If you’re looking for gift ideas for the San Diego Hiker on your list this year, look no further. We’ve put together a list of some our favorite gear, books, and other useful items to help you find something to delight the hiker in your life this holiday season.
Forest Adventure Pass – $5.00 – $30.00
If you want to get your hiker something you know she can use, consider buying her a Forest Adventure Pass. Many popular trailheads in the Southern California National Forests require an Adventure Pass to be displayed in your car while parked at the trailhead. You can buy a daily pass good for one day for $5, or a pass good for the entire year for $30. The fees from these passes help conserve and protect our natural resources and enhance recreation opportunities by providing funds for trailhead services. Passes can be purchased at most major outdoor and sporting goods stores like Adventure 16, Big 5, or REI, or can be purchased online.
Coast to Cactus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors – $29.95
Coast to Cactus is a wonderful combination hiking guide and field guide. Written by the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers, this tome features over 240 hikes throughout San Diego County. In addition to details of the trail, each write-up includes a mini lesson on some of the plants, animals, or other natural features that can be found on each hike. The book is full of beautiful color photos and easy to read maps, and has a wide variety of hikes included. Coast to Cactus deserves a spot on every San Diego Hiker’s bookshelf!
Colter Co. Bandanas with Benefits – $14.00
The trusty bandana has long been a staple in the prepared hiker’s kit. From first aid to hygiene to sun protection, there are dozens of uses for this small square cloth. Colter Co. has now added yet another reason to carry a bandana with you on the trail with their “Bandanas with Benefits.” They have cleverly improved upon the traditional bandana by printing fun and useful information on them. The glow-in-the dark Stargazer Bandana shows a constellation star chart with helpful directional information. The Know Your Knots bandana visually demonstrates 16 essential knots. Check out these and their other unique bandanas over at www.colterusa.com. Hiking San Diego County readers can get 20% off with the special promo code HIKINGSD.
Darn Tough Hiking Socks – Starting at $17.00
While socks may be considered a lame gift in some circles, hikers are a different breed. A good pair of hiking socks can mean the difference between a fantastic day on the trail or a grueling, blister-riddled death march. Darn Tough Hiking Socks are made in the USA with real Merino Wool to combat odor and provide superior comfort and durability. Their socks are available in a wide variety of thicknesses for different seasons, and come in fun colors and patterns. The best part is their Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee – if you manage to put a hole in these socks just mail them back and they will replace them, for free… forever.
Camelbak Hydration Pack – Price Varies
Hydration packs are a must for all but the shortest of hikes. Say goodbye to cumbersome water bottles and enjoy the convenience and comfort of the hydration bladder. Camelbak has a huge variety of different packs, with reservoirs of anywhere from 1 to 3 liter capacities. We’ve been through several different brands of hydration packs, and found that we prefer Camelbaks for their comfort, reliability, and features. If you’re looking to buy a Camelbak for hiking, I recommend going all the way and getting one with a 3 liter reservoir. This offers you the maximum flexibility – you have the 3 liter capacity for longer hikes, and if you’re going on a shorter hike and don’t need 3 liters, just don’t fill it up all the way. I carry the Camelbak Fourteener 20 (pictured above), but there are dozens of different sizes and styles to choose from. Staying hydrated on the trail is essential, especially in dry San Diego, so make sure your hiker is prepared with a durable hydration pack!
Garmin eTrex Handheld GPS – $109.99 – $299.99
While many people rely on their cell phones to track their position and distance while hiking, the reliability and durability of a handheld GPS is a much better choice when you want accurate data. We’ve been using a Garmin eTrex 30 for years, and have been thoroughly impressed by how well it has held up to the miles of abuse we have subjected it to. The newer Garmin eTrex 30X has an upgraded display for improved readability in sunlight, a 3-axis electronic compass and altimeter to show your heading and pinpoint your altitude while on the trail, and runs off of 2 AA batteries. Help your hiker track their miles and find their way with one of Garmin’s handheld GPS devices.
