As we near the three long months of blissful summer break, you might be excited to make plans to hang out with your friends and family! We at the Clog urge you to practice caution, as all in-person activities haven’t resumed just quite yet. Moreover, it’s recommended to avoid crowded spaces, and traveling abroad is not the best idea. If you think this is going to be another summer indoors, think again. There are many fun, socially distanced local adventures you can go on with your bubble. If you’ve been cooped up this past year, patiently waiting for the vaccines to roll out, don’t forget about how many things there still are for you to do while you wait for your neighbors and relatives to get their vaccines. This is your sign to go on more adventures, starting now!

Car rides

Yes, you read that correctly: car rides. This is your sign to go on a road trip this summer with your best pals. With two weeks left before school ends, start planning now. Keep the windows rolled down and the music loud and buckle your seat belts for a fun time with friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

When COVID-19 hit and we were looking for things to do, my mom and I decided to go on a one-day trip to visit all the places in Monterey that were in the television series “Big Little Lies,” one of our favorite shows. This happened to be way easier than I thought. All we did was look up “Big Little Lies filming locations” on Google and boom, we had our list of stops to visit. If you have a favorite show or movie that was filmed around the Bay Area, this is your sign to take a “car ride” and visit the places it was filmed so you can pretend to be one of the characters. “13 Reasons Why,” “Moneyball,” “Fuller House,” “The Wedding Planner,” “Hulk” and “San Andreas” are a few favorites of mine that were filmed in or around the Bay Area.

Exploring gardens and parks

I prefer doing activities outdoors, and one of my absolute favorite things to do is explore gardens and parks. The best part is that they’re everywhere! If you’re living in Berkeley this semester with your roommates, walk up to the UC Botanical Garden and remember to take your student ID card for free admission!

What I love to do is drive into San Francisco to visit Golden Gate Park. It is 1,017 acres, so I’m not surprised that each time I visit, I find something new. From the Conservatory of Flowers to the Japanese Tea Garden and the Dutch Windmill, you quite literally could spend days exploring the park. My sister and I love to travel to Baker Beach to watch the sunset and have a picnic after a long day in the park to wind down.

Camping

This is another fun socially distanced adventure to do with your friends and family! Grab your tents, sleeping bags and lanterns from the garage and plan a weekend or weeklong trip camping this summer. You’re guaranteed to be socially distanced from others, and it provides a fun getaway from living boxed into four walls. Don’t forget to bring a bag of marshmallows to make some s’mores!

If you’re planning on going camping for the first time, I recommend borrowing gear from a friend. As long as you clean everything you use afterward, this is a great option because you’re able to save on expensive camping gear while testing the waters.

My family isn’t huge on camping, so I end up setting up a tent in the backyard — that way, I can run back in the house to get more blankets and food. I know this doesn’t technically count as “camping,” but it makes me happy and I’ve made some of the best memories in a tent pitched in my backyard on a Friday night. Movie night in a tent just hits different!

Hiking

This is an easy one that you can do any time. If you’re in the Bay Area, you have a plethora of places to choose from: Tilden Regional Park, Joaquin Miller Park, Berkeley Fire Trails, Muir Woods National Monument. The list is endless. Bring some snacks and your reusable water bottle, and get ready to get some exercise while having a good time.

I prefer shorter hikes that last around 1-2 hours, so my friend and I always use the Berkeley Fire Trails. The trail starts by the entrance of the Clark Kerr track and is a bit steep as you climb higher, but it is definitely worth the views and is guaranteed to give you a workout.

Boating/Kayaking

If you love a water adventure, this one’s for you! Explore the waters by going boating, kayaking, sailing or even snorkeling this summer. The UC Aquatic Center at the Berkeley Marina allows you to rent out wetsuits and go paddleboarding and kayaking for free if you’re a UC Berkeley student. And if you’re a beginner, there are also training classes to learn the ropes.

From road trips to camping, there are almost too many adventures to choose from. Your summer calendar is going to be absolutely filled with activities and memories. Although lots of places such as Disneyland and beaches are opening back up, if you don’t feel comfortable going to these spaces, that’s OK — there are plenty of other adventures to go on! The Clog wants you to take this article as your sign that you must start planning adventures for summer. What are you waiting for?