As the winter months are behind us and summer is fastly approaching, Northstar California Resort is a go-to destination any time of year.
The mountain, which sits at 8.610 feet high located in Truckee in North Lake Tahoe, offers an array of winter activities along with golfing packages and mountain biking options during the summer to engage any type of traveler from the adventurous to the luxurious.
Northstar Mountain receives 350 inches of snow annually and accumulates 50 percent of coverage from snowmaking. The mountain is rated as an intermediate ski experience with 60 percent of their trails being a “blue square.” Northstar offers riders long trails, glade skiing as well as various black diamond runs to keep it fun for skiers of all levels. With seven terrain parks situated throughout the mountain—some designed by pro snowboarder Shaun White—Northstar allows riders the chance to do tricks on pipelines and superpipes weather and conditions permitting.
Aside from downhill skiing, the resort offers snow tubing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and telemark skiing. There is also a 9,000-square-foot skating rink located in the middle of the Village at Northstar, just another activitiy to keep you busy while visiting Northstar.
Ski resorts in Lake Tahoe, USA
Northstar California Resort in Summer
Not only does Northstar provide an adventurous 100-plus-miles of hiking and mountain biking trails—considered the most extensive lift-served mountain bike park in the Western U.S.—golfing at the Village’s 18-hole golf course and fly-fishing in the 10-acre-stocked reservoir are also enjoyable options during the summer.
Accommodation at Northstar California
Hotel, condominium and house rentals are available accommodations adjacent to Northstar and all are within walking distance to the gondola or mountain lifts. Northstar Lodging offers hotel-style rooms, lofts, studios, condos and homes to accommodate any size party.
This open-cabana style pedestrian village is loaded with various restaurants and shops, a movie theater and many firepits among comfortable cabana seating positioned throughout to warm your feet after a long day on the mountain or get some vitamin D during the summer month. The laid back atmosphere enables travelers to relax while visiting Northstar making their experience complete. Paired with much entertainment scheduled throughout the year and snack and drink kiosks to unwind, Village at Northstar is the place to hang out in the late afternoons and early evenings of your visit.
The Northstar village also features a skating rink for travelers to participate in either ice skating or roller skating depending on the season. Fun activities within the Village also includes a bungee trampoline to jump around in.
There are also centers to rent gear or demo equipment as well as lockers to store your stuff.
A complimentary shuttle makes getting to and from the Village exceptionally easy. Just call ahead, wait by the nearest shuttle pick-up and you will get where you need to go in no time.
Northstar Resort Lodging guests also have the opportunity to use the recreational center within the Village. For just $2 per day, enjoy the lap pool, sauna, tennis courts, health club and game room. Remember to bring your own towel to bypass the cost of renting one. Sign up for spa treatments and other holistic treatments to rejuvenate your body. The center provides the overall relaxation needed after an adventurous day on the mountain.
Northstar Village in Lake Tahoe, California
Family-friendly activities at Northstar Village
Northstar is a very family-oriented resort that becomes quiet early at night. For parents, take advantage of the many afternoon activities for children, while relaxing in the Village. And those without children, there are many taverns, bars and five-star restaurants to enjoy a night out. Ultimately, the mountain resort offers travelers a homey experience where they can take advantage of numerous ammenities and satisfy their adventurous calling no matter what time of year.
Travel Dudes
I’m sure you’ve had similar experiences I had whilst traveling. You’re in a certain place and a fellow traveler, or a local, tip you off on a little-known beach, bar or accommodation. Great travel tips from other travelers or locals always add something special to our travels. That was the inspiration for Travel Dudes.
The state of California offers some of the most exciting outdoor adventures that anyone can enjoy. You do not have to look far to find activities to fill your day with outdoor fun here! One of the most rewarding activities to do here is check out one of the many hiking trails in Southern California.
Between the deserts and mountains, you can find many rewarding views and trails to satisfy your taste for adventure. So, come along with Shannon from FitLifeTravel as she shares the California hiking experience by taking you to the best hiking trails in southern California.
Hiking through history and stunning hiking trails in Southern California
Indulge yourself in these best hiking trails in southern California with plenty of amazing adventure, historical sites, and beautiful nature!
The most rare feature that you may encounter at some of these southern California hiking trails is waterfalls. You may also notice some of the waterfalls on the trails may be dry during certain times of the year. During winter and spring seasons, the falls usually have more water flowing.
Of course, however, the climate in southern California is perfect for any type of outdoor adventures throughout the entire year.
Located near the middle of the city of San Diego is an interestingly diverse little trail. At first it gives the impression that there is not much to it. As you proceed into the trail, the path begins to change from dirt and mud to gravel rocks then you will find yourself climbing up large boulders.
Along the trail, there is a historical burial grave. The late Prince John Joseph Eichar, one of the areas early pioneers; is said to be buried here.
Historical Feature in Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve Trail
Although several folks lived in this canyon during the late 1800s, Eichar is the only known person to have been buried and lived in this canyon. This hiking trail consists of a distance of 6.8 miles round trip with a mostly flat and scenic route. The ending of the trail will take you to a higher elevation and here is where you will see a few small waterfalls. Surrounding these small waterfalls are large boulders projecting from the earth.
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve Trail. Best Hiking Trails in Southern California
Exploring Three Sisters Falls Trail
The best time to enjoy this awesome trail in Southern California is during the winter and spring rainy seasons. It consists of a beautiful trek with lots of trail variation and lovely rolling hills along the way. You will find this trail in the eastern part of San Diego County, in the Cleveland National Forest in California, Pine Valley. There are no facilities out here, so remember to come prepared with the essentials like water, sunscreen, and snacks.
Three Sisters Falls Trail
Tahquitz Canyon Trail
Palm Springs is probably more known as a second Hollywood hangout for actors, actresses and other artistic enthusiasts. But you would be surprised to know that it is home to one of the most pretty hiking trails in the area. Although the trail is quite short at a distance of two miles, the Tahquitz Canyon trail offers pretty landscapes and a rare 40 plus foot waterfall.
Many outdoor enthusiasts discover and know the Tahquitz Canyon as a pleasant hiking spot. But it is actually the ancestral home of the Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians of which they stewarded for many years.
Tahquitz Canyon waterfall
Hiking through Annie’s Canyon
A short trail offering beautiful geological features is located in the heart of the San Diego area. This narrow hiking trail is quite unique and offers some pretty views. But it can also be very challenging for some people. It has extremely interesting earthly characteristics surrounding it and is, essentially, a unique steep slot canyon.
The trail is so narrow that you must go through them only one way because there is no room to pass another person in the slot zone. You will also find yourself climbing on a steel ladder to pull yourself up near the highest part of the trail. The views will be worth the efforts on this hiking trail.
Enjoying Boucher Hill Summit
If you are looking for a trail to see some of the best colors in the fall season, then this is a sensational outdoor path to enjoy. This trail is located at Palomar Mountain State Park. You will find the smell of autumn, colorful leaves and shrubs with a little similarity to the Sierra Nevada landscapes.
Potato Chip Rock at Mount Woodson
You will find plenty of fitness training on the hiking trails at Mt. Woodson near Poway, California. This one will get your heart pumping. There are two different trailhead locations. One is longer and the other is shorter but steeper.
The trail starting at the highway 67 location has a distance of about 4.1 miles round trip. Whereas the other trailhead location at Lake Poway and is 7.3 miles round trip. The popular feature of this hike is Potato Chip Rock, a thin rock layer that looks like a potato chip.
Hiking at night can be an exhilarating experience. Iron Mountain is located just down the road from the Potato Chip Rock trail. There is quite a bit of elevation and switchbacks on this trail, so you must take caution when hiking this trail. It is recommended to wear a headlamp or use a flashlight when exploring in the dark.
The daytime hiking experience here will offer you lovely views from the top. The evening hike consists of peaceful serenity by the light of the moon. The distance on this trail is approximately 5.2 miles round trip and 1,102 elevation gain.
Trekking on the Beautiful Bernardo Mountain Summit Trail
On this trail you must always be listening and watching for bikers. When you reach the summit, you will enjoy pretty views of Lake Hodges. Be aware there are some residential homes along some parts of the trail. The trail distance here is 7.2 miles round trip. There are bountiful nature settings, defined trail paths, and a picnic area to enjoy lunch.
Black Mountain Nighthawk Trail
The 5.3 mile trail at Black Mountain has an elevation of 1,210 feet and is located nearby the Hilltop Community Park. This is where you can park in a paved parking lot and you will find restrooms here as well. This hike is quite scenic but is somewhat noisier.
Once you have hiked about a mile into the trail, the sounds from the freeway and the recreational park become further in the distance. I consider it a moderate hike with gradual switchbacks leading to the summit. However, much of the trail is comprised of lose rocks and intersecting routes.
Archeological trails in Southern California | Santa Fe Valley and Del Dios
The following two hiking trails are located very close to one another. These beautiful trails offer more than just adventure and views. The entire area has a historical significance. The flood of 1927 apparently exposed numerous artifacts of those early inhabitants who resided here.
The Santa Fe Valley and Del Dios Gorge hiking trails are both segments of the Coast to Crest Trail, which expands 55 miles from the ocean to the Pacific Crest.
Santa Fe Valley Trail
In the early sections of the trail, you will be walking along a chain linked fence. As you continue on, you will be walking along the beautiful Crosby Golf Course and will possibly find a few balls on the way. The Santa Fe Valley trail is not only great for hikers but you can also bring your bikes on the trail.
Biker tip: There is a bicycle repair station along this trail.
Del Dios Gorge Trail
Three pre-historic cultural periods describe this region and it portrays a peek into how Native Americans traveled throughout this valley.
Hiker tip: Be sure to take some time to enjoy the unique trail feature here at Rattlesnake Viewpoint.
The spectacular views of the rolling hills and landscapes are not the only interesting features here. As you trek along this trail, you will encounter the Rattlesnake Viewpoint area. While looking out upon Lake Hodges, you can also look into the center of the viewpoint sculpture. This is the apex of the snake’s tail (on the sculpture). The idea is to line up your view with another spot. You can match the items on the scope to the line up with point A, B or C. The purpose of these marked spots is to help you identity the spillway, the bulwarks of the dam, and the river below.
Rattlesnake Viewpoint. Best Hiking Trails in Southern California
Slot Canyon Trail Anza Borrego
Anza Borrego is full of dramatic colorful canyons, big horn sheep, and stunning desert landscapes. And Anza Borrego Desert State Park is a Paleontologists’ dream! But the petro glyphs and fossils are not the only extraordinary thing here.
Slot trail is an amazing trek that takes you through some of the most earthly tall and narrow pathways. Once you’ve slithered through the narrow wash, there is a large open area. In front of you is the result of water and erosion of earth faults that caused hardened sediments to rise up and tilt. This natural activity occurred over millions of years causing mountains to shift and become higher.
The Slot Trail in Anza Borrego. Best Hiking Trails in Southern California
Ryan Mountain Trail at Joshua Tree National Park
The California desert consists of some of the most diverse and stunning landscapes in the west. The popular Joshua Tree National Park offers endless outdoor recreation. Ryan Mountain Trail is short in distance and includes some truly amazing open desert viewpoints.
As you begin hiking on the rock steps you will slowly begin to breathe a little heavier the further you go. It is one of the highest peaks in the park. This trail includes a vast diversity of foliage and desert shrubs that accompany you along the route.
Hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park
The Southern California best hiking trails experience
Describing the hiking experience in California is not difficult to explain. Although its trails can be some of the most diverse, unique and spectacular to explore, they all do have a few features in common.
These characteristics include the following: leaves fluttering in the wind, birds singing from above, and the smell of eucalyptus in the air. Together with its pleasant climate, rolling hills, and stunning mountains; California is the perfect place to experience amazing outdoor hiking!
I was born and raised in the beautiful state of North Dakota; having many dreams and curiosities about what the real world was really like out there. The only reference I had about the real world was through television.
We are more in love with adventure, nature, seeing new places, and experiencing unique things together. We are also becoming photographers of life! Our mission is to maximize life!
Before the mountain biking season starts up again, it’s a good idea to consider which mountain biking destinations you want to head to this year.
You might already be imagining yourself riding through scenic trails, feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, and a light breeze cooling down your sweat. However, before you pull your bike out of storage and dust it off, spend a few moments thinking about where you’re going to go for this year’s mountain bike trips.
If you’re feeling spoiled for choice, check out our top choices for mountain biking destinations around the USA and Canada.
Top mountain biking destinations in North America
Here’s where to go for some of the best mountain biking in the US and Canada.
1. Moab, Utah
Moab is the place to go for all US mountain bikers. Bikers come from miles around to experience the truly unique red rock destination in southeastern Utah. If you’re aiming to hit multiple hot spots in one road trip, Moab is easily accessible from Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.
You’ll find plenty of historic mountain biking trails in Moab, such as the popular Whole Enchilada. But what makes this location different is that the trails are always changing and expanding. On average, 30 miles of new trails are created each year. Two of the most recent are North Klondike and Klonzo.
The best mountain bike rides in Sedona are all within a short ride of the town, so you won’t need to stress about driving anywhere. If you’re looking for a proper challenge, head for the Highline/Templeton/Baldwin loop of the aptly named Hangover Trail.
Intermediate riders will undoubtedly enjoy the Chuckwagon/Mescal/Aerie network. While beginners can get in on the action on the Big Park Loop and the Bell Rock Path.
3. Bend, Oregon
Bend’s classic “moon dust” conditions don’t suit everyone, however, that doesn’t stop it from being one of the top US mountain biking destinations. Singletracks are continually being added to Bend’s hundreds of miles of trails and mountain bike infrastructure.
Another attraction that makes Bend stand out is the recent opening of the Mount Bachelor downhill mountain bike park, which already boasts a wide array of trails.
4. Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler is a true mecca for all things mountain biking. It’s best known for its world-class downhill mountain bike park, but the area is covered in excellent cross country and all-mountain singletrack trails.
There are countless other locales in British Columbia, such as Squamish, Fernie, Nelson, Golden, Kelowna, Kamloops, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Revelstoke, and many more.
Mountain Bike riders in Whistler mountains, British Columbia – depositphotos.com
5. Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte is a Rocky Mountain town for skiers and mountain bikers alike. Located midway between Denver and Grand Junction, it is even closer to Colorado Springs. You’ll have no problems enjoying a relaxing and scenic road trip from either of these major cities.
When you get there, you’ll find over 700 miles of alpine singletrack trails. Not only is Crested Butte home to one of the oldest mountain bike festivals, it also features a legendary 13,000-foot climb and is one of the destinations that started the mountain biking craze back in the 1970s.
6. Downieville, California
Downieville is another location that’s tucked away in the Sierra Nevada mountains. You have to travel over an hour up into the mountains on winding two-lane highways but once you’re there, you get to experience the Downieville Downhill, a marquee ride that everyone’s heard of. Surrounding the town is a gigantic network of 500 or more miles of mountain bike trails.
7. Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
Lake Tahoe is one of the clearest lakes in the world. It lies in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the border of California and Nevada. If you’re flying in, Sacramento or Reno are your best options.
For many mountain bikers, The Tahoe Rim Trail is a bucket list adventure but you should also consider adding Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Flume Trail to your list. The newest trails are in the Southlake area, while the best downhill trailers are in the Northstar Resort. For the best views, you’ll need to head higher up.
The Wydaho region covers Jackson, Jackson Hole Resort, Victor, Idaho, Driggs, and Grand Targhee Resort. Mountain biking has really blown up in Wydaho over the last few years. There has been significant trail development close to the town of Jackson. Historically-illegal trails on Teton Pass have also been adopted into the trail system.
Jackson Hole has improved its bike park, but the most notable improvements have been at the Grand Targhee Resort. There is now an incredible array of downhill mountain bike trails, cross country trails, winter fat biking trails, and other two-wheeled singletrack routes.
9. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is in Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and it’s a city known for its mountain beauty, historic architecture, and vibrant art scene.
Asheville is surrounded by some awesome trails, including the Bailey Mountain Bike Park and the 500,000-acre Pisgain National Forest. Kisuma, Dupont, and Tsali are also close to Asheville and offer more of North Carolina’s most treasured mountain biking trails.
10. East Burke, Vermont
Close to the Canadian border, East Burke is a secluded mountain town that is challenging to get to, but well worth the effort. If you live on the East Coast, East Burke is a three-hour drive from Boston and an hour and a half from Burlington.
East Burke is a great place to ride your mountain bike. It includes The Kingdom Trails network which has something for all ability levels. There are well-groomed doubletracks for beginners and tight, fast, flowing singletracks for more experienced cyclists.
Other areas you want to check out include Burke Mountain, Dead Moose Alley, and Darling Hill. The area is best experienced between May and October.
Travel Dudes
I’m sure you’ve had similar experiences I had whilst traveling. You’re in a certain place and a fellow traveler, or a local, tip you off on a little-known beach, bar or accommodation. Great travel tips from other travelers or locals always add something special to our travels. That was the inspiration for Travel Dudes.
Southern California is full of amazing hiking opportunities, but perhaps few are as interesting as those that run along the San Andreas fault in the Colorado Desert of the Coachella Valley.
One of my favorite hikes along the fault is Pushawalla Palms Loop.
This hike offers different and amazing landscapes that were formed by earthquakes and tectonic plate movement along the fault.
Quick Primer on the San Andreas Fault Network
Scientists have learned that the Earth’s crust is fractured into a series of “plates” that have been moving very slowly over the Earth’s surface for millions of years. Two of these moving plates, the Pacific Plate and North American Plate meet in western California; the boundary between them is the San Andreas fault. This fault forms a continuous narrow break in the Earth’s crust that extends over 1,000 km from northern California southward to the Mexico border. Usually, these plates slowly collide, separate and grind past each other at a rate of about 50 mm per year. However sometime the plates lock in position until the stress created by the plates overcomes the strength of the rock. At that point, the rocks fracture along the fault and seismic waves radiate in all directions, causing the Earth to vibrate and shake. An earthquake occurs as the plates move feet or tens of feet in just seconds.
Since this scenario has been repeated time and again over 40 million years, it’s easy to understand that land on either side of the fault have slid in opposite directions over 450 km since the plates first came in contact with each other. Over the millennia, these quakes have pulverized rocks, changed the flow of rivers, ground down mountains, and created new mountains, hills, canyons, and valleys. Here’s a close-up view of the San Andreas fault area. The red line marks the San Andreas fault, and the small black circle shows the location of the hike.
General Desert Hiking Safety
Even though this is a relatively short hike, remember you are in a desert environment. Being prepared will increase the chance that you have an enjoyable excursion.
Here are a few basic safety tips if you are new to desert hiking:
Start early. Don’t hike during the hottest part of the day.
Know the weather forecast. You don’t want to be hiking in the desert during a thunderstorm due to flash flood concerns.
Stay hydrated; drink a lot of water. General rule of thumb is 4-6 liters/person/day
Know the signs of heat stress.
Cover your skin. Dress appropriately in light weight loose fitting clothes, hat, and proper shoes/boots.
Watch for plants and wildlife and keep your distance. Remember this is rattlesnake territory. Also, removing cactus needles isn’t pleasant and something you want to avoid.
Carry a trail map. Consider downloading an app such as AllTrails or MapMyRun or even better a GPS app to track your path.
Bonus Recommendation: Keep extra water and snacks in your car. Even hot water is better than driving home thirsty after a long desert hike.
Pushawalla Palms Loop Trail: 5 miles
Pushawalla Palms Loop is a well-marked trail located within the 17,000-acre Coachella Valley Preserve Area near Thousand Palms, California. The trailhead is located less than 15 miles from Palm Springs on Thousand Palms Canyon Rd. There’s plenty of parking on the main road but be prepared for crowds on weekends. The trailhead is open year-round and there are no fees or permits required.
The trailhead is the starting point for several area hikes, so make sure to follow the Pushawalla Palms trail signs. For the first 0.5 km, the path winds its way through a dry stream bed know as a wash. During the brief fall and winter rainy season, washes like this provide drainage channels for surrounding hills and mountains. These rains help to disperse wildflowers seeds which root in the sandy soil as the water slowly evaporates. Come spring when the grounds warms, the seeds sprout and the trail is lined with purple, yellow, and white wildflowers. This is not the image most people have of the desert. The wildflowers draw large crowds in the Spring, but fortunately, most people only hike a short portion of the trail to view the wildflowers.
After walking through the wash, the trail begins climbing Bee Rock Mesa. This mesa and the surrounding hills are wedged between two faults that have squeezed and uplifted the rocks and gravel to create this straight line of sharply defined hills along the fault.
The trail winds its way along the ridge of the mesa. Although this is not a knife edge, be careful since there is a 90-100 meter drop off on either side of the trail. Enjoy your walk on the mesa; take in the sweeping views knowing that 3+ miles directly beneath your feet is the San Andreas fault.
After hiking 1.6 km, the Horseshoe Palm grove appears on the right-hand side of the trail at the base of the hill. This long string of palm trees extends over 1.5 km. These palms flourish in the middle of the desert because the fault beneath us has pulverized the bedrock allowing groundwater to seep close to the surface and nourish these trees. It’s not uncommon to see a straight line of palm trees or other vegetation growing along sections of the San Andreas fault.
The path follows the ridgeline for 2.5 km. By now the crowd will have significantly thinned out with most people returning to their cars. Unfortunately, these people assume the wildflowers in the wash are the best part of this trail – they are so wrong.
Over the next 1.25 km, the trail begins a gradual descent to the floor of the Pushawalla Canyon. A section of the trail has been heavily eroded by recent rainstorms. This isn’t a difficult area to navigate but it does require more careful footing.
After 3.2 km of hiking, you emerge on the floor of Pushawalla Canyon and are almost immediately surrounded by a lush green environment. In both directions, for as far as the eye can see, there are the Pushawalla Palms. Why is it called Pushawalla? Legend has it that Pushawalla was the name of a local Native American who lived to be over 100 years old. Allegedly he died when a summer cloudburst flooded the canyon he was in and swept him away. The canyon where he was found is called Pushawalla Canyon.
The California Fan Palms are the only palm tree native to the United States. The telltale sign of the California Fan Palm is the “skirt” of old dead palm fronds that cascade downwards around its trunk (rather than dropping off like other palms). Be careful walking around the fallen palm fronds. They’re often used by rattlesnakes for cover and shade; snakebites have been reported in the Pushawalla Palms area. It’s worth repeating, respect desert wildlife.
You can explore Pushawalla Canyon in both directions. Underground fissures caused by the San Andreas faults provide groundwater in the canyon an easy route to the surface. You’ll notice a small stream flowing on the ground. The stream often mysteriously disappears into the sand and then reappears further down on the trail. Be on the look-out for rabbits, coyotes, and all kinds of birds who are drawn to the water.
Often it feels more like you are walking through wetlands with tall grasses and vegetation encroaching on the trail. It’s strange that this beautiful desert oasis was created by faults and earthquakes that we normally only associate with damage and destruction.
After exploring the palm oasis, it was time to head back. There are several options you might want to explore. For our return we chose to climb out of the canyon via the rock gully that we had used to descent from the ridge and then follow a trail to the base of the hills. Walking on the desert floor provides a new perspective of the terrain. As we passed the Horseshoe Palm grove, we had a clear view of several people hiking on the ridge trail above us.
As we hiked further away from the hills, the vegetation became sparser. But remember, the interesting thing about the desert is that it hides its beauty so well.
If you are hiking in the late winter or spring be sure to move slowly and look carefully. You will find a variety of small and large flowering plants and maybe even a lizard or two along the trail.
After hiking on the desert floor for slightly more than 1 km, we climbed back up to the ridge and made our way to the car.
For this hike we logged 10 km, but various maps indicate typical lengths ranging from 6-8 km. Our excess mileage was due to our extensive exploration of Pushawalla Canyon. Even with a stop for lunch and photos, we completed the hike in 3.3 hours. In the satellite image below, the red dot marks the trailhead, and the green dot marks the intersection where we rejoined the ridge from the desert floor on our return route.
Hiking along the San Andreas Fault in the Coachella Valley is not about finding the “giant crack in the ground”. Millions of years of erosion have piled upwards of 3 miles of gravel and rock debris on top of the fault. Although the fault is buried, you know now that it’s easily visible by following the strip of green vegetation that runs in a straight line against an otherwise bare series of hills and brown desert washes. Hopefully, this information will encourage you to explore the San Andres Fault and Pushawalla Palms on your next visit.
There are countless resorts, boutique hotels and Airbnbs to stay at in the Greater Palm Springs area. Except during the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals in April, obtaining a booking should not be a problem.
Places to Eat
Because the Greater Palm Springs area is such a tourist draw. There are eateries to meet any need.
Here are a few of our favorite spots to enjoy an after-hike dinners:
Steve and Dave are avid hikers and travelers. When not traveling, they split their time between the East and West coast of the United States. They blog about their travel and outdoor adventures at home and aboard at outoftheoffice4good or you can reach them on Twitter @OutoftheOffice8.
Christmas is celebrated in its own unique way all across the world, with countless different traditions and cultures celebrating the festive season in its own special way.
Christmas and new year are one of the best times of year to visit Barcelona. From fireworks to Christmas markets, there is always something to get up to in Barcelona.
The Catalan capital knows how to get into the festive spirit, as there is a wealth of things to do this Christmas and New Year in Barcelona.
The Christmas Agenda
This year more than ever, we will have to say goodbye from our own homes, instead of at house parties or at the club until the early hours. But not to fear! There are still things on to get up to, and to get into the festive spirit.
La Fira de Santa Llucia Christmas Markets
The Market of Saint Lucia is Barcelona’s oldest Christmas market and dates back to the 18th century, taking place in the plaza in the front of Barcelona Cathedral. 2020 is the 234th anniversary of the Fira de Santa Llucia, and it will be open from the 27th of November until the 23rd of December. Here you will find stalls of handmade gifts, figures for nativity scenes, Christmas decorations, crafts, and much more!
The Three Kings Parade
The traditional Three Kings Parade, which takes place on the 5th of January, is usually a large tour of the city where crowds will come out to watch the Kings and their entourage pass through the streets.
The tradition of the Three Kings in Spain is when the three wise men, Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar, accompanied by their entourage of fantastic creatures and royal mailmen, come to collect the letters from the children of their Christmas gift wishes. Children will be able to give their letters to the royal pages and experience the magic of the Three Kings at the Parque del Fòrum where there will be 10,000m2 construction that recreates the traditional floats and the Three Kings. There will also be the costumes, tools, a space to send and receive gifts, as well as a post office and box to send the letters to the Kings of the East.
Firework display from home
This year, the Barcelona council are putting on a firework display that will be able to be seen from all over the city. It will last for 15 minutes, so that the New Year can be brought in with a bang, and all from the safety of your own home so that there is no risk of crowds forming.
The fireworks will be initiated by 12 chimes, to mark the end of December 31st, and 12 bright palm trees will be launched in each of the ten districts of Barcelona: Ciutat Vella, L’Eixample, Sants-Montjuïc, Les Corts, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Horta-Guinardó, Nou Barris, Sant Andreu and Sant Martí.
Catalan Festivities
Caga Tió
If you’ve never seen this festive Catalan character around Christmastime before, we’ll forgive you for thinking we’re joking when we explain this…
The star of every household in Catalonia is the ‘Caga Tió’ meaning ‘Poo Log’, and it is a small, wooden log painted with a big smiley face, dressed in the traditional red Catalan hat.
It is brought out on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, and the children ‘look after’ it until Christmas Eve, by wrapping it in blankets and feeding it Torró every evening. The idea is that by caring for him and making him full, he will then be able to ‘poo out’ their presents on Christmas Eve! No really…
After eating their main meal on Christmas Eve, the children start to hit Caga Tió with sticks while singing a special song to encourage it to give them their presents. Once the song has finished, they remove the blanket to find all of their Christmas presents underneath!
Caganer of the Nativity Scene
It is common in every household in Catalonia to have the nativity scene as a decoration up in the house, but there’s a peculiar addition in Catalonia to the scene that you will surely never have seen before…
The Caganer is an essential part of the Catalan pessebre (Nativity Scene), a peasant dressed in the typical Catalan red cap and is found hidden somewhere in the scene with his pants down, pooping in the stable!
This tradition is believed to have begun in the late 17th to early 18th century, and the Caganer’s poop was said to fertilize the earth and bring good luck for the new year. Nowadays it is more of a satirical joke for Catalans to include the Caganer in the Christmas scene, and the figurine is sold on the Christmas markets with the faces of politicians and celebrities on for fun.
New Year’s Eve Traditions
No matter where you may find yourself in Spain, the tradition on New Year’s Eve is to eat a grape with for each of the first 12 strikes of the clock at midnight on the 31st of December to welcome in the New Year.
It is said to lead to a year of good luck and prosperity, and in olden times was said to ward away witches and general evil, although the ‘magic’ of the grapes is treated more as an old wives’ tale, whereas nowadays its simply viewed as a cultural traditional to welcome in the new year with friends and family.
This is my review of the exlusive island resort of Badian Island.
Badian Island Resort in Cebu’s South is an upmarket exclusive resort on Badian Island (Zaragosa Island). Around 3 and half hours drive from Cebu City. I also compare Sumilon Island Resort with Badian Island to see which is a better resort to stay in Cebu.
The resort offers ionized seawater outdoor pools that provide relaxation to your body. It has a beautiful beach area perfect for lazing in this tropical paradise.They also have an spa for different massages. See their website for more.
Rooms start from the Junior Suite up to their luxurious Thalasso Pool Villas that have amazing views over the ocean. These are the best rooms at the resort. Prices for the rooms are shown in the video, I show how to find the best rates online from sites such as Trivago, Agoda and TripAdvisor.
Badian Island Resort offers lots of activities to nearby attractions like Kawasan Falls and the whale sharks in Oslob. They also have a dive shop and if your into snorkelling, you can snorkel around their Coral Garden, where I did see a turtle.
They have some great food at their restaurant or laze by their swimming pool. Badian Island is one place to spend your holiday in Cebu.
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*All rates and conditions subject to change. Please check directly with Badian Island Resort.
If your planning a trip to Sydney from October to December then you should definitely put whale watching on the top of your “things to do in Sydney” list. This is the time of year humpback calves are escorted by their mothers, and sometimes a second female, to the southern feeding grounds of Antarctica, a migration route that is just off Australia’s east coast. It’s the best two for one, or three for one if you’re lucky, package in town.
Humpback calves are like most children, curious about new things. A calf will often start mugging, approach boats to get a closer look, which is awesome for those on a whale watching cruise as the calves tend to get quite close to the boats. There are regulations on how close the boats can get to the whales but there are no regulations for how close whales can get to boats. Or at least no one has told the whales.
Whale watchers often get an extra show from a calf due to the attention the calf is receiving and its need to release bottled up energy. Humpback calves can be quite frisky and if you’re lucky you’ll see a tail slap, or a breach, or even a spyhop (when a whale rises out of the water partially and holds that position). But let’s not forget about Mom. Being a good chaperone she will put herself between her calf and the boat full of eager onlookers. This is often a great photo opt for those camera-ready whale watchers.
Albino Humpback Calf Sighting
A few weeks ago, mid-October, I was lucky enough to be on a whale watching cruise and saw an albino humpback calf and mother migrating south. As you may have guessed, albino whales are very rare. There is one albino humpback whale that is quite well known in Australia, even has a couple websites dedicated to him. The whale watching cruise I was on was first to spot the whales but it wasn’t long before several other boats showed up to get a closer look at the albino calf. There was even a helicopter from the local news station on the scene. All the attention did not stop the calf from a tail slap or two plus some mugging for the photo hungry tourist on board.
Other Whale Watching Options
Don’t have the time or the funds for a whale watching cruise? Not to worry, during the October to December southern migration the mothers and calves tend to swim very close to the shoreline and can often be seen directly from land. They often stop in protected areas along the coastline and beaches to rest and feed.
The South Coastal Walk from Bondi to Coogee is an excellent area for spotting whales. If your planning on taking the ferry to Watson’s Bay to try some of Doyle’s famous fish and chips, as recommended by most of the guide books, then consider the coastal walk around the Inner South Head of the Sydney Harbour with a stop at Gap Park for some coastal whale watching.
