One Tank Getaways: Outdoor Excursions

Between lack of free time, tightening your budget, and trying to travel while leaving a smaller carbon footprint, it may seem as though you won't be taking that summer trip that you dreamed about during those gloomy days of winter. Luckily, Southern California is rife with destinations that can make you feel a world away from home for one tank of gas or less.

If the outdoors is what you are seeking this summer, LocalHikes.com offers tons of reviews on local trails, such as this one of an El Morro Canyon trail. Feeling up to a challenge? Try taking on Saddleback Mountain. This landmark formed by the two highest peaks in the Santa Ana Mountains and the ridge between them is 5,687 feet at its highest peak (Santiago Peak), and can offer quite the experience for both intermediate and experienced hikers.

If hiking is not your forte, with over 42 miles of Orange County coastline your to-do beach possibilities are nearly endless! From learning how to surf, lounging in the sand and reading, snorkeling, playing horseshoe, tide pool explorations, or people watching, the beach is always fun for all ages.

Another peaceful and easy way to get away from it all is to spend the day kayaking Upper Newport Bay. Orange County has a great ocean inlet, and kayaking the Back Bay is an excellent way to get a workout, see some beautiful scenery and wildlife, and also take in the views of the million dollar homes perched upon the bluffs. Rentals are available through the Newport Aquatic Center and also though SouthWind Kayak Center.

Last but not least, with a seemingly countless plethora of outdoor shopping malls including Fashion Island, one could spend an entire day walking around, people watching, and of course, shopping.

With so many great things to do outdoors here in Orange County, it's easy to travel and find fun things to do without leaving much of a carbon footprint at all.

Surterre Green Tip: Get rid of that old fridge!

Did you know that an older refrigerator or freezer uses uses twice as much electricity as a new model? Switching out the old for the new can be an expensive first time investment, but the overall savings can eventually outweigh the cost. This Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator can help you find out exactly how much saving potential you have.

Now, how to get rid of that old fridge? If you are a Southern California Edison customer, SCE will come pick up your old working refrigerator or freezer from your house, recycle it, and will even give you a check for $50! For more details, or to schedule a visit, click here.

Green Summer Part II

Here are some more green tips to keep your summer fun, cool and green!

6. Greenie Bikini: Look for environmentally-friendly clothing, towels, sandals, and skin care made from renewable materials such as bamboo, or organic cotton. For more information on how to green your wardrobe, you can find a great article here.

7. Solarize and Accessorize: Solar backpacks can be very helpful on day trips to the mountains or to the beach, and can help power a number of portable devices on solar energy, helping you save some green by cutting out the electric company. Devices such as the Freeloader or the Solio are great products to help you get started.

8. No More Pesticides! Though they may do the trick on unwanted weeds and critters, pesticides are very harmful to the air and water systems, to you, your children, neighbors, and your animals, and have the potential to keep away other critters, such as butterflies and birds. This Wiki Green Guide offers many organic and harmless (to you anyway) ideas and products to banish those unwanted critters from your yard and your home.

9. Be Water Wise: Southern California is in the midst of one of the worst droughts it has seen in years, and with water levels lower than ever, limiting personal water usage is one way to really help your community thrive during this water recession. Be certain to watch what you use, water plants only when necessary, and take a few minutes to install a low-flow shower head. For more tips on how to green your water, please visit http://www.bewaterwise.com.

10. Take the Greener Road: There are many ways to offset your carbon emissions during your summer road trip. Under inflated tires require more energy to move, which eats up more gasoline. Before you leave, make sure to check all of your tire levels and top them off. Also, driving more efficiently can help you save gas and energy. Aggressive driving such as speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds, and by 5 percent around town. Greenercars.org offers more tips on how to green your car and your driving this summer, which will ultimately keep you and the environment a little bit safer.