How to start your new year enjoying nature

It’s the new year and the time of resolutions, fresh starts, and shiny new gym memberships. But hear us out: What if instead of the gym, you took advantage of the 24-hour fitness location known as nature? What if you sought out a crunch of another kind? 

Trail challenges, mushroom viewing, birding, and more are all on offer this year. The wet weather and cool temperatures bring out a different side of the natural environment, and local groups, the state and local parks, and others are hosting a variety of events and activities to kick off the new year. Here’s a quick guide.

Checking out the park district

Each year the East Bay Regional Park District challenges residents across the area to trek and track up to 20 local trails. EBRPD Trails Challenge 2025 calls on East Bay residents to take on a handful of trails by foot, bike, or even horse. The challenge has been done annually over the past 32 years and provides residents with 20 trails to choose from, ranging from easy to moderate to “challenging.” In order to finish the challenge, residents must complete five trails, or a total of 26.2 miles. Finishers are awarded a commemorative pin. There are additional challenges and prizes for those who complete all 20 trails. 

If you don’t want to travel all the way to Muir Woods to see some of California’s great redwood trees, head over to Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, where a new footbridge was recently completed. The bridge, made primarily out of material sourced from the parks, was built across a fallen redwood tree that is still living. A new tree is forming out of the root ball of the fallen tree, and the bridge has been built around the new growth that has already reached 10 feet in height. 

Free docent tours are offered most Saturdays and Sundays at Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Berkeley. The garden features wildlife from across California and is sectioned into 10 geographically based areas. The garden’s plants start to bloom in mid-December and early January, flowering in succession across several months. Prominent plants on display in January include an array of manzanitas, silk tassels, and currants. Check out the beginning blooms with a docent at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Up to 10 people are allowed on each tour.

Birds, amphibians, and mushrooms, oh my!

If you’re an animal lover, winter in the Bay Area has lots to offer. Colder, wetter weather brings a variety of creatures to the scene. 

The Golden Gate Bird Alliance boasts an array of birding events each month. In January there are events across the Bay Area, including in Richmond, Berkeley, and Oakland. New birders are welcome at many of the events, some of which offer loaner binoculars on a first-come, first-served basis. Some of the birds you can catch around the bay this winter are overwintering ducks, owls, and an array of shorebirds. If you feel like staying closer to home to bird, you can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 14-17. Participants can head to their favorite places and listen, watch, and document the birds they see and hear for 15 minutes. Data collected during the event helps scientists better understand bird populations across the globe. 

For the amphibian-inclined, wet weather means one thing: It’s newting time. The winter season provides the perfect conditions for the bay’s California newts to make their migration journeys from their cozy dirt homes to their mating ponds. While the journey can be treacherous—Bay Area groups work to help these species safely reach their destinations across busy roads — the East Bay Regional Park District also lends a hand by shutting down Tilden Park’s South Park Drive each winter to help them cross safely. Those interested in spotting these little guys will get the best chance by heading out at night when the weather is wet and around 55 degrees. If you do go “newting,” bring a flashlight or headlamp and be mindful of where you step as the newts can blend easily with the ground. Those looking for newts should not pick them up as their skins secrete a toxin that can be harmful. Other amphibians like frogs and salamanders can also be spotted around the area so keep an eye and ear out for these slimy friends. 

While not an animal — nor a plant for that matter — the Bay Area’s fungi can thrive in our winter conditions. It’s mushroom season now, and there are local mushroom foraging and viewing activities that can help you start identifying the variety of mushrooms popping up in the winter weather. Tilden Regional Park is holding a fungus fair on Feb. 1 and 2. The park district is holding several other guided mushroom-spotting activities throughout this month. Please be aware that collecting mushrooms in the East Bay Regional Park District is prohibited. No fungus should be eaten if it hasn’t been properly identified by an expert.

If you’re interested in venturing further, you can head southwest to the aptly named Año Nuevo State Park, where guided tours of local elephant seal breeding grounds run until March 31. The majority of female elephant seals come to shore to pup from late December to early February. 

Local libraries lend a hand

If you don’t have the gear to trek outdoors this year, your local libraries can help. The Oakland Public Library has hiking backpacks that include binoculars, compasses, and nature guides available to check out for free. You can also check out a California State Parks Pass, which can be used for up to 21 days at multiple state parks. The Berkeley Public Library also offers state park passes that can be used for two weeks at a time. Anyone who lives in California, regardless of address, is eligible to get a library card at the Oakland and Berkeley public libraries. The Oakland Public Library offers gardening, seed-lending programs, and other outdoor activities for those who want to experience nature closer to home. On Jan. 30, the Richmond Public Library is hosting East Bay Regional Parks naturalist Melissa Fowlks to share information about local habitats and natural science for Richmond families. 

This story was first published by Berkeleyside’s sister publication The Oaklandside.

Have your own favorite ways to enjoy the East Bay’s wonderful outdoors? Share them in the comments!