As we all join in a group sigh of relief that finals are almost over, we can finally begin making our plans for the most anticipated time of the year. Whether your summer schedule is filled with countless adventures, a part-time job or nothing but Netflix, The Courier has picked these spots and events to make up a Summer Bucket List to help guide your vacation.
L.A. Float Center
With the conclusion of spring finals comes a time to relax and enjoy a little peace of mind before classes begin once again. The LA Float Center is a perfect place to treat your body and mind to absolute tranquility. The center offers a unique experience in which patrons relax in special float pods in private rooms. The pods, filled with 11 inches of warm water and 1,200 pounds of Epsom salt, create a soothing environment. Other benefits of the floating experience include improved circulation and overall refreshment for an overworked mind. Music will play 10 minutes before your time in the pod ends, which can range from one to four hours, signaling that you should get out of the pod and use the complimentary shampoo and conditioner in the shower adjacent to the pod. Summer will truly be paradise with a few calm sessions at the LA Float Center.
22041 Clarendon St., Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Grand Central Market
Vacation is not vacation without tons of delicious food, and Los Angeles definitely shines in this department with top-ranked restaurants throughout the city. One of its many destination eateries is Grand Central Market, located in the heart of downtown. A European-style food court, Grand Central Market is a huge space for vendors selling a wide variety of food, the most popular of which are Mexican- and South American-themed. Visitors also flock to the market to purchase fresh produce and specialty treats from multiple different origins, making the food hub somewhat of a large-scale farmer’s market. This downtown landmark is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and with endless hours of free time in the summer, the food lovers of L.A. can head to Grand Central Market for a unique, large-scale dining experience.
317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Great American Backyard Campout
On an idyllic summer evening, one can truly enjoy nature by sleeping under the stars, surrounded by the songs of Earth’s critters. June 28th will mark the tenth anniversary of the Great American Backyard Campout. On this night each year, thousands of people gather in their backyards and local parks to camp out and enjoy all of the stunningly beautiful nature has to offer. The National Wildlife Federation started this tradition of a night under the stars in the hopes to get more children outdoors and in-touch with nature. Instead of being trapped indoors all day and glued to a technological device, teens are encouraged to participate in outdoor activities; from scavenger hunts to bonding games, the possibilities are endless. Adventurers of all ages should partake in this national event because summertime is the best time to be outside and experience life under the light of twinkling stars.
Bridge to Nowhere
Escaping the routines of everyday life is a key part of an exciting summer. Those looking for an adventure this coming season may take a journey to The Bridge to Nowhere in the San Gabriel Mountains of Azusa, Calif. for a full day of blood-pumping excursions. The hike to the bridge is a 10-mile round-trip that follows a trail that features many destinations for sightseeing and swimming. After covering five miles of beautiful terrain you will come across the Bridge to Nowhere. The bridge used to serve as a common roadway passage between the San Gabriel Valley and Wrightwood until 1938 when a flood damaged the overpass so that cars could not travel across the throughway. There was not enough financial support to repair the bridge so it now acts as a platform off which brave souls may leap. Organizations such as Bungee America lead expeditions to the jump site situated on The Bridge to Nowhere and teach people of all ages different bungee stunts. These include jumps such as the Superman Front Dive, the Backward Lumber Jack, the Backward Plunge and the Elevator Drop. On each bungee jumping experience with Bungee America, the first two jumps you perform are with a full-body harness which consists of two harnesses: one for each your upper and lower body. If you are brave enough to fling yourself off the bridge into a 10-story drop a third time, you can dive off the bridge with an ankle harness. This is the ideal site to learn amazing jumps and have a summer adventure to remember.
Summer Music Festivals
For many students, Coachella does not take place at the ideal time because it is during the busy days of second semester and missing school is not always possible. Luckily, summer offers plenty of amazing music festivals for all those who wish to enjoy live performances and days full of bliss and excitement without the worries of upcoming tests and assignments. The month of August will hold FYF, an alternative rock festival that will take place at the Los Angeles Exposition Park, HARD Summer, an electronic dance music festival at the same L.A. venue and Outside Lands, a musical extravaganza with a plethora of music and art which will be located in San Francisco’s famous Golden Gate Park. To maximize your enjoyment at these musical spectaculars you must bring your dancing shoes and a lot of energy to keep up with the pumping beats. While the people of Calif. are jamming to these major calender events, other states across the nation will be rocking on to hopping music festivals including the popular Lollapalooza, which will take place this August in Chicago, Ill., Electric Forest, which will drop in Rothbury, Miss. at the end of June, and Firefly, which will take place in June in the woods of Dover, Del. Live music never ceases to create a fun and joyous environment for all seasons, but, like all things, is even better in the summertime. So grab some friends, snacks and a car full of gas and take a road trip across the country to have a wild and music-filled summer adventure.
Imperial Beach’s Sun & Sea Festival
Sunny Southern California offers the ideal summer, from warm weather to beaches to endless hours of fun under the sun. This summer, the Imperial Beach in San Diego will be hosting the third annual Imperial Beach’s Sun & Sea Festival on the weekend of July 18th and 19th. The affair has been resurrected from the year 1960 when it was first celebrated to boast the development of the Imperial Beach community. This two-day event consists of many unique festivities including a pancake breakfast, a parade, sandcastle competitions, a sandcastle ball and a multitude of vendors and entertainers brought together with the purpose of promoting community unity. At the festival people of all ages can compete in sandcastle building tournaments divided by age group, and submit their masterpieces for judgment and recognition as well as cash prizes. Professional sand sculptors will also be in attendance, building their own artwork and teaching attendees tricks-of-the-trade. The event also showcases a farmer’s market and international food fair, live music and an award ceremony for the winners of the sculpting contests. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to this paradise beach town for the event of the season, and those of you in Los Angeles should not miss out. Once you are sick of a normal, hot day at Zuma, venture out to Imperial Beach in San Diego to view some amazing sand sculptures and enjoy this one-of-a-kind festival.
Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
