Visit one of these Sonoma, Mendocino county parks free on Black Friday

Save the Redwoods League is encouraging Californians to take an ecological approach to Black Friday.

Instead of going on exhaustive shopping sprees in crowded malls or sitting around eating leftovers the day after Thanksgiving, the conservation group suggests people initiate a new tradition and “take a hike” at one of 49 state park sites offering free passes on Nov. 27, said spokeswoman Jennifer Benito-Kowalski.

“We invite everyone to experience the moments of joy, renewal and inspiration that you’ll find among our natural wonders, the ancient giant redwoods,” Sam Hodder, the league’s president, said in a news release.

The list of free parks include 15 on the Sonoma and Mendocino coasts.

Additional information and the free day passes may be downloaded and printed at: SaveTheRedwoods.org/freefriday.

The passes must be presented to park staff at entry gates or - if no one is on duty - displayed on vehicle dashboards.

In addition to the Redwoods League, sponsors of the free parks day include the Sempervirens Fund, California State Parks Foundation, National Park Service, Redwood Parks Association, Portola and Castle Rock Foundation, Mountain Parks Foundation, Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association, Hendy Woods Community, Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, Mendocino Area Parks Association, Jack London Park Partners and Calaveras Big Trees Association.

You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com. ?On Twitter @MendoReporter.