San Onofre State Beach. Photo: Parkin
I was born in Southern California and raised in Northern California; however, much of my childhood and early adult life was spent driving south on the 405 and 5 freeways for family visits and surf contests. I’ve seen a lot of what California has to offer, which is why I’ve never left.
If you grew up along California’s coast, like me, it’s easy to forget that California truly has some of the best mountain escapes. Places like Yosemite, Tahoe, Mammoth and Big Bear, provide more than its share of outdoor activities. It’s easy to forget, but not hard to remember.
Day 1:
A group of us met in Irvine, California, which is 45-minutes away from where we would be surfing before heading up to Big Bear on a journey to rediscover all the the Golden State has to offer.
After introductions were made and the trucks were packed, we set out for San Onofre State Beach in San Clemente, where we met up with Australian pro-surfer, Chippa Wilson. Chippa and I were surprised at the quality of the waves, and since it was a Monday, the crowd was relatively small.
Normally, San Onofre is not fun when you’re on a shortboard. You have to battle for waves with the grumpiest of old longboarders. But there was swell in the water, which was great for more experienced boarders and scary for beginners in the group. The beginners grabbed their boards, figured out which way the zipper went and selected their surf instructors, who were either former pro surfers or locals who had been surfing for over 20 years.
Photo: Parkin
Chippa and I headed up the point to get away from the crowd and surf a left that looked fairly consistent and rippable. The paddle out sucked. Long and sharp. Sharp, because the tide was low, exposing a long section of reef we had to walk over, which left the group with cuts with minor medical attention needed.
Photo: Parkin
Chippa Wilson. Photo: Parkin
Despite my laziness and temporary reef cuts, the surf made the morning. Chippa and I shared a peak, trading lefts and rights and basking in the 75-degree March weather. It was shocking how much fun the waves were, because, like I said, San Onofre is usually slow and flat.
Down the beach, the beginners were surfing a peak that was perfect for learning. It was far enough removed from the larger sets, but still had enough power to get them to their feet.
Photo: Parkin
After I got out of the water, I ate 6 tacos and a plate full of beans and rice, while watching 6- to 8-foot sets hammer San Onofre’s famed reef. Mexican food and surfing are California staples. While not the most ideal meal when you’re about to drive 3 hours or so, it’s my favorite post-surfing food.
The group was full and we had a date with Big Bear Mountain. Normally the drive is around 2 hours based off of good traffic conditions, which, as any Californian knows, we weren’t going to have.
Since I wasn’t driving, I decided to hop on our Chevy Colorado’s Wi-Fi to work. That lasted for about 10 minutes. I was not here to work. I was here to make the most of this experience.
The drive from Big Bear goes from inland hell to incredible. We stopped several times up the mountain to snap photos of Big Bear’s beautiful emptiness. No freeways. No commercial developments. No people. It felt more like Northern California, not some place two hours from LAX.
Photo: Parkin
The original plan was for us to go snowboarding, but due to California’s drought, the snowboarding element of this adventure would be a no-go. So snowboarding was replaced with a plan to hike along Big Bear’s pristine mountainside. But due to rough traffic conditions, hiking was moved to the next day’s agenda.
That night, I filled my stomach with more food than it could handle, again. I don’t know if it was the baked potato skins or the filet mignon with blue cheese crumbles, but there was little room for the constant flow of Stellas being offered.
With a full stomach of great food and cold beer, the day was coming to an end.
Day 2:
I’m not a fan of hiking. When I was a kid, in order for me not to complain about walking, my parents would bribe me with candy. There was no candy on this cold morning; however, there was coffee, bacon and eggs. That would have to do.
I didn’t want to be the one staying back at the hotel or the one complaining about the walk, so I kept my mouth shut, grabbed a bottle of water and joined the group.
When we arrived at Castle Rock Trail, the incline was steeper than I think some of us had anticipated. “Challenge accepted,” I thought—the challenge being not to complain and to keep up with the group. Elevation is a bitch when you’re not someone who spends 20-plus hours a week cross-training. You get winded a lot sooner.
Photo: Parkin
My mouth wasn’t moving, only my eyes and heart rate. I started getting childhood flashbacks of when my family and I would share stories of what was going on our lives, while hiking through some of Northern California’s most beautiful scenery. Today, however, a group of new friends were taking in unfamiliar, Tuesday-morning sights.
Again, emptiness and quietness were the theme. I started to enjoy the hike more than I imagined. Maybe it was the childhood flashbacks. Or the present company. Or the idea of someday bribing my daughter with candy to go on hikes with her mom and dad. Or because I was out of the office on a Tuesday, enjoying what is beyond California’s major freeways.
We reached the vantage point, posed for pictures, caught our breath and began the descent. Walking down the hill meant my time away from e-mails and deadlines was nearing its end and instead a date with afternoon traffic was becoming a reality.
Photo: Parkin
On the drive home, staring at the Colorado’s navigation system, hours from our destination turned into minutes. Normally, you’re sad that your vacation is coming to an end. I didn’t feel this way. I felt grateful that at any moment I can pack up and be surrounded by something other than palm trees and freeways.
California, we love you.
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