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April and early May. e most luxurious access is on a "tulip cruise" which begins and ends in Amsterdam, the "Venice of the North," and includes stops in Belgium. In Charleston, South Carolina, April visitors enjoy the scent of blooming azaleas, camellias, and magnolias, as well as special events including e Flowertown Festival, the Charleston Jazz Festival, and Art Charleston at the Gibbes Museum of Art. In Asia, Japan's Cherry Blossom Festival is the most notable spring event. e bloom starts in mid-March and continues through mid-May and draws visitors from all over the world. Ueno Park, where there are 800 cherry trees, is the most famous viewing spot in Tokyo. Hanami, the custom of flower viewing, is a popular Japanese tradition. Closer to Home I wouldn't want to live anywhere other than San Diego, but I do love visiting Northern California in the spring. Specifically, I enjoy walking along the bluffs in Mendocino and taking in the dramatic sea views. is town is the stuff of picture postcards, complete with cute shops, cafes, and galleries. Spring is the best time to enjoy wildflowers here and it's the best season for whale watching. Having said that, my favorite place to visit in the area is the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens located between Mendocino and Fort Bragg. Here, April showoffs include roses, coastal wildflowers, rhododendrons, and azaleas. April activities in the garden include guided rhododendron walks, dahlia care workshops, and coastal wildflower walks. e 47-acre treasure has four miles of trails and is dog friendly. e Mendocino Botanical Gardens is in the same association as San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas. Unlike Mendocino, Big Bear Mountain Resort is only about three hours from San Diego, but it feels a world away. For almost half of the year, the ground here is covered with snow and temperatures, unlike San Diego's Mediterranean climate, reflect four distinct seasons. I remember Big Bear as fairly rustic, but a friend who visits several times a year recently assured me that it's become "less mountain men and more shiny." is opinion is shared by friends who regularly stay in comfy cabins or condos procured through VRBO or Airbnb and enjoy outdoorsy Big Bear activities with their young families. After a day of skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, or kayaking, popular dining options include Oakside Restaurant & Bar, Fire Rock Burgers & Brews, Barrel 33, and Tropicali, whose poke bowls are rated No.1 on Yelp. I'd like to see Big Bear again and I'm not sure what to expect. It's April, a season of new beginnings, and all things are possible. OPPOSITE LEFT TOP Gundari Resort in the Greek islands offers luxurious seclusion OPPOSITE LEFT BOTTOM PGA West Stadium is one of five golf courses at La Quinta Resort & Club OPPOSITE RIGHT Spring is the best time to see tulips in the Netherlands LEFT The Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni is a spectacular place to view Japan's cherry blossoms LEFT BOTTOM The Flowertown Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, includes a popular jazz concert BELOW Only a few hours from San Diego, Big Bear offers a wide range of outdoor activities CHERRY BLOSSOMS: PHOTO COURTESY OF JNTO BIG BEAR: PHOTO BY MADISON PETTERSON JAZZ FESTIVAL: PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA JAZZ FESTIVAL @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE APRIL 2025 87