Get Local This Summer

Summer is coming (and quickly!), which means the kids are out of school and we’re all thinking of fun ways to take advantage of the good weather.  Earlier this month, I read “10 Things Every Traveler Should Do” in Real Simple by Pico Iyer.  This article made me think of ways that we could look at where we live with fresh eyes to really take advantage of all that the Bay Area has to offer.  

Iyer offered 10 ideas for approaching a new city.  Here are a few highlights:

1)      Savor every moment of your first few hours (how often do we really just savor our first look at where we live and see it with fresh eyes?)

2)      Embrace the prospect of being a tourist (even if you’re a local :))

3)      Take in a performance or sporting event

4)      Get lost

It is so easy to get caught up in the day to day tasks and before you know it the day is over – so let’s find time this summer.  Imagine, if you were traveling and staying in a hotel, you would wake-up, have breakfast as a family, and plan an adventure for the day. Looking for ideas for trying this at home?  Look for ways to plan an adventure locally…Check out the fantastic new California Academy of Sciences, Exploratorium, Chabot Space & Science Center, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, East Bay Regional Parks.  Or head to a San Francisco Giant’s or Oakland A’s game this summer for a fun day out at the park.  Yesterday, we found time and went for a bike ride, had a frozen yogurt, and just enjoyed where we live. 

We’d love to hear your ideas for fun ways to enjoy the summer locally – so comment away.