Urban Coastal Mountain Sport

     All who come to Hawaii is captivated by the beautiful coastal mountains, and as you may already know, Waikiki Beach and its beautiful coastline includes an ancient volcanic crater known as Diamond Head. We may have, at first, imagined Diamond Head as a tropical icon, visualized by thousands of visitors even before they have arrived on Hawaii's shores, but did you know Diamond Head is also a convenient mountain hike? If you are lucky enough relax on Waikiki's beautiful white sand beaches, why not try an invigorating coastal mountain hike? Yes, a mountain adventure high above the beaches, a Hawaii urban-mountain interface adventure! High above, yet still accessible to the shopping and eating urban center of Waikiki Beach. How lucky to be able to climb Diamond Head as a Hawaiian vacation activity in the morning and be back on the beach by the afternoon--relaxing and swimming in the ocean. On this vacation your glamourous panoramic view can work both ways since Diamond Head is available and accessible minutes from your hotel room.
     Sure, if you happen to catch the right bus you can spend hours "getting out of town" or "getting away from it all," taking lots of time traveling long distances to far places on Oahu. Have you ever thought you can get away from it all by simply going up? A true Waikiki adventure, though seemingly far away, it's not far at all. It only takes a little jaunt by bus up to the entrance of Diamond Head State Park across from Kapiolani Community College.
     Now, if you're feeling really adventurous, you can start your "hike" at the Waikiki beaches, go west toward the Waikiki Zoo: continue westward, following the tree-lined bus route. As you walk along the zoo fence with the smell of zoo animals and the sound of monkeys in the air, follow the route of city buses up the half mile road incline. As you crest the hill, you will see Kapiolani Community College on the left hand side and, as you continue, minutes away, on your right hand side, you'll see the small access road to the front gate of Diamond Head Crater State Park. Here is where your real adventure begins!
      Diamond Head Mountain offers something for everybody, whether you are a city dweller or prefer country living. If you come from an urban area, already familiar with the hubbub of city life, and looking for a different sort of activity on your Hawaiian vacation, then hiking Diamond Head is the perfect "on the edge" experience for you. If you come, on the other hand, from a country environment, Diamond Head is a great example of an urban-country interface where you can get a little bit country and a little bit city and experience the unique Waikiki "urban geography."
     As you may already know, when you come to a new place, getting to know your geography is one of the first things you do. What better way to get a refreshing panoramic view of Waikiki than on top of Diamond Head Mountain. The most beautiful view of Waikiki Beach--high above the urban buzz, fresh with peaceful breezes and, from that vantage point, a wistful blue ocean. Why experience your Hawaiian vacation "from the top" on beautiful Diamond Head Crater Mountain?