Experience the gourmet food truck revolution first hand, or take a hike underneath a moonlit desert night.

By Chris Gayomali

OC Foodie Fest, August 28

Anaheim, CA

While the whole food-truck movement may feel too gimmicky for some folks, it’s getting harder to deny the quality of the creative edibles coming from its four-wheeled torch bearers. Take, for example, this Saturday’s first ever OC Foodie Fest in Anaheim, CA.

A full list of trucks can be found here, but there’s something to whet every kind of palate: from adventurous fusion-inspired interpretations like Kung Pao chicken burritos (Don Chow Tacos), ground Kobe beef meatballs (Great Balls on Tires), and peanut butter carnitas tacos (Flying Pig Truck), to more traditional takes like Vietnamese banh-mi sandwiches (Nom Nom Truck), Spanish-style tapas (Barcelona on the Go), and spicy-sweet pulled pork sandwiches that stick to your ribs (Barbie Q’s).

With 50 trucks on hand offering tasting versions of their mobile menus, it’ll be impossible to eat everything–though some will surely try. The event is cash only (tickets are $12 each), and no outside food or drink is permitted, but we’re assuming you can–and should–pack a roll of TUMS. And perhaps pants that stretch.

Travel and Accommodations
Anaheim is about an hour south of Los Angeles depending on traffic, but you can fly directly into John Wayne airport. The city–made famous by a certain moused-eared theme park–has more than its fair share of hotels and resorts.

Estrella Mountain Park Full Moon Scorpion Hike, August 27

Goodyear, AZ

If you missed the Perseid Meteor Shower earlier this month, consider trekking out to the Arizona desert for the Estrella Mountain Scorpion Hunt Hike. Barring any unforeseen weather anomalies, it will take place under a full moon, illuminating surreal expanses of desert and sky. The two-and-a-half hour trip covers an easy 3 miles of terrain, but you should bring a flashlight, your own water, and long pants (you’re keeping an eye out for scorpions, after all). Since the hike is at night, you’re unlikely to encounter much wildlife (a full list of the park’s critters can be found here), but be warned: diamondback rattlesnakes do inhabit the area, so proceed with caution. The walk begins at 7:30 p.m. Click here for more details.

Travel and Accommodations

Estrella Mountain Regional Park is about a 40 minute drive west of Phoenix and hosts a few campsites with the usual outdoor amenities, but for the most part the park is still pristine, undeveloped desert.