Summer bucket list

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

STARGAZING

POOL PARTY

BEACH

BIKING

VOLUNTEER/WORK

NATIONAL PARK

TRAVEL

VISIT COLLEGES

HOBBY

HOUSE PROJECT

Go stargazing. One benefit of not having school over summer is the opportunity to stay up late without fear of oversleeping. Use this chance to go out to your backyard or a local park to watch the stars shine in the night sky. Even better, embark on a night hike to see the stars from a higher altitude with the calming forest sounds around you.

Have a pool party! If you or your friends have a pool, make use of it on a hot summer day. If not, community pools are abundant and a great way to make new friends. A pool is perfect for playing games, relaxing and getting the summer vibes going. To make it even better, throw a pool party with a classic barbeque, complete with corn on the cob and burgers.

Spend the day at a beach. Explore the shores of Santa Cruz, Capitola or Carmel! They’re great for tanning, surfing, having picnics or watching the sunset. Go with a few friends and shop around any local beach stores.

Go for a bike ride. If you’re looking for a way to also incorporate some exercise into your summer, hop on a bike. Take a ride to the park, a friend’s house or along bike trails in the area. Some common ones include the Saratoga Creek Trail and BMX bike route at Calabazas Park.

Go to a national or state park. If you’re looking for a way to get in touch with nature, going to a national park is a great way to do that. You can go for a hike, rent a cabin and just take in the scenery. National and state parks in the area include Yosemite, Castle Rock State Park and Sanborn County Park.

Travel as much as you can. Even if you aren’t going out of state or country, go to a new town that you have never been to before. San Luis Obispo is a picturesque town and a great visit that is near Pismo Beach, where you can even bring your car to the beach.

Visit college campuses. Even if you aren’t sure of where you want to go, it doesn’t hurt to check out a few campuses and maybe go on a tour. You can also chat with current students there and get some insight into where you’d like to continue your education. Santa Clara University, San Jose University and Stanford are a few universities that aren’t too far.

Pick up a new hobby. Whether it be reading, knitting or gardening, summer presents the perfect opportunity for you to sit down and learn a new skill. If you end up sticking with it, it may be something that you continue doing for years.

Volunteer or get a job to keep yourself busy. This can give you good working experiences and develop soft skills for the future.

Do a house project. If you’re also looking for a way to be productive this summer, think of something in your house that needs fixing or improving, whether it be elevating your backyard or redecorating your bedroom.