Many U.S. national parks and California state parks have suggested people should skip the shopping malls Friday and spend time in nature instead.
As an incentive, some national parks and state parks in California are offering free entry.
The California State Parks and Save the Redwoods League say entry to the 49 redwood state parks is free to encourage people to "Opt Outside" rather than shop.
One national outdoor retailer's plan to remain closed Friday inspired the move.
"And we wanted to build on that momentum to get people outdoors and into the Redwoods," says Jennifer Benito with Save the Redwoods League.
"What is happening here is that people love the idea that 'hey, you know, instead of spending some time shopping I could spend some time with my friends and family and go outdoors and enjoy the Redwoods,'" says Benito.
The promotion was so popular, the day passes for free entry to all of the 49 California redwood state parks participating "sold out" on Thursday.
But Benito says there are many other redwood parks in California where admission is free Friday. Those parks include the East Bay Regional Park District in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District in the San Francisco Peninsula.
Redwood trees in Richardson Grove State Park, one of California’s first redwood state parks. Woranuch Joyce / Capital Public Radio
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