Top Ten Outdoor Presents for Southern California Family and Friends

Outdoor presents are the best. If you don’t believe me, read the Grass Stain Guru’s “Dear Santa” letter. But how can you wrap up play days and deliver them to your family or friends? Experiences are what it’s all about when it comes to the following gift ideas.  I would be so happy to receive any one of these California annual passes, memberships, or gifts made in my name for a 2010 filled with fun and fresh air:

All prices are for a family of four.

1. OC Parks 2010 Annual Day Use Pass ($80)
2. California State Parks Pass ($125)
3. America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass ($80)
4. Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden Family Membership ($70)
5. The Huntington: Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens–Gold Gift Box Membership ($133)
6. Descanso Gardens Gift Membership ($80)
7. San Diego Botanic Garden Membership–formerly Quail Botanical Gardens ($75)
8. Gift Certificate to Island Packers for an Island Trip to Santa Cruz Island ($160)
9. Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Parking Permit ($100-$450)
10. Adopt an Acre of Las Californias through The Nature Conservancy ($50)

A one year annual passport to Disneyland will cost a family of four between $576 and $1716, not including the money you spend while you’re there.

The thing that strikes me about this list is that if you choose everything on the list it will cost your family of four approximately $950 for a YEAR filled with all sorts of outdoor fun. Picking just the “Top 3″ of these outdoor presents is probably plenty to keep you entertained for a grand total of $285. That’s only $23.75 a month. If you want these presents in time for Christmas, hurry up and order them today. Otherwise, just write your gift on a card and the actual pass or membership will arrive later.