This seating area below a pergola seemed like it would be a great place to chill at night with candles and wine.
This seating area below a pergola seemed like it would be a great place to chill at night with candles and wine.
0 2025/06/09 22:20:57
Lily pond.
Lily pond.
0 2025/06/09 22:20:44
The food and drink were good. The service was better.
The food and drink were good. The service was better.
0 2025/06/09 22:20:33
*unrelated macdog: I can't ID this shot---might you know what it is? It was downtown. Next: more music then more gardens
*unrelated macdog: I can't ID this shot---might you know what it is? It was downtown. Next: more music then more gardens
0 2025/06/09 22:19:28
Part of the allure was the ranch's lovely grounds. The gardens were impressive and the decor included fountains, sitting nooks, old trees, metal tortoises and wooden carvings. Without prompt, one staffer informed us that the best photo op views were 'up by the pool area'. Unfortunately, his tip came too late as our return taxi was already en route.
Part of the allure was the ranch's lovely grounds. The gardens were impressive and the decor included fountains, sitting nooks, old trees, metal tortoises and wooden carvings. Without prompt, one staffer informed us that the best photo op views were 'up by the pool area'. Unfortunately, his tip came too late as our return taxi was already en route.
0 2025/06/09 22:18:26
There were only three parties celebrating that afternoon. The group of six nearest us had to sit through one of their party holding court non-stop. In that time, that person detailed their recent operation in such excruciating detail that we came 'this close' to asking for a different table.
There were only three parties celebrating that afternoon. The group of six nearest us had to sit through one of their party holding court non-stop. In that time, that person detailed their recent operation in such excruciating detail that we came 'this close' to asking for a different table.
0 2025/06/09 22:17:55
Tea for two on a sunny afternoon. The atmosphere was not as stuffy as we'd feared.
Tea for two on a sunny afternoon. The atmosphere was not as stuffy as we'd feared.
0 2025/06/09 22:17:35
John Decker's 1933 painting of the LA Oil Boom, depicting a derrick at night. The bobbing heads of oil pump jacks could be found mostly in black and Latino neighborhoods, places which suffered higher rates of related illness. Those derricks were phased out by 2020.
John Decker's 1933 painting of the LA Oil Boom, depicting a derrick at night. The bobbing heads of oil pump jacks could be found mostly in black and Latino neighborhoods, places which suffered higher rates of related illness. Those derricks were phased out by 2020.
0 2025/06/08 22:23:25
BF in SB
BF in SB
0 2025/06/08 21:31:59
Just down the lane from the above...grandpa and granddaughter.
Just down the lane from the above...grandpa and granddaughter.
0 2025/06/08 21:31:45
Iconic California poppy mosaic.
Iconic California poppy mosaic.
0 2025/06/08 21:31:05
In the La Arcada plaza of boutiques and such, this metal piece by J. Seward Johnson Jr. was called 'Who's in Charge?'
In the La Arcada plaza of boutiques and such, this metal piece by J. Seward Johnson Jr. was called 'Who's in Charge?'
0 2025/06/08 21:30:32
The unique ness continued. This was 'Ja K'iche' (Mayan 'home'), a fabric and acrylic creation on basswood panel that Guatemalan Estefania Ajcip made in 2023. She portrayed herself as a lonely child missing her daddy who worked for LA tailors for decades. Female Hispanic artists were featured in the 'Accretion' room.
The unique ness continued. This was 'Ja K'iche' (Mayan 'home'), a fabric and acrylic creation on basswood panel that Guatemalan Estefania Ajcip made in 2023. She portrayed herself as a lonely child missing her daddy who worked for LA tailors for decades. Female Hispanic artists were featured in the 'Accretion' room.
0 2025/06/08 21:30:24
Shout-out to friendly museum staffer Joshua. He greeted visitors in a bespoke suit unlike most others, doing so at a desk right below a spinning gold Egyptian Pharoah bust. Also, see dcd's TR photos of some paintings including the Monet 'Villa B'. See also: historic Indian/Nepali sculpture and also modern photography. Above: the clothing created from pages of art books.
Shout-out to friendly museum staffer Joshua. He greeted visitors in a bespoke suit unlike most others, doing so at a desk right below a spinning gold Egyptian Pharoah bust. Also, see dcd's TR photos of some paintings including the Monet 'Villa B'. See also: historic Indian/Nepali sculpture and also modern photography. Above: the clothing created from pages of art books.
0 2025/06/08 21:30:11
Local teen in middle says: "Who's that guy like, with a cane and sprawled on that plaza bench? Didn't we read about him in History last term?"
Local teen in middle says: "Who's that guy like, with a cane and sprawled on that plaza bench? Didn't we read about him in History last term?"
0 2025/06/08 21:29:54
Some pretentious Canadian photographer took this image in the waters of the marina.
Some pretentious Canadian photographer took this image in the waters of the marina.
0 2025/06/08 21:29:24
We took a lot of taxis. Most like the man above, were from Mexico. But some hailed from South America. We hired the above driver twice and the second time he brought his wife. We four had a long chat. Their adult daughter had just called home in tears from Chicago--her transfer there was not working out. To change the heavy topic, I pointed out the window: "See that Earl Warren Showground over the fence? Jimi Hendrix once performed a pair of concerts there back in the '60s." Next: gardens
We took a lot of taxis. Most like the man above, were from Mexico. But some hailed from South America. We hired the above driver twice and the second time he brought his wife. We four had a long chat. Their adult daughter had just called home in tears from Chicago--her transfer there was not working out. To change the heavy topic, I pointed out the window: "See that Earl Warren Showground over the fence? Jimi Hendrix once performed a pair of concerts there back in the '60s." Next: gardens
0 2025/06/08 21:29:03
As above, from a panel of four.
As above, from a panel of four.
0 2025/06/08 21:28:31
From a private home.
From a private home.
0 2025/06/08 21:28:10
From a motel's facade.
From a motel's facade.
0 2025/06/08 21:27:51
More street art. This was brand-new.
More street art. This was brand-new.
0 2025/06/08 21:27:35
A flower from the same mural.
A flower from the same mural.
0 2025/06/08 21:27:23
This message in the Funk Zone is self-explanatory.
This message in the Funk Zone is self-explanatory.
0 2025/06/08 21:26:51
In the same area we saw this large mural 'Visitors' by the Tapcot studios parking lot.
In the same area we saw this large mural 'Visitors' by the Tapcot studios parking lot.
0 2025/06/08 21:17:40
This dragon mural in the Haley corridor was impossible to miss. But it held a hidden corner easy to overlook. People had left a modest tribute of candles for some unfortunate fentanyl victim in the bottom left.
This dragon mural in the Haley corridor was impossible to miss. But it held a hidden corner easy to overlook. People had left a modest tribute of candles for some unfortunate fentanyl victim in the bottom left.
0 2025/06/08 21:15:47
Even some of the flooring stonework was nice.
Even some of the flooring stonework was nice.
0 2025/06/08 21:02:11
An additional 'something completely different' created by Randy Greif (real name?) in 2005. Title: 'No-one has a Monopoly over Sorrow'. He utilized soldier's wedding rings from a number of wars, plus finger bones coated in melted bullet lead. There were also snippets from bridal bouquets, mourning dresses plus actual hair from the Civil War. I like how he remembered the wives. Give him/her 10 points for originality amidst a social critique.
An additional 'something completely different' created by Randy Greif (real name?) in 2005. Title: 'No-one has a Monopoly over Sorrow'. He utilized soldier's wedding rings from a number of wars, plus finger bones coated in melted bullet lead. There were also snippets from bridal bouquets, mourning dresses plus actual hair from the Civil War. I like how he remembered the wives. Give him/her 10 points for originality amidst a social critique.
0 2025/06/08 21:02:04
This section will be about Art. Normally I run a mile upon hearing the words 'Arts Museum', but I'm glad that Mrs Z talked me into going with her to the SB Beaux Arts. Above is a unique piece, the refracted phosphorous light sculpture by Puerto Rico's Gisela Colon. Title: 'Skewed Square.' Loved it. By design, it appeared to slightly move from all angles! One young and insecure security guard confronted me about camera flashes even though my Nikon's flash was turned off. Shakes head...
This section will be about Art. Normally I run a mile upon hearing the words 'Arts Museum', but I'm glad that Mrs Z talked me into going with her to the SB Beaux Arts. Above is a unique piece, the refracted phosphorous light sculpture by Puerto Rico's Gisela Colon. Title: 'Skewed Square.' Loved it. By design, it appeared to slightly move from all angles! One young and insecure security guard confronted me about camera flashes even though my Nikon's flash was turned off. Shakes head...
0 2025/06/08 21:01:44
Glassware.
Glassware.
0 2025/06/08 21:01:25
Street mural in the Funk Zone.
Street mural in the Funk Zone.
0 2025/06/08 21:01:15
We bought some cookies from these Girl Guide scouts and their little sisters. The following week, I sought them out at that same marina spot to give them each a Canada flag pin. They were happy to receive the tiny gift.
We bought some cookies from these Girl Guide scouts and their little sisters. The following week, I sought them out at that same marina spot to give them each a Canada flag pin. They were happy to receive the tiny gift.
0 2025/06/08 12:19:28
Oat Bakery was run by a group of women. They had a sense of humor.
Oat Bakery was run by a group of women. They had a sense of humor.
0 2025/06/08 12:15:58
Diver-caught red sea urchins are regarded as the best on the planet. Japanese visitors certainly hold that opinion. According to my taste buds, this local variety is more earthy and less sweet than most.
Diver-caught red sea urchins are regarded as the best on the planet. Japanese visitors certainly hold that opinion. According to my taste buds, this local variety is more earthy and less sweet than most.
0 2025/06/08 12:15:39
Andersens Bakery as aforementioned, did a very good Nordic salad. Great pastry selection too. This was the best people-watching perch of this trip. The elderly couple next to us forgot their sunglasses, so we alerted staff. In the chaos, I forgot to tip and so returned later that night to do so. We were not as willing to tip staff @ popular McConnells Ice Cream. Their machine's prompt to do so was disappointing.
Andersens Bakery as aforementioned, did a very good Nordic salad. Great pastry selection too. This was the best people-watching perch of this trip. The elderly couple next to us forgot their sunglasses, so we alerted staff. In the chaos, I forgot to tip and so returned later that night to do so. We were not as willing to tip staff @ popular McConnells Ice Cream. Their machine's prompt to do so was disappointing.
0 2025/06/08 12:15:30
Joe's Cafe is a veritable old diner known for its stiff drinks and testosterone. It proved to be too loud for my hearing issues, so Mrs Z and I vamoosed outa' there as soon as we finished our meals. See 'misguided diners in search of local culture'.
Joe's Cafe is a veritable old diner known for its stiff drinks and testosterone. It proved to be too loud for my hearing issues, so Mrs Z and I vamoosed outa' there as soon as we finished our meals. See 'misguided diners in search of local culture'.
0 2025/06/08 12:15:16
The Valentines Day afternoon tea at San Ysidro Ranch included these sweet treats. More about that later in a dedicated section.
The Valentines Day afternoon tea at San Ysidro Ranch included these sweet treats. More about that later in a dedicated section.
0 2025/06/08 12:15:05
A permanent shop featuring the exact same name (Santa Barbara Fish Market) is located a few steps inland down the same alley. The small but popular shop is the only Californian seafood store actually located within its namesake harbor. I went back twice for their calamari salad but our fave was their fish roe. Pictured here is their black variety.
A permanent shop featuring the exact same name (Santa Barbara Fish Market) is located a few steps inland down the same alley. The small but popular shop is the only Californian seafood store actually located within its namesake harbor. I went back twice for their calamari salad but our fave was their fish roe. Pictured here is their black variety.
0 2025/06/08 12:14:53
A view of that dockside market from higher up. Do they ever sell weird fish such as cabezon and those loooooooong oarfish?
A view of that dockside market from higher up. Do they ever sell weird fish such as cabezon and those loooooooong oarfish?
0 2025/06/08 12:14:42
The locals came out early for white seabass, cod, spiny lobster, swordfish, abalone and mussels. We self-caterers bought some just-caught halibut. Back as our rental, we put some SPIKE spice that I'd brought from home. The result: Food o' the Gods.
The locals came out early for white seabass, cod, spiny lobster, swordfish, abalone and mussels. We self-caterers bought some just-caught halibut. Back as our rental, we put some SPIKE spice that I'd brought from home. The result: Food o' the Gods.
0 2025/06/08 12:14:24
Reddit research was not the only new thing that we tried on this trip. We also pre-ordered some jars of an old favorite honey from previous Cali visits: Star Thistle. It is apparently poisonous to horses. But its taste is excellent, right up there with New Zealand types. My honey and I ordered some from Sonoma-based 'Kiss the Flower' family apiary ahead of time to arrive at our rental. Shown here next to our trip journal. Thx to TTer 'Nutraxfornerves' for having repeatedly assisted our quest.
Reddit research was not the only new thing that we tried on this trip. We also pre-ordered some jars of an old favorite honey from previous Cali visits: Star Thistle. It is apparently poisonous to horses. But its taste is excellent, right up there with New Zealand types. My honey and I ordered some from Sonoma-based 'Kiss the Flower' family apiary ahead of time to arrive at our rental. Shown here next to our trip journal. Thx to TTer 'Nutraxfornerves' for having repeatedly assisted our quest.
0 2025/06/08 12:14:17
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