The only thing constant is change.  That expression means more today, perhaps, than it ever has before.  And it truly is pointless to fight it.  Who wants to swim upstream, anyway?  So go with the flow and make the most of your modern vacation. Get sustainable in SoCal.

Economical
Old news: the economy kinda sucks right now.  Don’t cry about it, make the most of it.  This is the perfect time to trim your budget.  The best way to do that here in Southern California is to take advantage of public transportation.  From the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to the Orange County Transportation Authority to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, you’re covered across vast distances.  There’s no reason to pay gas pump prices.  Plus, it isn’t all that shabby for Mother Earth.

Want to know more?  Click here to check out Lydia Sea's blog on her car-less lifestyle down in San Diego.  And click here to check out her environmentally-friendly way to get the full Padres baseball experience aboard the Padres game train.  Let her be your local tour guide.

Environmental
And speaking of the planet, your vacay doesn’t have to leave a big ol’ footprint.  Sustainability is all about keeping things just as awesome as they are now for your kids, and their kids, and their kids… (you get the picture).  And what’s the #1 way to lower your own environmental impact?  Eat vegetarian one meal a week.  Seriously.  If you (and your family) cut out meat from just one meal every week, you’ll make a difference.  And extend that practice beyond traveling time, and that difference will grow and grow.  Check out vegcooking.com for easy recipes and restaurants.

Educational
What’s one more thing you need to make sure keeps growing?  Your brain.  The hippest vacation these days is one that’s consciousness-expanding.  Make museums a priority.  Use the web as a tool to really learn about the culture and history of SoCal’s great cities.  And don’t be afraid to embrace guided tours throughout the region – the locals here have knowledge to share.  Plus, just think of how much you’ll impress your friends back home when you throw a few fast facts at ‘em.