Posts tagged #california

Why I'm moving to...

... someday.

No, no, I am not moving anywhere yet. But I had this recurring and very tempting thought as I was driving down Highway 1 in California this past week. The scenery is unmatched. The people are (adorably) weird. The food is healthy(-ish). Outdoor living happens all year round. Why haven't I made this move yet?

Ah, right. Because I am not the only person who has thought of this. Far from it. (Almost) everybody wants to move to California. Which renders it prohibitively expensive. Bummer. That does not mean I cannot enjoy a lovely trip there every now and then though!

I was especially reminded of the power of attraction of the famous California landscapes when I had the pleasure to be invited to a conference at the Ojai Valley Spa. I cannot even begin to describe how magical this place is. The city of Ojai is situated in a small east-west valley, north of Ventura and east of Santa Barbara. What is really neat about Ojai is that since it is lined up with an east-west mountain range, it is one of few towns in the world to have a "Pink Moment" occur as the sun is setting. The fading sunlight creates this brilliant shade of pink for several minutes on the Topatopa Bluffs, over 6,000 feet above sea level at the east end of the Ojai Valley. A spectacular moment I could not capture on film, haha.

PS: In case you are wondering... I have not given up on this blog! Life has just been uncommonly and awesomely busy lately. I hope to be able to share some of that with you soon. For now though, adios, and until next week!

 

Posted on February 2, 2016 and filed under Travel Diaries.

A Feast for the Senses: Huntington Library | Los Angeles

If You Have a Day in LA...

I have been traveling to Orange, CA once a month for over a year now yet I had never dared to explore the areas outside the small community I visit. Shame on me! Especially since LA is a mere 40-minute drive from Orange County. Well, this weekend, I took the plunge! 

When I was discovering what to do in LA, my research turned up this gem: the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens. You might be wondering why I skipped some of the more widely known tourist attractions but I just love experiencing a location when it's bustling with locals rather than outsiders. And I could not be happier with my choice today.

You can read about the Library's rich history here. What impressed me the most though? How stimulated every sense of mine was throughout my visit. A walk through the 120-acre park (120! even the scale is just mind-blowing) exposed me to some unbelievable sights, smells, sounds, textures and even tastes. My ultimate favorites were the views of the desert garden and the Japanese landscape, the unforgettable sweet olive tree aroma, the sounds of the thousands of birds flocking around and the plethora of plant textures I came across. And, like I mentioned, I even got to treat my taste sense via an amazing portabello mushroom panini with goat cheese from the local cafe.

Posted on February 9, 2014 and filed under Travel Diaries.