Yosemite National Park & Rest of Cali

After an amazing stay in Southern Cali, we moved onto Yosemite National Park!  However, we didn’t plan ahead very well… at all.  We got to Campsite 4 which was a major campsite for tenting within Yosemite and it was on a first come first serve basis.  We knew that the ranger running the campground would not be there until about 8:30 a.m. so we got there about 15 minutes early and there was a massive line already!  We drove around all of Yellowstone for two and a half hours looking for any tent sites that were open, but the best thing that we could find was our way onto a waiting list for a tent site with 15 groups ahead of us.  Disappointingly, we had to turn what was planned to be a 2-night stay in Yosemite into a day trip.

Not wasting any more time, we found out one of the best rated attractions within the park which were Yosemite Falls.  This hike gave me a run for my money for sure.  Between the scorching heat and the altitude, my so-I-thought fit body was folding under the conditions.  I slowed the pace a bit and found that to be a lot more accommodating.  The hike to the top of the falls had plenty of stops for scenic pictures and I will say this a millions times throughout these blog posts, but no pictures will do any justice for any of these national parks that we hit.  The beauty and the sheer size of these parks is breathtaking to say the least.

Making the final stretch to the top, a second wind caught on because I wanted to see these falls so bad!  Also not planning too great once again, we didn’t end up grabbing any lunch meats or really anything to eat so we had a long, strenuous hike with just snacks as fuel.  However, the dip in the ice cold water of the falls was completely rejuvenating.  I felt like a new man after dipping my head and soaking my hat for the trek down.  The view from the top was unlike anything I’ve experienced.  Each new national park that I have gotten to explore does not disappoint, and as bad as I wanted to rest and give up at times while doing the hike, getting to the top and experiencing the view is worth is every single time without a doubt.

After a long, hot day hiking the falls, we found a slow-flowing river to bathe in for the time being.  With the brisk refreshment and feeling much cleaner, we started making our way to Sacramento where we stayed at another KOA campground.  The bugs and the heat at night were a new obstacle for us.  However, laying on gravel was ten times more comfortable than sleeping in the car.  In the morning, we closed up shop in Cali and moved onto Yellowstone National Park!

Check out the rest of the pictures from Yosemite and Cali on the Ultimate Road Trip Facebook page!

San Diego/La Jolla/Santa Monica, CA

San Diego, California was the next stop on the journey after an awesome weekend in Las Vegas and there is only one word to describe Cali: beautiful.  We ended up getting a great deal from the Hotel Tonight app and stayed in a Days Hotel right outside downtown San Diego for $45 the first night and $20 the second night.  Before check in, we decided to check out the infamous San Diego Zoo and get in touch with our inner child for the day.  Walking with eyes open and heads on a swivel, we were able to see every exhibit throughout the park and were surely not disappointed with the experience.  The Day Hotel that we stayed in actually had discounted tickets which was definitely a nice perk and we took full advantage.  The zoo was sort of disappointing with some exhibits because the animals were either sleeping or out with the trainers.  All-in-all, the San Diego Zoo was definitely what it is made out to be and was an experience that should be had while in the area.  After a long day at the zoo we were finally able to crash in some unbelievable beds instead of a gravel campground or in a 3 ft space in the car.

The next day, we longboarded around Mission Beach and stumbled upon some locals just starting to play some beach volleyball which is one of my favorite things about summer.  We asked to play some three on three and they warmly welcomed us to join in.  After a few games, we were shooting the breeze with them and asked about the best place to go out on a Tuesday night in San Diego and Fred’s bar was unanimous.  They informed us that Tuesday nights were like a weekend in San Diego for the younger crowd.  We made our way to Fred’s later on and enjoyed some unique bar experiences, house margaritas, and the best Taco Tuesday I’ve yet to have in my life.  Very fresh food at solid prices.  I’ll definitely make it a point to go back to Fred’s next time I’m on the West Coast.  After volleyball, we hit the longboards again and made our kick-pushed our way to Pacific Beach (where Fred’s was located) and got an unbelievable view of the Pacific from a pier that shot out into the ocean.

The following day, we worked our way to La Jolla beach which was filled with absolutely beautiful landscapes.  Seal Cove is a must see while in La Jolla; there are seals everywhere!  While driving up the coast we were also able to stop at several beaches including La Jolla, Moonlight State, Laguna, Huntington, and Muscle Beach.  Each beach brought its own flavor to Cali.  The biggest difference between the beaches on the West Coast and the beaches on the East Coast is the cleanliness.  There are trash barrels lining the sands without a single piece of trash around them; everything is inside, how it should be!  Another major difference is the amount of beach volleyball nets.  There were at least 30 in some stops that we made and back home, we have to make it such a production to get people together to have a game, set up the net, and finally get playing.  Also,  the beach officials actually provide most of the volleyballs which is awesome!  If that were to be introduced to the public up at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire, the balls would be popped or stolen within the first week.  It is just such a mutual respect held between the officials and the locals.  After a long day of combing the various beaches of So. Cal. we drove further up the coast to Santa Monica.

In Santa Monica, a friend of ours named Rachel lives there while working in LA for Rockstar Energy Drinks and she was kind enough to open up a few couches for us.  Cory’s good friend from racing motocross, Jason Blades, is dating Rachel and that is how we ended up meeting her.  Jason currently lives in Florida, but travels frequently for his job at TWLOHA and was in Santa Monica the same time that we were so it worked out well.  The evening that we got there, they took us around for a little while to experience the original Muscle Beach and the boardwalk there with carnival rides and attractions.  A sunset that set the sky on fire welcomed us there and it was unlike any sunset I’ve ever seen before.  There was a pier with carnival rides, the ocean, and in the backdrop, a large hilly area to silhouetted by the sunset.  Long after the sun set, we went back to Rachel’s house where she had two couches and a futon awaiting us with a warm shower.  That makes for one pretty sweet night after an amazing day.

If I had a choice on location to live without any monetary or financial restrictions, it would have to be SOCAL.  San Diego was amazing; the people, the atmosphere, everything about it.  It completely matches my lifestyle with locals playing beach volleyball daily, huge beaches with nice swells, and beautiful weather 99% of the time.  If at all possible, I will make it a point to live in Cali at some point in my life.

The next stop on the trip: Yosemite National Park!  Check out the rest of the pictures from our journey up the Californian coast on the Ultimate Road Trip Facebook page!