Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Beach camping

We had grand plans for a five day camping trip in Big Sur to celebrate our four year anniversary, but we forgot to check and make sure we both had enough vacation days. Whoops. Enter the 24 hour beach vacation. I was a little hesitant because the annoying thing about camping is that you need basically all the same gear for one night that you'd need for five nights and I was feeling lazy. So glad I gave in because this was the perfect way to spend the weekend and I think we need to do it more often.

San Onofre Sept 2015

San Onofre Sept 2015

San Onofre Sept 2015

San Onofre Sept 2015

San Onofre Sept 2015

San Onofre Sept 2015

San Onofre Sept 2015
San Onofre is less than 2 hours from our house, the surfing is great, and we both have fond memories of beach days there growing up. I always read reviews before I go somewhere, whether it's a restaurant or a campsite, so I knew that the bluffs campground there is basically a parking lot next to the freeway. In other words, the campsites are not mind blowing and you are very, very close to your neighbors. You shouldn't go if you're looking for a pristine wilderness experience. If, however, you are looking for prime beach access at $33/night, you are in luck. The campsites are on a bluff above the beach, so you hike down to the water and we spent every daylight hour there. You're far enough between cities that at night the stars are gorgeous and you can just pretend the freeway noise is waves (not really, but once I'm sitting in front of a campfire I'm pretty happy regardless). I don't think we'd ever do more than two days here, because the activities are pretty much limited to hanging out at the beach and they only have cold outdoor showers. But for a quick, easy getaway it was perfect.

Tip if you're traveling with a dog - only trails 1 and 6 are dog friendly and the campground is a few miles long, so make sure to choose a site that is close to one of those trails. We prefer trail 6, since it tends to have fewer people. Pay attention to the signs when you get to the beach! Dogs are allowed in one direction but not the other. They will absolutely ticket you if you have your dog in the wrong area.

Detailed PDF on the campground layout here, in case you're interested. We used this to choose our site, along with checking out the photos here. Each site has a fire ring and you can buy firewood there.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

The cocktail of summer 2015

I may be calling this one too early because here in Southern California we still have a few months of summer to go, but this drink was a surprise hit this year. Campari can be an acquired taste but I like a bitter cocktail, especially when it's hot outside.

Campari and grapefruit are natural companions, and this is really just a fancy variation on a Paloma. Works well as a pitcher cocktail, although I'd argue it's better shaken. I just do the modified pitcher version. Mix up a big batch ahead of time, pour and shake a few drinks at a time.

the siesta

The Siesta {recipe from here, makes one cocktail}

2 oz silver tequila
1/2 oz Campari
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 oz simple syrup*

Combine all ingredients and shake with ice.

* Bonus points - make grapefruit simple syrup. 1 cup sugar + 1 cup water + the peel of a grapefruit (I just use a peeler and make sure I'm only getting the colored part of the grapefruit, since the white pith can be very bitter). Bring to a gentle boil and then let the syrup cool. Strain out the grapefruit before using. Store leftovers in the fridge or halve (or quarter) the recipe.

My favorite (very affordable) silver tequila for mixed drinks is still the Zapopan from Trader Joe's. It's 100% agave and I highly recommend it.

I often keep some of the unsweetened fresh grapefruit juice from Trader Joe's in our fridge for cocktails (it's the one you find in their refrigerated section). If you're using any other brand of grapefruit juice, you might want to test it out with less simple syrup first, in case it's sweeter.

No, this post wasn't sponsored by Trader Joe's, even though it sort of came out sounding that way.


And just because I'm constantly scribbling cocktail equations on old grocery receipts ...

To make two cocktails:

4 oz silver tequila
1 oz Campari
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1 oz simple syrup


For a dinner party (i.e. 8 - 10 guests and some might have seconds)

4 cups silver tequila
1 cup Campari
1 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup fresh grapefruit juice
1 cup simple syrup