if you're in maui and you're looking for a little taste of luxury without breaking the bank, head to the grand wailea resort in kihei.  it's one of the nicest hotels on the island and has breathtaking sculptures, landscaping and views.  plus, there are some great restaurants, bars and shops to check out during your visit.  unfortunately, you can't use any of the amenities if you're not staying at the hotel, but it's a great place to grab lunch or a happy hour drink and take in a little hawaiian luxury. 

explore // the beaches of maui

there's no question that maui has some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet.  and there's also no question that there is no way you would be able to hit every single one of them while you're visiting the island (wouldn't that be nice, though?)  however, there are a few beaches that are on my "must visit" list when i'm in maui and i make sure to get to them at least once every time i visit.

check out big beach in kihei.  it's down past all the grand hotels and is a bit off the beaten path, but still easily accessible.  grab food from a local food truck on the side of the road and find a picnic bench to enjoy a great picnic while exploring kihei or bring a beach towel, find some sun and catch some rays.

head to black rock beach at the sheraton hotel in whalers village.  there's tons of beach space and it has a great sandy bottom for swimming.  if you want to snorkel, swim out to the rocks, it's a great place to see some beautiful fish and maybe a turtle or too!  if you're really feeling adventurous, join the other thrill seekers and jump off the rocks!

looking for more wildlife? head up to napili bay and swim with the turtles! it's a very rocky beach so be prepared, but the snorkeling is definitely some of the best on the island! 

honauma bay is another awesome place to snorkel.  it's tough to access but worth the trek.  the bay is huge and deep, so plenty of bigger fish like to call it home.  if you're not up for the hike, many snorkel excursions visit honauma bay during their outings.

want something that has it all?  head to kapalua beach.  parking can be hard but if you're lucky enough to find a spot or don't mind a bit of a walk, it's well worth it!  the white sandy beach is definitely the most coveted of areas to hang out, but there's grassy areas as well.  the ocean floor is sandy before the reef, which allows for ample swimming space if you're not a snorkeler.  swim out past the sand and take in all the fish and coral!  there's even a place to rent snorkel equipment or paddle boards! kapalua is definitely my favorite beach in maui!

adventure // whale watching in maui

one of my most favorite things we did while in maui was go whale watching.  since we were there in february, it's peak season for the whales traveling back up to colder waters for the summer months.  every where you looked you could see spouts of water popping up all across the water and if you were lucky, you could catch a glimpse of a tail or even a full breach.  our whale watching excursion proved to be very eventful - lots of tail slaps and whale noises! i definitely recommend using maui adventure cruises if your looking for a great whale watching company.  they have awesome captains and knowledgeable guides on every boat!  we have never been disappointed when we've used them!

adventure // cabrillo national monument, san diego

last monday, my environmental interpretation class took a little field trip to cabrillo national monument in point loma.   the tide was the lowest of the month and the weather was gloomy and overcast.  as the day went by, the clouds slowly drifted away and the sun came out just in time for the sunset.  i had never been to cabrillo before and was taken aback by it's beauty.  the lighthouse is in perfect condition and the views from the top are breathtaking.  i can't wait to go explore again when i have a little bit more time.  if you are anywhere around the san diego area, i definitely recommend checking out cabrillo.  you won't regret it.

some activities at cabrillo national monument:

• who was juan rodriguez cabrillo? find out more about the 16th century explorer that the park is named for.
• hiking: the two-mile bayside trail affords spectacular views of san diego bay and the city beyond, and takes you through one of the last remaining remnants of coastal sage scrub habitat in the world.
• tidepooling: the rocky intertidal area at cabrillo national monument is one of the best protected examples of these unique ecosystems in southern california.
• visiting the lighthouse: be sure to see the old point loma lighthouse, one of the original eight lighthouses on the west coast, restored and refurnished to reflect what life was like in the 1800s. in the adjacent assistant keeper's quarters, interactive exhibits tell the story of the lighthouses of point loma.
• military history: in an historic radio station building, the exhibit “they stood the watch” presents the military history of fort rosecrans.
• whale watching: experience the annual migration of the pacific gray whale as these majestic mammals pass by the park from december through february.

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.