Best Camping and Hiking Spots in Big Sur California

If you are planning a camping  and hiking trip out West, there are very few destinations as stunning as Big Sur in northern California.

Located along Scenic Highway One, about 150 miles south of San Francisco, Big Sur is one of Northern California’s most popular destinations for hiking, camping and a variety of other outdoor activities.  Whether you choose to hike the many trails located in Big Sur’s back country, dance amongst the great Red Woods or attempt to reach the cool fog-covered beaches, you have a great many options to choose from.

When it comes to packing for your trip, what are the essentials and what can you leave behind?  Where you plan to camp in Big Sur will make the difference.  Streamside camping is available in the Big Sur Valley, while ocean view and bluff camping is available in the southern end of Big Sur.

Here’s a guide outlining the basics that you will need for your trip, from sleeping bag and air mattress, to the right tent and backpack.

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Free Disney Park Passes – Volunteer A Day, Get A Day

The Disney organization is doing it’s part to encourage volunteerism across the USA in 2010.  Disney will be  giving away 1 million one day passes to either it’s  Disney World Florida or Disneyland California parks.  Simply volunteer for one day at an approved organization and you will receive a voucher for a full day park admission. Families can volunteer together to earn up to 8 free passes (for one household) as long as adults are over 18 and children are over the age of 6.  All participants must have residence in the US, Canada or Puerto Rico.

Here’s how it all works:  Beginning on January 1, 2010, log onto the Disney “Give A Day, Get A Day” website and register everyone who will be volunteering.  During the registration process you will be able to select a volunteer opportunity organized by the HandsOn Network.  The HandsOn Network which has 70,000 affiliated agencies across the country including Habitat for Humanity, local food banks, health care centers and local educational programs.  There should be no shortage of volunteer opportunities near your home.

Once you have completed your volunteer day, you will need the volunteer organization to verify your participation.  Once Disney receives your verification, they will email you instructions to print out your free pass vouchers.  On the day you wish to visit the Disney park, you will present your voucher for a free pass.

At Walt Disney World in Florida the free one day pass will be good for admission to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, or Hollywood Studios.  Black out days are March 29-April 4th and July 4th.

For Disneyland California, the free day pass is good for the Disneyland Park or Disney’s California Adventure Park.  Black out days in California include 2/13-14, 3/21, 6/21-22, 7/4, 22/21 and 12/11-12.

If you plan to purchase multi-day passes for your family, the volunteer voucher can be exchanged for a “FastPass” for quick access to the park’s most popular (and crowded) attractions.  Or your pass could be donated to a designated non-profit organization for an underpriviledged family to use.

Congratulations to the Disney organization for inspiring volunteerism in both old and young across the United States and Canada.

Be A Master Winemaker For A Day in Napa California

Learn the tricks of the wine trade by crafting your own signature blend and creating an exclusive  private label at Folio Enoteca’s ‘Winemaker For A Day’ program in the Napa Valley, California. Brought to you by the Michael Mondavi family, the ‘Winemaker For a Day’ program is designed to introduce wine enthusiasts to all levels of the art of wine making.  The hour long session covers the fundamentals of customer blending and helps consumers identify their own taste profile.  Participants sample a number of varietals directly from the barrel and then choose components that appeal to their individual taste buds.  Selections can be made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir and Syrah, and from either new French oak or second-year French oak barrels.

Participants are able to create a style of wine distinctly for themselves, ranging from ‘big and opulent to subtle and elegant’ says Mondavi.  Following the wine blending process, participants select a bottle and closure type of their liking and then craft a custom wine label.  There is a two-case minimum purchase and the final pricing will depend on the type of base wines selected for the blend.

The ‘Winemaker For A Day’ program takes place at the Oxbow Public Market in the Folio Enoteca & Winery (family wine bar, cafe and micro-winery) in downtown Napa.  For more information contact Jemina Whitman at 707-256-3700 or jwhitman@foliowine.com