback rides to archery lessons, hiking to stargazing (telescope included)!

Tucked between the its namesake creek and the hills of south Redlands, the 200-acre San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary offers open space and trails for humans and reliable water for local and migratory wildlife.

Michelle ‘SuperClassy’ Markel plans to walk 56+ miles in three days to benefit Redlands Conservancy and Support Public Lands.

COMMENT by DECEMBER 30!

If you’re going to #OptOutside on Friday, why not go all in and commit to #BuyNothingDay