Laguna Beach from the North – April 5, 2013

It is always fascinating to experience and understand that in So. Cal. we can have four microclimates at our fingertips at any given time.  To the north, we have mountains with its pine, daffodils and dogwood trees.   It’s always at least 5-10 degrees cooler in the summer and the only place nearby we can avail ourselves of snow, due to its elevation.  The colors are forest green, brooding brown and lemon yellow.

To the east, we have the desert with its cacti, succulents and outer space vistas.  It’s always warmer.  Hot, even.  The colors are muted, earthy and warmer toned pinks and peaches.

To the west, we have the coast with its bougainvillea, cape blue plumbago and wide panoramic views of the blue ocean.  It’s always perfect weather here.  It smells like the sea and is clean.  The colors are saturated.  Aqua, hot pinks and oranges, deep blues and palm tree green.

It’s great to live smack center where we can host all of the above flora but also roses, ranunculi and citrus.  Right here, where I am planted, gardening is plentiful; it is a sanctuary for all sorts of birds and butterflies and all the sports teams/musical talent comes to town.  The colors are bright.  Vivid shades of greens, sexy deep reds, fancy oranges, saffron and pastel yellows, baby blues and pinks, violets, fuchsias and maroons.

How wonderful that mountain life and quiet desert is only a little over one hour away.  The beach is just a half an hour drive.

Yesterday, we spent a few hours in Laguna Beach, my favorite artsy, fartsy coastline small town.  We visited the Art Museum, ate at the famous Las Brisas and waded, climbed and observed in and around the tide pools.  We even saw a whale.  The shot of spray coming out of its blowhole and its shiny, slick back rose out of the water and we all gestured and pointed excitedly at the same time.

Laguna Beach Shoreline/Sea Birds on Rock 4/5/13