-
Prettiest Wildflowers in Monterey County, From A-Z
In the spring, life begins anew here in Monterey County. It is definitely my favorite time of year, because everything is lush and green, baby animals, birds, and butterflies begin to appear, and of course, my beloved wildflowers begin to bloom. I first became interested in wildflowers because I found so many on my farm as well as when I was hiking locally. Here is a list of what I think are the prettiest wildflowers in my neck of the woods, from A-Z.
A is for Amaryllis belladonna, also known as Naked Ladies. These bright pink lilies don’t appear until the leaves disappear, hence the name. It’s always magical when they begin blooming! I took this photo a few years ago at my farm. I now have many more because I keep dividing them!
B is for Buttercup. The California Buttercups arrive soon after the Shooting Stars appear here on the farm.
C is for Ceanothus, or California Lilac. Here you see them growing near Bixby Bridge, in Big Sur. I also have them at the farm and the bees just love them!
D is for Digitalis, also known as Foxglove. One thing I love about these is that gophers leave them alone! They are prettiest when grown in groups.
E is for Elegant Canyon Clarkia. Just too gorgeous for words.
F is for Fremont’s Star Lily. I took this photo at Partington’s Cove in Big Sur.
G is for Golden Star, all known as Pretty Face. These also grow wild along my road.
H is for Heliotrope, also know as “Seaside” Heliotrope, although this was way out here in the pastures of heaven! I just think they are so cool, how about you?
I is for Iris. Their vibrant shade is just gorgeous. You see these often down in Big Sur.
J is for Johnny Jump Ups, also known as California Golden Violets. They appear on my farm every year.
K is for Kniphofia, also known as Red-hot Poker Plant. These tall orange spikes look like candles and are quite stunning in large groups. This photo was taken near Delmonte Beach in Monterey.
L is for Lupines. Whether purple or yellow, they are so, so pretty. They change my farm into a magical fairy tale every spring, as long as we have enough rain! Sasha enjoys posing amongst the lupines in the countryside near our farm. The second photo is of yellow lupines in Big Sur. Note that it is not the more invasive French Broom, the leaves are a giveaway.
M is for Morning Glories. I love these pink and white ones I found growing along the trail above Garrapata State Beach in Big Sur.
M is also for Mule Ears. They look like sunflowers. This photo was taken at my farm.
N is for Nemophila, commonly called Baby Blue-eyes. These are my favorite spring wildflowers because I just love the color!
O is for oxalis, also known as Redwood Sorrel. An interesting fact about Redwood Sorrel is that when the leaves are in direct sunlight, they will start to shrivel and fold down. This is because too much sun can harm the shade loving plant.
P is for Poppies. California poppies proliferate at Casa Soberanes in Monterey.
P is also for Padre’s Shooting Star, the first flowers to bloom at my farm in the spring! I adore them!
Q is for Queen Anne’s Lace. Named after the ornate lace once worn by the queen of England, this wildflower is beautiful but also quite invasive.
R is for Wild Radish. Also known as Sea Radish, White Charlock and Jointed Charlock, this is in the family Brasicaceae. This photo was taken at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove.
S is for Seaside Daisies. Pebble Beach is the prettiest at sunset, especially when there are wildflowers.
S is also for Sea Statice. Love the crisp color of these blooms with the ocean as a backdrop. This is near Delmonte Beach in Monterey.
T is for Thistle. This photo was taken just north of Rocky Point in Big Sur.
T is also for Tidy Tips. These grow in the pasture near my neighbor’s home. I think these are just the prettiest tiny flowers!
U is for Uropappus, also known as Lindley’s Silverpuffs. They kind of look like dangerous dandelions. Regular dandelions turn from butter yellow to fuzzy white balls that you can make a wish on. These flowers turn into seed needles, and would be considered highly ineffective for wish making. They are, nonetheless, very pretty, (in a scary way).
.
V is for Vinca. This photo was taken at Ragged Point in Big Sur. The monarch butterflies were loving it!
W is for Wakerobin, also known as Western Trillium. It loves moist, shady, wooded areas.
X….so I will admit, I had a heck of a time trying to think of a local wildflower beginning with the letter x. I did some research, and success! Apparently Xerophyllum tenax, also known as Bear Grass and Indian basket grass, grows here in Monterey County! I don’t have any photos, but for more information, see Xerophyllum tenax. I learned that this plant is important for fire ecology. Apparently, is has rhizomes that survive during fires and it thrives with periodic burns. Who knew??
Y is for Yerba Buena. It may not be the prettiest, but it made my list because it’s still important. My friend Brian always points this out to me while hiking. For those of you who love to drink it in tea, here is what it looks like in nature!
Z is for Zantedeschia aethiopica, also known as Calla Lily. My favorite place to see them in the spring is Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur. This is one of the prettiest places to visit in Monterey County!
There are so many wildflowers out there I have yet to find. I love them not only for their beauty, but also for their enchanting names. Who wouldn’t love flowers called “Witches’ Teeth”, “Yawning Penstemon” and “Snouted Monkeyflower”?
Thank you for visiting my blog! I hope you enjoyed viewing the prettiest wildflowers in Monterey County. I would love to hear which are your favorites! You may enjoy learning more about our wildflowers by reading Monterey County Wildflowers, A Field Guide, by Rod M. Yeager, MD and Michael Mitchell. You may also enjoy Seven Best Places for Wildflowers in Monterey County! Wishing you peace, joy, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
Source: pinterest.com -
Wine Tasting in Carmel Valley, California!
Napa and Sonoma may be the first names you think of when wine tasting is mentioned. Yet, Carmel Valley, southeast of Monterey and Pebble Beach, may be the area’s best kept secret, as it is home to dozens of amazing wineries. Surrounded by the picturesque Santa Lucia Mountains and just inland from beautiful Monterey Bay, it features a climate of warm days and cool nights just right to produce some pretty outstanding wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. I am fortunate to live just over the hill from Carmel Valley Village. Here is my list of the best wine tasting venues in Carmel Valley. All of the wineries I have listed are located within walking distance from each other, with the exception of Folktale.
1. Folktale Winery. Originally, this estate was called Chateau Julien Wine Estate, but in 2015 it became Folktale Winery. While it is more than a stone’s throw west of the quaint Carmel Valley Village, Folktale Winery is not to be missed. You can visit their fairy tale castle and also listen to fabulous bands while sipping on wine in their rustic barrel room. There are awesome food and wine pairings at their events as well. Some of the performers I have seen here include Anderson East, Chris Cab, and Iyla. Can I say more?
2. Cowgirl Winery. Want to sip wine in the midst of clucking free range chickens and a cute vintage pick up truck? Would you like to belly up to a bar with rustic cowboy boots lined up above it? This place has so much character I dedicated an entire blog post to it, see: Cowgirl.
3. Talbott Vineyards Tasting Room.
You will love Talbott’s not only for their wine but also their spacious and elegant ambiance. They are located just south of Cowgirl Winery.
4. Georis Winery, located across from the Corkscrew Cafe, showcases exquisite mosaic artwork at their entryway, and is surrounded by beautiful floral landscaping and both indoor and outdoor tables. They often feature live music on the weekends as well.
My friend Lauryn and I enjoying the beautiful artwork and yummy wine at Big Sur Tasting Room. 
5. Big Sur Vineyards. I first visited this a few years back with my buddy Lauryn, and I have never forgotten. What I love most is not only the wine, but the exquisite hand-painted labels featuring iconic Big Sur images.
6. Testarossa Winery, & 7. Joyce Wine Company. Joyce and Testarossa are connected by a series of rooms.
Bernardus features an expansive and comfy outdoor seating area where you can enjoy delicious charcuterie platters with your wine. 8. Bernardus Winery. This winery was started by Ben Pon, who was a race car driver for Porsche for many years as well as a participant in the Olympics in 1972 in skeet shooting. The crest on the Bernardus wine label represents Mr. Pon’s Dutch Heritage. This has an intimate indoor tasting room as well as a more expansive patio with comfy seating.
9. Boekenoogen Vineyards and Winery. This tiny tasting room is packed with pizazz. Many folks are keeno for their pinot.
10. Joulian looks like a petite French Chateau, showcasing beautiful decor in addition to their award winning wine.
11. Cima Collina. Like Cowgirl, Cima Collina has a super cute old truck, this one complete with wine barrels.
Helpful Tips:
- Most flights cost around 15.00-20.00 and involve 4-6 tastes.
- During the summer and early fall months Carmel Valley can get warm; dress accordingly.
- Parking can be challenging to find, I recommend getting there before 2 pm when most of the wine tasting begins. Most tasting rooms are open between 12 and 5:30 pm.
- If you don’t want to deal with parking, a Wine Trolley is available from Monterey, or you can hop on Tractor Pete’s rustic wagon to visit local wine tasting rooms.
- Most of the wine tasting rooms are dog friendly.
- There are several notable restaurants and cafes interspersed between the wine tasting rooms, including the Corkscrew Cafe, Roux, Cafe Rustica, and Holman Ranch Tavern.
- If you have time left for shopping, there are some cute shops in the area. I highly recommend Quail & Olive, just north of Georis. It features delicious olive oils, vinegars, kitchen items and lovely gifts.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
-
Ventana: Birthday Celebration in Beautiful Big Sur
This is the third in my series of iconic Big Sur restaurant reviews; see links for Nepenthe and Big Sur River Inn.A thick veil of fog hovers over the water and blankets the hills as we head south on Highway 1. The road twists and turns, hugging the coastline. As we near Garrapata, torpedo-like rock formations of sandstone appear otherworldly. The ocean rumbles and waves gallop like horses toward the shore, creating milky froth as they crash into and over jagged rocks. There are four squid boats anchored off Rocky Point, their eerie green and yellow lights penetrating the mist.
We are headed for my birthday celebration at Ventana, a resort complex in the most heavenly location ever. Ventana means “window” in Spanish. Secluded between the Santa Lucia mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Ventana’s weathered cedar structures perch on a hillside 1200 feet above the coast. Picturesque Post Creek meanders through the 160-acre property, which contains landscaped pathways, canyons, groves of redwoods, Japanese hot baths and two pools. There are 59 guest rooms, suites, and villas and 15 safari-style canvas “glamping” tents, as well as tent only camping sites.
HistoryVentana is located on land first homesteaded by the Post family in 1890. The Post home, which housed several generations of the family, still stands at the entrance. Ventana first opened in 1975, the creation of Lawrence Spector. Spector co-produced the 1969 anti-establishment hit “Easy Rider” which was written by Peter Fonda, Terry Southern, and Dennis Hopper. Ventana still retains vestiges of its ‘70s hippie beginnings, from its original weathered cedar siding to its clothing-optional policy in the hot baths and the Mountain Pool and nude sunbathing in prescribed areas. From the beginning, Ventana has drawn celebrities, including Dennis Hopper, Ali McGraw, Steve McQueen, Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, Barbara Streisand, Julia Roberts, Robert DeNiro, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey, and Lupita Nyong’o, among many others.
GlampingThe glamping area, one of the newest renovations, is nestled in a 20-acre ancient redwood forest a half mile hike beneath the main resort. Each tent includes beds with luxury hotel linens, hot and cold water, and propane- and wood-burning fire pits. All glamping furniture is built from “reclaimed” redwood from the property. Ascot wine-and-cheese picnic backpacks, custom curated picnic baskets, natural timber walking sticks, and daily housekeeping service are also provided. But wait, there’s more! The glamping tents also include electrical and USB plug-ins, teak-enclosed showers with heated floors, a sheet turndown service every night, hot cocoa, and hot-water bottles to warm your sheets. Apparently, these are often sold out. Actress Mandy Moore recently celebrated her birthday during a girls’ glamping weekend at Ventana.
ClassesThis IS Big Sur and not surprisingly, Ventana also offers some pretty far-out classes, including meditation, yoga, tai chi, Pilates, beekeeping, charcoal sketching, mandala coloring for couples, string art & mindfulness, candle making and aromatherapy, bird-watching, photography hikes, mushroom foraging, daily hour-long guided walks, and drum circles. Taylor Swift recently took a falconry class at Ventana during her stay this year.Glass HouseThe Glass House Gallery sells paintings, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, ceramics and local photography. You can have your picture taken on the see-through overlook outside the gallery and fool your friends into thinking you are standing on the edge of a precipice!WeddingsVentana hosts many weddings. Their website states “Imagine saying your vows overlooking the canyons and forest or surrounded by redwoods. Enjoying a sunset reception or dinner under a canopied arbor. And dancing under the stars to celebrate your new adventure together.” Apparently, both Natalie Portman and Ann Hathaway could imagine this. Both had their wedding receptions here.
The RestaurantThe Sur House restaurant features delicious concoctions by Executive Chef Paul Corsentino. Meals feature coastal cuisine, including local seafood, free-range meats, and fresh produce from Ventana’s gardens. There is also a 10,000-bottle wine cellar featuring central coast wines selected by local vintners and Ventana’s sommelier. Craft cocktails and beer are also offered. Sur House decor is both elegant and rustic, featuring natural wood and leather furnishings.
We arrived at our 6:30 pm reservation time and had planned to dine on the terrace. Instead, we were told that we could not be seated outdoors for our meal because “the temperature drops too quickly” and it would be too cold for us. The temperature was a balmy 75 degrees, nonetheless, we were ushered to an indoor table by a window where, like a fish in a glass aquarium, I could envy, in the distance, a couple having drinks at a table overlooking the ocean. After ordering our food, I dashed outside to get some photos of the terrace.
Ventana offers a prix fixe meal; you are offered four courses for a set price. However, they do allow you to order items a la carte. My friend and I shared our first and second courses, the tuna tartare and soft shell crab with tropical fruit, melon salsa, and Napa cabbage. For the third course, my friend ordered the Alaskan Halibut and I the Ora King Salmon. These were both superb. For my birthday, they brought a platter with samplings of ice cream, mousse, fruit, and cake. I felt like I had just finished Thanksgiving dinner when we were through. It was decadent and thoroughly satisfying.
Following our meal, I watched through the window as hummingbirds levitated up and down through the air. Then three black crows landed on the terrace, the black of their feathers contrasting with the deep oranges and reds of the landscaping and furniture. It was a wonderful birthday. Good food, fresh air, and a beautiful vista of the ocean. And that’s what Big Sur is all about.
- For more information see Ventana.
- Address: 48123 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920. Directions on how to get here.
- Phone: 800-427-7623.
- Sample Menus
- Check road conditions before you go, it is easy to do. Go to Caltrans and enter 1 (the highway number) then search.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas!
-
Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove
Point Pinos Lighthouse, located In Pacific Grove, is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the west coast of the United States. In 1855, it was the second lighthouse built in California. Alcatraz Island Lighthouse had been built 8 months previously, but in 1909 was replaced by the famous prison. Point Pinos was built atop a quaint house enabling keepers to tend the light without fearing the elements. Point Pinos Lighthouse uses a Fresnel lens manufactured in France in 1853. The beacon is still used by the Coast Guard to aid navigation and the city of Pacific Grove maintains the property. While it began as just a narrow light beam fueled by whale oil, in 1912 it used an “eclipse” that made the light blink on for 10 seconds and off for 20 seconds. Today, the light is electronic and is on for three seconds and off for one, which helps mariners identify it. Point Pinos stands 43 feet tall, approximately 90 feet above the ocean, and its lens can be seen 17 miles out to sea.
History
Point Pinos Lighthouse has had many keepers, but perhaps the most interesting was Emily Fish. Emily Fish’s sister died in childbirth, and at age 17, Emily married her dead sister’s husband, Malancthon Fish, and raised her sister’s baby daughter, Juliet. Mr. Fish, a medical doctor, died when Emily was 50 years old. Following his death, Emily applied for the position of lighthouse keeper at the Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove, CA. This was considered highly unusual, as most women only received their positions upon the death of their lighthouse keeper husbands. Emily, however, was an anomaly. She bucked the norms and defied gender roles. She would not be foiled in her efforts, proving that no matter how old you are and what society thinks, you should always follow your dreams and aspirations.
She thrived in her position, and for over twenty years, lived and worked at the lighthouse with her menagerie of French poodles, Holstein cows, horses, and chickens. She excelled at gardening and created an oasis of grass, hedges, and trees on the lighthouse grounds. From her home in Oakland, she brought antique furniture, paintings, china, and silverware. Being a lighthouse keeper was no easy chore; rather, it was a difficult and demanding life. Emily, however, excelled at her job, and soon became known as the “Socialite Keeper” because of her flair for style and fashion and her reputation for entertaining guests at the lighthouse. During her keep, Point Pinos Lighthouse consistently received high marks for being well-kept.
While Emily is the most memorable female lighthouse keeper at Point Pinos, she was not the first. The light’s first keeper, Charles Layton, was serving on a posse in pursuit of an outlaw when he was fatally shot the first year he was appointed. His wife Charlotte, left alone with four children, replaced her husband as keeper until 1860 when she was remarried and her new husband took over the position.
If you are planning on visiting the area and would like to tour the lighthouse, please see pointpinoslighthouse for information including directions, hours, and parking. *Photo courtesy of Jay Slupesky, follow him on Instagram @jayslu