By Kathy Chin Leong
With summer in full force, don’t miss out to see vital gardens and special venues where you can feast your eyes on a cavalcade of colors. The spectacle is wonderful, and we’ve found a few gems for you. -Editors
Filoli, Woodside: It is definitely worth getting a family membership to visit this garden and mansion throughout the year. In the spring, you get the most bang for your buck as you see groves of tulips and cherry blossoms showing off their lovely hues. But after the spring, the summertime bursts forth with roses of every shade, and you’ll be mesmerized. The house is decked out with hand-made arrangements by Filoli’s experts. Much to see; much to learn. Bring your camera and snap away. Cost: $250 family annual membership, $125 individual membership, $39 adult day pass, $37 senior day pass. Location: 86 Canada Road; 650.364.8300. See www.filoli.org .
Union Square, San Francisco: Union Square in Bloom is a partnering initiative among vendors to stimulate interest back to Union Square, downtown’s shopping core. Starting now through August, visitors can see flower arches, floral displays in front of store windows, blooms inside hotels, and more. Take your family to pose for these memorable moments. In addition, this spring and summer Union Square ignites with programming from cardio dance, art workshops, and music – all free of charge and all family friendly. Location: Post Street and Stockton. See www.visitunionsquaresf.com.
Graton Casino, Rohnert Park: For parents only! Graton Casino brings blooms indoors to its Sky Lounge on the first floor. The lounge offers a slate of new botanical-driven cocktails in this intimate space, and you can enjoy the vision of reds, pinks, and whites of blooms festooning the lounge, above and below, for this spring season. Location: 288 Golf Course Drive; 707.588.7100. See www.gratonresortcasino.com.