Tourists aren’t the only creature who flock to California in winter. Orange and black Monarch butterflies, also known scientifically as Danaus plexippus, flock to California’s coastal areas on their annual migration to Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Monarchs arrive by the thousands in October and leave by February. Sadly, the number of U.S. Monarch butterflies has decreased 90% since 1990, but you can still see these majestic creatures as they overwinter along the California coast. Here are some places in the Bay Area …

Artists have been capturing landscapes for centuries, but before the late 1800s it was more common to do a rough sketch outdoors and finish the work in the studio.  Outdoor painting gained momentum when Impressionist painters emerged from their studios. They painted outside, amidst nature, because they wanted to capture the effects of sunlight at different times of the day. It has been popular ever since.  Today, the term Plein Air painting (from the French term “En plein air”, or “in the open air”) …

On May 23rd members enjoyed a tour of a private garden at an Atherton, CA home. Incoming Board President Joan Sanders opened her home to Gamble Garden members, who spent a delightful afternoon admiring the landscaping and decor. Members left Joan’s garden feeling refreshed and inspired. “It was well worth the drive from Half Moon Bay,” one member declared. Keep reading for a history, description, and photos of Joan’s garden: A piece of history The Sanders home is located in the …

  Do you want to learn more about succulents and cacti? Are you thinking of making your garden more drought-tolerant? Or do you simply love visiting beautiful gardens? Look no further than the Ruth Bancroft Garden for inspiration. Located in Walnut Creek, California, this acclaimed public garden is one of the finest examples of a dry garden in the country. The gardens began as the private collection of Ruth Bancroft. Already an avid gardener, Ruth purchased her first succulent, a …