April 2023 ~ Spring has arrived!

“The little yellow flowers that nobody notices on the edge of that road are saints looking up into the face of God.” - Thomas Merton.

Hello friend,

I’ve been dreaming up road trips and recipes in my journal ever since I was a teenager in the suburbs planning a way to break out of the monotony of strip malls and tract homes. This seasonal ritual of sprawling out with a notebook and daydreaming about potential adventures has become an anchor that helps me navigate life’s ups and downs by ensuring I always have something to look forward to, whether it’s a weekend up the coast or the first scent of jasmine on an evening walk. In a world that can often feel challenging, uncertain, and increasingly demanding, this simple act of “looking forward” has become my tiny steadying act — there’s an inherent hopefulness to it that helps me appreciate the magic of each new day.

Because so much of what I’m drawn to is ephemeral, there’s a reverence that comes when I experience something from my “fun list” in the short window when it’s possible, or when I revisit a beloved place, time and time again: A citrus party becomes a tradition. A picnic in a flower field becomes a pilgrimage. A dinner made with homegrown tomatoes becomes a ceremony. With each repetition, the meaning of my experience grows deeper.

I’m excited to share some of my favorite places and rituals with you! And I hope that as you move through the seasons of your life, you infuse your experiences with meaning and document the beauty you encounter. I’d also love to know what you’re looking forward to with each shifting month, especially here in California. Please reach out if you have suggestions that you’d like to share! I’m always searching for beautiful, surreal and historic places to visit, restaurants to try, and recommendations for music, movies and books.

With that, here are a few things that feel like April and springtime to me:

Picnics in Flower Fields and Rolling Green Hills!!

Laying out on a blanket in the middle of a blooming field is one of the purest joys in life! Because the California hills dry up and brown over the summer, it’s a fleeting experience that I look forward to every single year. Usually, I journey out to green hills in February as a precursor to blossom trails and wildflower fields, which come later in the season. However, this year the rain prevented me from going out and delayed the bloom cycle, shifting my typical springtime routine. But I’m not complaining because everything is alive and radiant after the rain! I’ve never seen so many beautiful flowers sprinkled throughout the city, even sprouting up through cracks in the sidewalk!

Here are a few gorgeous fields to check out.

Carrizo Plain National Monument

Carrizo Plain is a 200,000 acre grassland in the high desert near San Luis Obispo. It is absolutely glorious in the spring with a sea of glistening golden flowers blooming across the entire expanse. I went last weekend and felt like I had actually been transported to heaven! According to the Theodore Payne Wildflower Report, this is a good time to visit since the region is beginning the downside of peak bloom.

Leave early in the morning and pack a picnic for a day trip from LA or make a weekend of it and stay at the charming Cuyama Buckhorn.

Carrizo Plain is home to the highest concentration of endangered wildlife in California and it has been a research hub for scientists to examine how climate change impacts ecosystems. If you visit and fall in love with the plains as much as I did, consider supporting or getting involved with Friends of Carrizo Plain or The Nature Conservancy.

Note: there are limited facilities at the park itself — few restrooms, no water/food on site (bring your own), and make sure to load up on gas beforehand.

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

This is the iconic fire red poppy field that has come to define the Superbloom. There was once a time when California poppies covered hillsides across the state—It’s said that early Spanish settlers sailing in the Pacific knew they were arriving in California, because they could spot the bright orange hillsides all the way from the ocean. Imagine what a sight that must have been!

I'd, of course, recommend a visit if you've never been (it’s a must see!), but definitely skip the weekend crowds and try to go during the week if at all possible.

While you’re in Lancaster, check out the musical road on Avenue G between 30th and 40th Street. If you drive at 55mph with the windows down, you’ll hear a bumpy, windy, gravely version of the William Tell Overture. It’s worth a stop if you’re passing through town!

And if you’re driving there from LA, I’d recommend a stop at The Original Saugus Cafe in Santa Clarita. It’s the longest operating restaurant in LA, originally opened in 1886 (though this building is from the early 50s). And the seats are sweetly hand embroidered with the names of regulars <3

Wind Wolves Preserve

Wind Wolves Preserve in the springtime is one of my favorite places in all of California! This photo was captured on my very first visit a decade ago! On that day, I remember waking up early to go to the station where I had my radio show. One of my best friends guest DJed that morning (she played “Silly Girl” by Television Personalities and “Emma’s House” by the Field Mice, which explains why I’m always in the mood to listen to these songs when I drive through this area), and afterwards we drove straight to Kern County and spent the whole day reading, journaling, and immersing ourselves in the tranquility of our fairytale surroundings. It has remained one of my most treasured places ever since.

It’s only about an hour and a half away from LA, but in the spring when the grass is green, it feels like a world away. There are rolling hills and occasional sheep sightings, and I find that there are usually very few people there. It feels like entering a portal to a quieter time. There are some wildflowers, but don’t expect carpets of color. Go for the emerald hills, silence, and seclusion.

One day I’ll do a Bakersfield-specific list of sights and recommendations to extend a visit to Wind Wolves. In the meantime, I’d love to know if you have any favorite spots out there as I’m still learning about the area.

Chino Hills State Park

This is another place I love to visit in the springtime for rolling green hills. It’s an expansive park tucked away in a suburb not too far from LA County — it has the benefit of being a magical and practical place to visit, especially if you’re traveling with limited time, young ones or folks who need access to modern conveniences. And while the park can see crowds in the parking lot on the weekends, it’s so big that once you’re inside, there are plenty of places to escape.

LA Local: Ascot Hills

If you’re short on time or can’t drive out somewhere far, Ascot Hills in El Sereno is one of my favorite local spots.

Note: El Sereno is one of the few neighborhoods in LA that still has wide open space, and much of it is under threat by development. Local activists have done incredible work preserving the area, revitalizing it with new native plantings, and pushing back on developers. Here’s a great piece to learn more about their inspiring work to preserve Black Walnut Trees in the area.

OC: Caspers Regional Park & Weir Canyon Trail at Santiago Oaks Regional Park

I have heard that both of these parks are blooming right now! I may try to check them out this weekend. Theodore Payne Foundation’s Wildflower Hotline mentions Caspers this week.

Coming Soon: Lilac Season

Kilcoyne Lilac Farm

Keep an eye on Kilcoyne Lilac Farm’s website or newsletter for an announcement on when their season opens. Lilacs have a very short bloom cycle, usually only about 2 weeks. And freshly cut lilac will fill your home with the ambrosial scent of springtime. Plus, you can make lilac syrup to add to lemonades and cocktails.

Celestial Events ~ Meteor Shower

I adore celestial events: meteor showers, full moons, eclipses, visible planets. There’s an ineffable quality to gazing up at a darkened sky speckled with shining stars that overwhelms my grasp of time, space, and my own place on this tiny beautiful planet.

And when there is movement…in the sky (!?), it genuinely feels like magic. Like the Divine is putting on a cosmic show.

Lyrids Meteor Shower

Peak night: April 22-23

When to watch: Late evening April 21st to April 22nd or Late evening April 22nd to April 23rd

Viewing conditions: 10-15 meteors per hour (not the highest concentration but you might still see some meteors). There’s a new moon on April 19th, so there won’t be any interference from the moon, which is fantastic! Fingers crossed for a clear evening sky.

I’d recommend trying to find a place away from light pollution. This would be a perfect weekend to drive out to Anza Borrego (there are tons of desert wildflowers right now!) or Carrizo Plains for a camping trip. Another perfect option is to see new age music pioneer Iasos at Vasquez Rocks (more below) and stick around after the performance to gaze up at the stars.

You might catch a meteor shower and wildflowers all in one weekend (a total dream!).

A Spring Playlist: Here’s What I’m Listening to This Month

Spring Playlist: April Skies - the song I’m playing on repeat over and over again right now is “Unicorn” by Bel Canto…angelic

Events and Exhibits in LA

Daniel Johnston: The Love of Something Is Nothing at des pair books — April 15th - July 16th

Des pair books is presenting a drawing show by the late outsider artist and musician Daniel Johnston, whose earnestness I find so pure and inspiring.

Iasos — 3 nights

Floating is hosting 3 nights with legendary godfather of new age music Iasos! Thursday, April 20th in Topanga Canyon. An Earth Day Enchantment at Vasquez Rocks on Saturday, April 22nd (I’d recommend packing snacks/dinner and staying a bit later into the evening after the performance to see the meteor shower). And a conversation at the Philosophical Research Society on Sunday, April 23rd.

If you haven’t listened to Iasos before, this is one of my favorite songs: Libra Sunrise. And I’d also recommend listening to Angels of Comfort. In the 1980s, researchers found that people who experienced near-death experiences referred to ‘Angels of Comfort’ as the song that most closely resembled what they heard during their experience.

Heaven or Los Angeles - A Cocteau Twins Dance Night - Friday, April 21

Twirl on the dance floor to ethereal music by Cocteau Twins with DJs Olive Kimoto and Paige Emery.

Book Launch: Raving by McKenzie Wark at 2220 Arts + Practice - Tuesday, April 18th

About the book, from the publisher: What is an art of life for what feels like the end of a world? In Raving McKenzie Wark takes readers into the undisclosed locations of New York’s thriving underground queer and trans rave scene. Techno, first and always a Black music, invites fresh sonic and temporal possibilities for this era of diminishing futures.

Another World: The Transcendental Painting Group 1938-1945 at LACMA - On view until June 19

Here’s the description from LACMA: In 1938 in New Mexico, a loose configuration of artists came together to form the Transcendental Painting Group…According to their manifesto they strove "to carry painting beyond the appearance of the physical world, through new concepts of space, color, light and design to imaginative realms that are idealistic and spiritual.”

I haven’t had a chance to visit yet, but I absolutely plan to at some point. It seems so beautiful and mystical. I’m eager to learn more about this group of artists!

Marcel Alcala: The Performance of Being at Night Gallery

An exhibition of new oil paintings by multidisciplinary artist Marcel Alcalá at Night Gallery, on view until April 29th. I just love Marcel’s work so much!

Floral Arranging Class with Hannah Melde of Golden Heron - Sunday, April 23rd

Learn the art of floral arrangement with Hannah Melde of Golden Heron. This workshop is part of the series Found: The Intimate Art of Homemaking from Normal NYC and Meta Haiku.

Good news!

LA’s only Indigenous school helps return land to California’s Native population — LA Times

Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory of North America has purchased 12 acres of land in Monterey Hills. They plan to act as stewards to the land and establish the Chief Ya’anna Learning Village, named for a late chief of the Shoshone Tribal Nation.

Here’s a lovely quote from the article: “People think that the land belongs to us,” she said (Jamie Rocha). “It’s quite the opposite. We belong to the land, and we want to get back to the land.”

That’s it for now! I hope you enjoyed these recommendations, and feel free to reach out at any point to share what you’re looking forward to or what you love about spring.

I’m working on another letter for late-spring, so please do share any places, seasonal activities, events, recipes, and songs that you love for the season!