Unique things to do in Sierra Nevada

(Dates and times are flexible. I can accommodate most dates and times. ) Each guest will get a llama of their choice to walk with. We will start with snacks and drinks and then go on a full tour of the farm. After seeing all the animal fields we will walk with the llamas on a small forest trail along a seasonal creek. On our walk we will look at some ancient Indian acorn grinding rocks. Cold drinks, a pie & ice cream will be offered on the shady lawn at the end of the tour. If you like shopping: I have a small store with gifts, antiques and book right next door. In the summer guests could take a refreshing swim in the swimming pool. A small pool is available for young children. Minimum group size is 2. If you are booking just one space, I might have to cancel if there are no additional bookings. My dates, times and group sizes are flexible. Please contact me if you like to schedule something on a specific day or time. Group or school tours are available, please inquire. Other things to note: During the rainy season rain boots are best since the fields can be muddy. Good walking shoes or boots are best during the dry seasons. The walk is on somewhat uneven lawns and pathways so if you have difficulties walking bring a cane or special shoes.

We strive to integrate the natural wisdom of the llama with the cultural heritage of this intelligent creature by relating knowledge of the Andean cosmology and the Andean spiritual path. Here you will have the opportunity to meet, greet, interact with and communicate with our specially trained llama friends. This Experience is about llamas for wellness and educational proposes. We do believe in llamas as healers and messengers of Mother Nature (Pachamama). We want you to experience their medicine and help us on their training too. Safety is always top priority for guests and the llamas, so our program will be different on a winter day after a rainy week than it will be on a hot August afternoon. Please wear comfortable shoes and country clothing. We will put you into situations where you will be able to understand who these llamas are, personally discovering the different personalities that make up our herd. Other things to note We will introduce you to our "Speechless Brothers". Be prepared to learn all about llamas. They are smart, clean and personable. Let them know you are as well.

LIMITED TOURS, BOOK EARLY... CURRENTLY WE ARE IN LONELY PLANET TOP 6 FORAGING DESTINATIONS IN THE US, and featured in the LA Times, SF Gate, Sunset, and Eating Well. All along the pristine coast of Central California, many species of delicious edible seaweeds exist. Kelp is some of the most tasty and nutritious of wild superfoods! I will meet participants and take them to seldom visited local spots and teach them basic phycology (marine algae science) and sustainable harvesting techniques. Not only will participants partake in a unique experience surrounded by breathtaking scenery, but they will leave with the knowledge of how to sustainably harvest nutritious seaweed for themselves for years to come. We make an amazing seaweed Ramen in the traditional Japanese form at the end. Other things to note I WILL SEND YOU EXACT LOCATION AFTER BOOKING > We will be harvesting edible seaweed. Unlike land foraging, there are no toxic seaweeds to worry about. We will show you how to tide pool with minimal impact upon the marine environment. If you book a private tour, please list the actual number of people that will be attending. Thank you!

We'll start by foraging through the farm to make a diverse "goat salad." We'll walk through the garden, stop to admire the beehives, meet the pigs, and then feed and pet our silly goats and adorable Babydoll sheep. Once our goats and sheep have had their salads, we’ll hand feed our gentle dairy cow, Harper, some of her favorite treats. After washing off any cow slobber, we'll treat you to a light seasonal farm picnic. You'll then walk off those calories by taking our miniature horses for a stroll, and you'll pet and feed these sweeties. Following our horse experience, we'll step in with the chickens and ducks. We'll feed them organic hen scratch and farm greens, if available. We'll watch them happily scratch around and quack and coo, and you can hold and pet them if you’d like too. While they’re scratching around, we’ll step into the coops to check for eggs. We'll compare the various types, shapes, colors, and sizes. We'll finish our experience with a calm and relaxing visit with our bunnies. We'll pet and feed these sweet and soft fur balls. All along the experience, you will learn fun facts about our diverse plant and animal family, and you’ll leave with a seasonal farm gift. Other things to note: Wear comfortable closed-toed walking shoes and clothes you don't mind possibly getting a bit dirty. Boots and long pants are ideal. *Great for teams and team-building too!

Experience the wonder of honey bees in a beautiful, urban farm setting! Bees are important to our environment and we want to help you learn more about how bees live together in the hive and function as a superorganism. Is your preferred date sold out? Message us! After touring the urban farm and spotting the many pollinators busy collecting nectar and pollen on the flowers, we will move to the honey bee hives where you'll suit up and become a beekeeper with me. This experience is fun and engaging for anyone curious about the secret life of bees or connecting with nature. You don't have to be interested in becoming a beekeeper to have a great time. You will see the bees up close and personal as you hold bees in your hands and look inside the hive. I'll point out the different jobs the bees are doing, explain how they make honey, show you the baby bees and maybe even spot the queen. We'll conclude with a honey tasting including seasonal fruit so you can taste the honey made by the bees you visited. During the honey tasting held near the baby goats and picnic tables, we'll talk more about bees, pollination and honey. Other things to note: Please wear full length pants, socks that completely cover ankles and closed-toe shoes. Let me know of any bee, food or honey allergies. You might consider wearing unscented sunscreen and bringing a hat for the farm walk.

Voted one of the top ten tasting room experiences in America by USA Today, LXV's Wine Lounge is located in the heart of downtown Paso Robles and offers guests a unique sensory wine and spice pairing experience. We pair each of our wines with a custom spice blend that has been assembled by our team. These pairings mirror, complement, and sometimes contrast the flavors of our wines—unraveling deeper, more subtle notes that wink in and out of conscious recognition, revealing a degree of complexity and depth that is sometimes elusive to the most trained palate. We will first introduce the guests to the three paradigms covered in the tasting: Terroir, Vintages, and Aging. Then four LXV wines will be paired with highly curated seasonings - each pairing is meant to deconstruct the various aspects of the wine. For example, the Reserve Cabernet Franc, an homage to Chinon, will be paired with mint, peppermint, herbs and black garlic to highlight the complex flavors of cooked black fruit, baking spices and game. Other things to note The spices are served on cheese. For Vegan guests, we can serve the spices as-is. This activity is for people 21 years +

Not only does The Central Coast of California have a vibrant local music scene, it also has a plethora of amazing little cliffside nooks and crannies to watch the sunset from! Experience both of these things at once by taking in the sunset at local favorite "Dinosaur Park" in Shell Beach while listening to a specially curated "acoustic sunset serenade" performed by myself, local singer/songwriter Kevin Graybill, known more simply by the stage moniker "Graybill." I call my genre "Coastal Folk" or "Ganja Blues," most often compared to Jack Johnson. I was living in this very neighborhood when I recorded my award winning "High Tide/Low Tide" album...I worked on some of the songs in the very locations I'll be playing for you! That special album led to a collaboration with G. Love of G. Love & Special Sauce not too long afterwards...it all started at these little "sunset perches." After the whole group arrives, I'll lead us to the special spot I've chosen ahead of time, I'll have blankets laid out to sit on, local wine to drink (Kombucha for non-drinkers), and music ready to play! The custom setlist will include some originals, covers...storytelling...really, whatever the moment is asking for :) Feel free to be part of an engaged listening audience, or simply be cozy and let it accompany your sunset gazing in the background :) Music preview below: GraybillMusic dot com

Less than a 30 minutes from Monterey Bay, this experience, for 12 years olds and up, includes learning about alpacas then a trek/hike around the farm while leading your own alpaca! We begin in the Tuscan inspired barn, housing our horses and friendly donkey, "Jack". "Alpacas 101"-a 45 minute interactive talk regarding: origin, use, fleece, biology, breeding & behavior, helps you become an "Alpaca Expert"! Next each person pairs with an alpaca to start our trek. The trail starts through a wooded ravine, across a bridge, then adjacent to a 2,000 acre ranch where you will see beautiful vistas of the surrounding hills and mountains of Carmel Valley. We stop under a large oak trea for refreshments where we interact with the alpacas. Continuing on the trail we go back to the pastures, passing horses, alpacas, goats and more stunning views of the Valley. There will be ample opportunities to engage with your furry friends and take photos of the landscape as well as the alpacas. Other things to note: the Alpaca Trek is not suitable for children under 12. Must be able to physically walk/hike up a moderately sloped trail while leading 150+ pound alpaca. Wear proper shoes for hiking. Running shoes/sneakers are ok. We will still go on the trek if there is light rain-so if this is the forecast bring rain hats/ponchos. Be sure to bring your camera or smartphone to take lots of photos!

Private yacht class boat tour on Lake Tahoe for up to six guests Cost is $600 for two hours. We meet at the Tahoe keys Marina after going over safety and rules we get on board and I will be your captain and narrator for a two hour boat tour following the shoreline from the Marina through emerald bay to DL Bliss state park, Rubicon Estates, Sugar Pine Point and back to the marina. See Vikinsholm, Eagle Falls, the tea house on Fannette Island,the cliffs of DL Bliss state park and Rubicon Estates all by boat instead of fighting traffic and Hassle with parking. Meet me between “the fresh Ketch “ restaurant and the boat ramp inside the tahoe keys marina . Look for my sign “ Tahoe Emerald Bliss Boat Tour” your welcome to bring whatever you like to eat and drink please wear sunscreen and bring towels if you plan on getting in the water

(Dates and times are flexible. I can accommodate most dates and times. ) Each guest will get a llama of their choice to walk with. We will start with snacks and drinks and then go on a full tour of the farm. After seeing all the animal fields we will walk with the llamas on a small forest trail along a seasonal creek. On our walk we will look at some ancient Indian acorn grinding rocks. Cold drinks, a pie & ice cream will be offered on the shady lawn at the end of the tour. If you like shopping: I have a small store with gifts, antiques and book right next door. In the summer guests could take a refreshing swim in the swimming pool. A small pool is available for young children. Minimum group size is 2. If you are booking just one space, I might have to cancel if there are no additional bookings. My dates, times and group sizes are flexible. Please contact me if you like to schedule something on a specific day or time. Group or school tours are available, please inquire. Other things to note: During the rainy season rain boots are best since the fields can be muddy. Good walking shoes or boots are best during the dry seasons. The walk is on somewhat uneven lawns and pathways so if you have difficulties walking bring a cane or special shoes.

At Bluebird Farm we offer an intimate family-friendly experience for all ages. When you arrive we will say hello, go over the farm rules, give a quick tour of the property and amenities then the fun begins. There's no strict timeline, you can enjoy the 3 hours at your own pace. You can meet all the animals like our alpaca, Scottish Highland cows and calf, horses, goats, mini horses and mini donkeys. We have a small critter corner where you can hang with a bunny, ducks, a tortoise, guinea pigs and chickens. Mini horse rides are available for kids (75lb weight limit) and a hayride is available for everyone! ***mini horse rides and hay ride NOT included on discounted weekday tours*** Kids can roam and use their imagination at the outdoor play area. There's a mini farmers market, play house, flower shop, garage with power wheels, mini garden, mud kitchen, sandbox and swings. Make sure to bring your own lunch and snacks. Between the activities you can sit down at the picnic tables and enjoy your lunch under the oak trees. There's an outdoor hand washing station and bathroom available. We ask you please wash your hands before and after petting and feeding the animals.

On this adventure, we will be exploring with snowshoes, immersing ourselves in the forest under a constellation filled night sky. Without a doubt, exploring winter landscapes under the stars is an unmatched experience. There is stillness, peacefulness, and silence that only exist under the night sky, allowing for an opportunity to tap into the wilderness unattainable during the day. After strapping snowshoes to our boots, we relaxingly walk through the shadows of tall Pine and Fir trees gaining access to large alpine meadows. Through these meadows, the expanse of the night sky opens up allowing the twilight to illuminate the snow. Snow crystals on the surface of the snow catch and reflect light creating an ever-changing flickering show as we move with each step. Roughly 2 hours will be spent walking through the various meadows and forests as we create a loop. Due to the large meadows and open sky various constellations ranging from Orion, Pegasus, Pisces, Andromeda, and more will be available to see and be pointed out with a high-powered laser. Due to the area and time of day, seeing another group will be unlikely. So step off the beaten path and allow me to show you a true mountain outing you won’t surely forget. Full Moon Hikes: Dec 2nd-7th (Full Moon on Dec 7th) Jan 1st-6th (Full Moon on Jan 6th) Feb 1st-5th (Full Moon Feb 5th) Mar 2nd-7th (Full Mar 7th)

Bring your family and/or friends to a once in a lifetime Scottish Highland photoshoot and interaction experience! Each experience will last about 45 minutes and will involve education about the breed as well as interaction with the cattle such as feeding, brushing and petting. Pictures will be taken in an outdoor/barn setting with at least one cow or calf. Photos will be taken by a professional photographer and will be available within 3 days in digital form. Address will be provided after booking. **Dogs cannot be brought on the farm tour/to the farm. ***Please follow the detailed directions that are sent to you in the messages and use the address provided by us. Airbnb directions will not bring you to our farm.

We will meet at the drive-way and proceed to: 1. Visit with our adorable newborn baby goats, pet, let them nibble from your hand and take them on a little walk. 2. Visit and feed the cows, be surprised by how their tongue feels when they take the hay off your hand and perhaps watch their calves nurse ( calves-yes!) 3. Visit with our talkative geese and photoshoot with "Good Boy" our handsome male goose (depending on his mood) 4. Visit and feed our beautiful variety chickens and collect eggs. (chicks-seasonal) 5. Visit and feed the ducks, watch them swim and frolic play 6. Visit with our soft and gentle rabbits and cuddle them. 7. Visit with our adorable young and gentle alpacas We do birthday/baby shower parties...etc here as well as homestay here as well: For stay at our guest houses after the tour: https://airbnb.com/h/back-to-eden-guest-house https://airbnb.com/h/havilahland-guest-house

*** Our StarSense has been repaired by Celestron, and we have completed upgrades to our telescope pad. It's time for winter astronomy! Come see the tail end of Jupiter for the season, the surface of Mars, the beautiful Orion Nebula and more before they set for the year! *** Join an amateur astronomer with almost 40 years of experience observing the night sky from Murphys, and take advantage of dark skies unlike anything in the city as we view beautiful astronomical objects through one of the largest telescopes available on the non-professional market (please note the photos of our scope were taken in the Bay Area-the skies in Murphys are MUCH darker!). Depending on the time of year, you will view planets, double stars and star clusters, nebulae and other galaxies through our 14-inch Celestron Edge-HD telescope. Telescopes invoke wonder like you've never experienced! Imagine viewing a galaxy of half a trillion stars as it looked before humans walked upright, or a star that ripped itself apart in a supernova a millennium ago. You decide how much time you spend with each object-small groups mean you never have to wait to look into the eyepiece (we limit bookings to 4 people each viewing; however, we are happy to accept SINGLE groups larger than 4 - just message us in advance and we'll adjust AirBNB's limits). Note - we don't observe during the first to third lunar quarters.

We strive to integrate the natural wisdom of the llama with the cultural heritage of this intelligent creature by relating knowledge of the Andean cosmology and the Andean spiritual path. Here you will have the opportunity to meet, greet, interact with and communicate with our specially trained llama friends. This Experience is about llamas for wellness and educational proposes. We do believe in llamas as healers and messengers of Mother Nature (Pachamama). We want you to experience their medicine and help us on their training too. Safety is always top priority for guests and the llamas, so our program will be different on a winter day after a rainy week than it will be on a hot August afternoon. Please wear comfortable shoes and country clothing. We will put you into situations where you will be able to understand who these llamas are, personally discovering the different personalities that make up our herd. Other things to note We will introduce you to our "Speechless Brothers". Be prepared to learn all about llamas. They are smart, clean and personable. Let them know you are as well.

I would love to be your Tahoe local friend and lead you on a 2 mile hike to a beautiful overlook of Emerald Bay and the ENTIRE Lake Tahoe basin. In my 23 years of living here, I have explored many of the trails and much of shoreline around Tahoe and this vantage point is one of my favorites. Also available for the sunrise, sunset, and/or moonrise! Great for groups and team building. Beginner and kid friendly too. Intermediate-level hike available too. The experience begins with a paved walk on a campground road. Then the trail turns to dirt with a slight incline for about ¼ mile until we get to the lookout point. After, we can return on a dirt trail or on the paved road or if there is time, we can choose a longer route. If you are visiting Tahoe during the winter time, the hike will most likely be covered in snow. Snow boots or hiking boots will be needed. I can bring a sled to help tow the kiddos. The hike may be weather dependent due to heavy snowfall. My goal is to make sure that you have an unforgettable visit to Lake Tahoe and that you leave with tons of photos (I will take the photos and then give them to you via your phone). We will keep our impact to the area minimal with Leave No Trace principles and choose non-peak hiking times. I am happy to try and accommodate mobility challenged/differently abled folks on the hike.

LIMITED TOURS, BOOK EARLY... CURRENTLY WE ARE IN LONELY PLANET TOP 6 FORAGING DESTINATIONS IN THE US, and featured in the LA Times, SF Gate, Sunset, and Eating Well. All along the pristine coast of Central California, many species of delicious edible seaweeds exist. Kelp is some of the most tasty and nutritious of wild superfoods! I will meet participants and take them to seldom visited local spots and teach them basic phycology (marine algae science) and sustainable harvesting techniques. Not only will participants partake in a unique experience surrounded by breathtaking scenery, but they will leave with the knowledge of how to sustainably harvest nutritious seaweed for themselves for years to come. We make an amazing seaweed Ramen in the traditional Japanese form at the end. Other things to note I WILL SEND YOU EXACT LOCATION AFTER BOOKING > We will be harvesting edible seaweed. Unlike land foraging, there are no toxic seaweeds to worry about. We will show you how to tide pool with minimal impact upon the marine environment. If you book a private tour, please list the actual number of people that will be attending. Thank you!

Come spend time with highland cows! Guests will be able to see and interact with highland cows and calves on our farm located in Linden, Ca. Each experience will last approximately an hour and will include a farm tour, education about the breed and interaction with the animals such as brushing/feeding the highlands.

On this beginner snowshoe adventure, we will be hiking with snowshoes, immersing ourselves in the forest on a homemade secluded winter trail. This activity is perfect for those wanting to explore outside this winter but not wanting to commit to a big hike. Starting, we gather our equipment, have a brief introduction, then hit the trail. We will spend the first half of our experience hiking up 200-500’ (depending on the group) in elevation at a relaxed and enjoyable pace. Up the mountain, we go through uninterrupted Tahoe National Forest. Guiding through the alpine scenery your guides will be sharing stories of the area, history, as well as local flora and fauna. Roughly halfway, we find peaceful open meadows covered in snow. As we explore, reflective light from snow crystals flicker with every step. We meander down the hill enjoying mountain vistas of the surrounding area and ski resorts of Palisades Tahoe. This hike is a perfect outing into the Sierra Nevada mountains. We return back to our vehicles finishing a loop trail. Due to the seclusion, seeing another person is highly unlikely. So step off the beaten path and allow us to show you a true mountain outing you won’t surely forget. This hike is considered a beginner in difficulty and best suited for kids 7 years and up