Stretch Your Legs, Enjoy Some Wine

Looking for an opportunity to do a little biking, hiking or winery touring? The Ventura Department of Parks and Recreation has scheduled a few activities that may be the ticket for an enjoyable weekend.

If mountains and colorful sunsets sound intriguing, you might be interested in the “sunset, wine and cheese hike,” 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The hike will take place in the Santa Monica Mountains. An experienced guide will lead the easy-to-moderate hiking excursion. An $18 fee includes wine and cheese.

Space is available for wine-tasting enthusiasts to tour some of the Santa Ynez Valley wineries--large and small--10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. A $20 fee includes transportation, tours, tasting and a souvenir wineglass.

Cyclists--novices and veterans alike--can enjoy a mountain bike excursion into Santa Barbara’s Red Rock area, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Tour guide Tim Harris will lead the group and explain maintenance and riding tips along the way. Participants are encouraged to bring snacks and beverages for a picnic lunch at Gibraltar Reservoir. Cyclists must wear a helmet during the ride. The cost is $15.

For more information or to register for any of these activities, call the parks department at 658-4726 or visit the office in Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St., Room 226. While registering, participants will be told of the meeting places for each activity.