One of my favorite places to relax on a Sunday is Cocola which is located at the Stanford Mall in Palo Alto. The pastries are like works of art, and their lattes are rich and creamy.
The aroma of fresh brewed coffee and pastries reminds me of sitting in a cafe in Tuscany, or Paris. You pick from an assortment of exotic salads, or throw caution to the wind and treat yourself to a pastry.
It’s located in a piazza of sorts. As you relax outside you’ll find yourself next to a gourmet market called Sigona’s.
This is a must see market where you’ll find exotic foods including local eggs which have shells that are green, red and blue.
Time seems to move slower here…if you’re in the area I hope you’ll take a moment to relax, and sip your own latte.
During a business trip last week I was able to rediscover a beautiful island located off Newport Beach in southern California. I was actually following a sign to Fashion Island, which is a pretty amazing shopping mall. Listed on that same sign was “Balboa Island” and I thought “what the heck, I’ll take a look.” I headed up over a small bridge and into another world.
A charming village, Balboa Island if full of local shops, restaurants, world famous chocolate covered bananas and a whole lot more. There is one main street where you’ll find everything you need to eat, drink, shop and be merry. There is also a path that runs along the water’s edge that runs around the island. As you leave the main street and walk around the island, you’ll find more shops and restaurants on the other side. A great break if you’re attempting a “pub crawl”. You can drive over the bridge or take the Island Ferry. Below you’ll find a few maps showing you where the island is located and a close up showing you the bridge, where to shop/eat and the path around the island. If you’re in the SoCal area and near Newport Beach it’s worth the visit. You won’t be disappointed!
Here are some photos from my visit!
Here’s a helpful website with more information: http://www.balboaisland.com/
Would you like a print? Please click on “Contact”. My photography is printed on aluminum. Utilizing an advanced process which infuses dyes directly into the metal, the colors and saturation are really amazing. In addition, your print will be displayed using mount blocks which float the image ½ inch off the wall.
©2013 Shelley D Spray – No content on this site (including all photography) may be reused in any fashion without written permission from the author.
Just a quick Tuesday escape to Monterey Bay Harbor by the Fisherman’s Wharf… Enjoy!
If you’ve never driven on Highway 5 and had the chance to see this active volcano located at the southern end of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County, California, you’re really missing out. One of the most impressive things is that you see it’s white capped mountain top about 140 miles before you even get to it (if it’s a clear, sunny day) It’s that huge!
The oldest human habitation in the area around Mount Shasta is about 7000 years ago. And by about 5000 years ago, there was substantial human habitation in this area. (I find that quite amazing) Although it is covered with snow, John Muir wrote a dramatic article about an experience in which he survived an overnight blizzard on Mount Shasta by lying in the hot sulfur springs found near the summit. (I personally am not sure I would have ever left the warm, cozy springs and would, to this day, be a shriveled raisin waiting for someone with a heated blanket to pick me up…)
Here are some photos I shot. These were on the way to the town of Mount Shasta which sits at the base of the mountain. I love cows so was over the moon when I saw them grazing in a field with the mountain in the background:
I kept seeing photos of the mountain by a lake. I guess I thought I’d drive out to this lake which would be in the middle of a state national park and shoot my photos like Ansel Adams. The lake is actually called Lake Siskiyou and is located by where I stayed – The Mount Shasta Resort – which I’ll tell you about next. If you want to take photos with the lake in the foreground, you’ll need to drive to Lake Siskiyou and then find the Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort. You can also camp in this park, swim and hike. It will cost you $1.00 to enter the park for the day which in my book is a deal. Here are the photos I shot around 7:30am.
Here is a small shop where you can get food, drinks, bait, etc. once you’re in the park.
Where to Stay: Mount Shasta Resort
I stayed at the Mount Shasta Resort which is located by/on Lake Siskiyou. Before I tell you about the place I have to make note of the service. Everyone was VERY helpful, professional and super friendly. Which is really nice when you’ve been driving for a long time. A special thanks to Christy for all of her help. If you do stay there ask for her and please tell her Photo Girl says hi! I stayed in one of the Chalets which are located directly on Lake Siskiyou. They are quiet, peaceful and very relaxing. You’ll find a kitchen, bedroom(s), fireplace, living room and some have private decks. Also, the view when you check in is pretty amazing. The first image is what you see. Behind you is a gorgeous golf course. (Dad’s play free on Father’s Day and I believe you can also play for free on your birthday!) Here are some of the photos:
Here are some photos of the room:
In the morning I took a walk through the parking lot and over to the lake’s edge:
I hope you’ll have a chance to visit this beautiful area! Next, I’m going to take you along when I buy a set of golf clubs 😉
Key links:
City of Mount Shasta: http://ci.mt-shasta.ca.us/
Mount Shasta Resort: http://mountshastaresort.com/
Would you like a print? Please click on “Contact”. My photography is printed on aluminum. Utilizing an advanced process which infuses dyes directly into the metal, the colors and saturation are really amazing. In addition, your print will be displayed using mount blocks which float the image ½ inch off the wall.
©2013 Shelley D Spray – No content on this site (including all photography) may be reused in any fashion without written permission from the author.
Between the villages of Nice and Lucerne on the north shore Clear Lake is an Italian oasis that will take your breath away. I had originally found it on the Internet and decided to drive over and take a look yesterday, after I drove through the tree in the Redwood Forest. California is a bit like that, the terrain can completely change after driving for an hour or two.
The villa is charming and quite elegant. It was almost 100 degrees when I arrived so when I stepped through the doors the cool air felt amazing. I walked through the villa, past the wine tasting room and the out into a courtyard. There were groups of people eating, and sipping wine and I felt like I was in Tuscany.
Then, when I looked ahead of me I could not believe my eyes. A huge blanket of lavender lined a pathway that lead out to the lake! It was gorgeous! I’ll let the photos speak for themselves because I truly can’t describe the beauty.
The last photo is looking back toward the villa. If you turn around you’ll see the dock that leads out to the lake.
The following photos are of the gardens and one last on in the tasting room. In The gardens you’ll find fig trees, apples, citrus and a few bees. BTW…The wine is fabulous and yes, I did buy a few bottles. 😉
Quick links:
Link to their website: http://www.ceago.com/
Also, the 9th Annual Lavender Harvest Celebration is Saturday, July 6th, 1-5pm. For more information go to “events” at www.ceago.com, or you can purchase tickets by emailing nina@ceago.com. I’ve never been but again, the lavender fields that you find behind the villa are absolutely amazing! If you do go please let me know! Shelley
