Saturday, February 8, 2014

A different kind of library


There is one place in Southern California that I just have to visit every time I find myself in that area.  It's called Sherman Library & Gardens and I was introduced to the place by Julie & Dave who have the Scottsdale Daily Photo and the Tamarindo Costa Rica daily photo blogs.  The place gets it's "library" name from its collection of books about the Pacific Southwest.  It gets its "garden" name from the gorgeous grounds and greenhouses that are overflowing with incredible plants and flowers.

The garden is located in the heart of Corona del Mar right on the Pacific Coast Highway.  It's hard to tell what awaits you when you are standing at the entrance.  In one step, you will leave the busy street behind and be transported into a beautiful, peaceful oasis.

You will see dahlias bigger than a dinner platter and…..
















…..exotic red ginger blooms.

















Stop at the garden pond and see my favorite garden ornament, this cute little patriotic otter who holds onto the watering hose.

In addition to the flowers I've pictured here, there are also roses, orchids, ferns, cactus, and succulents and much, much more.


























If you are going to visit, make a reservation at Cafe Jardin, the restaurant located inside the garden.  You can sit on the patio with a view like that pictured above and enjoy a gourmet lunch or brunch that I guarantee you will be pleased with.


The menu changes often and features fresh and local ingredients.  You might get a tasty crab cake sitting on top of creamy risotto.















And you could finish the meal with a chocolate tart.  Then walk it all off while you explore the beauties of the garden.













12 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous looking oasis, and the food doesn't look too bad either!

Andy said...

Wow! Today you gave my eyes a delicious feast.

Kate said...

What a wonderful place! It has much variety and I'd love to explore every aspect of it!

Kate said...

Ddid I forget to mention that your photos are also splendid?!

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

This is indeed a special place that we enjoy visiting every summer. What a productive use of 2 acres in the middle of a crowded part of the Corona del Mar area of Newport Beach.

Judy said...

Those pictures should be enough to tempt anyone to visit!

Lowell said...

If I ate all that food, I'd barely be able to waddle around to take in all the incredible beauty this garden/library has to offer!

Susie of Arabia said...

Definitely a place I would love to see myself...

Catalyst said...

I'm sending a link to a friend of mine who lives in California.

Wonderful photos, Sharon.

Jack said...

Wow! I love everything about this place. I have never heard about it before.

Steve said...

Super post. Looks like it would be worth visiting.

LOLfromPasa said...

Fantastic! I am going to remember this next time I go home to California for a visit. Looks wonderful!