California Hikes

California is nothing but beautiful hills. I have been hiking a bunch and really love the views out here. Ventura and Santa Barbara are the bulk of where I have hiked. It's a really pretty area to explore for vineyards, tasting rooms, and of course beautiful views! Below are some of the hikes with miles and links to plan your hike!

Chumash Trail: Pt. Mugu, Valley trail, and Mugu beach

I have hiked this a few different times and ways and LOVE the view. It's right across from the ocean and you can hear the waves from most parts of the climb. This is a really steep one but when you get to the top it's worth it. There is a beach right across the road if you want to dip your toes in the water after! The trail is 2 miles round trip but a real workout because of the climb.

http://www.hikespeak.com/trails/mugu-peak-hike-point-mugu-state-park/

Inspiration Point:

I got really lost trying to read the directions off hiker speak...but it led me to a really cool view that was off the path. The best way is to double check the trail signs and follow the Jesusita signs to the Inspiration Point. This trail is really cool because it is partly on private land and you can see horses! It also has a water fountain and rest area along the way which worked out because I drank my entire camel back and had to refill! It's 6.7 miles round trip. 

http://www.santabarbara.com/activities/hikes/jesusita_to_inspiration_point/

Rattlesnake Trail:

When getting to here don't search for Rattlesnake Trail search for Skofield Park. It isn't easy to find. Parking is just what you can find there isn't a lot. This trail is pretty cool and I actually saw a little water! Rattlesnake Canyon Trial is 5 miles round trip and a bit rocky. 

http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/parksrec/parks/features/pathstrails/skofield.asp

Sherman Peak Trail:

This is the highest I have ever hiked in my life! 9,909 ft. looking out over the mountains. Cold at times and not a soul on the trail this was a perfect escape. If you want to hear nothing but the wind and birds this is the trail for you. Lots of tall trees and a huge opening to view the mountains. You will be at the highest point looking down at all the mountains. It's 5 miles round trip in the Sequoia National Forest.

http://www.summitpost.org/sherman-peak/250336

Camp Nelson Trail:

The Camp Nelson Trial is a popular mountain biking trail. We camped at the head of the trail in the Quaker Meadow Christian Camp. I drove shuttle for my bf and his friends so they could ride the trail. When the guys were done me bf and I hiked the trail backwards. It was a really pretty trail with lots of redwoods and even one to hike through! We decided to hike it backwards to watch out for oncoming bikers. This is a 5 mile trail but we only hiked half way to the big tree.

http://www.sequoiamountainadventures.com/camp-nelson-trail.html

Moro Rock:

This trail is in the Sequoia National Forest but I wouldn't really call it a trail. It's a pretty steep stairway to a great view. If you are afraid of heights I wouldn't try this one. During parts of the trail there aren't guard rails! We went around sunset but didn't bring head lamps so we had to go down early. Some people brought picnics for the top to enjoy the view. 

http://www.hikespeak.com/trails/moro-rock-sequoia/

Coachella Tips

I went to Coachella for the first time last year and have to say it was one of the best experiences! They could take a few notes from ACL though but all around beautiful place amazing music and a good time! Here are a few of my suggestions for tackling a weekend in the desert. 

1. Know before you go

Know your shuttle, know your meeting points, know where you're staying. I was lucky to have a California native as my guide or I would have been SOL! Turns out the bus pass I had us get was super far from our condo. We had to pay to switch our bus passes to a closer stop that dropped a block from where we were staying. But on the plus side the first bus we got on was a full on party bus! Also download the Coachella app and check twitter for surprise bands...you never know when tupac will be resurrected! 

2. Sunscreen, hydrate, and sunbathe in am

We spent most of our mornings by the pool relaxing and taking in the view. I thought I could handle the heat being from Texas but I got burned just from an hour or two of not being under an umbrella. Remember sunscreen is your friend and bring a refillable water bottle...just don't try and fill up right before you leave or you will have a hell of a line to wait in for water and to get on a bus!

3. Designated drinking areas are dumb

In Texas we don't have these designated drinking areas we have entire fields dedicated to it all! At coachella if you want a beer you have to show ID go through a hearding rope and into a baracaded area where you can buy drinks and food. Crazy right? Well that's how they do it at coachella. The plus side is you can catch some shows on the side of some of the stations.

At ACL we drank where we pleased!

At Free Press Summer Fest you get a bottle of wine like a queen!

At SXSW they just hand it to you as you enter the building 

4. Get a 2nd charge

Do you have an extra phone battery? A Mophie maybe? No? Get one! Luckily I only sepperated from the guy I was with for 1 show. We planned a meeting spot and I waited in the redic line for merch and all I got was a damn tshirt! Ok it was really cute! But in reality reception blows and you want to save battery for pictures/video/I'm alive texts home!

Meeting at the Ferris wheel is vague...looking for your friend with a flower crown is vague! Get yo phone charged!

5. More is more

Go big or go home! Is your costume crazy enough to become noteworthy? Is it badass enough? I don't know! Do more of what makes you happy is what my doctor told me and the coachella crowd knows all about doing more! Eat all the bad foods! Have vodka redbulls in the EDM tent and fig out how awesome your dance skills really are...or aren't who cares no one can see you anyway! Post up for the band you love or have dreamed of seeing but never have cough cough Postal Service! 

6. Have these on hand

Sunscreen

Chapstick

Hand sanitizer

Refillable water bottle

Cash

Scarf or bandana the wind/dust is the worst and you will sound like you smoke 10 packs a day!

Sandles that can be tied to your bag

Did I mention a bag?

Also take advantage of record store day...they will hold your records while you jam how awesome is that?

The smartest thing I ever wore was during ACL in 2008? 2009? It rained and was super hot took off my sandels and wet barefoot but my sandles had clasps which was amazing!

7. Don't forget the Dino pit stop!

Leaving coachella and you're not ready to face the real world just take a pit stop at the Dino's fill up on gas get your road snacks and relax!