Today – 10 August – California celebrates National S’mores Day and, if you haven’t been to the US, or paid close attention when mention of these sweet treats crops up in your favourite American sitcom, police drama or feature film, we’re here to help!
Growing up with US cultural references means even if you haven’t ventured to America, or you have but missed out on a taste test, you may still seek the definitive answer.
S’mores are part of a campfire ritual and particularly synonymous with California – S’mores are also typically a signature dessert in many Californian eateries around the state, particularly during summer months.
S’mores = roasting marshmallows between two Graham crackers (Aussies would liken them to digestive biscuits) and a layer of chocolate is something Californians take very seriously. In fact, California set a Guinness World Record for having the most amount of people making s’mores at one time. (The record still stands at 423, set April 21, 2016, in Huntington Beach).
Traditionally, Californians make s’mores around the camp fire with friends and family, everywhere from camping sites in national and state parks to luxury beachfront resorts. Huntington Beach, in Southern California, has permanent fire pits dedicated to the s’mores cause and many hotels have s’mores kits for sale in their gift stores and mini bars for guests to make on site.
So where should you go to test your S’more-making abilities when find yourself in the Golden State?
- Huntington Beach, Orange County – Ask your hotel for a s’mores kit upon check-in and reserve your very own personal beach bonfire for the ultimate SoCal experience
- Hotel del Coronado, San Diego – An iconic destination at the Pacific Ocean’s edge and minutes, from downtown San Diego, Hotel del Coronado is a playground by the sea for all ages
- The Village at Northstar, Lake Tahoe – Northstar California Resort combines California cool with high-end luxury and a sophisticated alpine village atmosphere
- Yosemite Village, Yosemite – Just a four hour drive north of San Francisco, summer nights in Yosemite national park include the glow of the Milky Way rising over your campsite and plenty of opportunity for stargazing – an ideal balance between luxury and adventure
- Farmhouse Inn, Sonoma County – The rising trend of do-it-yourself projects is something Farmhouse Inn loves to provide; s’mores kits are a very popular turn down item every evening!
- Lakehead Campground, Shasta Cascade – Nestled among the Shasta Trinity National Forest, Shasta Cascade region is your gateway to outdoor adventure – hiking, fly fishing, kayaking and more
- Serrano Campground, Big Bear Lake – This campground is just a stone’s throw from Big Bear Lake, where most campers take advantage of the prime location to take stroll along the shoreline, fish for trout, launch a kayak and roast late-night s’mores over the open camp fire
- Pinnacles National Park, Central Coast – Home to cliffs, crags, and cave formations that were formed by an ancient volcano, a little over 2 hours’ drive from San Francisco
- Joshua Tree National Park – Joshua Tree’s beauty shines around the clock, with vibrant sunsets melting into nights filled with uncountable stars – all within a 2 and a half hour drive south of Los Angeles!
