Gardens are good for our bodies and minds. On Sunday November 30, thirty five rocks were designed and painted amidst the sweet smells of lemongrass. Large smooth round river rocks, flat triangular-shaped, smaller and larger rocks. Ordinary river rocks for a not so ordinary purpose. By the end of the...
What Is Your Favorite Spot In San Diego? – San Diego Union-Tribune
By U-T Letters June 7, 2019What is San Diego County’s most underappreciated attraction? What is your favorite local spot to share with visitors?Nancy B Jones, who works as the director of children’s programs at the Alta Vista Botanical Garden at Brengle Terrace Park in Vista, walks past a raptor sculpture...
Fun Things To Do In San Diego – San Diego Reader
Fun Things To Do IssueJune 5, 2019Pump tracks, waterfalls, footgolf, Stonewall Peak, geocaching, ukelele jams, Cameron Crowe, circus center, Otay Lake kayakingStroll among the art and plants at Alta Vista Botanical GardensPhotograph by Sydney PratherAlta Vista Botanical Gardens1270 Vale Terrace DriveVistaDiscover Alice’s Hidden Tearoom, do Saturday morning yoga in the...
Explore San Diego: Alta Vista Botanical Gardens
June 6, 2019SAN DIEGO —Thirteen acres filled with something to see and do for people of all ages. Moms know about this special place. Children love it. Yet it’s still one of San Diego’s best-kept secrets. Alta Vista, near downtown Vista, is different than other botanical gardens in town.“It’s not as polished, it’s a little...
Planting the Seeds of Inspiration – L’Chaim
Eva TriegerIn the last 10 years, I have driven right by this hidden gem a handful of times, completely unaware that such a divine place existed. But recently, I was given a tour by a delightful couple who were instrumental in growing (pardon the pun) the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens...
An Ambassador to the Garden
Ed FitzgeraldNovember 1, 1939 – October 14, 2020The white El Camino pulls up and parks at the top of the Garden. Its cargo bed is loaded with plants; bright red and yellow flowers, pots of basil and rosemary, and starters of peppers and tomatoes. Behind the wheel is a handsome...
Lia Strell: An Abundance of Creativity
Lia Strell is an artist, film maker and activist. She also feels a deep connection to gardens; the rich soil, leafy profusion, and plentiful seeds.“When seeds sprout, its sparks inspiration, creates feelings.The creative process gets us out of our conundrums.Many answers are in the Garden, nature tended by people.”As a...
The Gift of a Garden
At the top of Alta Vista Botanical Gardens is a house. It was built by Paul and Martha Smitgen.Paul Hilert Smitgen was born in Nebraska in 1897. He attended medical school at the University of Chicago. His wife, Martha Beyard Smitgen, hailed from Maryland. They moved to Los Angeles in...
A Garden for Sharon
Strolling behind the Garden house, your nose catches the distinctive scent of rosemary. Piney and citrusy. A hedge of the aromatic plant, with needle-like leaves and tiny purple flowers, surrounds the patio. The aroma draws you down the steps into the Herb Garden.Rosemary is the scent of remembrance and friendship....
A Dose of Garden
Gardens are good for our bodies and minds.Plenty of research tells us the warmth of the sun, the scent of pine and sage, the splash of moving water and the sight of colorful plants calms the mind and improves our mood.In times of uncertainty, we can all use a dose...
