February 4, 2005 - Giant Squid Invade Newport Beach
About 1,500 jumbo squid washed up on Orange County beaches last month, on the shores of Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and San Onofre.
Believed to be Humboldt squid, these critters usually live in deep water, at 660 to 2,300 feet, and can reach 6 feet in length. Why they suddenly came ashore is a bit of a mystery. They're found in South America, but in recent years they've been spotted along the coasts of California, Oregon and Alaska. But, then again, not much is known about them. Although they're not rare, they are elusive.
"They look like a miniature sea monster, something you'd see out of a Jules Verne novel," said Captain Eric Baur, of the Newport Beach lifeguards.
Naturally, this was a bit of a mess to clean up, especially following all the cleanup from the recent storms. But the seagulls and crabs got quite a feast out of it.
National Geographic has an excellent article on Humboldt Squid.
Photos of Humboldt squid.
February 8, 2005 - Romantic California Beaches
Ah, February. Time to think about romance. And what could be more romantic than walking hand-in-hand along a windswept beach?
But which beach? There are so many wonderfully romantic beaches in California that it'd be easier to compile a list of the non-romantic beaches. That doesn't work either, though. The truth is, I've never met a beach I didn't like, a beach so ugly and smelly as to be totally lacking in romance.
So I'll just tell you about one of my favorite places, the wildly romantic Carmel. The entire Monterey Peninsula is drop-dead gorgeous to begin with, but Carmel has some of the whitest, fluffiest sand and the most stunning vistas in the area. And, if you love your dog (almost) as much as you love the light of your life, you'll love the dog-friendly Carmel beaches. (Not to worry if you don't love dogs, Carmel is pretty fussy about dog owners picking up after their pets.)
The city of Carmel is like a quaint European village. Words like "fairytale" and "charming" are usually attached to it. The place is made for strolling down shady streets and courtyards, browsing in the shops and galleries. You'll find plenty of romantic accommodations, from bed and breakfast cottages to luxury resorts.
The most romantic scenic drives you'll find in California are right here. The 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach is sheer pleasure. Take your time to enjoy it. Or head south on Highway 1 to Big Sur, 26 miles away. It will take your breath away.
What's not to love?
Find out more:
Carmel Beaches
17 Mile Drive, Point Lobos, and Garrapata State Park
February 17, 2005 - Return of the Whales
Spring is a comin' in, and the gray whales will soon be making their return journey up the California coast. This is the best time of year for whale-watchers, because the whales return with their newborn calves in tow. That means they'll be going a bit slower, so they'll be easier to spot. And babies are always cute, even if they do weigh more than a Mini Cooper.
Some communities get really excited about the whales, and so hold whale festivals. Or maybe it's just a good excuse to eat, drink, and be merry. In any case, here's a few festivals you might want to consider:
Dana Point Festival of Whales March 5,6 & 12,13, 2005
Mendocino Whale Festival March 5-6, 2005
Fort Bragg Whale Festival March 19-20, 2005
You can also catch a whale watching excursion from just about any harbor on the California coast. See The Best Places to Find a Whale Watching Tour in California for details.
February 24, 2005 - Orchids to Santa Barbara
March 4-6, 2005
One of the largest and most prestigious orchid shows in the nation, The 60th Annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is a great opportunity to see the most unique and stunning orchid plants from around the world. You'll be able to see thousands of beautiful orchids, as over 70 commercial and amateur growers exhibit their prized flowers. There will be demonstrations of orchid culture and care, open houses at local orchid nurseries, and orchid plants, corsages, and souvenirs for sale.
Santa Barbara has a long history of orchid growing, beginning in the early 1900's, when wealthy residents grew orchids as an exotic hobby. Orchids were all the rage, and mass plantings thrived in Santa Barbara's mild climate.
Just after World War II, orchid growing really took off when Signal Oil magnate Samuel B. Mosher spent $1.5 million to assemble an extensive breeding collection at his Dos Pueblos Orchid Company. Today, Santa Barbara's orchid growers are among the nation's top breeders and producers of orchids.
Happily, orchid growing is now considerably easier and cheaper, no longer the plaything of the idle rich. And these exotic flowers are surprisingly easy to grow. Cymbidiums, Laelias and Epidendrums can be grown outdoors in mild climates, and moth orchids and lady slippers will bloom indoors under ordinary conditions.
The Orchid Show takes place at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, Highway 101 and Las Positas Road, in Santa Barbara. You'll find more information at Celebration of Orchids
