90 Miles Or Bust: Outdoor Activities Near NYC And LA
by Megan L. Wood
The first time I heard someone who lived in New York emphasize how important it is to get out of the city in the summer, I rolled my eyes. Now, I start party conversations by asking attractive men if they are “getting out” this summer, as if we live in Sing Sing and not Carroll Gardens. Anyway, it’s really important to get out of the city in the summer you guys, you know, to avoid the crowds and the heat. Here’s a quick list of fun outdoor activities within 90 miles of Los Angeles and New York City.
From Los Angeles:
Channel Islands National Park (66.8 miles)
Isn’t it strange that people who live in Los Angeles avoid the city’s beaches like they’re covered in hypodermic needles? Oh, they are? That’s reasonable then. To get to the Channel Islands you’ll obviously drive your car, and then take a boat. Once you’re there you can snorkel, hike, dive, kayak, and take photos to upload on Instagram. Some people call the islands the Galapagos of North America because of their animal diversity and pristine beauty, but some people call it standing on line instead of standing in line, so you really have to arrive at your own conclusions. Bring sunscreen and food, which is good advice for everywhere. Photo: flickr user Ken Lund
Disneyland (27.8 miles)
Disneyland is different than Disney World, which is located in Florida, though both parks claim to be the happiest place on Earth which is just not possible if you think about it. Regardless, if you have children or friends who act like children then you’d probably be pretty into the Alice in Wonderland ride or the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. Personally, I would spend a good deal of time with Ariel’s Undersea Adventure because I was way into mermaids in first grade, and thinking about defying my dad by running away with a prince who didn’t say much. It’s a bonus that the park is open until midnight in the summer. Photo: flickr user: Sean MacEntee
Cielo Malibu Estate Vineyard (37.7 miles)
Do you have one friend who doesn’t really like to drink but does love fresh air and would enjoy admiring wine country while you got slowly drunk on a cabernet flight? Me, too. Maybe we have the same friend? Sign that friend up to be your sober driver (you should really buy them lunch as a thank you) and head to Cielo Malibu Estate Vineyard. On Sundays they have brunch from 9 to 12 and we all know that brunch is code for “acceptable to drink before noon.” The olive trees are really beautiful and if you squint you can pretend you’re in Italy. Photo: flickr user: kthread
From New York
Bear Mountain State Park (42.5 miles)
Don’t worry, you probably won’t see any actual bears at Bear Mountain State Park. Mostly, you’ll see lots of other New Yorkers while you swim and hike. The now infamous (thanks Mark Sanford) Appalachian Trail runs through the park and there are views of Manhattan. You should definitely bring a picnic lunch and yell out “bear!” to see if other people look and or try to take a photo of it with their phones. They definitely will. Photo: flickr user: rachel in wonderland
Jones Beach (39.5 miles)
Yeah, it’s great to chime in on the Brighton Beach versus Rockaway Beach debate, but everyone already knows that borscht is not as great as tacos. It’s time to add a third best beach contender with Jones Beach in Long Island which has almost seven miles of sand, a boardwalk, food court, mini golf course, and two swimming pools if you’re really afraid of the ocean or whatever. Probably you should get over that. Photo: flickr user Hans J E
Woodbury Commons Premium Outlet Malls (45.8 miles)
Technically, you’re outdoors while you walk in and out of the 220 shops at the mall, so I don’t want to hear that this isn’t an outside activity. Plus, you won’t be missing the thick puddle of humidity we call summer air when you’re breathing normally inside an air conditioned environment with discount designer fashions in front of you. Summer is basically over after the 4th of July anyway, so now’s the time to stock up on jeans and boots. Photo: flickr user: Joe Shlabotnik
Top photo: flickr user Jake Sutton