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About

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Joy&Josh 019

Hey, I’m Josh and this is Active Tours a travel review, things to do, giveaway, and gear review site to sharing some of my favorite places in the world.  I’m fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel all over the globe adventuring, taking photos, and meeting locals and this site aims to help you travel like a pro.

 

I’ve solo cycled New Zealand from the top of Cape Reinga to the farthest road south in Stewart Island (3,000k+) in between backpacking 4 of  New Zealand’s great treks. 

 

I’ve spent the summer as a zip line tour guide in Juneau, Alaska while rock climbing, hiking, dodging bears, kayaking (almost dying), and photographing the summer away. 

 

I’ve traveled to Myanmar (Burma) and trekked to meet the Enn Highlanders in Kengtung, in the Shan State.  While in Mandalay I meet the most amazing locals that took my friend and me on a three-day adventure to another town to meet her grandmother, roller skate, and get deathly ill while having the best time! 

 

I’ve spent 6 weeks hiking through the jungle (Corcovado National Park), sleeping on the beach, getting our bag stolen, and ziplining (Monteverde) in Costa Rica.  Ziplining (100% Adventure) and hiking in Monteverde. 

 

While in Mexico I’ve was pulled over and scammed by Mexican police officers for $70 cash (always split your cash and cards), but another day drove early to visit at Chichen Itza hours before the hoards of buses. 

 

I’ve spent 17 days traveling around Spain and Portugal eating tapas, laughing, putting the wrong fuel in the rental car (getting stuck for hours), exploring, and meeting the greatest locals. 

 

I went to Sydney (don’t go to a 5-star restaurant for dinner when you have jetlag. lol) and traveled to Bali where we hired the coolest driver to take us on adventures and learn about their culture.  

 

I’ve gone on many three day weekends Denver, Yosemite, Big Sur, Santa Cruz, Miami, Whistler, Vancouver, Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii (Big Island), Baltimore, Portland (Oregon), Portland (Maine), Pittsburgh and many others. 

 

I’ve collected many stories and tips I’d like to share with the world and I look forward to hearing your tip as well.

 

Best, 

Josh

    

I believe in full disclosure so this Active Tours is supported by affiliate and marketing.  To support this site and help with our costs please support our sponsors. 

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Meeting locals and other travelers is by far the b Meeting locals and other travelers is by far the best thing about traveling.  Coming to a new land as a visitor instead of a tourist mindset provides you opportunities to go off beaten path this hanging with locals like Jimmy an Amazing local on Molokai who showed us an almost never traveled trail that was more like a wild boar trail to the top of a waterfall. We bushwhacked our way to the top and even pet a wild 🐗 crazy times!!! Thanks Jimmy
Considered the tallest in the world, Molokai’s n Considered the tallest in the world, Molokai’s northern sea cliffs are between 3,000 and 4,000 feet high. To see these stunning cliffs, you can either visit Palaau State Park or take a boat ride with Uncle Walter like we did. Molokai was the most like another country i’ve felt in the US 

#hawaii #hawaiilife  #molokai #molokaimobettah #islandlife #seacliff
I love you Maui. Road to Hana is an epic journey. I love you Maui. Road to Hana is an epic journey. Till we meet again. Vids to come!!! Off to Molokai... Props if you can find the only human in those photos

#maui #mauihawaii #mauilife #roadtohana #hana #hawaii
Some of the best snorkeling in Maui!!! So many 🐟🐠🐡🐢🐢🐢 and even a whit tip 🦈Honokahua Bay, Maui Hawaii

#maui #hawaii #hohokahua #honokahuabay #snorkeling #snorkel #seaturtle
Lahaina Pali trail, Maui #maui #hawaii #lahainapa Lahaina Pali trail, Maui

#maui #hawaii #lahainapalitrail
Lahaina Pali trail, Maui #maui #hawaii #lahainapa Lahaina Pali trail, Maui

#maui #hawaii #lahainapalitrail
Iao Valley State Park secret hike #maui #iaovalle Iao Valley State Park secret hike

#maui #iaovalley #iaoneedle #mauilife #hawaii #hawaiilife
Maui!!! Get excited for some new pics and videos 😀

#maui #hawaii #hawaiilife
New toy for my future videos 😀 New toy for my future videos 😀
New video on the top things to do in Hollywood, CA New video on the top things to do in Hollywood, CA!!! Let me know what you think. Link in bio.
Rock The Vote!!! Go Dodgers!!! Rock The Vote!!! Go Dodgers!!!
When I visit a city I like to get a good birds-eye When I visit a city I like to get a good birds-eye view of my surroundings.  Inspiration Point more than does the trick!  This 3.5-mile round trip hike takes you up to a panoramic 360-degree view of the city, ocean, and the Santa Ynez mountains. ⁠
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⁠***Santa Barbara Travel Guide 📹 Link In Bio***⁠
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I recommend hiking up at sunset to get those beautiful pink hues.  It also gives you a little directional perspective with the sun setting in the west you realize that the Santa Barbara beachfront faces south.⁠
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#InspirationPoint #SantaBarbara #ActiveTours
The Funk Zone is a favorite of mine and one that I The Funk Zone is a favorite of mine and one that I seem to visit on every Santa Barbara trip.  Cornered in by the Ocean, 101, and Amtrak station this district has boutique tasting rooms, cafes, galleries, breweries, and shops.  It’s old manufacturing and functional buildings from decades past and gave way to the nicknamed the Funk Zone.  This area has a lot of character and is super walkable. ⁠
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⁠***Santa Barbara Travel Guide 📹 Link In Bio***⁠
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Some of my favorite stops are Metropulos, The Lark, Lama Dog, Area 51, and Dart coffee co.  They have a garden that’s fun to hang out in.⁠
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#DartCoffeeCo #TheFunkZone #FunkZone #SantaBarbara #ActiveTours⁠
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In the winter and spring, the water of the Santa Y In the winter and spring, the water of the Santa Ynez River flows west to Lake Cachuma.  It crisscrosses the road that leads you back to Red Rock Pools.  My friend Graciella showed me this gem of a location and we took our bikes from the day-use area back to the pools.⁠
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⁠***Santa Barbara Travel Guide 📹 Link In Bio***⁠
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This area of the Los Padres National Forest is extra special to me and if you want to support this forest that stretches along the California coast from Ventura to Monterey head on over to Los Padres Forest Watch at LPFW.org⁠
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#RedRockPools #RedRock #SantaBarbara #ActiveTours⁠
Uniquely nestled in nature, the museum is located Uniquely nestled in nature, the museum is located along Mission Creek in the Mission Canyon area. The museum has ten indoor exhibit halls focusing on regional natural history including astronomy, birds, insects, geology, mammals, marine life, paleontology, plant life, and the Chumash Indians. ⁠
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⁠***Santa Barbara Travel Guide 📹 Link In Bio***⁠
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The skeleton of the 72-foot Blue Whale is amazing to explore.  This whale was hit by a cargo ship.  Representing an additional cost to those imported goods.  There is also a natural history Sea Center on the Wharf talked about earlier.⁠
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#MuseumofNaturalHistory #SBMuseumofNaturalHistory #SantaBarbaraMuseumofNaturalHistory #SantaBarbara #ActiveTours
Stearns Wharf, the oldest working wood wharf in Ca Stearns Wharf, the oldest working wood wharf in California, was built in 1872 by John Peck Stearns.  When completed In 1872, it became the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco. ⁠
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⁠***Santa Barbara Travel Guide 📹 Link In Bio***⁠
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You can drive on the wharf and parking is free for the first 90 mins.  It has a good mix of shops and restaurants.  The Ice Cream shop is a must-stop for me on those hot summer days.⁠
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#StearnsWharf #SB #SantaBarbara #ActiveTours
If you’re like me you're physically drawn to the If you’re like me you're physically drawn to the water and mountains.  Santa Barbara's coastline has it all.  I hopped on a Coastal Kayaking Tour with the Santa Barbara Adventure Company @sbadventure and we spent 4 hours exploring the cost.  We learned that kelp can grow up to 2’ in a day.  Which is just mind-blowing. ⁠
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⁠***Santa Barbara Travel Guide 📹 Link In Bio***⁠
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Our guide Addison pointed out a harbor seal and a bat ray swimming in the seagrass close to us.  I failed to photograph both but I promise I saw them.  Always be filming…  You can also see Dolphins and depending on the time of year you can see California Grey Whales, Blue Whales, Minke Whales, and Humpback Whales.  We stopped at a beach for a break and explored what the tide washed up.  No humans went swimming in the making of this film.⁠
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#SantaBarbara #SantaBarbaraKayaking #SantaBarbaraKayak #SBAdventureCo #SBAdventureCompany ⁠
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The County Courthouse is on Anacapa Street, in dow The County Courthouse is on Anacapa Street, in downtown Santa Barbara.  Although it was closed due to COVID there is a free scenic lookout at the top of the clock tower offering 360-degree views of the city, Santa Ynez Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. ⁠
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***Santa Barbara Travel Guide 📹 Link In Bio***⁠
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The clock tower can be reached by elevator or if you want to exercise there is a staircase.  The beautiful gardens and building backdrop makes for a great place to get hitched if you ask me.  The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is open daily, including free drop-in tours hosted by the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Docent Council.⁠
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#SantaBarbaraSuperiorCourt #SantaBarbara #ActiveTours⁠
Explore one of Santa Barbara's most picturesque la Explore one of Santa Barbara's most picturesque landscapes.  Known as “Queen of the Missions” for its exceptional beauty, the Santa Barbara Mission was founded by the Spanish Franciscans in 1786 and was the 10th of 21 Missions. ⁠
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***Santa Barbara Travel Guide 📹 Link In Bio***⁠
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The church was destroyed in 1925 by an earthquake; however, restorations have returned it to its original grandeur.  With its grand twin bell towers on a hilltop overlooking the city,  the ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains.  The Mission is open daily for self-guided tours at the time of writing it was $15.  The locals that I chatted with said they enjoy picnicking in the rose garden at sunset.  Something that I will need to make time for on my next visit to Santa Barbara.⁠
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@santabaramission⁠
#SantaBarbara #MissionSantaBarbara #QueenOfTheMissions #ActiveTours
Mountains from Wild Willy's Hot Spring. The 395 h Mountains from Wild Willy's Hot Spring.  The 395 has been my home away from home during COVID.⁠
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***Mammoth Lakes Travel Guide 📹 Link In Bio***⁠
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#mammoth #mammothlakes #395 #activetours
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