Elena P

Cote des Basques is a popular longboarding surf spot in Biarritz, France.  It is also a great place to learn how to surf on the French coast.  Waves here are mellow and there are often very large crowds. It is a beach break, so waves break both left and right.  When the swell picks up the wave is predominantly a right. If you move further down the beach when there's more swell, the waves are a ...

Enjoy meeting ostriches and emus alike!  Located just outside of Solvang, near Santa Barbara, you get the chance to stroll through a farm and feed the ostriches and emus.  Entrance is free, but there is a fee to feed them.  There are scenic hills and flowers all around the farm.  This is a great stop if driving down the coast on Hwy 1.  

Pleasure Point is located on the east side of Santa Cruz, California. It is a right hand point break that breaks year round. It is a popular surf spot for many people that live in the San Francisco Bay Area.  There are 3 different peaks that break at Pleasure Point. Sewers, which is the furthest breaking point and is for more experienced surfers. 2nd peak is located more on the inside where you...

It's a very uncrowded beach on the Southern Oregon Coast.  This is due to the fact that it is very far from a large population density area. This beautiful beach has miles of sand to explore. The further north you go on the beach, the less crowded it will beach. This is also an occasional surf spot when tide, swell, and wind all line up accordingly.

Zarautz is located in the basque country of Spain. It's roughly 30 minutes east of San Sebastian. Zarautz is a very popular summertime destination, but the waves really pick up in the fall and winter months.  This is a fun beach break with peaks all over the beach.  The wave is relatively soft and inconsequential.  It works best on North swells and South winds.

This is a great place for fishing or just taking a walk to watch the sunset.  It's a great place to walk or jog, or even bring a pup!  There are lot of people fishing throughout the pier.   A short walk away is Sharp Park Beach, where you can relax and bring a picnic to watch the sunset.

This vista point is located in Southern Oregon, near the coastal town of Brookings.  Arch rock is just off the 101 freeway and is a cool stop if you are passing through. The main rock arch is located directly west.  It's a great place to stop during road trips for a picnic lunch.

Old Town lies on the Adriatic Sea, with limestone mountains in the background.  It is one of the world's best preserved medieval towns, and even played host to HBO's Game of Thrones.  Scenes in King's Landing were filmed throughout Old Town in Dubrovnik, and walking through the town's streets will make you feel as though you are walking through Kings Landing itself. Locals still live and thrive...

Otter rock is the most popular surf spot for beginners in the state of Oregon. Located by Devils Punch Bowl, Otter rock offers playful waves that are great for beginners to learn how to surf. It's often called the Waikiki of Oregon. Even though it is a predominately beginner surf spot, the waves can still get large during the winter months.

Hanalei Bay is one of the most scenic beaches on the north shore of Kauai.  It features mountain views and a pier.  In summer, the water gets calm and clear.  It's perfect for swimming, SUP, and diving.  During the winter, the it becomes a beautiful surf spot. There are small lots for parking scattered along the length of the beach, so refrain from parking in front of houses.  It stays relative...

Bellows Field Beach Park is near the Bellows Air Force Base.  It has a campground, but remains relatively uncrowded when compared to other beaches on Oahu.  It has lush trees and beautiful mountain views.  There are small waves, good for boogie boarding. Note:  - Look for signs warning of Portuguese man of war - This beach is only open Fri-Sun

A medium size beach with darker sand with big rocks and a paved path for walkers and joggers.  The beach is a great place to bring a picnic and watch the sunset.  It is located next to Pacifica Pier, which is popular for fishing.

Bear Valley is nestled in the high Sierra between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.  It is a popular destination for families and nature lovers.  It boasts 1,900 vertical feet over 1680 acres for skiing and snowboarding. Winter is a popular time at Bear Valley.  Most visitors come to ski or snowboard, but there is also snowshoeing, tubing, sledding, snowmobiling, and more to be found here. During the su...

Lake Helen is a glacial lake in Lassen Volcanic NP.  The park's winter season starts in October and runs through June.  Lake Helen can be found thawing mid-June.  The turquoise blue of the water comes from the minerals in it, and is mesmerizingly beautiful when thawing in pools over a snowy Lake Helen. Once fully thawed, Lake Helen is a great lake for reflection photos as there is no surface o...

Hike half a mile to this beautiful, secluded beach.  There are high cliffs with a steep staircase down to the beach.  The beach has wonderful rock formations on one side.  It is a great place to watch the sunset or bring a picnic.  A great place for a beach day if you are looking for something less crowded.

Malibu point is an iconic surf spot located in Malibu, California. It's a very popular summer time spot due to the exposure to south swells.  The majority of people longboard this surf spot.  It's a very iconic wave with lots of history!  The wave itself is a long right-hand point break that is relatively forgiving.

Shoreline Lake features a big lake, many hiking and biking trails, and lot of picnic areas in Mountain View, CA. Kayaks, SUP, and various boats can be rented from the boat house. This is a great place to enjoy the water no matter what season it is. There are large grassy areas for kids to run and play in.   Shoreline is a great place for beginners to SUP because it offers calm waters. It's a gr...

A short hike on the southern Oregon Coast. It's a beautiful and scenic hike with amazing vistas of where the mountains meet the ocean.  The hike is not very difficult, unless you decide to hike down to the beach.  There are several vista points along this hike where you can stop to take pictures of the landscape.

One of the more beautiful resorts in Lake Tahoe to go snowboarding and skiing.  Heavenly is situated in South Lake Tahoe on the border of California and Nevada.  This ski resort has an amazing view of the lake while going down, as well as one of the largest total areas to ski in Lake Tahoe. This is one of the most popular places to snowboard and ski in Lake Tahoe, and provides some of the best ...

Starting at the Yosemite Falls Trailhead in Yosemite Valley, the trek up to the Upper Yosemite Falls overlook has a steep 3,175 ft elevation gain across switchbacks, rocks, and gravelly trails.  Hiking poles recommended, but not necessary.  The trail to Yosemite Point beyond Upper Yosemite Falls is much milder and offers a great view of Half Dome at the end. Remember to bring plenty of water a...

Secret Island is on the East side of Oahu.  It's located near the town of Kailua.  It's a great place to have a beach day and avoid the crowds of Waikiki.  The water is super calm and the background makes you feel like you are in a Jurassic park movie, which filmed just up the road.  You can get tours and passes at Kualoa Ranch. There is a fee associated with visiting. 

There are a bunch of beginner to intermediate mountain biking trails at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (click here for a trail map).  There are some beginner mountain biking classes that come here to learn. You can find specific trails that match your ability at MTB Project.   There is a Christmas tree farm that usually has small Christmas trees growing.  On a rainy day, mountain biking here...

This state park, just off the 101 near Florence, Oregon, is a cool spot to turn out and check out! Great place to just stop and watch the waves crashing into the rocks as well as all the different wildlife in the area.  If you walk further south, Cummins Creek flows into the ocean. Also not to be missed is nearby Thor's Well.

Located on the northwest side of Lake Tahoe, Carnelian Bay is a fun place to spend the afternoon. However, there is no sand at Carnelian Bay as the ground is all large rocks. It's a great place to go swimming or SUPing in the summer, and it has a pier that you can jump off.  It is usually less crowded than main beaches of Lake Tahoe, which is a great plus!