Getty Villa, Malibu
4th of July falls on a Wednesday this year. Awkward. If that makes taking a long weekend impossible for you, you may be thinking of ways to celebrate the holiday closer to home. Here are a few fun ideas to celebrate that don’t take more than a regular 2 day weekend, or even just one day off to enjoy!
Malibu Farms, Malibu
IF YOU’RE IN LOS ANGELES
Malibu Farms, Malibu
CLASSIC CALIFORNIA
Rent beach chairs at Paradise Cove in Malibu and you'll swear you're on a far flung vacay. Or chill for free on the beach near the pier, then head to the original Malibu Farm for sunset drinks and a farm-to-table, veggie-friendly meal right on the water. If you have one too many glasses of rose to drive home, the Surfrider hotel directly across the street offers a vibey respite with a view.
ART MEETS GARDENS
If you’re not a beach girl, the Huntington Library in Pasadena is a great place to escape the city. Acres of sprawling gardens surround buildings full of art and a Tea Room where you’ll find classic high-tea. While you’re all the way out East, chill out at Le Cellar for an underground library turned wine-bar.
Getty Villa, Malibu
DOMESTIC TUSCANY
An afternoon at the Getty Villa in Malibu may only be a 45 minute drive from town, but you’ll swear you’re somewhere in Tuscany. Plus, the cafe has shockingly good food for a museum - so leave some room for lunch.
IF YOU’RE IN NEW YORK
MEDIEVAL REALNESS
Cloisters, Manhattan
Need some garden vibes in your life? How about some Medieval castle vibes? An extension of the MET in Fort Tryon Park, The Cloisters provides both. Just hop on the A train, and travel back in time…
HIPSTER BEACH
Long Beach (also easily accessible by train) may have nicer beaches, but Rockaway Beach benefits from plenty of options for beach food and drinks with a hip scene. After you’re nice and tanned, cool off with tacos and margaritas at Tacoway Beach aka Rockaway Beach & Surf Club.
Celestine, Brooklyn
KID FOR THE DAY
If you’re a Manhattan-ite looking for an experience across the river: take a walk through Battery Park City across the Brooklyn Bridge to Dumbo. Spend the afternoon in Brooklyn Bridge Park, ride the carousel and have some ice cream in the lighthouse. For dinner, make sure to reserve a mediterranean feast at Celestine on the water.
IF YOU’RE IN SAN FRANCISCO
SURFER'S PARADISE
Cameron Marks, Santa Cruz
Cruise along the coast to Santa Cruz and enjoy the seaside views from Highway 1. Once you get there, jump in with the surfers at Pleasure Point (or watch them from the walkway above). Downtown Santa Cruz has plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you busy all day, but the Westside of Santa Cruz is full of hidden treasures. Head over to the Swift Street and Ingalls Street courtyards and shop both Cameron Mark boutiques, go wine or beer tasting before grabbing dinner at Bantam. Take a long bike ride along the water from the Natural Bridges State Park (where you can see a Monarch butterfly sanctuary!) or if vintage roller coasters are your thing, check out the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Bar Bocce, Sausalito
I'M HERE FOR THE CIOPPINO
The easiest escape from San Francisco is a short drive to Sausalito. Minutes from the city, you’ll feel miles away as you enjoy the most abundant cioppino from the deck of The Trident, or play bocce ball while sipping rose in the sand at Bar Bocce.
IF YOU’RE ANYWHERE ELSE
JUST ME MYSELF AND I
Celebrate Independence Day by being Independent. Think of 4 things you have wanted to try but haven’t yet, and go do them on your own. Maybe you visit a new museum exhibit, try a restaurant you’ve had on your list, take a bizarre workout class or go see that summer blockbuster that everyone’s been talking about.
OTHER COUNTRIES ARE COOL TOO
Host a culturally themed tournament in your backyard or a park. Horseshoes are a spin off of Grecian disc throwing. Bocce is Italian and Pétanque is French. All three games are easy to order online and just as easy to learn. Whichever you choose, ask guests to contribute a food or drink item from the corresponding country!
SUPPORT YOUR LOCALS!
Shop and dine exclusively at independently owned businesses to support your local community! That means no chain restaurants or stores for as long as you’re willing to accept the challenge. Just the day? All week? Maybe the month…? The choice is yours.
Written for WELL + GOOD: That time I said yes to a sailing adventure with a bunch of friends that weren’t my friends, and it turned out to be one of the best adventures of my life…