Once the semester ends, summer can be a seemingly endless season, filled with anything from lounging around in your hometown to working tirelessly at a job or internship. Wherever you’re spending these boundless days, there may be a longing to fill up your time as the night grows shorter and shorter. So with the eventual longest day of the year (June 21) coming up — and the official start of summer approaching — here are some fun activities to fill your summer solstice with seasonal cheer and the celebration of new beginnings. These activities are great for any day in the sunshine, too!

Watch the sunset at a beach

The beach is a nearby location during the school year but often overlooked in the bustle and hustle of our daily lives. Take advantage of roughly 15 hours of daylight this summer solstice by driving up to popular beach spots such as Stinson Beach or Muir Beach, both about an hour away from Berkeley and known for their dramatic cliffsides, mild waves and white sands! These are wonderful spots to visit and spend a whole day at: building sand castles, basking in the sunshine, hunting for crabs or just enjoying the sound of the waves with yourself or loved ones. If you don’t want to make the trip up, hidden coves that are close — such as Albany Beach — are great areas for a walk as the sun hits the horizon! And if you’re not in Berkeley, take advantage of some quick Google searches to find the closest beach near you, basking in golden glory June 21.

Go camping and take advantage of the sun

Whether or not you’re in Berkeley, campsites are often close to towns, nestled in forests or hills a short drive away! With a long day ahead, find the nearest camping spot near you to reserve (usually for cheap) and plan an overnighter with friends. Use the long hours to go hiking or explore trails you’ve never been on before! This is also a wonderful time to bask in nature blossoming this late spring. If you’re in Berkeley, McLaughlin Eastshore State Park is a great place to admire views. Adding on to the list, visit parks part of the East Bay Regional Parks District, which open reservations for close-by campsites in the Bay Area that boast wooded pathways, views of San Francisco and lakes.

Picnic and bonfire

Grab a group of people and use the warmth to your advantage! This is an easy activity, where you can find a local park and tell all your friends to bring food, drinks, blankets and crafts for an afternoon get-together! In the evening, catch a bonfire on the way, whether at your own local beaches that support bonfires or at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. This is one of the only Bay Area spots that permits bonfires all day, from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Their “fire rings” are located in the north of Ocean Beach, first come, first served — make sure to snag a spot! Another alternative is Muir Beach, which also lets you enjoy a cozy bonfire during the day or night.

Grab a coffee and go stargazing

Finals for students have been over for some time; those dark hours of caffeine-consuming in Doe Library until the early mornings fade to a distant memory. Now, summer serves as a welcome reprieve from that stress — it’s time to celebrate! Use the solstice as a casual unwind or as a fun excuse to pull another (possibly familiar) all-nighter, grabbing coffee with friends to stay up late to spend this shorter night stargazing! Plus, a new moon occurs a week prior to the solstice, making the moon June 21 low in the sky. This marks a night filled with clear stars, low light pollution and a bright view of the Milky Way uncommon during other seasons.

Stay inside and craft suncatchers or flower crowns

All of these activities have been outdoors, but don’t worry — anyone who wants to stay home on the Summer Solstice can enjoy a cozy day with crafts to celebrate the end of spring and an incoming golden season. Crafting suncatchers and flower crowns are traditional summer activities, the solstice a reminder of budding nature and new beginnings. Collect flowers, crystals, beads, stained glass and even simple used shards of broken jars to catch the light and make suncatchers and beaded flowers atop your head. You can even celebrate golden hour and build a picturesque atmosphere inside by watching the sun’s rays bounce off of your suncatchers, resulting in a rainbow shower.

Whether or not you’re in Berkeley, the summer solstice is a time to celebrate new beginnings as spring ends. You may be graduated, working, resting at home or anticipating the next school year — whatever the case is, the solstice is a stunning, long day, outside or inside. Don’t let the longest day of the year slip by. Set the summer mood with a fun day at the beach, a relaxing picnic and grab a drink to make this summer yours!