Independence Day is on the way—got plans? Here are some ideas to enjoy the freedom of the outdoors. Happy 4th of July!

Bike

High Roller: Ride the wide-open ridge-top-hugging Nimitz Way Trail above Berkeley in Tilden Regional Park.

Wild Ride: Mountain bikers can choose from 30 miles of well-marked trails—many with coastal views—at Wilder Ranch State Park.

Beach

Wave Hello: Spread a blanket at Half Moon Bay's newest little-known coastal playground—Wavecrest.

Sand Stroll: Walk for miles along dog-friendly Limantour Beach in Point Reyes, where stunning ocean vistas and abundant bird life unite.

Hike

It's Da Bon: With bright blue water, ospreys soaring overhead, and evergreens towering all around, a day hike around Mount Tam's Bon Tempe Lake could easily be mistaken for a hike in the Sierras.

Go Bananas: Count banana slugs and black-tailed deer while hiking through shaded canyons and redwood forests in the Peninsula's Huddart County Park.

Water

From Russia with Love: Float down a quiet and less-traveled section of the Russian River in an inflatable canoe—rope swings and swimming holes included. Dogs welcome, too.

Ride the Wind: Skim across the Bay at Alameda's beginner-friendly windsurf destination, Crown Beach. Rent gear onsite or join a beginner lesson.

Fireworks

Blue Light: Catch the biggest 4th of July fireworks display this side of the Mississippi in Lake Tahoe. Grab a good spot on one of the south shore beaches to watch the fiery glory reflect on the lake.

Hot Duet: Fireworks and the Oakland East Bay Symphony team up tomorrow night to give a free 90-minute performance on Richmond's waterfront at Craneway Pavillion.

Take It Outside

Does your usual workout make you feel like a hamster running in a wheel? Then it's time to take it outside. Grab a friend or fly solo to a Team In Training (TNT) Information Meeting (links below). As the world's first and largest charity sports training program, TNT will have you training with some of the best coaches in the country. Reach your fitness goals while supporting the fight against blood cancers. Get outside! Here's how:

Lean Green Triathlon Machine: The #1 green event in America is right in our back yard! Sign up and train for The Marin County Triathlon. This event goes several steps beyond basic—set up your gear while being serenaded by a Parisian accordionist; follow the lead of a bagpiper to the swim start at McNears Beach; and feel that last great burst of adrenaline as a steel drum band helps you make your last big push for the final home stretch.

Desert Classic Pedal: Arizona's Sonoran Desert is even more enchanting from the seat of a bicycle. Sign up with TNT to road ride 109 miles through the high desert on El Tour de Tucson—passing saguaro cactus and soaring mountain ranges. Pal (and pedal) around with others, and, most of all, enjoy the ride!

To learn more about these events and many others, go to a TNT Information Meeting.

Click here for meeting locations and times in San Francisco, Marin, the East Bay, Napa, Sonoma, and Solano counties.

Click here for meeting locations and times in the Peninsula, South Bay, Monterey Bay, or Santa Cruz.