Editor's note: It's a new year and these are tough times, but not so tough that you can't find some cost-cutting detours when spending your money. Through Sunday in Living Here, we're offering a daily dose of 15 ways to save on food and wine, outdoor activities, entertainment, home and garden, and caring for yourself and your family. Keep the change.

• Monday: Spend less on books and media

• Tuesday: Families can save

• Wednesday: Grocery-store savings

• Today: Outdoor fun for less

• Friday: Bargains around town

• Saturday: Saving around the house

• Sunday: Cutting medical and fitness costs

Share your great money-saving tips by clicking here.

It takes money to maintain and preserve park lands and open spaces, to pay for gasoline to get there and sometimes to park when you arrive. But in our book, these are all bargains compared to paying to come to Northern California from out of state. This is your backyard. You live here, so the surroundings are a steal.

That said, here are 15 ways to save in the outdoors.

1. Let's start slowly. See that door to your house? Go through it and walk until you find a park (OK, use the Internet if you must!). Take the kids and/or the dog. Since this is Sacramento, not Siberia, you'll have a good time, even if it's raining.

2. Repeat No. 1 on bikes with kids or significant other. Sorry, Rover.

3. It's Jan. 8, just 59 days before the return of daylight saving time on March 8. Each passing day between now and June 21 is depositing more daylight into your fun account. Get out there; it's free. If carpe diem means "seize the day," how do you say "Seize the daylight"?

4. Next, find your way to the American River Parkway by walking or riding your bike – even taking a bus or light rail as far as Folsom (round trip should be less than $5). You'll see what a wonderful resource this jewel is. Your soul gets enriched even if your bank account doesn't.

5. Take advantage of free fishing days sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Game this year. They're normally scheduled in July and September, but so far the specific dates have not been set. Stay tuned at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/ fishing/freefishdays.html.

6. Would-be anglers, get to know Joe Ferreira (jferreir@ dfg.ca.gov or 916-358-2872), who directs Sacramento's Fishing in the City program. Though some of the events he manages will require you to have a fishing license, there is lots of free instruction and even use of gear: www.dfg.ca.gov/ fishinginthecity/sac/.

7. Got a Frisbee or generic flying disc? Back to the park for you and the kids and/or the dog. Play catch.

8. Elevate this activity with a visit to a free disc golf park. Sure, eventually you'll visit a pro shop and maybe dive in with a purchase or two, but first go see what it's all about at Shady Grove Park in Orangevale. This link reviews some area courses and provides links to others: www. dgcoursereview.com/ course.php?id= 1804&mode=ci

9. Visit the Sacramento REI store and check out the climbing wall. It's free. Located at 1790 Expo Parkway or call (916) 924-8900.

10. Speaking of REI, the outdoor retailer has tons of free classes throughout the year (and some that will cost you money). To check out the schedules at the Folsom, Roseville and Sacramento stores, visit rei.com and follow the links you get after clicking on "store locator." Find a store near you and look under "store events."

11. Have you ever noticed when you're at one of the beautiful wineries in El Dorado or Amador County, that some of the picnic areas on the premises rival the settings in a park? Ah, free tasting, free parking. Pack a lunch, spring for a bottle and celebrate January outdoors. Take a stroll. This is your California. Find one you like at sacwineregion.com.

12. Maybe you can't afford to buy a kayak right now. But you can rent a variety of kayaks, canoes and other things to paddle or ride starting at $9 an hour at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma at Highway 50 and Hazel Avenue. Call (916) 278-2842 for information and for special hours through January.

13. Maybe you're not a joiner, but if you love the outdoors, you might find this $25 investment appealing: the California State Parks Foundation "Parks Sampler." Help support the California state parks system and get an outdoors bargain. The foundation is offering new members a $25 introductory package featuring seven day passes (including parking and admission, good for more than 200 state parks), a one-year subscription to Sunset magazine, a big map of the park system (very useful), the California Parklands newsletter (with seasonal special events) and a membership card good for more discounts. Annual membership is usually $40. Visit www.calparks.org/join/ newmember.html.

14. Mavericks Surf Contest webcast. When (and if) nature cooperates before March 31, the Mavericks Surf Contest –featuring 25-foot waves and the world's best big-wave surfers –will be webcast live from Half Moon Bay for free in both high definition (a first, at www.fuel.tv/ maverickssurf) and on MySpace.com/maverickssurf. For a 24-hour alert, sign up at www.maverickssurf.com. Or you can attend Mavericks yourself for free! Access to the state beach at Pillar Point on the north end of Half Moon Bay is open to the public. But parking is a major issue yet to be fully worked out for this year's event. The 2008 contest offered parking at two lots with shuttle service at $15 per car, cash only.

15. Make a habit of reading our Thursday On the Go page offering "Outdoor Escapes." Many a free event is publicized. Today it's on Page D3.