When it comes to summer, there are a few things every California girl needs!

California Girl Necessities

Perfect sunglasses

Here in the Golden State we love our shades. They're not only extremely helpful in shading our eyes from the bright, beautiful sunshine, but they are an extension of our fashion. Whether you like dark rims, bright colors, or cool aviators, owning the perfect sunglasses is a must! See - even our cute California Limited bear *loves* her sunglasses!

Bike

In the summer the best form of transportation is a trusty, 2-wheeled beauty. That's right. Every California girl needs a great bike that will get her from point A to point B ,and everywhere in between. With a bike you get three major benefits:

1. Eco-friendly - no gas fumes here!
2. No parking necessary - the ease of riding a bike is that you don't have to scramble to find parking.
3. Exercise - a great way to stay in shape over the summer.

Pair a cutie flannel and one of our tee's for your next evening summer ride.

Flowers

Whether picked from a garden or given to you by someone special, every California girl needs flowers once in a while. The popular saying, "stop and smell the roses" can apply here too. If you don't have time to take a minute to admire beautiful flowers, then you've got too much going on. Pair down on your commitments, take some time to visit the beach, and enjoy a "no worries", California moment. This California Grown tank is a great way to showcase your California flower love <3

Beach-friendly hair

Let's face it, ladies. Beach-friendly hair is a must! It doesn't have to be short to withstand the sand and the waves, but you do need to have a plan to take care of it. Make sure your hair products are good quality and you'll be good to go! We love a good ombre almost as much as we love this California Dreamin' tank!

Lace Shorts

The best way to be cool and feminine all in one. Lace shorts are a must for every California girl and are the perfect, relaxed yet dressy accent for all occasions. You can wear them casual or dress them up, but either way make sure you've got yours for this summer! These lacey-beauties pair perfectly with our California Grown Zip up Sweatshirt.

A killer jean jacket

Every California girl can use a killer jean jacket. No matter if its dark wash, faded, or acid wash, the perfect jean jacket will go with everything from dresses to jeans, lace to tank tops. Make sure the style you pick is unique to your tastes, not your besties, and rock that baby wherever you want! ^The perfect tank/jean jacket combo!!!

All the right accessories

Never overlook your accessories! Bracelets, earrings, necklaces, hats, or even a great handbag can accentuate your individual style. Show your Cali-love and accessorize with this delicate California Outline necklace! Every California girl can use accessories to help complete a look in a way that only they could pull together. Great use of a delicate gold bracelet with this beach-style "Golden California" poncho.

Great Friends

A must-have for California girls (and girls everywhere) are great friends! We're talking about the kind of friend who you can call up at any hour of the day. The friend who will always tell you the truth about your outfit choices. The friend who will laugh with you and at you because she knows you're laughing too. Best friends. Long boards. California Limited tanks and tee's. What more do you need?

Sunshine

Luckily, California has this need in abundance. Soak it up, but don't forget the sunscreen! Catch your dreams and some sunshine with this Cali Bear Dream catcher Flowy Tee!

Dreams

Every California girl NEEDS her dreams. Dreams for things big and small. Ladies, what are your dreams? "The Future Belongs to the Dreamer" tank is just what we Cali girls NEED to remind us to *always* dream.

Summer is finally here! You've packed up the car and are ready to head out on a great adventure, but you may find yourself wondering exactly where to go. North, South, the beach, the mountains...? The questions are endless. Don't worry though - California has everything (and more) that you'd want for the best summer vacation! Below you'll find 25 amazing California road trip destinations as well as some fun places to stop along the way to add to your list.

California Road Trip Destinations

Northern California

Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City

This lighthouse and museum is a great stop if you happen to be in (or traveling through) Northern California. Flickr by David A. Hoffmann

California Redwood Parks

We've raved about the beautiful California Redwoods before, but they are worth adding to another list! Some of our favorites include: Jedediah Smith State Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (find out more here). align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Flickr by keppet

Old Town Eureka

Traveling down the coast from Crescent City, you'll come to Eureka. Old Town Eureka is definitely worth a visit, especially the beautiful an historic Carson Mansion! Flickr by Kay Gaensler

Hiking in Mt. Shasta

Over a little ways from the coast is Mt. Shasta. Usually a destination for winter snowboarders and skiiers, Mt. Shasta has a lot to offer to summer hikers. Check out this website for tons of mapped trails! Flickr by Kei Noguchi

Historic Placerville

A less likely place to visit, Placerville is a great stop if you're on your way to Tahoe or feel like taking a day trip from the Sacramento area. With its historic buildings, free stage coach rides (the third Saturday of each month), and fine dining, Placerville has a lot going on! Check out the cities website for more events. Flickr by Wayne Hsieh

Napa Valley Wine Country

Make Napa Valley one of your California road trip destinations this summer! Find actives, wine tours, and spas to build a road trip that is guaranteed to relax you. Flickr by Big D2112

Hearst Castle

Be enchanted and overwhelmed by the stunning Hearst Castle. Flickr by Zengame

Pacific Crest Trail

Spanning over 1500 miles through California (and moving on into Oregon and Washington) the Pacific Crest Trail (known as the PCT to serious hikers) is a fantastic summer adventure! Find out more information about the PCT near you on the USDA Forrest Service website. Flickr by Steve Dunleavy

Central California

Old Town Sacramento and the California State Railroad Museum

Make your way through the historic streets of Old Town Sacramento and stop off at the California State Railroad Museum. You'll find lots of things to see and do whether you're from Sacramento or just visiting for the summer! Flickr by Jack Snell

San Fransisco Fisherman's Wharf

The bark of a seal and the salty breeze of Fisherman's Wharf is sure to satisfy your road trip curiosity this summer! Try the fresh seafood as well - trust us, it's some of the best you'll have! Flickr by aaron arseneau

Golden Gate Bridge

While you're visiting San Fransisco, make a stop (or drive over) the Golden Gate Bridge. Walking it takes about 20 minutes one way, and we'd recommend having your ride pick you up at the opposite side to avoid troublesome parking. Flickr by Kevin Cole

Mt. Diablo State Park

Hike up the incredible Mt. Diablo! Make sure to bring lots of water with you - things are dry due to this years drought. Flickr by Keith Cuddeback

South Lake Tahoe

Located next to the Nevada state line, South Lake Tahoe is definitely a road trip destination you won't want to pass up. Flickr by Patrick Nouhailler

Bodie State Historic Park

Visit an historic ghost town at Bodie State Historic Park.Make sure you check out their visiting guide before you go! Flickr by Jim Bahn

Yosemite National Park

If you enjoy being outdoors Yosemite is the destination for you! Check out their hiking guide in advance and plan a great adventure. Flickr by Hide

Big Sur

Camp, enjoy the beach, and find some great restaurants at Big Sur over the summer. Flickr by Trey Ratcliff

Southern California

Route 66

They say you can "Get your kicks on Route 66" so why not take a little road trip on this unmapped (at least by current standards) road? Flickr by Gianluca Bertoncelli

Vasquez Rocks

With rocky peaks and many trails, this heavily photographed LA park is a great day trip destination! Flickr by XavaZ

Pacific Coast Highway

The Pacific Coast Highway is more of a route than a destination, but you won't be sorry you chose to drive up the coast on the PCH with its stunning ocean views. Flickr by Rachel Kramer

Santa Monica Pier

Ride a roller coaster, lounge on the beach, take a quick walk over to 3rd street. Santa Monica has it all! Flickr by Ross Pollack

Venice Beach Board Walk

Overflowing with street entertainment, unique shops, and endless people-watching, Venice Beach is a fun and entertaining California road trip destination. Flickr by Calvin Fleming

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Make it your mission this summer to visit Mission San Juan Capistrano (or any of the other California missions!). Flickr by Sharon Mollerus

Palm Springs & Joshua Tree National Park

Whether you're golfing, spending time at Joshua Tree National Park, or taking advantage of your hotels pool, Palm Springs won't dissapoint. Flickr by Merton Wilton

USS Midway in San Diego

Climb aboard this floating museum and enjoy all-day fun! Give yourself about 3 hours to complete the self-guided tour and don't forget your camera. Flickr by Cameron Grant

San Diego Zoo

Come spend the day with the animals of the San Diego Zoo! Flickr by (left) Russ May (right) Linda California is a huge state and we know we've probably skipped some of your favorite places. Where are you going this summer? Any place we should know about? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below!   Cover photo Flickr by Kay Gaensler Source: The Grandest Road Trip, Tripit, Moon Travel Guides,

 

header photo by:

www.ericdemarcq.com

Whether you're a California native or a summer vacation visitor, it's no secret that California has some of the most stunning views - EVER! Check out these 25 jaw-dropping, incredible photos collected from locations all over California. Be inspired to plan your next vacation or just appreciate them, but either way we know you'll agree that they show off California's beauty like nothing else!

1. Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park

Flickr by Sven Stork  

2. Zabriskie Point, Death Valley

Flickr by Pedro Szekely

3. Lake Marjorie, Kings Canyon National Park

Flickr by Steve Dunleavy2

4. Mountain top in Northeastern Santee

Flickr by slworking2

5. Half Dome

Flickr by aiddy

6. California Redwoods

Flickr by Brian Hoffman

7. Bridal Veil Falls and the Leaning Tower, Yosemite National Park

Flickr by Rob DeGraff

8. Portal of the Sun, Big Sur

Flickr by Codex41

9. Near Red Bluff

Flickr by Eric Leslie

10. Lundy Lake

Flickr by Fred Moore

12. Sliverado Trail, Napa Valley

Flickr by seligmanwaite

13. The Black Divide, Kings Canyon National Park

Flickr by Steve Dunleavy

14. Malibu

Flickr by Justin Mier

15. Death Valley

Flickr by Pedro Szekely

17. Aspen Grove, June Lake

Flickr by praphulm

18. San Clemente Pier

Flickr by Cameron Photo

19. Napa Valley

Flickr by Mark Leary

20. Silver Lake

Flickr by Howard Ignatius

21. San Buenaventura State Beach, Oxnard

Flickr by Jeff Turner

22. Mt. Tamalpais State Park

Flickr by David Yu

23. Bridal Veil Falls and Cathedral Rocks

Flickr by Chuq Von

24. Marin County

Flickr by Patrick Smith

25. The Milky Way Mount Laguna

Flickr by slworking2 Did we convince you with these incredible photos of California beauty? Are you planning your next vacation already? Have you visited any of these areas before? Leave us a note in the comments below! Cover Photo: Top of Nevada Fall from Flickr by Nietnagel

California Surfing History

When you think of California hobbies, the first one that probably comes to mind is surfing! Have you ever wondered what the history of California surfing is? Like how people thought to get up on boards and "ride" waves to shore was a good idea? We looked into it and wanted to give a quick snapshot of this amazing sport and long-standing California hobby. Flickr - Rian Castillo

Back In The Day

Looking back - and we mean way back - to 1885, we find the beginnings of a sport Californians love. We can't take the credit for the creation of surfing though, that goes to three Hawaiian princes who were visiting Santa Cruz and took the first Californian surf adventure on boards made of California redwood. After that, many Hawaiians visited the California coast in search of the perfect wave. In the 1930s, people who enjoyed surfing started to form surf clubs. It was during this time that Tom Blake, one of the first surfers in Malibu, created the Hollow Surfboard allowing additional agility in its lighter design. Flickr - Ryan Vaarsi

Hang Ten, Dude

After a break caused by WWII, surfing came back in full force with the introduction of foam and fiberglass boards. In 1959, the movie Gidget was released. It focused on young Californian's and "cool" surf dudes in their own cultural element - the beach. Though not seen as a particularly accurate representation by the surfing community itself, it did give rise to the popularity of surfing. That same year Huntington Beach held the first West Coast Surfing Championship. Flickr - Rachel Patterson

Competition or Hobie

It wasn't until 1980 that the competition side of surfing really took off when California entered into the World Pro Tour. To this day, all along the California coast, surfing competitions take place in addition to hobbyists who come out to enjoy the waves. Flickr - Mike Baird

Surfs Up

To some, surfing is more than a sport though, it's a lifestyle that takes dedication. A typical morning on the beach could look similar to the photo below. Flickr - Richard Johnstone Surfers aren't turned off by foggy mornings or cooler temperatures. Their love for the sport goes beyond simple comforts. Instead, you will find many dedicated surfers out at the break of dawn riding the waves in wetsuits designed to cut some of the chill, but not all. Flickr - Wonderlane No matter what, surfing takes dedication - even when things don't go the way you planned. Flickr - Mike Baird But still, even cute little dogs like this like to surf ;) Flickr - Nathan Rupert The surfing community is a diverse one, but definitely a laid back one as well, which fits perfectly with the relaxed mindset of California. When you're out there on the waves, there's nothing else to worry about but the next wave...and maybe what's for lunch.

Do you surf? Why do you love it? Let us know in the comments below.

  Sources: Surfingcal.com, Cover Photo: Flickr - Jonas Witt

May 5th may be a Monday, but that doesn't have to stop you from celebrating Cinco de Mayo in style this year!  

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo

Flickr - --Mark--

The History of Cinco de Mayo

The mistake most people make regarding Cinco de Mayo is to think that it is a celebration for Mexico's independence. In fact, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory (over the French) of the Battle of Puebla which happened on - you guessed it - May 5 in 1862. Crazy to think we're still celebrating a battle won over 150 years ago! Flickr - San Diego City College So, why do we still celebrate it? That fact remains to be seen because, in most of Mexico, Cinco de Mayo celebrations aren't typical. Here in America (especially California) we don't need a good reason for a party though, so celebrate on!

Throw A Traditional Party

Decorations

Like this colorful street in Mexico, a great way to get your Cinco de Mayo celebration off the ground is with some authentic (or close enough) flags. You can find them at local party supply stores or you can make your own. This is a great activity to get your children in on by having them cut out snowflake-like designs on rectangular pieces of paper. Flickr - Alan

Drinks & Food

Really, what is a good party with out the food? This is a great time to get a little fancy by trying out new recipes or, if you aren't a fan of cooking, to cater through your favorite Mexican restaurant. Suggested traditional Mexican foods and drinks for Cinco de Mayo are:

• Tamales
• Chiles Rellenos
• Mole Sauce
• Authentic Mexican tortillas
• Home made chips
• Home made Pico de gallo
• Margaritas
• Horchata

Find more recipes here. Flickr - Debora is Lola

Activities & Gifts

When throwing a great party, having games planned in advance (even if you don't end up playing them) can make the difference between a boring party and something your friends will be talking about for the next six months. Try your local party supply store or check out Amazon for some great gift ideas that you can send your guests home with to remember your memorable and stylish Cinco de Mayo celebration. Flickr - Darla Dietz Toss up a piñata - the kids (and let's be honest, the adults too) will love it! Flickr-giveawayboy Get the family together and visit a traditional Mexican celebration. Check your local news website for celebrations near you. Flickr - Bisayan lady

 The Sounds of Cinco de Mayo

Last, but definitely not least, the music of the event must be traditional. For some of you who like to spare no expense, that means hiring your very own mariachi band! For the rest of us, that means picking the right Pandora station to set the mood. Either way, you better be blaring the rhythmic guitar and blaring trumpet sound that mariachi bands are best known for! Flickr - oklanica

Do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? If so, let us know in the comments below what you do to make it special!

  Source: WikiHow, About.com, Cover Photo: Flickr - --Mark--