Posts Tagged ‘california’
Sunflowers and Smiles at California Spring Trials
If you’ve never been to a flowers trade show before, I highly encourage it. Beyond the obvious loveliness of the plants on display, I’m always impressed by the incredible coordination it takes to grow countless varieties of different flowers that all bloom perfectly at the same time, even as their growth cycles drastically vary through…
Read MoreHawaiian Vibes at Hula’s Island Grill
I was hangry; you know the feeling. After mysteriously waiting half an hour to receive our appetizer from a popular ocean-view restaurant, though we were one of only three tables expecting service during the quiet between-meals hour of 3pm, Brandon and I decided to cut our losses and find another place to eat. Clearly this…
Read MorePeacocks and Pit Stops at Casa De Fruta
Anyone roadtripping from the south valley along Pacheco Pass toward I-5 has stopped at Casa de Fruta, the farm stand-turned oasis hidden among the rolling California hills. Home to waving palm trees and colorful blue peacocks, Casa de Fruta was founded back in the early 1900s by a family of orchard farmers who evolved the…
Read MoreBarbareño – Flavor Stories of Santa Barbara
When the mild California winter finally breaks around Easter, and the sun warms our faces on afternoon walks, we emerge from our cooped up tiny house existence for a celebratory stay-cation in Santa Barbara. It’s not summer yet; not time for long holidays in exotic places far away from home. No, we venture just a few hours…
Read MorePineapple Carnitas at Cult Taco in Monterey
“California cuisine through a Oaxacan lens.” – Chef Michelle Estigoy Welcome to Cult Taco in historic downtown Monterey, California! Please step up to the touchscreen to place your order. What are you in the mood for – tacos? An Ensalada? A Torta? We’ve got your homemade chips and salsa right here. You look like you…
Read More3 Places to Hydrate in Morgan Hill
Welcome to Morgan Hill, California, the rapidly expanding south valley city that started as a bedroom community for Silicon Valley, but is quickly asserting itself as a thriving center of culture in its own right. Downtown restaurants like Odeum and Prova entice with flavorful dishes created by a Michelin Star-awarded chef. Yearly events like the…
Read More18th Barrel, Beer & Wine Tasting Room
Taste the best of both barrels. – 18th Barrel Tasting Room Bye bye Napa Valley, hello Central Coast. The fertile soil between San Jose and Los Angeles has quickly grown to rival the classic wine trails of Northern California, with family-run wineries and tasting rooms popping up along the countryside. The sunny, but mild climate…
Read MoreHomeroom Mac + Cheese in Oakland
Some of the best restaurants begin with the simplest of dreams and menus, wouldn’t you agree? Such is the case for Homeroom Mac + Cheese in Oakland, CA. Founded by a former lawyer-turned-restaurateur, Homeroom is the women-owned, schoolhouse-themed macaroni and cheese restaurant you never knew you needed in your life. Every meal begins with the…
Read MoreFine Dining in Yosemite National Park
Venturing to Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada mountains of east-central California is an all-day event, well-worth the drive from the Central Coast. We visited on a whim one Wednesday in the early fall, marveling at the sheer size of everything – the giant sequoia trees, towering granite cliffs, and delicate misty waterfalls. After…
Read MoreNightLife – California Academy of Sciences
Our mission is to explore, explain, and sustain life on earth. (calacademy.org) Strolling through Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, you’ll recognize the typical neighborhood public green space – large grassy lawns, squirrels and geese, quiet tree groves, maybe a rabbit peaking out from under a bush. But turn the next corner and a different…
Read MoreIn-N-Out Burger – A California Icon
Yes, this is a blog post about a fast food restaurant. No, this isn’t just any fast food place. It’s In-N-Out Burger! I love all the palm trees here in California. They represent the breezy, sunny lifestyle we live everyday, which is probably why they are In-N-Out Burger’s symbol of choice for its iconic yellow,…
Read MoreMt. Hermon Christian Retreat Center
Situated among the ancient redwoods of the Santa Cruz mountains, Mount Hermon has served as a peaceful retreat for more than 100 years. Anyone and everyone are welcome to reconnect with creation and the Creator through fellowship with friends and family, great food, and beautiful greenery. I visit Mount Hermon every fall with my church’s…
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