Monday, July 11, 2022

The Sacred Space, Summerland CA

Oh Summerland, how you captured my imagination...

Driving up the 101 last November—from Thousand Oaks to Santa Barbara—I happened to notice a business with tall flags waving in the ocean breeze. As zoomed past I was also pretty sure I saw plants. Curious I took the exit and circled back, that's when I discovered Summerland, and The Sacred Space.

What is The Sacred Space? Well, I've been there and I'm still not sure!

Their website says: "Treasures from Heaven available on Earth" and frankly it leaves a lot to be desired as far as telling you what it is they do.

Their Instagram page says "Heavenly Treasures—Books, Crystals, Deities, Malas, Jewelry, Incense, Cards, Healing, Gardens"

Of course you know it's that last part, the gardens, that has me writing about my visit. 

In case you haven't driven this particular stretch, let me attempt to orient you, or at least point out where I first glimpsed this interesting spot and made the decision to jump off the highway. U.S. Route 101 is sandwiched between the ocean on the left (when driving north) and Lillie Ave, the main street through Summerland.

Standing in their small parking lot you could turn to see the ocean, but once entranced by the place that was the furthest thing from my mind.

So far all of the photos I've shared were taken out front, before I entered their small shop. 

I won't lie, I was tempted to call this good and head back to my car. 

I'm not woo-woo and the crystals and incense crowd is not my thing. But I worked up my courage and stepped through the door.

Smiling people greeted me, nice, not pushy, no asking why I was there, letting me just look around. I did just that and then headed into the back courtyard.

And there I saw money. Everywhere. 

My first thought? "There's nobody watching! What if someone steals it?"...

But then I calmed down and just decided that wasn't my problem.

And I wandered...





And I laughed at that dollar bill IN the water, aren't coins what you're supposed to throw into the water?

And I wandered some more...




I admired this large epiphyllum...

...and then noticed the bracket holding it was screwed into the palm trunk. Ouch. But I guess okay?



After the last photo I went back into the shop and then discovered another outside area on the other side...





I so enjoyed my time here that I started looked around for something to buy, wanting to support whatever it is that they're doing.

Then I realized I didn't have to buy anything! Instead I could just tuck some money in here and there around the garden. What an interesting place to visit, I'm so glad I stopped.

All material © 2009-2022 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

24 comments:

  1. Hmmm. Loved and hated it. Maybe hate is too strong a word. Too much to focus on and so my eyes just want to shut it all out. But so many treasures, green or otherwise. Then there's the $. Are people praying to the deities or supporting the biz. All very curious.

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    1. It might be my photos that are creating the "too much to focus on" feeling. It really wasn't busy in person as you walked through. As for the $, I imagine I was the only one placing dollars as a way to support the biz, but I may have also said a few words...

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  2. AnonymousJuly 11, 2022

    What at cool and unusual place. Even though it's about money, maybe it's not? Yes, they have to make a living, but they're obviously confident enough that a dollar here or there or even snatched away (because someone truly needed it) doesn't matter. I mean, I didn't see a stack of twenties or a hundred anywhere in the photos. Tranquil vibe for sure.

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    1. True, no stacks of 20's, no hundreds. I did find myself wondering how often they go thru and collect...

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  3. This is insane! I had no idea it even existed. I have no memory of it from our stay a few years ago. I actually love what they've created. I'll make a point of visiting the next time I'm in Santa Barbara.

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    1. You've stayed in Summerland? Or are you referring to when you and I stayed in La Conchita? You should definitely visit, you'd have a blast taking photos.

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  4. What a cool looking place! Love the staging and the variety of Asian ornaments they have all over. Really makes you feel you are in Bali or somewhere similar, but then again the mild California weather helps with the planting scheme.

    Funny enough, we've put coins on one of our buddha sculptures, apparently an auspicious thing to do and a sign of respect. We used coins from Asia collected through the years, seems appropriate. Love incense, but not the incense/crystal crowd, unless the crystal is in reference to a vessel to put a good drink in!

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    1. I didn't see any of that type of crystal! Maybe they bring those out in the evening...

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  5. As many times as I've traveled that route of the 101, I can't remember ever noticing that place. I checked it out online as well and was also confused about their business model but I admit that I briefly fantasized about having a large elephant in my garden when I viewed your post. However, elephants fit a tropical setting much better than my garden's current desert-like setting. It's definitely worth a visit, though.

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    1. Yep, you definitely need to stop the next time you're driving up to Santa Barbara. Perhaps a camel for your desert garden?

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  6. What a fascinating place! I'll have to put it on the list for the next time we're out that way!

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  7. That is a super cool find, Loree. On my wish list for places to visit. I like how calm it felt even just looking at your photos. Thank you for stopping!

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    1. One advantage of driving that stretch by myself, I could quickly change course...

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  8. Gets a "wow ! " from me . Inspiring and beautifully maintained too .

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  9. AnonymousJuly 12, 2022

    I'm glad you turned around and stop at this gem of a place, so unexpected and peaceful, not to mention impeccably put together. I loved the small water feature with the (holly) fern tucked on its side (#23); that alone was worth the visit.

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    1. Yes, that's a favorite photo of mine for sure.

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  10. Love this ! I actually stayed in Summerland when I went down to SB in April, and drove past this place numerous times--like you I assumed it was just a basic woo-woo, incense, crystals and beads emporium-now I'm sorry I didn't check it out . Really beautiful , and definitely worth a visit.

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  11. A beautiful slice of Bali in Southern California. Were the various Balinese-style shade structures for sale?

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    1. I don't recall anything indicating the structures were for sale. But I bet they could do an on-site visit and come up with something just for you.

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  12. That graptopetalum-sort of succulent snaking out of the round pot about a third of the way down really caught my eye. I usually trim off mine when they get that long, but now I see it can be quite attractive in the right situation.

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    1. Yes! I thought the same when seeing a much longer and larger version at Lotusland a few years back.

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