Cool runnings: 20 music must-haves for your next race
With the wintry and biting cold-ish weather coming to an end, it won’t be long before the sidewalks, the parks, the shorelines, and the off-road trails are teeming with members of California’s considerably active running community. And whether you’re gearing up for an easy-peasy 5K, an ambitious 10K, a what-was-I-thinking half-marathon (that’s 13.1 miles!), or the goal of all goals, the big kahuna, the distance reserved only for the disciplined and determined also known as the marathon* (26.2 miles), you will need all the help you can get to psych yourself up for the training prior to race day. And what better way to get the party started than with awesome tunage? Creating an effective soundtrack for running is a science – you have to have the right balance of old hits and new, with a fair mix of slow songs (so you still have some beats when you’re catching your breath) and up-tempo tracks (when you’re ready to show your fellow runners what your legs are made of). It’s also part math: You need to make sure your entire playlist is long enough time-wise to carry you to the finish line. Lastly, it’s an art – not only do you want your songs to have a catchy beat, you want them to have a lyric or a phrase with a message of sorts, one that makes you want to go and hit the ground running. Without further ado, here are 20 awesome anthems to get you properly amped for your run (Total Running Time: 1 hour, 14 minutes): *ultra-marathons are actually longer than marathons, in case you wanted to liquefy your legs ;-)
Are you a fan of ocean activities or a true art lover? What do you do to relax? Spend a day at the beach, swimming and getting tanned, or maybe you’d rather admire some creative, fresh art pieces? At Laguna Beach, a small quaint town south of Los Angeles, you don’t have to choose. An amazing stretch of coastline and beautiful cliff top settings are natural gifts of this city. They called thousands of artists throughout the years and now Laguna Beach can boast with dozens of art galleries and renowned art festivals. The exquisite atmosphere wouldn’t have been complete without the high number of classy boutiques, where you find everything from seashell chandeliers to wind chimes.
Go to the beach: and you’ll find heaven
It goes without saying that the seven miles of amazing sandy beaches are a thrill for any beachgoer. Many tourists like to go for a swim and soak up the sun. But surfing on California’s best waves and diving into the magical underwater world are also common activities among visitors and locals.
And we’ll share a little local secret with you: try the 1000 steps beach. You’ll feel as if you rented your own beach. It is true that climbing up and down the 200+ steps can be a bit difficult. But the gorgeous empty beach is very rewarding, we assure you.
Laguna Beach Artwalk: FREE art, music, drinks and friends
Every first Thursday of each month is Open Studios Day in Laguna Beach. If you are an art lover, this event is custom made for you. But even if you are just an amateur, we are sure you’ll enjoy the event. Artists are onsite and very fun to talk to. They usually tell interesting stories about their work so you’ll get valuable insights. Above all, almost all galleries offer free wine and other drinks, free snacks & live music. Take the Artwalk and feel the great artistic vibe!
Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari: have you ever kissed a dolphin?
From tens of dolphins and cute baby dolphins jumping in and out of water to majestic Blue Whales, you’ll get to admire the most amazing creatures of the marine world. After seeing bottlenose dolphins, Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, Orca Whales, this ocean adventure will become your favorite excursion and you’ll come back every year to meet your marine friends.
Laguna Culinary Classes: become a gourmet professional and impress your friends and family
It’s fun and educative. You explore different culinary styles and techniques and learn to prepare delicious menus. Only top notch ingredients are used and the best part is that you can take the food home. If you are a wine lover, you’ll surely like Wine Basics course or Food & Wine Pairing classes. Wouldn’t it be nice to go home after your relaxing holiday and be a pro in pairing wine with your favorite dishes?
Eva’s – a Caribbean Kitchen: where awesome meets fresh and tasty
Of course, the rum: sugar cane rum, vanilla rum, mango rum. And any kind of Caribbean cocktails based on rum you can think of for a tipsy fun time. But beyond this, the fish here is really fresh, the jerk pork is mind-blowing and the Callaloo soup (made with okra, coconut milk, clam and lobster base) will definitely become the favorite dish of seafood lovers.