Dog Friendly Archives - Page 11 of 13

SUGAR Visits California Scenario

October 21, 2015

We visited California Scenario, locally known as Noguchi Garden, located in Costa Mesa, CA. California Scenario is recognized as one of the country’s distinguished sculpture gardens.

In Southern California, Noguchi’s 1.6 acres Garden is the most recognized and publicly visited outdoor sculpture oasis. It was built to enhance two office towers built on Segerstrom family land once used as a lima bean farm.

California Scenario Desert Land — Desert Land – Symmetrical mound planted with a variety of cacti, agave and other desert plants.

Internationally acclaimed artist Isamu Noguchi designed California Scenario. The design symbolizes various geographical characteristics in California including indigenous plants and landscape materials.

Noguchi Garden water use — Water Use – A granite wedge symbolizing the end of the California Scenario stream.

It is an abstract metaphor that consists of six elements: 1) Forest Walk, 2) Spirit of the Lima Bean, 3) Water Use, 4) Desert Land, 5) Water Source, 6) Land Use, and 7) Energy Fountain.

California Scenario Energy Fountain — Energy Fountain – Embodies California energy. The fountain is 12-feet-high and twenty five-feet in diameter, and made of granite bricks and stainless steel.

The centerpiece of the garden is the Lima Bean, sculpture, made up of 15 rust-colored granite rocks and signed by Isamu Noguchi.

It was created in honor of Henry Segerstrom’s friendship with Isamu Noguchi. Henry Segerstrom was a bean farmer, contributed to the agricultural heritage and changed the face of Orange County.

Noguchi Garden LIMA BEAN — Spirit of the Lima Bean – 12-foot-high granite boulder, indicative of the land, once used as a Lima Bean farm.

California Scenario is a peaceful place to stroll. The garden and sculptures make for interesting photography. Will definitely visit again.

SUGAR at Sunset Seat

September 16, 2015

From Surf Dogs Surf A Thon event at Del Mar dog beach, we stopped at Anderson Canyon just north of Torrey Pines State Beach, San Diego. Recently, an award-winning woodworking artist Tim Richards transformed a red Torrey Pine into a piece of art.

Torrey Pine is the rarest pine in the United States . Torrey Pines are native to coastal hills and bluffs in the Del Mar area of southern California and to Santa Rosa Island.

Definitely a unique way to transform a dead Torrey Pine.

The dead Torrey Pine stump is now called Sunset Seat. A stump where people can sit, look and enjoy the scenic ocean view. A carved red-tailed hawk, official bird of Torrey Pines Reserve, is attached to the stump.

Many locals and tourists are admiring Tim Richards art piece. We were informed that another beetle-damaged Torrey Pine on Coastal Rail Trail (City of Solana Beach) is Tim Richards next woodcarving art project.

What do you think of Tim Richard’s Sunset Seat?

Sugar at Sheraton Carlsbad #DriveHyundai

September 2, 2015

Sugar spent the last weekend of August at Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa in San Diego, CA. Below is a short video : S for Sugar at Sheraton Carlsbad.

In case you missed our post about our stay, here’s the link – Family Fun Dog Friendly Sheraton Carlsbad

Our friends from Hyundai provided Sugar a Sonata Sport to use for a week. We drove the Hyundai to our weekend Carlsbad San Diego trip. We will share our review about the Hyundai Sonata Sport tomorrow.

Family Fun Dog Friendly Sheraton Carlsbad

August 31, 2015

On a recent survey, California is ranked as the most dog-happy state. Why? Many pet parents pamper their dogs and California is dog friendly. Many malls, retail shops, hotels and restaurants welcome four-legged friends.

Being new in Southern California, we enjoy exploring other cities and having opportunities for luxury stays at SPG dog friendly properties.

We spent the last weekend of August at Carlsbad, CA. Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa provided us a stay for Sugar to experience their dog friendly amenities. This is a sponsored post by Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa.

Carlsbad, CA is a small town referred by many locals as “The Village by the Sea.” Carlsbad has become a tourist destination because of its unique stores, events and amenities. Legoland is one of Carlsbad attractions for a family vacation or weekend getaway. Sheraton Carlsbad is adjacent to Legoland.

During our stay, we observed many families registered guests with kids and/or dogs. Sheraton Carlsbad is not only dog friendly, but its accommodation also incorporates fun for the whole family. Here are 3 reasons:

Family Fun Dog Friendly Sheraton Carlsbad

1. Family Vacation & Weekend Gateway
a) One of the advantages staying at Sheraton Carlsbad is the private entrance to Legoland. No line, no waiting, no hassle and it’s a 5-minute walk on a paved path.

Legoland Hotel Entrance Carlsbad — Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa is a great alternative to Legoland Hotel

b) Hotel Kids Activities
Kids can create art projects on the activity table set-up at the lobby entrance. Kids can also experience “The Great Outdoors” through Sheraton Carlsbad’s in-room camping experience. Sheraton Carlsbad provides everything your kids need for a camping experience right in their guest room or suite. Kids enjoy a tent, a folding chair, and a sleeping bag.

Got Hungry kids? Sheraton Carlsbad Twenty/20 Grill restaurant has a kids menu. We noticed that many guests with kids order room service and kids drinks were served in fun covered plastic cups.

2. Dog Friendly
a) Sheraton Carlsbad is an SPG hotel and most locations welcome dogs but charge $50 for a pet fee. Sheraton Carlsbad accepts up to 80lbs dogs and pet fee is waived.

We met Alex and her mom from Long Beach. They were both enjoying their weekend Carlsbad gateway. Alex’s pet parent shared with us “I’m pleased that Sheraton Carlsbad accept large dogs up to 80lbs and the pet fee is waived.”

b) Your dog will also enjoy the complimentary necessities like the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Dog Bed, stainless steel water & food bowls, pet napping door hanger, and poop dispenser & bags.
As a special guest, Sugar received additional gifts – toys and treats. Lots of Golden Thanks!

c) Dogs are welcome everywhere except for the pool deck, inside the restaurant, and spa services area due to health and CA law.

d) There’s a designated potty area for dogs, also dogs are welcome to other grassy areas of the resort. Sheraton Carlsbad has a beautiful well-maintained grounds and good to see that many guests are conscious in picking up after their dog.

We met Chewy during a potty break. Chewy’s family is from San Diego and enjoyed their 3rd weekend Sheraton Carlsbad get away. Chewy’s pet parents are SPG members and appreciative of the Sheraton Carlsbad dog friendly amenities.

e) You can easily do a 2mile walk with your dog. Lots of walking paved paths and steps (stairs) for you and your dog to enjoy. Sugar was able to utilize one grassy area to play fetch. It made her stay Golden Happy!

3. Other FUN Amenities
a) Your family can splash in the 24-hour heated, outdoor swimming pool. Dogs are not allowed on the pool deck (only on the patio, overlooking the pool)

c) For moms & dads and pet parents, scheduling a treatment at Ocean Pearl Spa is a great way to unwind your vacation/getaway. Sheraton Carlsbad provided me a 50-minute massage, and it was heavenly. Lots of Golden Thanks.
Ocean Pearl Spa offers spa deals and packages. Many guests utilized Sheraton Carlsbad as a Ocean Pearl Spa weekend gateaway.

d) FUN! Ride The Tide Trolley and explore Carlsbad beach and village. Unfortunately, the Carlsbad beach is state property within Carlsbad State Park, and no dogs are allowed on the beach. However, dogs are allowed to walk on the grassy/sidewalk overlooking the beach. There are many interesting shops you can explore in Carlsbad Village.

e) Twenty/20 Grill & Wine Bar is a restuarant inside Sheraton Carlsbad. Dogs are only allowed in the enclosed patio. We had wonderful dining experiences. The hostesses, servers & busboys are beyond professional & sweet to Sugar. We enjoyed their custom cocktail drinks, delicious dinner and witnessed an awesome sunset view.