A year ago today, I steered my aging Camry into Oakland, loaded down with Asahi Cat and everything I deemed critical until I could actually get the rest of my possessions moved out to California from Iowa. It’s been an amazing year since I moved into my new apartment, filled with countless adventures, food discoveries and cocktailish explorations, and I’m thrilled to be here.
Asahi Cat and I celebrated in a most un-gardenlike way—with a double-double animal style burger and well-done fries at In-n-Out in Oakland—but I have given some thought to more than just meat today. There are great gardens in this area, many of which I still haven’t seen.
To that end, I’ve made a short list of local botanical haunts I want to visit during my second year in the area. Many of them are so close to me it’s just silly I haven’t been there yet, but that’s easily remedied.
- Visit the Morcom Rose Garden in Oakland, which has just kicked off its blooming season.
- Visit the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley, which apparently has 12,000 different kind of plants.
- Settle in for a summer concert at the Kaiser Rooftop Garden, which is absurdly close to my office.
- Locate and visit the Golden State Bonsai Foundation garden, which was recommended to me nearly a year ago by a fellow Oakland resident.
- And, just so San Francisco doesn’t think I’ve forgotten all about it, sneak across the Bay to Flora Grubb Gardens, possibly for one of their workshops.
What gardens will you be visiting in your area this year?
on May 25th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I didn’t know you could get In-N-Out french fries well done?! I’ve been eating at In-N-Out since I was in utero and I didn’t know that! I’m going to have to talk to my parents and find out how they managed to leave out that little tid-bit from my upbringing. Self-respecting Californians should know all of the off-menu customizations available at In-N-Out.
on May 26th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Fern, I will admit to turning to the crazy power of the Interwebs to get my customization schooling…but yes, I think a talk with your parents is most definitely due! The well-done fries were awesome.
on May 26th, 2009 at 9:57 am
We’re not familiar with this garden, but want to make a visit to the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek hopefully during their sculpture exhibit June 19 – July 19 – http://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/
on May 26th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Russell, that sounds like a lovely one! I hadn’t heard of it…should put it on my list.
on May 26th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
You’ll want to visit my humble backyard tangle. How about during pear harvest?
on May 26th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Debby, you had me at pear harvest. :-)
on May 27th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Perfect! These are all a stone’s through from our place. Thanks for the list.
on May 27th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Greenphonebooth, you’re welcome! Thanks for visiting!
on May 27th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
What an amazing year you’ve had! Sometimes I can’t believe you haven’t been in Oakland all along.
on May 28th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Lydia, sometimes I can’t believe it either…
on Jun 8th, 2009 at 2:51 am
Awesome! Flora Grubb is a bit far from my house…I’d have to integrate it into a visit with friends in Bernal Heights or something!
Cool post.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Al_Pal, there’s not a thing wrong with involving friends in this garden-visiting project! :-)