9/18/2010 @ 9:00

9/18/2010

Mission Viejo, California, United States
Mission Viejo, CA

This is one of those delightful little spots that most visitors to L.A. (and most Los Angelenos, for that matter) never discover. It's tucked away in a small ravine near the spot where Sunset Boulevard meets the Pacific Ocean. It's easy to reach, but most people just don't know it's there. The ten-acre site (a former movie set) contains a large, round, spring-fed lake, framed by natural hillsides and surrounded by lush landscaping. It has rushing waterfalls, fountains, colorful flower beds, inspirational statues, white swans gliding across the lake, lacy fern grottos, lily ponds, and even a picturesque, old Dutch windmill. It is a wonderful, tranquil little oasis where you can take a relaxing stroll, and enjoy the beauty of the rustic surroundings. Photo opportunities abound. The gardens are filled with numerous little brick paths and short stairways which lead from the main trail to hidden alcoves where you can mediate or simply sit and take in the view. Some of these spots are above the main trail (where you'll find quiet benches and even a hummingbird feeder); smaller trails reveal lush fern grottoes hidden below. So be sure to take your time and explore the various paths. The prettiest spot in the park is probably just to the west of the Dutch Windmill. Here, you'll find a lily pond, a small rose garden, and a serene sunken grotto filled with ferns (where the white swans like to gather) - all offering a wonderful view of the main shrine across the calm lake waters. The most important landmark here is the huge Golden Lotus Archway. Visible from all parts of the park, the huge archway resembles some giant Hollywood set - a towering, sleek, white arch trimmed with blue tile, and topped with enormous gold lotus blossoms. The archway frames the Gandhi World Peace Memorial, an outdoor shrine where an authentic 1,000 year-old Chinese stone sarcophagus actually holds some of the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi himself. And all of this is located just a few blocks away from the busy Pacific Coast Highway and world-famous Malibu - yet it seems like a world away. Copyright���2010-Gary Wayne Photo by Rafael Elibardo