Fortunately we live amongst many options for scenic spots outside, some with views of the mountains, others tucked away in residential neighborhoods. There is of course the beach, which is akin to Nobu at this point given you will likely see and be seen by so many.

On this particular Sunday afternoon however, I was hoping for something a bit less crowded, a bit more hidden, so I found a decent sized park on a median surrounded by tall trees and shrubbery, with just the right amount of light pouring in through to make our day.

Instead of Chinese food we opted for something a little more Americana, the reliable sandwich, a baguette and jam, fruits and cheese for me, vegan chocolate pudding for my husband, sliced tomatoes topped with vegan mozzarella and basil, some sparkling water with mint and blueberries that may or may not have had a little vodka poured in.

As delectable as a picnic we packed, perhaps the best part was the location. My advice for finding one is to take a drive or long walk somewhere you haven’t been, perhaps a bit off the beaten path or a ways down from a more popular area. At this point if you’ve been walking more frequently out of sheer boredom it’s likely you’ve found many places just like this. Perhaps you just never thought sitting in them would be this exciting!

Almost as exciting as finding out your dress has pockets.