Siting Santa Monica: Ocean to Beach

Siting Santa Monica: Ocean to Beach

There is a magical walkway between Street and Santa Monica Beach.

WEBaOn Ocean…beguiling architecture can be seen…

WEBbcomplete with detail of tile, brick and terracotta.

WEBdTo the side..wooden shutters and pattern upon pattern,

WEBcgiving new meaning to “white picket fence”.

WEBeAs one moves down the walkway from Ocean to beach….one sees more layers, of pattern and material, plants and metal. Santa Monica knows from gates…weathered, imposing, architectural, artsy.

WEBfAt the bottom of the walkway, is another magnificent building that manages to combine quaintness and stateliness.

WEBgMore texture.  This side faces the beach.

WEBiHeading back up the walkway, towards Ocean Street again, one passes more brick, banked with foliage and flowers.

WEBhPalms, succulents, flowering plants and a mix of materials soften the concrete.

WEBkThe walkway weaves its magic…feeling for all the world like a picturesque country lane…

WEBjAlbeit one with some interesting signs, which betray its origins in the world’s entertainment capitol.

WEBlMore gates, and a visual archway created.

WEBmThese could be the gates to an Tuscan Villa, if one didn’t see the Pacific Ocean to the right, directly West.

WEBnTrue to ever artful Santa Monica, brick pattern and mosaic design add just enough visual interest to a garden wall to arrest and entice.

WEBoIt is no accident that the mosaic design leads our eye to the gate, and what lays behind it.

WEBpI turn, to take in the Western view…from where I walked,WEBrthan back Eastward, to Ocean, where I am walking to.

For now.

LA Stories III: The Balm of Palm

LA STORIES III: The Balm of Palm
What says “Southern California” more succinctly than palm trees?  Yes…they also bespeak the tropics, surfing,  Miami Beach, and the essence of relaxation itself, , even paradise,  but when in LA, the Balm of Palm is King…er. Queen?

Here are some of my favorite recent “Palm Psalm” sitings in Santa Monica and Venice…so sit down with your favorite drink, tropical or otherwise, , relax, and listen to the palm leaves rustle….

Palm-lined boulevards are the norm in Santa Monica

Reflections of a palm darkly…in downtown Santa Monica

Follow the palm-lined road…

Biblical implications behind Yahoo Center, Santa Monica?

Headed down Colorado Boulevard to the Santa Monica Pier…looking left!

The leaning tower of palm…

The Washingtonia robusta palm trees line Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica

Abbot Kinney, I presume…Venice!

“Who you lookin’ at?”  Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica

The storied Venice Canals…

So, what are we to make of the abundance of LA palms?

Well, according to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, “In historical times palms have been symbols for victory, peace, and fertility. Today, palms remain a popular symbol for the tropics and vacations”.  Hmm…from victory,  peace and fertility, to the tropics and vacations…go figure.  Sounds like So-Cal to me!

What do Palm Trees mean to YOU? Have You relaxed under any lately?

If You so choose, please share about it with us here.  We love to hear from You.

Remember, we are all relaxing into this thing called Life, together.