Outbound Escapes

High-flying events

A family bicycle ride on the morning of May 10 will be just a warm-up to the rest of the day's activities at the ninth annual Marina International Festival of the Winds at the Marina State Beach and Glorya Jean Tate Park off Highway 1 and Reservation Road on the Monterey Bay.

Hang-gliding demonstrations and giant kite demonstrations will be part of the festivities from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 10 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 11. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.marinafestival.com.

Kites of many colors also will take to the skies at the 11th annual Spring Wings Bird Festival on May 10 and 11 at Oats Park in Fallon, Nev., just south of Highway 50.

Other highlights include live birds of prey on May 10 and the release of a rehabilitated golden eagle on May 11. Admission is free. Field trips starting at 6 a.m. will be offered on both days. For a complete schedule, visit www.springwings.org.

Fun and wild

The Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with its Walk on the Wildside outdoor festival from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 10 at the Beach Lake Preserve on Freeport Boulevard.

The free event includes wild animal presentations, petting farm, guided tours and more than 30 conservation exhibitors.

For more information: (916) 875-9453.

Bike, hike or ride

You can explore Lynch Canyon by hiking or mountain biking the 1,039- acre park during Celebrate Nature and Explore Lynch Canyon starting at 9 a.m. May 10 and 8:30 a.m. May 11. The family event also offers horse rides, birding hikes, scavenger hunts, and a raptor, mammal and reptile demonstration by the Suisun Wildlife Center.

Lynch Canyon is off the Hiddenbrooke/American Canyon exit, between Fairfield and Vallejo. Activities are free. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

For more information: (707) 432-0150, ext. 200.

Hit the trails

The Sacramento Walking Sticks will host 5K and 11K walks May 10 and 11 at Rancho Seco Park's Howard Ranch Trail, 14962 Twin Cities Road, Herald.

Registration is from 8:30 a.m. to noon both days. There will be a $5 per vehicle fee. For more information: www.sacramentowalkingsticks.org.

Also, the Yuba Historical Society will lead groups through the Sutter Buttes on three hikes May 10 and one hike May 11.

Cost is $30-$40. To register: (530) 846-3024.

Compass bearings

Don't get lost in the backcountry this summer. Learn to use a map and compass at the Gold Country Orienteers meet May 10 at American River Parkway South.

Registration is from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Cost is $5 per person or team, $2 for a second map or second course, plus a $5 park fee per car. For more information, visit www.goldcountryorienteers.org.

Another option is a class on compass basics from 6 to 8:30 p.m. May 28 through Folsom REI, 2425 Iron Point Road. Cost is $50 general, $30 members.

Other REI offerings include:

• Introduction to GPS Navigation, May 10; Introduction to Map and Compass Navigation, May 31; 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Cronan Ranch; $65 general, $45 members.

• GPS Basics, 6-8:30 p.m. May 14 through Folsom REI; $50 general, $30 members.

For more information, visit www.rei.com.