greystone mansion gardens

The historic Greystone Mansion

is located on a beautiful hillside in Beverly Hills

with magnificent views of Los Angeles,

Hollywood, and Beverly Hills and beyond.  

Also known as the Doheny estate,

this 19th Century English Revival style home

was finished in 1928,

and includes formal Italian and English gardens,

koi ponds, fountains and waterfalls. 

A tall alley of cypress trees and lavender framed 

by cascading stone fountains and tall arches.

The inner courtyard with circular fountain in the center.

.

The koi and turtle Reflection Pond.

Spectacular view of the city of angels.

A glass sculpture in another pond in the lower garden.

A small waterfall emptying into the koi pond.

Looking towards the Cypress Walk and small fountain.

Visit another story about Greystone Mansion here. 

ciao! fabiana

field trip to laguna beach

Laguna Beach is a gorgeous 15 minute drive

from Newport, straight down Pacific Coast Highway.

My friend, Nancy and I did a little shopping

and lunching there this week,

and soaked up the coastal-artsy vibe

that only Laguna Beach has.   

 Our first stop was the Laguna Gardens Nursery.

They have a great selection of succulents

and native plants, and

some creative pots and displays.  

Next, was a walk through downtown... 

Finally, we had the most amazing

lunch at the new Tommy Bahama restaurant.

We tried the lobster corn dogs as an appetizer,

just a lobster claw dipped in corn batter and fried,

omg!

A few little treasures from the thrift store. 

ciao! fabiana

a morning in la jolla

We had a quick visit to the La Jolla coastline one recent morning, and I took a few snapshots of the gorgeous views. We enjoyed a home-style breakfast at the famous Brockton Villa Restaurant, which is located a historic 1894 house that was built right on the coast. 

A quick walk up the street took us to another one of my favorite places, the La Jolla Cave Store. Inside the store, you have access to the only land entrance to a sea cave known in California. When you get to the bottom of the steep stairway, you are greeted by the silhouette of "Sunny Jim", named by L. Frank Baum after a cartoon character from the 1920's.  

The Brockton Villa Restaurant is the small white house located in the center of the above photo.  From the restaurant, you have views of snorkelers, kayakers, and native sea lions.  They’re quite vocal!

ciao! fabiana

6 romantic retreats in california

Korakia Pensione in Palm Springs 

Grab the glass of mint tea that awaits you in your Moroccan 
or Mediterranean-style room, then head out through 

French doors onto your bougainvillea-edged patio to sip and stare 

at the San Jacinto Mountains. Later, go for a swim in one of the inn’s

 two torch-lit pools under clear desert skies, 

or catch an outdoor movie.

 Korakia Pensione

Figueroa Hotel in Los Angeles

Humphrey Bogart would fit right in at this cinematic
Moroccan oasis in the middle of downtown's flurry.

 the Figueroa Hotel

Indian Springs in Calistoga

There’s no better way to warm up, literally and figuratively, for an amorous 
evening than with a soak in steamy water so rich with minerals 
it feels like silk ― especially when your private cottage 
is just footsteps away. 

 Indian Springs

Cedar House Sport Hotel in Truckee

Skip Tahoe’s typically crowded après-ski scene 
and head back to eco-luxe Cedar House for a glass of red at the

guests-only fireside bar. Enjoy an outdoor soak before an 

Italian supper at the boutique inn’s new restaurant, Stella.

 Cedar House

Deetjen's Big Sur Inn

Each of the very rustic cottages, which are grouped around a 
redwood-shaded ravine on a gorgeously untamed coastline.  

When the rains lash the redwoods, there’s no better place to snuggle 

and listen to the crackling of a fire in the woodstove.

Deetjen's

The Orchid Inn in Santa Barbara

Orchid blossoms appear on your pillow each night, 
the beach is just a short walk away,
and rooms have wood-burning fireplaces and private entries.

 the Orchid Inn

ciao! fabiana