Summer is officially here, which means longer, hotter days and plenty of sunshine.
The virus is still out there, which unfortunately means that we can’t dance at music festivals or party all day at a crowded bar. However, this doesn’t mean your days will be spent watching the same Netflix shows in your pajamas. There are several activities both indoors and outdoors that are safe to enjoy, ones that won’t get in the way of masking up and practicing social distancing.
If you’re located in Los Angeles (like us) or Orange County, we have some local recommendations for you!
Here are 10 ways that you can enjoy summer 2020 while staying safe and healthy.
1. Go hiking
Hiking trails were among the first places to open during reopening. Most hiking trails are wide enough you won’t come within 6 feet of others while enjoying nature and splendid views.
Los Angeles has several hiking trails with varying intensities. Less experienced hikers will enjoy many trails at Griffith Park while more experienced hikers will feel more challenged more north around Malibu.
For easy hikes with beautiful coastal views, check out Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach, Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, Los Liones Trailhead in Malibu.
Feel like challenging yourself by climbing steep trails? Head to East LA towards the Angeles National Forest for some high elevation views and waterfalls. Here’s a list of some of the tougher hikes here if you’re looking to sweat for miles!
2. Go to the beach
Beaches were also among the first to open and are a great way to get some sunshine without having to move. The amount of space and typical pre-pandemic practices (nobody sets up their station within 6 feet of strangers anyway) makes social distancing come naturally. You’ll be able to see plenty of other humans with limited social and physical contact while going for a walk by the ocean.
We recommend Santa Monica/Venice for the beach, but since a million others are saying the same thing, you can head south to Hermosa or Manhattan Beach (pictured below) to avoid the occasional crowding. If you feel like taking a trip further south to Orange County, Laguna Beach is a beautiful option as well.
Don’t forget that even at beaches, there are guidelines. Some beaches may require masks and some won’t let you build sand castles. Each beach will have its own rules, so make sure you watch out for any signs before entering.
3. Other outdoor individual sports such as surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking
Hiking is fun and rewarding, but temperatures are climbing and some days are too hot for hiking. If you’d like to stay active outdoors in a way that’s easy to cool off, try water activities such as paddle boarding. These activities don’t lead to much physical contact and are typically carried out at a safe distance from your friends sans virus.
If you’re looking to hang out in a group of people, the nature of these activities requires distancing between all of you anyway. You’ll just need to rent some equipment for a fee.
4. Camping
If you can’t get enough of the outdoors, go camping! Since camping requires an extended amount of time away from home, make sure you pack plenty of sanitizer and other cleaning equipment. Make sure all utensils and plates are properly sanitized and not shared. Set up your campsite far from others and acknowledge the rules of your campsite and any trails you visit. If they’re closed, there might be a good reason why.
5. Picnic in your yard or other open spaces
Picnics are a great way to relax outdoors while enjoying some food. Public parks and beaches often have plenty of room to lay down a blanket far from others with members of your household.
Santa Monica has some of the lovelier parks we’ve seen, but since so many others agree, they tend to get crowded. For a shadier location that isn’t typically crowded, the base of Ferndell Nature Trail is a great place to relax and watch hikers pass by. Here’s a detailed list of many of the parks in LA.
6. Scenic drive down PCH
Going to visit an older relative soon? If you’d like to play it safer, you can still enjoy the sunshine within the confines of your car. Fortunately, there are many locations with plenty of beautiful scenery that can be appreciated just from driving. No need to get out of the car.
A well-known scenic drive in Los Angeles is definitely Pacific Coast Highway, a highway right next to the Pacific Ocean graced by several palm trees. Start in Santa Monica and make your way up to Malibu. For a more southern destination, start in Seal Beach and make your way down Orange County.
7. Take a walk and explore your city
Another way to get on the move without trekking up hills is to simply take a walk around your city. Since many shops are still closed, now is the time to appreciate the outdoor landscape. Instead of dining in a restaurant, look for street art, such as murals, sculptures, and other monuments. The augmented reality game Pokemon Go will help lead you to historical landmarks. It’ll be like going to an outdoor museum for free!
8. Learn a new skill
Want to be productive while staying indoors? Take up a new skill. Instead of partying, your nights can be spent learning a new instrument, becoming better at one you already play, or learning how to paint. Honing a skill definitely counts as a glow-up.
You don’t have to go out and take a class for this. YouTube and Google will give you plenty of online resources. If you’re looking to gain new job skills, have a look at e-learning platforms like Udemy, Udacity, Coursera, or Skillshare.
9. Take a road trip
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can take a road trip with members of your household. A road trip could combine many of the above points and won’t cost as much as usual since gas prices have dropped.
Remember to pack plenty of food, extra face masks, and sanitizer for the long rides. As you move through different cities and states, rules will vary. Some places are more lenient than others with venue capacity, so you may end up at crowded restaurants and hotels. If you plan on staying in hotels or AirBnBs, make sure everything is sanitized.
10. Foster a new pet
If you’re willing to take on several new responsibilities, a pet is a great way to have more company. The pandemic has slowed pet adoption down, which means plenty of dogs and cats are without a home. Reach out to a nearby shelter to discuss your options and the responsibilities of fostering.
If you’re unable to foster but still would like to help the animals out, most shelters are taking donations.
