Awesome Last-minute Gift Suggestions from LocalGetaways.com
If you’re like me, you haven’t even started your Christmas shopping yet. But instead of dealing with the usual mall madness, just give gift certificates instead. All it takes is a phone call, credit card, printer and an envelope and poof!—you’re done. So here they are: My top 5 picks for last-minute gifts...
Awesome Gift #1: A Gift Certificate for a Guided Fly Fishing Trip with Worlds-Nicest-Guide Jeremy Baker
Jeremy is my go-to guide whenever I go river fishing in Northern California. I can’t recommend him enough. You don’t even have to know how to fish to have a great time floating down the river and catching huge trout on a fly rod (hint—he uses a red bobber, just like when you were a kid). Kids are not only welcome, he encourages them to join and learn. You can reach Jeremy at therippleeffect25@yahoo.com or call him at 530/209-6008. www.flyfishtherippleeffect.com
Awesome Gift #2: A Backpacking or Rock Climbing Trip with Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides
One of most rewarding gifts you can give for your family and friends is a summer backpacking trip through the Sierra Nevada (or rock climbing trip for the little monkeys in your family). Give my friend Ian Elman a call—he runs one of the nation’s top outdoor guiding companies called Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides. Everyone who goes on these trips always signs up for more adventures with them year after year. You can reach Ian or one of his staff at info@symg.com or 800/231-4575. www.symg.com
Awesome Gift #3: Surfing or Stand-Up Paddle Lessons in Santa Cruz
If you can stand, you can surf. It’s really that easy. Which makes surfing lesson in Santa Cruz a great gift for anyone, especially kids. Santa Cruz has the best longboarding waves in Nor Cal—small, safe, easy, and fun—and the friendly folks at Santa Cruz’s Club-Ed Surf School are experts and teaching first-timers how to paddle a board, read the waves, and stand up. It’s truly exhilarating. Give them a call at 831/464-0177. www.club-ed.com
Awesome Gift #4: Simulated Skydiving Adventure in Union City (East Bay)
Okay, so it’s not exactly an outdoor adventure, but it’s still one of the most exciting things you will ever do—fly! I’m serious. iFly is a $10 million dollar indoor skydiving attraction located in the East Bay that simulates the sensation of jumping out of a plane. You are literally airborne, but without any danger whatsoever. In fact, it’s so safe that the age limit is 3 years old and up. Yet it’s also so realistic that professional skydivers use it to practice. After a brief training class, you suit up and an instructor (who’s right at your side the entire time) helps you fly around the vertical wind tunnel. I guarantee you it’ll be one of the most exciting gifts you’ll give this Christmas. 510/489-4359. www.iflysfbay.com
Awesome Gift #5: Hot Air Balloon Over the Wine Country
Imagine the points you’ll score giving this experience as a gift. Right now Up & Away, a hot air balloon company based in Santa Rosa, is offering holiday gift certificates with no expiration date or additional fees. And these are classy gift certificates, printed on heavy card stock and customized to each person. No other fees, taxes, or tips are added on, there’s no expiration date, and the trips are offered year round. 800/711-2998. www.up-away.com
For more gift-giving suggestions and great deals on California hotels, log onto LocalGetaways.com.
