last weekend, after our crazy halloween adventures, ashley, her hubs and i loaded up the cab-over and headed out to joshua tree national park for a night of camping.  the weather was perfect, the scenery was breathtaking and the company was out of control.  i love camping and it was so much fun to stay in ash & justins new(ish) cab-over and enjoy a night in the outdoors.  

a little bit about joshua tree:  joshua tree is about 140 miles east of los angeles, 175 miles northeast of san diego, and 215 miles southwest of las vegas. from the road, this desert park only hints at its vitality. closer examination reveals a fascinating variety of plants and animals that make their home in this land shaped by strong winds, unpredictable torrents of rain, and climatic extremes. dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the attraction of this place. i urge you to go see for yourself!

adventure // anza borrego state park

this past weekend i had the opportunity to go to anza borrego state park with my environmental interpretation class. we camped at the agua caliente campground and spent 3 days exploring as much of anza borrego as we could. since the main focus of our trip was interpretation, we spent time with interpretive guides and rangers learning about the rich native american history in the anza borrego desert. we visited kumeyaay villages and pictographs and imagined how they used to live. we learned about the plants and animals that thrive in the desert climate, how they survive and why they are important to environment. we even went mud caving through naturally formed caves that were created by water flowing through a thick deposit of silt! overall, i had such a fantastic time learning about the desert, bonding with my classmates and spending time in the great outdoors. i realized how much i miss camping and i can't wait to start doing it more!

a little info about the park: anza borrego is about 2 1/2 hours east of san diego and is a state park located within the colorado desert of southern california. the park gets its name from 18th-century Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and borrego, the spanish word for bighorn sheep. with 600,000 acres, anza-borrego is the largest state park in california and the second largest in the continental united states. the park occupies eastern san diego county and reaches into imperial and riverside counties.

san-o with the glass'

last weekend i met up with ashley and her hubby who were in san clemente camping at san onofre state beach.  it was a bit of a gloomy day but the company was all i really cared about.  we chatted and laughed the entire time, drinking beer and roasting corn on the cob over the bonfire.  we even made it down to the beach for a bit, just to say we did.  and of course, the day ended with multiple rounds of smores for all of us.  i'm so lucky to have friends like ash (and her hubs) and can't wait to see that crazy couple again soon.

tourist tuesdays: no reservations needed, so cal camping!

hi guys! happy tuesday!  i've mentioned my love for camping a time or two on the blog, but after hearing kristin talk about her trip down the coast this past week and being able to reminisce on all the great times i had camping along the coast, it's making me crave some camping action.  and summer is the best time to camp! i came across this great article from sunset magazine about the best last minute camp spots in southern california and i knew i had to share it with you guys!

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5 great no-reservation campgrounds near Kings Canyon, Anza-Borrego, Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, and Santa Barbara

convict lake (via)  // kings canyon (via)

Kings Canyon National Park
Sunset Campground: At a pleasantly cool elevation and less than a mile from the Grant Grove of giant sequoias, this camp is an ideal base for exploring both Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Forget something? The Grant Grove Village market and restaurant are a half-mile away. $18; 559/565-3341.
Plan B: Try next-door Azalea Campground. $18; nps.gov/seki or 559/565-3341.

East of Santa Barbara 

Chula Vista Campground in Los Padres National Forest: Way up near the summit of Mt. Pinos, this 12-site walk-in camp is an escape from the summer heat. Campsites are shaded by Jeffrey pines, and a dark sky is perfect for stargazing (amateur astronomers set up telescopes in the parking lot). Bring water—plus your hiking boots and mountain bike. Free; 661/245-3731. 

Plan B: McGill Campground, a couple of miles down from the summit. $16; www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres or 661/245-3731. 

Near Mammoth Lakes 

Convict Lake Campground: Most people come to Convict Lake to catch trout, but there’s plenty more to do. Hiking trails lead into the John Muir Wilderness, horses are available for hire, and the neighboring resort has a first-rate French restaurant. Then again, you could just kick back in a lawn chair and stare at the glacial cirque of Convict Lake, backed by the jagged, sky-high Mt. Morrison. Only 25 of 88 sites are reservable; the rest are for the last-minute crowd. $20; www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo or 760/924-5500. 

Plan B: Another last-minute lake-view spot is Lake Mary Campground, just outside the town of Mammoth Lakes. $21; www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo or 760/924-5500. 

Anza-Borrego Desert 

Blair Valley Campground Borrego Springs: This primitive camp has open sites with bare-bones amenities (a couple of vault toilets). Bring plenty of water and a tarp for shade. Within easy hiking distance are Native American pictographs, a 1930s homesteading site, and the box canyon where the first road from the east into Southern California was cut by hand. On new-moon weekends, amateur astronomers gather on the north side of Blair Valley’s dry lake. Free; parks.ca.gov or 760/767-4205. 

Plan B: Neighboring Little Blair Valley Campground attracts tent campers, not RVs. Free; parks.ca.gov or 760/767-4205. 

Near Bishop 

Grandview Campground: See the world’s oldest living trees at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, 5 miles from camp. Serious hikers will want to bag the summit of White Mountain Peak, third highest in California. Campsites are tucked among a grove of junipers and piñon pines. Make sure to bring everything you need; if you forget the ice, it’s a winding 17-mile drive back to U.S. 395. $5 donation suggested; www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo or 760/873-2500. 

Plan B: Sage Flat Campground, on the other side of U.S. 395 in Big Pine Creek’s glacial canyon. $21; www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo or 760/873-2500. 

Scott Adler, Ann Marie Brown, Alicia Carr, Peter Fish, Ted Katauskas, Rachel Levin, Jayme Otto, Ted Stedman, and Lisa Trottier | From the May 2010 Issue

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are you guys campers? or more of a hotelier?

i'm always looking for a buddy for an "up the cali coast" camping trip

interested?

wanna write a tourist tuesdays post?email me! eatdrinkbeatourist@gmail.comi'd love to have you :)

tourist tuesdays: yosemite national park

hi guys! this week for tourist tuesdays i wanted to let you in on one of my favorite places in california ever.  i wrote about it more extensively over on ashley's blog a few weeks ago and i haven't been able to stop thinking about this little slice of heaven ever since.  so today, it's time to take a peak at yosemite national park!  here are a few tips if you ever find yourself in the ansel adam's wilderness. 

must see: 
yosemite valley. home to some of yosemite's most well known sights. this is where half dome, el capitan and yosemite falls are. there's nothing more breathtaking than driving into the valley and turning the bend to a sight like that. the yosemite valley was carved by glaciers, which gives the rocks such stunning and individual shape. 

tuolumne meadows. a whole different world compared to yosemite valley. in the spring time, after the snow has melted, the meadows turn into a rainbow of colors and the wildlife start to emerge from winter hibernation. tuolumne meadows is a great place to spot some of yosemite's most well recognized animal friends.

what to do:  
hiking.  from beginner hikes in the meadows to expert in the valley, there is something for everyone. yosemite is the beginning to the john muir trail - a trail that continues 215 miles.  but don't worry, if you don't like hiking, there's definitely plenty of sights to see without having to slip on your hiking boots. 

where to stay:
you don't even have to be a camper to consider making a trip to yosemite. there are plenty of places to stay that don't fall into the campsite category. the ahwahnee hotel is definitely the nicest and most well known hotel in yosemite. if you don't want to fork over that much dough and aren't afraid to get a little dirty, i recommend the tent cabins at village! it's a great "meet in the middle" type of accommodation.

yosemite is a gorgeous place and once you're there, you'll never want to leave.  i can't wait to go back again and hopefully it will be very soon.  to me, there's nothing better than breathing that fresh mountain air and soaking in everything mother nature has to offer.

don't forget to link up in the comments and share your tourist tuesdays posts!! 

images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5