Summer Bucketlist

Do you spend most of summer vacation rotting in bed, binge-watching a TV show, and doing nothing? Maybe you have summer school or travel plans, but what else can you possibly do to fill the two months of summer vacation? Well, if you are wondering about that, this is the perfect list for you.
First, here are some last-minute, minimum planning summer activities. California has hundreds of hiking trails and parks, so going on a hike is a great way to spend the day while also staying healthy. Some beautiful hiking trails in LA include Fern Dell Nature Trail, Griffith Park Trails, The Brush Canyon Trail, Glendale Peak Trail, and plenty of other stunning hiking paths. Another fun and easy way to spend your time this summer is redecorating or organizing your bedroom. Having a new and clean room at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year is a great way to have a fresh start for the year ahead.
Next, we have activities that take a little more planning. Setting an exercise or reading goal is a great way to work out your body and mind. Reading can stimulate the brain during the summer when you don’t have school, and it is important to get a good amount of exercise every day, so both of these activities can be great and fun ways to stay healthy over the summer. Doing volunteer work is also a fulfilling way to spend summer break, and will also be appealing to colleges or companies you may want to find work with in the future. Tutoring and volunteering with food banks, museums, or summer camps are all helpful and productive ways to help the community and spend time during summer vacation.
If you are willing to spend a little money this summer, there are plenty of fun entertainment options. Besides sunbathing or swimming at the beach, you can also visit the pier to go on fun rides and participate in games for prizes. Going to the pier is a great way to spend the day, because there are so many different things to do, like getting food and playing games. Another great local place to go to is Descanso Gardens. Descanso Gardens hosts a number of events throughout the year, especially over the summer. The gardens are a beautiful place to go on walks, admire nature, and spend the day outside. Summer camps are a great summer activity, because it takes up a couple weeks, and you can meet many new people and spend time outdoors. Challenging your creativity and mind are great ways to spend time, so doing local activities like pottery or painting classes, or trying out an escape room with friends are very fun and simple ways to spend time.
Although there are many fun activities which cost money, there are always just as enjoyable, budget-friendly options. The beach is a classic summer activity, so going to one of the many California beaches with friends or family is always a fun and simple pastime. The beach can be very difficult to get to, especially with LA traffic, but luckily there is the LA County Beach Bus, which can take you from La Crescenta straight to Santa Monica beach for a small fee. After a hot summer day, camping outside or even just having a small bonfire when it’s cooler at night can be very relaxing. You can watch the sunset, roast marshmallows, stargaze, and even stay up for the sunrise. Summer is also the perfect time for spending free time experimenting in the kitchen by baking and cooking new things. There are thousands of different things to make by yourself or with friends, and maybe you’ll even discover a new favorite hobby.
Always cherish your time over the summer, because the school year doesn’t offer as much free time to explore and do all these entertaining activities. Remember to wear sunscreen, and have a great summer!