Usal Outdoor Research Center

Wow. Usal’s event calendar has something for literally everyone! So fun. Great new things to try and always an awesome, welcoming community. Attended a Sacred Tea Ceremony and it was amazing.

Went camping over the weekend at a free campsite and noticed two Usel people take up almost all of their campsites in the campground (around 5 sites out of like 10) with just two people. People were told "17 people are coming later" but we only saw a group of 5 who ended up showing up. To make it worse, they moved most of the tents over to an open area but parked their cars in open camping spots so no other campers were able to take it. This was so shady and left a nasty taste in my mouth that I went out of my way to find their site using their banner they hung. Doesnt sense they would take up a bunch of free camping spots and charge people over $100 to go camping with them according to their site). I get this a business but it’s totally not cool to take up half the camping spots with 2 people and not be considerate of other campers at a free campsite. Perhaps take people who pay you guys $100 to nicer PAID camp spots. Just a thought.

Went for an oil painting class. So lovely. It was super chill and we learned a lot.

Contacted multiple times but no response at all. A company that’s extremely poor at communication is not worth existing.

Amazing brand and amazing store! Very friendly and hospitable shop staff. Brand quality in apparel and accessories all top notch! Also cool courtyard where they serve coffee. USAL aesthetic is on point!

I've been a fan of Michael Washington's Usal Project since I first caught it online. Events, experiences, trips, workshops on foraging, fermentation, mycology, wood carving, falconry, surfing, and more...the energy and the rich visuals (photographic and graphic) on Usal's social channels are sometimes all you need to get out of your head, into your hiking boots, and out soaking up nature...a proper reset. So when I saw that Usal Outdoor Research Center had opened, I was really excited to go check it out. And I finally made it there early Monday afternoon. The store is perfectly tidy and completely handmade, featuring clothing, incense, ceramics, books, cameras, and more. Usal's design office is upstairs, and you feel like you're stepping into another realm the second you walk in, as Michael welcomes you. Michael is kind and engaging, clearly passionate and with an inclusive and mindful vision for sharing the great outdoors, and for holding events to bring people closer to nature and closer to each other, in California and elsewhere. Example: an outdoor gear swap happened a week ago. I wound up picking up a great t-shirt and some Weird Wood (that's the name...smells fantastic) incense. I kept thinking of a grassroots Yvon Chouinard or Douglas Tompkins, building on a heartfelt vision for preserving and experiencing the outdoors, but now in a way that speaks to this generation and specific time in history. In Silver Lake, an area that constantly faces 'development' from outsiders, which often means small business is pushed out (let me know if you need some examples) it is incredibly inspiring to see an entrepreneur who embodies the creativity and values that made the area legendary. This is the essence of inclusion and community. I highly recommend you check out Usal, and hope that it inspires you to try some new outdoor activities and to make some new friends.