The double weekends of Coachella kick off a myriad of music get-togethers across the country, squeezing every ounce of good weather the beautiful parks, deserts and forests the country has to offer from spring until fall.

It can seem intimidating at first, splurging on a pricey ticket and embarking on a long trip for the promise of good times but here are some things you can do to ensure your hard-earned time and money don’t go to waste.

1. Prepare your body

If you want to make the most of your weekend escape, you’ll want to make sure you go into it at 100%. Showing up Day 1 already sleep-deprived and malnourished is a recipe for certain over-exhaustion. You don’t want that to be the reason you missed the headliner you came out for. Try to avoid any excessive partying the week or days before and make sure you’re getting a few good night’s sleep leading up to the festival. If you exercise, focusing on your core and lower body can bolster your stamina for all the standing and dancing you’ll be doing. Just make sure to give yourself time to recover before the festival so you’re not going into a three-day party with post-squat jelly legs.

2. Hydrate or die-drate

You’ll be hot and sweaty for days straight so this one is a no-brainer. This is particularly pertinent if you’ll be drinking alcohol or partaking otherwise; you’ll be more dehydrated than normal and if you’re less-than-sober, hydration can easily slip the mind. Forgetting a few glasses of water after a night out can result in a nasty hangover, but doing so after a long, hot festival day is a surefire way to make your next long, hot festival day a nightmare. A hydration pack is a fantastic way to keep your water needs top of mind all-day and night, with the added benefit of being hands-free and attached to your body amongst the activities and crowds.

3. Pace yourself

Festivals are a marathon, not a sprint. This is the guiding principle of festival veteran philosophy. If you’re taking full advantage of your weekend you’ll be dancing, jumping, skipping, bopping and jigging– ostensibly on your feet and in the sun for several days in a row. The big headliners that command the most production and attention, the ones that you’re likely most looking forward to, are often later in the weekend and later in the night. You don’t want to miss them because you went too hard during the day. If you’re at a camping festival, or are lucky enough to be in a hotel nearby, there’s no shame in planning a midday trek back to homebase to prep for a big night. Plan for a late start to the day to keep your energy up for the night.

4. Buddy up and learn the grounds

Festival attendance at the big brand name festivals easily breaches 100k so it’s no secret that these weekends can get a little crowded. It can be worse at night when everyone’s vying for real estate closer to their favorite headliners, or when big shows end and tens of thousands of fans rush off to the next big show on the docket. These issues are compounded as the massive attendance floods the cell towers and make the basic everyday communication we’ve become reliant on to be near-inaccessible. Huge festival grounds can also often look unrecognizable from night to day so it’s prudent to explore during the day or go over the map with your group before the nighttime festivities begin. A good tip is to point out consistent meeting points for the weekend so even if someone wanders off, you can find each other in-between shows. Veteran festival-goers will bring “totems”; bright props/flags on a long pole to make finding your group easier in crowds. Just adding a few unique or light-up flairs to your festival outfit can make you much easier to spot for friends trying to find you.

5. Stay off the grid

As mentioned, cell service at festivals is nigh impossible to rely on. This is a blessing in disguise. You likely traveled far and paid a hefty price to be there, make sure you enjoy it! If you can, make sure that your family and work know that you’ll be difficult to reach for a weekend so you’re not caught trying to juggle responsibilities in the front row of a midnight show with one bar of service. Get your obligatory social posts out of the way as early as possible and immerse yourself fully in the escapist wonderland the festival producers have put so much time and money into building just for you.

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Canada is always an exciting destination, full of fun excursions and scenic vistas. No matter what kind of traveler you are, there’s something for everyone, from thrillseekers to cultural sponges. Now that these friendly Canucks have legalized cannabis, however, planning a Canadian vacation is getting much more interesting.

From the West to the East Coast, Canada’s provinces have something unique to offer with the new ability to complement your experiences with cannabis consumption. Legalization is brand new, so locals are still working out some regulatory hurdles, but there’s still plenty of merriment to help you to elevate your next trip north.

Vancouver & Whistler

Nestled in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver is already often referred to as Vansterdam or New Amsterdam. In fact, there’s even a cafe with the latter name featuring a vapor lounge that allows patrons to smoke cannabis while they sip their coffee.

As the city transitions to recreational marijuana sales and consumption, medical marijuana consumption is currently the easiest method. Alternative Med Tours provides cannabis tours of Vancouver starting at 99 CAD that all start with a trip to a doctor for authorization. These expert-attended, intimate tours allow a maximum of four people, include trips to two dispensaries, and end with a visit to local vapor lounge. Couples can book a more private tour that includes a pit stop at a photo-worthy landmark.

Whistler is much more restrictive than Vancouver and hitting the slopes under the influence is strongly discouraged.

If fresh mountain powder is calling your name, know that Whistler is much more restrictive than Vancouver and hitting the slopes under the influence is strongly discouraged.

Otherwise, as long as you’re not infringing on anyone else’s mountain air or resort policies, you’re free to enjoy your flower.

Whitehorse

Catching the Northern Lights is one of the best reasons to visit Canada and Whitehorse is one of the best places to do so. The area has a thriving Airbnb community, but nothing is quite as picturesque as this yurt.

Will you need to wear a jacket inside? Probably, but the wood stove will keep you much warmer than you might expect. The Mongolian yurt, perched within 21 acres of private land, sleeps up to five people and offers breathtaking views of the mountains and Crowley Lake. Smoking isn’t allowed, but this is the perfect place for a warming, lasting edible to help you connect with nature.

Toronto

Ontario is arguably the friendliest province when it comes to cannabis consumption and Toronto is an excellent case study to that effect. Like Vancouver, you can enjoy cannabis tours of the city, but you have a greater power of choice. The two main companies, CannaTours and Canadian Kush Tours offer extensive ranges of packages, stemming from cooking classes to spa experiences to limousine tours of vapor lounges.

In a city known for its food, an evergrowing trend has sparked in Toronto of coffee shops that are also dispensaries. From Cannabis and Coffee to Tokyo Smoke, the city is encouraging the growth of a new type of establishment that’s just begging you to do a coffee shop crawl.

Prince Edward Island

A tourist trap you never want to free yourself from, Prince Edward Island is a lovely summer getaway, but it can be stunning year-round. While other provinces grapple with where people can smoke marijuana, Prince Edward Island is allowing visitors to consume cannabis in its hotels, bed and breakfasts, and motels.

Of course, you should check with the establishment beforehand since they reserve the right to enforce their own policies, but local business owners seem ready to embrace the green tide.

The post Oh, Canada: a cannabis-inspired road trip appeared first on Flowertown.

The last thing anyone wants to do after a long work week is spent two hours staring at the bumper in front of them on the 405. And even if you take a couple days off to relax, the traffic alone can make you feel like you need another staycation from your staycation.

But it’s actually possible to unwind without needing to take a major trip.

There are numerous places in and around LA that provide wellness, relaxation, and detoxification to help get you back on track for the long work week.

If you’ve never experienced the rejuvenating properties of a sensory deprivation chamber or light therapy, you’ll want to check this out and give one a try:

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Skiing and snowboarding are dangerous sports (at least once you make it past the bunny slopes) which involve traveling at high speeds with very little protection, making split-second decisions that could mean the difference between making it down the mountain unharmed and plowing into a tree. It’s not the kind of thing you want to do while hopelessly inebriated on any substance, cannabis included.

But with microdosing all the rage, people are pairing cannabis with almost any activity. So it’s no surprise that states with some of the best slopes have been compelled to pass laws designed to restrict cannabis use while skiing or ban it entirely. Responsible consumers who want to stay on the right side of the law, read on for our state-by-state guide to marijuana use on the slopes.

California

Unlike some other states, California has no statewide restrictions against skiing or snowboarding under the influence (of any substance). But while the state level is staying out of it, resort-dense Placer County has stepped in. In Placer County, skiing “under the influence” of alcohol or “any drug” is an infraction punishable by a $100 fine.

Elsewhere in California, you’re pretty safe as long as you don’t crash into anyone. “Reckless” skiers who cause bodily harm can be prosecuted in any state, and the courts won’t look favorably on the recreational intoxicants in your system if that happens.

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Hear us out for a minute. What if we told you that with some planning you can actually celebrate two New Year’s Eves and retain eternal bragging rights by ringing it in on each end of the globe?

No, you don’t need a Delorean.

There are a lot of different ways to pull this off, most simply if you have a private jet at your disposal, but for this instance we’ve chosen Hong Kong and Vancouver as our destinations to pull of the coveted double New Year.

Ring in one in Hong Kong and then immediately hop on a red eye commercial flight to Canada and sing “Auld Lang Syne” once more.  Here’s how:

Your First New Year’s Eve: Hong Kong

How long you spend in China leading up to New Year’s is up to you. As long as you’re there in the winter, you should spend some time at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival.

It’s the largest winter festival in the world, and absolutely must be seen to be believed.

Hong Kong is consistently ranked as one of the best places to celebrate NYE in the world, complete with fireworks, live music, LED and laser light displays that can be seen all over the city. Like a combination of New Year’s and the Fourth of July, their “Shooting Stars” display starts at 11 p.m. with fireworks every fifteen minutes, counting down to the big show at midnight.

We suggest spending your first NYE at the Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel, which prides itself on its spectacular city views.

Get a room on a high floor with an East-facing window, and from there you can see the fireworks over the Convention Centre and Disneyland Resort. Or you can enjoy the view from one of the hotel’s four restaurants and bars.

Don’t linger too long though, because you’ve got a 1 a.m. plane to catch out of Hong Kong International Airport.

Your flight will take you non-stop from Hong Kong to Vancouver, so you can snooze the whole way for flight is eleven hours and twenty-five minutes. You’ll depart at 1 a.m. on January 1st and arrive at 8:25 p.m. on December 31st.

Congratulations, you’re officially a time traveler.

Your Second New Year’s Eve: Vancouver

And you’ve arrived just in time to have a late dinner somewhere swanky. We recommend Oceans 999, which serves Pacific Northwest classics out of their waterfront location inside the Pacific Pan Vancouver Hotel.

They’ve got craft cocktails, killer seafood, and, best of all, they’re within spitting distance of Canada Place, the official epicenter of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Vancouver.

You could enjoy the fireworks from the comfort of the bar, but let’s bank on you being a planner and getting your tickets early, so you get out there and celebrate.

As of this writing, performers are still to be determined, but expect big name musicians, carnival performers, and lots of pyrotechnics well into the night.

After the party you can crash back at the Pacific Pan Vancouver Hotel, or just head back to the airport. Southern California residents can expect a trip back home that’s around three hours for a non-stop flight.

Is it crazy? Absolutely. But it’s a 17-hour span you’ll never forget. And more than just the bragging rights it’ll be a fun-filled experience that’ll guarantee your 2019 will start with a bang. Or two.

As cannabis has been recreationally legalized in Canada, it’s a surefire way to not only elevate your New Year’s experience, but also help recover from the lengthy flights.

Try using non-smoking methods to help keep your lungs clear and hands (and pockets) free while you party and explore Vancouver for your second New Year’s.

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The best thing about the holidays is that you get to spend time with your family and loved ones to close out another year. But what if your family lives across the country and you just don’t have the money this year for those spiked airline prices? While we aren’t saying skip out on your beloved family, we know many choose to stay local to save money.

One of the biggest benefits of a staycation is getting a chance to save, but there are also other great reasons to keep things local. If you already have family in Los Angeles you’ll get to prioritize some quality time with them. You can also get familiarized with your city if you’re a newcomer, or fall back in love with being home and find some new local favorites.

Frida by Caravan Outpost – CC BY

Ojai

Ojai’s Caravan Outpost is the premier location for glamour camping. The outpost has 2-5 day trips for couples or groups that include activities like wine tasting, biking, mountain climbing, massage, hot springs, and meditation packages. What makes this experience special is guests stay in a swanky caravan with a mini-kitchen, lounge area, bed, and outside hammocks for star gazing.

Glamor Tent by Ventura Ranch Koa – CC BY

Santa Paula

Further South of Ojai is Ventura Ranch Koa, with traditional cabins, glamour tents, and non-traditional tipi’s. Rooms and tents include kitchens or refrigerators and microwaves, beds, and lounge areas.

This family-friendly campground has multiple activities like gem mining, rock climbing, swimming, and even a playground area for kids. There’s even on-site wifi!

Poolside by Calamigos Guest Ranch – CC BY

Malibu

The city of Malibu is well known for having some of the most beautiful resorts in Southern California. Calamigos Guest Ranch offers breathtaking views of the beach and mountains. Nestled in Malibu Wine Country, the ranch includes intimate private cottages, bungalows, and large estate rooms. Guests can enjoy paddleboarding, surfing, private wine tasting, or horseback riding.

Bungalows by Pelican Hill – CC BY

Newport Beach

Inspired by the Italian countryside, you’ll feel whisked away at The Resort at Pelican Hill. This 5-star luxury hotel is a gem in itself with panoramic ocean views of the Pacific. Whether going to the beautiful Crystal Cove beach, playing golf on one of their two courses, swimming in their coliseum pool or enjoying one of their 22 treatment spa experiences, you’re bound to find a reason to come back after your stay.

Fountains by The Huntington Gardens – CC BY

 Huntington Gardens

The Huntington Botanical Gardens prestigiously boast 16 themed gardens stretched over 120-acres of land. Visitors can enjoy the garden for free which includes a free garden tour and self-guided botanical tour. Their botanical living collection includes beautiful rare plants for visitors to learn about. The themed gardens offer a variety of exploration that can easily span over a two-period, featuring a jungle garden, Shakespeare garden, ranch garden, and subtropical garden.

Will Rogers State Historic Park by CA State Parks – CC BY

Will Rodgers State Historic Park

In 1944, the home of mid-1930s actor Will Rogers became a historic state park.  The 359-acre ranch houses 31-rooms including stables, a polo field, and a golf course. Not only can you learn Los Angeles history by visiting the park, but you can tour the movie stars home, go horseback riding, hiking, play polo, or experience a movie in the park.

Melrose Ave LA by DMIR World – CC BY

Melrose

Melrose is known for its eclectic vibe full of boutiques and restaurants, but the art scene is what gives the area its unique flair. The street art that fills corners, walls, and sidewalks of the neighborhood is so popular now that they even have a dedicated web page. It’s not enough to spend one day taking it all in when you can spend the weekend creating your own “art walk” route and stopping at a local restaurant along the way.

Woman | Woman by Louis Stern Fine Arts – CC BY

 West Hollywood

Another area not far from Melrose — and just as eclectic — is the historic neighborhood of West Hollywood. One of the first major LGBT communities in LA, this city is welcoming and full of love. Galleries like Moran Bondaroff, Gallery 1988, Merry Karnowsky Gallery, and Louis Stern Fine Arts are just a few of the many options WeHo offers. Spend a day scoping out the galleries or make it a weekend excursion.

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