Hello everybody! Our new deal this week is 61% off a 2-hour Surfing Lesson!
For only $45 you get a wet-suit rental and two hours of surf instruction from a certified instructor. Regular price is $125, and we’re taking off $76 from that price!
Here’s a video of the Kijubi girls explaining this crazy situation:
Goodbye Spring and Hello Summer my fellow Californians! The first part of this years has been a blast, but I am sure it won’t compare to the good times we are about to encounter. The cities along the coast of California offer some of the most beautiful and fun spots in the US during the summer time. You can bet on the fact that we, Kijubi, are most definitely going to enjoy the hot season. There are just so many things to do in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, etc.
Here are some of the activities we hope to do this summer:
Canyoneering in Los Angeles, California: This just sounds like such a blast. We haven’t gotten around to it yet, but we will soon. In the meantime, some of you should try it out and definitely let us know how much you loved it. “…hiking up a mountain trail that parallels a deep canyon, where down below you hear water flowing over the rocky canyon bottom,” need I say more?
Jet Ski Rentals in Lake Perris: We are definitely getting out there this summer. Jet Skiing – nothing else.
Surfing Lessons in Laguna Beach: I have to admit, I still have never tried to surf, but this summer I plan to change that. Our good friend Jason does the surfing lessons, so it should be a great time. I’m pretty sure he can make me a pro!
Scuba Diving in Catalina Island: As a child I grew up in the island of St. Maarten and have always had a passion for under water life. I have done much snorkeling in my life, but not much scuba diving. I’ll be sure to start getting on that!
Do you have any good activity ideas for the summer? What are you going to be doing? Leave a comment.
Sometimes fear stops us from doing some of the most exciting and adrenaline packed things in life. Ever since my friend passed along her copy of “One Month To Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life,” I treat everyday as the most important!
News or friends inform us about such stories that relate to life, and often make us wonder why things happen the way they do. For example, this morning there was a rare and freak shark attack in Solana Beach, San Diego. A 66 yr. old man in great shape was training for his next triathlon and was freakishly bitten by a shark and didn’t survive. And then I stumble upon a more uplifting story where a 96 yr. old former US Navy pilot took a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm so he could take in some excitement and ride the fastest rides there, regardless of being in a wheelchair.
His daughter mentioned that “He doesn’t get out at all, so sometimes I plan a day where we go out,” she said. “That morning, I told him, ‘If you get out of bed, I’ll buy you breakfast, and maybe we could take a ride up to Knott’s.’ He liked that idea.”
How I look at…we’re dealt with a deck of cards each day – you can play or pass. I’d rather play!
As many may know, Laguna Beach is home to great art and many fabulous artists. In fact, the first Thursday of every month, galleries in town stay open later to host “1st Thursday’s Art Walk,” a time where all can enjoy award-winning art amid the crowded paths of pch. It’s a fun time for residents and othera alike to meander around town, sipping wine, enaging in conversation and exploring new techniques used to create such diverse works. In fact my favorite gallery, the Surf Gallery, on Thalia Street is having a sneak peak art show this Friday, April 25th. The work will display most recent paintings and prints from local artists. I can’t forget to mention the live music -that’s always a huge plus for me! The show is hosting some up and coming artists whose illustrations are recognized on surf clothing, wetsuits, shoes, logos and surfboads from a hand full of years.
Hope to see some of you there!
Apr 1
Went to the Mayan Riviera recently in search of paradise. Cancun wasn’t the destination. Nor was Playa Del Carmen. I was going further south to Tulum, home of eco-chic resorts, and an oceanfront Mayan ruin. Sounded good to me. Flew into Cancun with my daughter, who was on Spring break from Paris. Had never been to Cancun, but kinda knew what to expect; ginormous resorts side by side, all-inclusive, ensuring the traveler the most inauthentic Mexican holiday imaginable. But more on that later.
We got the car and drove south through Playa del Carmen, rumored to have one time been cool. Gooch little beachside Italian clubs and restaurants (‘course if I want to see Italians I’ll go to Italy). I’m sorry to report it is Cancun’s little brother Shit Howdy! Slightly more chill, but still one big tourist trap. The de riguer pedestrian walkway is now flooded with inauthentic jewelry, $120 bikinis, sunglass hut after sunglass hut, and the requisite Senor Frogs – and Starbucks. Everything you need for a drunken Spring Break.
So Tulum it was, one long line of eco-chic resorts nestled in the jungle, replete with charming casitas on the beach, open air restaurants, and the requisite hip “Mayan” spas. Much more authentic. No AC. No swimming pools. Just the shimmering Caribbean and her silky sand. And the almighty dollar! Who would of thought that eco-chic was really a way of saying “triple the price of the real Mexico.” Sure, the resorts were spotless with exemplary maid service. Paths were cleared, windows rid of sea salt each and everyday, beds made. But still they were primitive casitas with palapa roofs. The charm was in the rustic appointments, the sea breeze instead of air conditioning. But $325 a night at the Cabanas Capal? For studio Cabanas on a windswept rock ledge where there was no beach?
And the bargain price of $95 for their “garden” cabana? Some garden. A tiny dark room with no windows, surrounded by a thicket of jungle where the air doesn’t circulate? Sure, it would be charming and romantic to go without electricity if there was a breeze. But this was March, the wind was howling non-stop just 20 yards away, but the “charming” jungle had not been thinned and I sweltered like a Vietnam POW. I might even vote for McCain now.
At least get us an overnight fan! And the spas? I thought massages in Mexico were in the $20-30/hr range. But apparently nobody told these folks. Lowest price at any spa I saw was $70/hr. Eco-chic indeed.
Despite the gauging, the coast is lovely, the water an amazing turquoise, and the setting incomparable. When we were there the wind was pretty much constant and the water extremely choppy. We’re told this is common. It makes for great kite surfing, but ocean swimming and snorkeling is another story. And of course there are no waves for surfing of body boarding. I have to say one of the most interesting parts of the trip were the cenotes, the system of underground rivers that runs throughout the peninsula. Cenotes are the occasional holes in the ground where these freshwater oasis are found. The water is clear and drinkable, and you can snorkel through underground caves filled with stalacalites. Plus the sun comes underneath and through these caves casting a brilliant cobalt patina on the water. Capri’s Blue Grottos have nothing on this.
At the end of the trip I crossed to the other (Pacific) Coast of Mexico, where I got back in touch with my inner primitive Mexican soul. Flew to the southern Pacific coastal resort of Huatulco. La Bahias del Hautulco you say? Never heard of it? You will. This is a big time Mexican resort that was built in the 80′s, failed, and is now experiencing a resurgence. But I didn’t come to go there. I went north (or West) to the fishing village of Puerto Angel. Okay, the Pacific side may not have the turquoise water and the lush tropical jungle, but it’s dry and bug free and untouched and real and everything I was looking for. Zipolite is ther hippy beach that time forgot: same palapas on the beach as Tulum – OK maybe a little more rundown with less vigorous trash collection. But rooms for $20, and hammocks for five. A good meal with cervesa for $5. And that beloved massage on the beach for $20. Plus waves – big ones, that require some restraint. Still, El Pacifico is the place for me.
Mar 20
Yes…it is cocktail hour and I hope to be working up that sort of buzz soon, but I’m talking about a different kind of buzz. It looks like Quiksilver is taking it up a notch and launching a new line of women’s clothing geared towards the older fashionista rather than the surfer wahine. Quiksilver, one of the biggest sellers of clothes that targets surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding, hopes the new line will draw those who grew up wearing Roxy. The new line includes jeans, dresses, shirts and jackets with a price point ranging from $34 to over $100 and should be in company stores as well as Nordstrom’s soon.
Love it love it love it. Great step for Quiksilver since there is definitely a market for this. I can’t wait to get my hands on a short silky dress!
You can check out more about the line here.
Looking for something exciting and fun to do at the beach this weekend? Why not meet the Laguna Beach community down at Oak Steet in Laguna Beach for a positive, fun and friendly beach clean up followed by an action packed surfing competition. Want to surf in the competition? Why not, it would be fun. Plus you could win some awesome prizes that have been generously donated from many of our local shops and businesses for this exciting community gathering; a Cordell Surfboard, Victoria Skim Board, Hamboard Fish, Gift Certificates from K’Ya Restaurant, Splashes Restaurant and many more! This is the first surf jam and beach clean up hosted by our friends at Soul Surfing School. All the festivities will start around 7am on Sunday, March 9th, 2008.
For more information, click here.
Hope you can make it!
Thank heavens for all the surfers, beachgoers, environmentalists, and other concerned individuals and organizations for standing up and being counted, for it is thanks to them, the Californian Coastal Act and brilliant organizations such as Surfrider, that Trestles and the San Mateo campground in San Diego county have been saved from destruction by the proposed 241 toll road extension, following what was referred to as a “David vs. Goliath” battle.
According to Surfrider’s Save Trestles website, surfers across the country were asked in a recent poll which surf spot they would most like to have in their own back yard. Over a quarter of those who responded said that they would choose Lower Trestles – just behind Australia’s Snapper Rocks and ahead of such legendary breaks as Pipeline and Macaroni’s. Yip, it’s that good! Check out the Save Trestles blog for all the latest news including a very thoughtprovoking article on the 10 reasons why the Foothill South Toll road extension failed.
Some of you may remember the big swell that came through SoCal last April – here are some snaps that I took, thinking that maybe it would be one of the last chances I would get. I am so very thankful that this is not the case.
Feb 13
Its bitter cold outside and I can’t get warm water, Sunday afternoon BBQs and beautiful sunny hikes with friends off my mind. Yesterday, my friend eagerly asked if I wanted to enjoy the sunny afternoon with a surf. Chicken me uttered no because I couldn’t bare to think about plunging myself in the cold water. The first touch of warm ocean water against my skin is so refreshing, and makes me think of Hawaii…a favorite place I like to escape to. Scattering through pictures today, I found a favorite that my boyfriend took on our first adventure together to the Big Island…green sand beach. Literally, the sand is emerald green and silky smooth with constant sparkle. I travel back to warmer days when I see this picture. Is it only February?
Feb 6
Water is somehow always a lucid metaphor for a simple understanding of life’s many introspective experiences and moments. Like the mountain stream that always flows towards the sea, the movement of aqua is form and direction for sustaining an acute emotional meaning into the domino of nuances that compose our experiences.
Today I showed a young woman how to surf for the first time.
The cold refreshing sea water, the thrill of the rides, the newness and exoticism of it all was an awakening. We began to talk about our lives, our decisions, and living with them. The brilliant clear water made a much needed window into the divergent paths from which our lives were now intersecting. As the waves washed us over we shared a moment of lucidity. It was understood that just for this brief moment away from land, we were both free from the trappings of things and people from which our spirits yearned to escape, but from which our rationalities would never allow. However, this freedom also made us more aware of the prisons we have designed for ourselves in forced relationships, cages we’d become so resigned to we hardly notice the bars.
After smiles we departed. But the water in our ears and the sand between our toes always lingers a while longer, subtle reminders of those brief moments of shared solemn clarity; And perhaps a new compass by which to navigate the unriden waves of the future.