As I have mentioned before I am from Southern California, but more specifically from a beach town called San Clemente in South Orange County.  Mike and I just returned from a 10 day visit with my family and as always the small beach town is as magical as when I was younger, spoiling its residents and visitors with long sunny days and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

When I started my morning with a view of the ocean, a few flowers from my mother’s garden,

and an amazing soy latte from Mimosa Cafe decorated like it knew it was going to be featured on GrowCookEatNYC,

I knew it was going to be one of those perfect San Clemente days.

One of my favorite places to go and show visitors is Casa Romantica which sits on a hill overlooking the coastline.  Built in 1927, San Clemente’s founder, Ole Hanson, wanted his family home to reflect the vision he had of the Californian dream in the new “Spanish Village by the Sea.” 

I realized that I still hadn’t shown Mike Casa Romantica so we took a visit with my parents.  Its $5 to enter and worth every penny.  All the proceeds go to the Casa to up keep the venue and they do a great job of doing so.  We were fortunate enough to be able to stroll the gardens with so many of the spring flowers in bloom. 

And how cool is this artichoke plant?  The next day at Trader Joe’s, I definitely put a few in my basket! 

Everywhere you looked there was some sort of plant growth!

And in case you felt like you didn’t get your $5 worth in the garden… the view is truly priceless.

So for those who find themselves in San Clemente, CA… I highly recommend an afternoon at Casa Romantica!