Life+Style

Fall Activities To-Do in San Diego

Mike Stark

Fall is officially here, and no matter the season, it’s always sunny in San Diego, which means there are enough fall-themed activities to celebrate one of the best seasons of the year.

Here’s a list of places to visit and things to do throughout San Diego County this fall. 

Apple picking in Julian

Julian Farm and Orchard in Julian, CA, is open on Saturday and Sunday from September 18 to October 31. Visitors will enjoy the apple orchard, hayrides, cider press, farm animals, ax throwing, shopping, and pumpkin picking. For more information, including admission prices and hours, please visit their website here.

Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch

On the weekends, Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center will have live entertainment, BBQ, Kettle corn, food trucks, rock climbing, hayrides, and more, all running from September 18 to October 31. For admission and more information, please visit their website. 

Photo Credit: Jeremy Lwanga

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebrations

Oceanside Dia de Los Muertos Festival
The 20th Annual Oceanside Dia de Los Muertos Festival is scheduled for Sunday, October 24, 2021, from 10 am to 5 pm in Downtown Oceanside. For more information on activities and parking, please visit their website. 

City Heights Dia de los Muertos

Celebrate the lives of friends and relatives who have passed away the City Heights Dia de Los Muertos. People of all cultures will come together for community altars, face painting, mask making, and prizes for the best Catrina and Catrin contest, plus dancing, singing, and music. For more information on this event, please head to this event page. 

Carrera de los Muertos San Diego 5k or 10k Run

Looking for a fun run? Look no further. Los Muertos San Diego is a festive and fun 5k run/walk celebrating the Day of the Dead on November 7, 2021. Enjoy a scenic run or walk along the San Diego Bay to celebrate in the park with mariachi, dancers, and comida deliciosa! Join family and friends to remember loved ones who have passed in this rich cultural tradition. You will experience a great sense of community through a bit of exercise, music, dance, face painting, and a lot of fun. Please visit the event page here to purchase tickets and get more information. 

Fall at Balboa Park

Balboa Park will feature a variety of fall activities that are perfect for the family.

  • You can Take A Hike with volunteers from the San Diego Natural History Museum’s Canyoneers. The Canyoneers offer a guided hike in Balboa Park and around the area.
  • Trail of Fears/The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park will have two haunted theme activities to keep you on your toes. One is a mile-long outdoor trail through twisted pines and the other a 3,500 square foot maze. Both will keep you on your toes.
Photo Credit: Ethan Unzicker

Hike to See Fall Colors

Looking to see fall colors around San Diego County? Here’s a list of some great hiking trails to see nature switch to over to fall:

Thunder Ridge and Chimney Flat Loop

19952 State Park Drive, Palomar Mountain, CA

Sunset Trail

Laguna Mountain Recreation Area 10678 Sunrise Hwy Descanso, CA

Volcan Mountain

1209 Farmer Road (at Wynola Road) Julian, CA

Lake Cuyamaca

15027 Highway 79, Julian, CA

Observatory Trail

Cleveland National Forest

35899 Canfield Road, Warner Springs, CA

For more information on the trails above, please visit this website.

Photo Credit: Edgar Soto

Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch

Ready to pick out a pumpkin? Let’s go! Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch in Ramona is open from September 25 to October 31 from 9 am – 6 pm. The pumpkin patch features a giant corn maze, farm animals, and the ability to launch corn out of a cannon. Yes, please! For all the details, go to their website here.

Oktoberfest in San Diego (21 years and over)

Oktoberfest is a folk festival hosted initially in Munich, Germany. To view location and ticket information, visit their website here.

PB Pumpkin Patch

The PB Pumpkin Patch offers a large variety of pumpkins to choose from and has a free pumpkin carving and painting area. Also, enjoy some free hot apple cider and shaved ice for the little ones. The PB Pumpkin Patch is open from October 1 to October 31 Monday – Friday 10 am to 10 pm, and then Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 10 pm. For more information, please visit their website here.

If you do try some of these fall activities, let me know how it went by sharing your photos with me on socials @MikeStarkCA on Twitter and Instagram 
Written By: Mike Stark | @MikeStarkCA

What Do I Do with a Rest and Recovery Day?

Mike Stark

SDSU has implemented “Rest and Recovery Days” but what does that even mean?

How do we actually rest and recover knowing we have something due the next day? No worries, we are going to break all of this down.

What are the rest and recovery days?

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, SDSU has implemented five rest and recovery days throughout the semester to make up for canceling Spring Break, lame, I know.

These “Rest and Recovery Days” are meant for students and staff to have the day off and not worry about any school work. Small chance that happens.

Screenshot of San Diego Sunset Surfer from Michael Aleo on Unsplash

So what do I do with a rest and recovery day?

I know it’s tough to go anywhere right now with the coronavirus pandemic because some things are still closed or you do not feel comfortable going out yet or maybe financials are tight right now. Here are some suggestions.

If you have your work life creeping in on your personal life and want to get that under control start there.

I know it isn’t much of a rest/recovery but if this is something you have been wanting to get under control, do it. This makes it an activity you want to do and this day is about you.

Maybe catching up on your professional life is not your style and actually want to do something that is relaxing or makes you feel accomplished. I got you.

Complete the one task you’ve been postponing repeatedly.

Screenshot of Todolist from Emma Matthews on Unsplash

Do you keep hitting postpone on your todo app for an item that needs to get done? Cleaning the closet, organizing your shoes, cleaning your room, deleting old files off your computer?

Take your rest/recovery day to get it done, make sure it is not school or work-related though, that can wait.

While these items may not sound fun todo, hence why you’ve been putting it off, I promise you will feel much better after you get it done.

Secure Your Digital Life

Secure iPhone from neONBRAND on Unsplash

I am a huge advocate for a secure digital life online. Privacy is a human right and not a privilege.

We should not have to give up our privacy in order to use products and if we then we should not be using digital products, so here are some products I use to remain secure on the web.

Catch up on Shows or Movies

Secure iPhone from neONBRAND on Unsplash

Noting beats sitting on the couch and catching up on some of your favorite tv shows or movies.

Maybe you want to start something new? This would be a perfect time. If you are in need of ideas, check out my article on some of my TV quarantine picks.

Try a new TikTok recipe

Screenshot of Salmon and Quinoa Dish from Ella Olsson Unsplash

One thing I love about TikTok is all the food recipes they offer. There is literally a never-ending scroll of fun and easy TikTok recipes like the Feta Pasta or my favorite, air fryer recipes.

Do Nothing

Screenshot of Coffee Cup Bedside by David Mao on Unsplash

I am serious on this one. The ultimate form of recharging your batteries is staying in bed and doing nothing but catching up on sleep.

We are in the home stretch of the semester and you have worked so hard, especially with the semester being on zoom. Take the day and catch up on some much-needed rest.

I did this last weekend and ended up sleeping 15 hours. Something I have never done before, but my body needed the rest. I pulled a lot of late nights right before midterms and did not sleep well.

Hit me up on Twitter or Instagram and let me know what you end up doing with your rest and recovery day.

Cover Photo: Screenshot of Rest from Sincerely Media on unsplash

Written By: Mike Stark | @MikeStarkCA

Mike’s Semester Survival Guide

Mike Stark

Welcome back! I can’t believe that Winter Break is already over and another semester is here. Exactly like last semester, this semester will be fully online for classes. If you didn’t do well last semester with the all-online format, here are some tips to help get you through this semester.

Use A Calendar

Photo Credit: Screenshot of Apple Calendar from MacOs Big Sur from Apple YouTube Channel

Whether it is your phone, computer, or a paper calendar, it is essential to stay organized throughout the semester. I love to use my phone calendar. I have an iPhone and MacBook Pro and using my iCloud account, the two sync together, which is perfect when entering assignment due dates and virtual appointments.

If I enter an assignment on my iPhone, it automatically shows up on my MacBook calendar and vice versa. Android users can use their Google account synced with their android and use google calendar.

School Hack: Canvas, our new learning management system in which we submit assignments, has a feature where you can connect their calendar with your own, so all assignments professors enter with due dates can be automatically entered on your calendar.

More information on how to add events to Google Calendar are available here and for iCal (Apple Calendar) here.

Use A To-Do List

Photo Credit: Screenshot of todoist app from todoist.com

You have your calendar to keep track of assignments, which is great, but having a to-do list is also important. Being able to plan out assignments without putting exact times is important in keeping you organized.

I use a to-do app called todoist. I can organize everything by category (homework, class, work, cleaning, etc.) to let me know what I need to get done for that day. It is important to focus on one day at a time so you do not feel overwhelmed. Focus on what projects/tasks need to be done for that day and that day only and get them done.

Take Advantage of Office Hours

Photo Credit: Office Hours Clip Art from nextgengovt.com

Virtual learning is not easy, one thing we have learned from the previous semester. My suggestion to help you this semester? Take advantage of office hours with all of your professors. Hold yourself accountable in attending office hours and schedule it like a meeting on your calendar.

Office hours are the perfect time to check in with your professor to ensure you are on the right track in class, clarify any confusing concepts, or asking a simple question. You do not need to be there the entire time, but checking in can help you stay on track throughout the semester. Remember, your professors are here to help you.

Use School Resources

Photo Credit: Screenshot of Coding from heylagostechie on Unsplash

Even though we are fully online our school resources are still available to us virtually. The library on-site may be closed however everything has transitioned online. You can chat with a librarian who can guide you in the direction of finding research materials for a project.

You can access the entire library database remotely from home. Need a hard copy of a book? Not a problem. The library is offering domeside book pickup for students who need physical copies of materials. For more information on Library materials, you can visit the library website.

Have a paper due and need some feedback before submitting it? The writing center offers both live (real-time) appointments and “e-tutoring” appointments.

A tutor will provide written comments on a paper within 48 hours of the appointment day and time. You can learn more about the writing center appointments by visiting their website.

Need help with math? The Math and Stats Learning Center has transitioned virtually and has live tutors available via zoom. You can learn more about the Math & Stats Learning Center by visiting their website here.

Make Your Health a Priority

Photo Credit: Screenshot of Healthy Food from Brooke Lark on Unsplash

The pandemic is still here, we are still learning virtually, and places are still closed. It is essential for us to take care of our physical and mental health during this time.

When visiting the grocery store stock your cart with more fruits, veggies, and protein than processed food like chips, power bars, candy, and drinks. It is ok for a treat once a week but most of the week we should be eating healthy.

Here are some healthy recipes to get you started. In addition to eating healthy, working out is essential.

Sweating it out by completing a workout has proved improved mood and handling of stress. Even if it is for 30 minutes, take the time to complete a workout that you find on YouTube or check with your local gym to see if they’re operating outdoors. Remember to check in with your doctor before starting any new workout routine.

Schedule “me” time

Photo Credit: Screenshot of Surfer from Daniel Guerra on Unsplash

Every day we should be scheduling “me” time and this should not include your workout as that is mandatory for physical health. For mental health, we should select an activity that we enjoy and want to do, but stop scrolling social media.

We need to take a break. “Me” time can be anything from journaling to facetime with a friend or family member.

Take 60 minutes out of our day to watch a favorite tv show, go for a run, or practicing meditation.

Don’t forget to also stay hydrated with plenty of water throughout the day. Self-care is essential for our mental health and keeps us going through the semester.

If at any point you are struggling emotionally throughout the semester there are campus resources available here to point you in the right direction to get back on track.

Good luck this semester, remember to take it one day at a time and check in with me on social media @MikeStarkCA on Twitter and Instagram to let me know what tips worked for you and if you have some to share with me.

Written By: Mike Stark | @MikeStarkCA

Cover Photo Credit: Computer Desk from Galymzhan Abdugalimov on Unsplash

2020 Fashion Trends I’m Excited About!

KCR

There is finally colder weather here in San Diego, and all sweaters, boots, and coats are coming out from storage along with new pieces for the upcoming months.

Flannel Jackets

The first piece is flannel jackets or coats! I love how there are different patterns and colors that you can easily put on and make your outfit look more put together. These jackets would also fit amazing to not only just girls but to anyone that wants to spice up their outfits while staying warm.


credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/9710955436631264/

Blazers

The next piece is any blazers from checkered to leather. I own a black leather jacket, and I love how well it fits with any casual or fancy outfit. Although some jackets could be quite expensive, try checking out in thrift stores because you might find a high-end one!


Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/3870349669073175/

Silk Dresses

Our next piece is silk dresses! Although these were already popular at the time, I’ve recently found a cheetah print one that I fell in love with. With these dresses, you can easily pull off a casual or fancy look as well. You can wear them with a sweater or graphic tee on top or a shirt under.


Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/44332377572022088/

Crewneck Sweatshirt

The last piece is a crewneck sweatshirt with a collared shirt. I’ve seen these looks everywhere on Tik Tok and I’ve never thought I would be so into it! I love the look with a skirt under, but since it is getting colder jeans would work great too.


Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/38632509293158071/

On the other hand, it might be difficult to not copy everything you see online, but if you love it why not wear it too. I love these trends and I’m really excited to try them out! Although we might not be able to show them off, these are always great ideas that can be worn for the upcoming years. I am curious to see what upcoming trends are coming back from previous years and what will stay behind 2020.

Written By: Ariadna Rodriguez Perez