State Bliss Blog

A Buzzing Place in the City

San Diego is really one awesome city in California as it holds a lot of wonderful beaches. In fact, when talking about the said city, its gorgeous beaches and amazing waves is the first thing that comes in mind –especially with tourists. Well, the city is not all about the beaches as its 325.19 sq mi land area also houses several other attractions- from museum, parks, zoo and a lot more!

Who would have thought that in one of California’s major city you will find a bee farm? Yes, the city has a place with a lot of bee hives and tons of bee! We know you’re curious and wanted to know the place better, the sweet place is the Girl Next Door Honey. Just by the name you’ll be able to imagine what the place has in stored for its guests.

http://girlnextdoorhoney.com/

Girl Next Door Honey takes adults and kids into the heart of a beehive! The place will just give you a simple neighborhood feel as it’s really its concept and mission. You might be worried that the bees might not last long in the city life but with the help of networks of backyard hives they were able to integrate them with the local ecosystem. Knowing that, it’s safe to say that the place and the bees will be buzzing around for a longer period of time. If you’re thinking that the bee might be having a hard time adjusting, no worries, they can assure you that the bees are living as natural as possible and the great thing is that their benefits to the society will be able to reach more.

http://girlnextdoorhoney.com/2016-internship/

Aside from the honey that is offered on the place, they also conduct beekeeping classes and workshops, one-on-one consulting, a host-a-hive program, kid’s bee presentations and perform live bee removals. Isn’t that exciting! You’ll be learning a lot more about bees while being able to interact with them. With this activity, people will understand the life of a bee more than what they learned from school and what is shown on the television.

https://www.urbanfarm.org/2017/08/12/273-hilary-kearney/

We know you wanted to know who the brilliant owner of the place is, she is Hilary Kearney. Hillary is a full time beekeeper in her hometown of San Diego. This lady is very hands on with her business as she will really be the one to explain to you how these tiny, yet powerful creatures work and live. Hey, there is no good business without a good businessman/woman, and Hillary just proved it. This brilliant lady had been able to make her hobby in to a business that benefits not just her most loved bees but the people around her as well.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/girl-next-door-honey-san-diego-2

The place is conducting a beehive tour which will suit those who just wanted to see the place and the bees with no intent of really becoming a beekeeper. But hey, this tour is really inspiring because there are some that went in that does not really plan to become a bee keeper but after the trip decided to host a hive in their backyard and become bee keepers themselves. Well, those who became interested in becoming a beekeeper also attended the beekeeping classes that the place also offers.

Aside from a tour in the place and the classes, the business also offer live bee removal. You may contact them if ever you see a hive near you and you’re worried that it might fall or be ruined by the weather, and they will go to the place and remove it there. Collected bees and swarms are relocated so that the bees can lead happy, healthful lives in a new space where they aren’t a trouble to anyone.

http://girlnextdoorhoney.com/shop/

Well now, if you want to visit the place and have a tour, the tour fee is $39 per person. This fee includes a 2 hours hands on tour. If you’re worried that the bees will sting you, that is not a problem anymore as the fee also include a bee suit and BYO gloves. But, if you want to bring your kids in to have a look at the bees as well, only children 8 and above are the only ones permitted. Aside from knowledge, you’ll also be able to bring something home as their shop offers posters, books, notebooks, shirts and their delicious raw honey! We hope you’ll enjoy your visit in these buzzing place.

Experience Japan In Just A Drive Away

Japan is own of the most famous countries in Asia. It is known for its development in technology and arts. Aside from that, the country is also rich in beautiful attractions and delicious food. Japan is a place that made the ancient tradition meet the modern life in the best way it possibly could and made it as if it is not something unusual. When it comes to food, they are popular in serving fresh new ingredients for their cuisine especially for their ever so delicious sushi. The weather on Japan is also amazing, in the warmer months you can do hiking, walk through cedar groves and fields of wildflowers and up to soaring peaks and ancient shrines. During winter, all this is covered with snow and the skiing is world class. Aside from those facts, Japan is also home of Anime. This is actually one of the reasons why most children and kids at heart wanted to visit the place. Here, they will be able to experience and see what their favorite Anime is doing. They will be able to experience the ever so wonderful cherry blossom that is a part of almost all Japanese Anime.

When it comes to natural land and water resources, when in Japan, you do not need to travel far to have a glimpse of it as the country is known in maintaining and cultivating the beauty of a place. It manages to keep the serenity that a park, a lake – may it be natural or man-made-, may give to anyone who visits it. In Japan, it is really important to balance earth, water, air and land and you’ll be able to notice that in most of their gardens and even on their flower pots.

Isn’t it exciting to go to Japan? Well, if you want to visit the place but still on a tight budget, no worries, a city in California brought Japan near you! Yes, now you may enjoy the beautiful Japanese scenery without the need to get a plane ticket and a visa. Now, you can drive your way to the gorgeous Japanese garden! Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is the best place to go to experience the magnificence of Japan while still in California.
Earl Burns Miller was dedicated in April 1981 and is located on the campus of CSU Long Beach. The garden was built through the kindness of Mrs. Loraine Miller Collins and the name and contribution was in memories or her late husband, Earl Burns Miller. After several years of planning, Mrs. Collins together with California State University Long Beach, they have decided to call on Long Beach landscape architect Edward R. Lovell to design the garden. Now the 1.3 acre Hill and Pond Japanese-style garden is enjoyed by many.

https://publicgardens.org/about-public-gardens/gardens/earl-burns-miller-japanese-garden

https://www.californiabeaches.com/attraction/earl-burns-miller-japanese-garden/

The garden also serves as an educational tool to the students in CSU. For the university, it serves as an outdoor classroom setting for the visual arts and sciences, as well as a site for student mentoring and peer-to-peer relationships through internships and docent positions. Also, the garden advances the university's interest in international education and student engagement. The place was designed and built to match its location in Southern California. The place is also a hybrid art form that was able to combine the typical Japanese Garden and the vision of its founder.

https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Attraction_Review-g32648-d284482-Reviews-Earl_Burns_Miller_Japanese_Garden-Long_Beach_California.html

If you want to experience the Japanese vibe that the place gives, it is open Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 am to 3:30 pm and Sunday at Noon to 4:00 pm. The garden is closed during Saturday and Monday. Well, here’s the best thing, you’ll not just experience the beauty of Japan just a drive away from your home but you’ll also experience it for free! Isn’t that amazing?! But, when you visit the place, please do responsible enough in keeping it as clean and neat when you entered it. The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden depends on the financial support of those who value its beauty and serenity and wish to support its educational and cultural mission so it is really important that visitors will maintain its beauty.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/earl-burns-miller-japanese-garden-long-beach

For you to enjoy the view of the Viola Monument, the Koi Pond, see the beauty of the different colors of different beautiful Japanese flowers and some relics and other Japanese treasures, you must follow the rules of the park. Below is the rules stated on their web page:

EBM JAPANESE GARDEN RULES
• No food or drinks are allowed. Unfortunately the Garden is not able to accommodate picnic lunches. If you are interested in hosting a gathering at the Garden, please call the Garden Rental department at (562) 985-8889.
• Only pets escorting people with special needs are permitted.
• Only feed the fish with food provided by the Garden. Koi food is available for purchase for 25 cents per handful. Please bring a container from home to hold the koi food.
• Running is prohibited.
• Bikes are not allowed inside the garden. A bike rack is provided outside the service gate.
• Smoking is prohibited.
• Please stay on the pathways at all times. Please do not climb trees, enter waterfall areas, or step into the raked sand garden.
• Photography is permitted but the usage of a tripod or large equipment is not. Please no professional photography without advance approval from the Education (562-985-8420) or Garden Rental departments (562-985-8889). Learn more about Photo Sessions at the Garden.
• Sketching and watercolor painting is allowed if all art materials are on a protective sheet to avoid staining sidewalks and benches. No oil painting is allowed.

So now, if you really want to experience the place, go now and drive your way to it! The garden is just open and waiting for your arrival.

A Restaurant That Will Make You Dine In Outdoor

No one can deny the fact that we all love to eat. It may be in different ways as we have different likes, criteria and visions when it comes to food. But, whenever we eat our favorite dish, no matter who serves it or from what restaurant it is from, the food critic inside us will always burst out. We tend to judge the meal on its presentation, taste, uniqueness, tenderness and all of the other criteria you can think of. And let’s admit, once we like something we tend to shout it out to the world!

Well, when it comes to dining in, it’s not just the food that matters, the ambiance of the place gives as impact as well. Like in coffee or tea houses, we always go back to the place that makes us feel that we are just home -comfortably sitting on a couch and drinking hot coffee. Once invited on a romantic date, we are always looking forward to eating on a place that will give us that romantic vibe, a quiet place where you can talk in the most relaxed manner possible , it would be a plus if the place can give as an elegant dining experience. When dining with the whole family, we tend to look for a place where will be fit for the kids and the kids at heart. We must ensure that aside from the meal to be appropriate for the children and will be healthy enough for the elderly, the place must also be cozy enough for the kids to move around and won’t be too noisy for some of the elderly. Well, since we know how important it is to look for a perfect place for everyone, we’ll tour you around a restaurant that will literally make you feel like home.

http://www.thefrontyardla.com/

The Front Yard, well the name speaks itself out, is located at North Hollywood California. The place sets up an outdoor setting that is really comfortable and we’ll make you stay for a long time. The place will give you a good view of the clouds during the day at the beautiful night sky at night. You don’t even have to worry if you think it will be a cold night as there will be a fireplace set up to make everyone feel warm and don’t freeze while dinning. The place really made sure that everyone will have a good dining experience as they are prepared for almost everything. How can we say so? Well, if it’s raining and you still want to get a hold of their meals, you can always dine in inside and still feel that you’re in your own dining room. Inside the place was also a bar, so perfect if you want to have some wine or wanted to chill out.

https://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-front-yard-north-hollywood-2?start=40

During the day, you will be able to enjoy the cold SoCal breeze outside while sitting on the most comfortable seat that you think will suit you. Yes, there are several chairs to choose from, not just on the outside but also inside. Outside you’ll see different chairs that you’ll usually see on your porch, lawn, garden or your yard. Well, now you know that this place will truly bring you home! It will just be like a simple meal shared with you friends in your very own front yard. It won’t make you feel that it is a restaurant that people might be looking at how you behave, how you eat and listen to what you are talking about. On the inside, there are several seats as well, you’ll see your typical elegant dining chair and table, there’s the usual restaurant couch, and there are seats that looks like chairs from your favorite hotel lounge. Aside from those elegant looking chairs, there are also your classic wooden chairs and table. There’s even the old school bar table on the place that will bring you back in time!

http://www.thefrontyardla.com/

Well, it wouldn’t be a great match if the food is not as awesome as the place. The Front Yard serve scrumptious meals from breakfast to Dinner. For their breakfast, you must never be left out in trying the ever so favorite Nutella stuffed on their French toast! Sounds good right?!They also have egg dishes and some hot drinks. For lunch, they offer flat breads, pasta, tacos, salads and they have some sweets for dessert as well. For a perfect dinner treat to go with your stargazing, they have their main plates with chicken, fish, Bolognese and a lot more. If you think you and your friends are enjoying the view so much, go and grab the meal for many so you can have something to eat while having some drinks that the place also offer.

https://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-front-yard-north-hollywood-2?start=20

There’s more for you to see and try by the moment you get there, so enjoy and have a great meal!

Get a Hold on These Huge Pie!

Hey, it’s autumn! We know you’re really feeling the heat! But this must not stop us from enjoying the things that California has to offer! Yes, there are things that the state can offer this season that you will surely love and would want to get your hands on right away. This state is just one lucky state for having lots of treasure in stored- may it be on attractions, food, activities, and on history.

Do you know one of America’s most favorite dessert? What about SoCal’s delicious treat? It’s the apple pie! Yes, the sweet, crunchy and tasty treat that may be served hot as a dessert or a pair for your hot coffee or tea. We commonly hear the phrase, “As American as apple pie” but did you know that this treat did not really originated from America? The apples originated from Kazakhstan, as North America’s crab apple is not really fit in pies. Alexander the Great is said to have discovered dwarfed apples in Kazakhstan and brought them back to Macedonia in 328 BC. The first recorded recipe for apple pie was written in 1381 in England, and called for figs, raisins, pears, and saffron in addition to apples. The apple pie nowadays are quite different from before as sugar is one really expensive ingredient. Originally they use animal fat, wheat, and water to create sealed pastry shells with the un­appealing name of “coffyns.” These are usually stuffed with meat but was replaced by apples which ended up to be delicious. One of the contributors to making apple pies an “American” dessert is John Chapman, known better as Johnny Appleseed. By 1902, an editorial in the New York Times proclaimed that pie had become “the American synonym for prosperity.”

https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Restaurant_Review-g32803-d2412654-Reviews-Apple_Annie_s_Restaurant_Bakery-Oak_Glen_California.html

Well, no matter where it was originally from, we know that the love for apple pie will never ever fade. A place in SoCal knew about it as well so they created and sell extremely delicious pies! This is not your ordinary apple pie as this one is a five-pound apple pie that will not just make you feel amazed on how it looks but will also make your heart smile on its goodness! This exciting treat is offered by Apple Annie’s Restaurant, Bakery & Shops that may be found in Oak Glen’s Oak Tree Village.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/184858759678124066/

Oak Tree village is a 14 acres of family fun filled destination. Oak Tree Village is nestled in the heart of Apple Country a mile high, where it is cooler in the summers and has enough snow to make snowmen and sled in the winters. Aside from enjoying the freshly baked apple pie, you’ll also enjoy the fresh air that the place has all year round and as well as the beauty of the changing season. Apple Annie is not the place and/or activity that the place can offer. You can eat a hand dipped Caramel Apple at the Village Candy Kitchen, feed the animals in the animal park and visit some local shops at the place. They also have some pony and train rides on weekends.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/475763148105294073/

Apple Annie’s pie will not just feel your craving for a dessert or a treat, it will also fill your appetite like you have eaten a meal! This is one really mouthwatering treat. You’ll understand what we mean when you see it. Just by the looks of it, you can easily see its goodness. The flaky crust, that most of us wants for their pie, and seeing tons of sliced apples inside it will surely make want to have a taste of it right on that same spot! If you’re afraid that they don’t have enough for everyone, no worries, they have shelf full of this. Well, if you are really starving and wanted to eat something aside from pies, Apple Annie’s also have some meals for you! They serve breakfast, lunch, fan favorite meals, dinner, wines and beers and other beverages. Well, it’s typical for us to see a kid’s menu on a restaurant, but Apple Annie don’t just have that, they also have the Senior Menu. Well, after that great meal, we are sure that you’ll love to bring the gigantic pie home to your loved ones! We are confident that they will love it like you did.

What are you waiting for? If you’re already craving to have a taste of that wonderful treat and/or wanted to be in a very relaxing place, it’s now time to drive your way to Oak Tree Village and visit Apple Annie’s Restaurant, Bakery and Shop.

Camp for Free in These 6 Places in California

Camping is one of the best way for family or friends to have fun and enjoy the gift of nature. Camping tents, bonfires, and some singing and storytelling are just few of the activities that are done when in a camping trip. Well, what’s more exciting is when you get a chance to camp for free! Yes, there are sites that will not charge you to stay on their camping grounds. Since California is rich in stunning destination, especially ecological ones, there are also a lot of camping sites in the state! Here we’ll give you a list of free camping sites that you’ll surely enjoy.

1. Rocky Point West

https://www.campendium.com/rocky-point-west

Situated at about 30 miles north of Susanville, this site is a great spot if you’re a wildlife watcher. In this area can be found in Eagle Lake, a home to one of the last nesting osprey in the western United States. This site is a dispersed camping site, no water and no toilet. But, the good thing is, you’ll be able to stay and enjoy this beautiful scenery for free! Though, the agency accepts donation, in any amount or form. The donations will be allotted for the maintenance of the place, this is to ensure that it will still be enjoyed by the next years.

2. Redinger Campground

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sierra/home/?cid=stelprdb5344087

This is one great spot to camp along a long lake, though there is only one designated campsite in the area. Well, the spot is surely one gorgeous spot! If you want to have some campfires, you’ll need a permit to do so, but if you’re not into campfires, well, this is really the best place for you. Area Amenities are Tent camping, camping trailer, toilets, drinking water and with all these is a camp that is free of charge. Just to note, the site has some restrictions, maximum length of stay is 14 days, maximum vehicle length is 25 feet and maximum group size is 6 per site.

3. Pinnacle Rock

https://www.eurekacamping.com/blog/article/10-best-places-camp-free-northern-california

In the 4,618-foot Pinnacle Rock, there is no official campsite but in Mendocino National Forest dispersed camping is allowed. So if you’re into some adventure, this will be a good place for one as looking for a perfect spot will be the one great escapade. But if you want to be safe, you can go and look for existing sites that had already been used. There will be signs of it as you might see remnants of a previous camp fire and make shift tent pads. In Pinnacle Rock Summit, campsites are scattered along the road which gives visitors a chance to have a see the view on the top.

4. Whisky Falls Campground

https://www.roverpass.com/c/whisky-falls-campground-north_fork-ca/

The place is operated by Forrest services. There are only 14 campsites in the area but there are no RV hook ups. But, there are vault restrooms in the area that you can use. If you really want to visit the place, the best place is from June-September which is their open season. The camp ground is a 45 minute drive from Bass lake. Well, this might be one challenging camping location but you’ll be able to enjoy this wonderful place and the other sites around it.

5. Modoc National Forest

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/blue-lake-watershed-modoc-national-forest-ca

This is one beautiful place and a good place for camping. There are several camping types, from RV camping, Dispersed Camping and Campground camping. If you are into looking for a nice forest setting campground, dispersed camping is the best option for you. But, please choose a camping spot where you will leave a minimal impact. Since it is one big area, you’ll be able to set up camp even on a late Saturday or on super-busy holiday weekends. But just to let everyone know, all campgrounds on the Modoc National Forest are first come, first served so make sure to come early if you want to have a good spot.

6. Cherry Lake

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/385620786814221526/

Who would have thought that it is possible to set up camp for free in a place with a national park type of view? The Cherry Lake is in Stanislaus National Forest and sits outside the border of Yosemite National Park. Aside from camping, you can also do some fishing and boating activities as well as swimming and hiking. Their recreation facilities include a boat launch and vault restrooms. But, just to remind you guys, be cautious when on the area as there’s a Rim Fire Burned Area on the place that may cause tree branches to weaken and fall and other unlikely incidents. But, despite this, if you’re alert enough, you’ll really enjoy the view and activities that the place can offer.

We’ll there are few more and there are cheap campsites as well. If you just thought of setting out camp but on a tight budget, well, that’s not a problem now as you might start visiting this place and you might not expect that a free site will give an outstanding view.