a perfect summer day: sfgirlbybay

Every week this summer, someone I love or know or admire (or all of the above) will share their idea of a perfect summer day, real or imagined. Here’s Victoria Smith, creator and editor of the interior and design blog, SF Girl By Bay:

A perfect summer day...well that's pretty easy to day dream about, isn't it? I grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, in the Valley, just a quick ride over the hills to the beaches of sunny California. My childhood summers started here in the sixties, my dad loading us into his VW Beatle and driving us west every weekend to Santa Monica, to our favorite beach. It was pretty idyllic. Dad would set up the striped umbrella and lay down and snore, my mum would do the Sunday crossword and my brother and I would build sandcastles and ride our surfriders until our fingers turned to prunes and we collapsed exhausted and hungry in the sand.

I loved those days and can almost smell them. The salt air and the smell of sand verbena are the scents of my childhood, and whenever I get a whiff of them my mind travels instantly back to those perfect beach days. I still love the beach and a perfect day would start and end there.

I like to get up early, just as we did as kids, and find my spot on the still empty sand, preferably tucked into a little dune and close to the water. I'd lay out an old white sheet and a beach towel, and set up my vintage transistor radio. There's nothing quite like that tinny sound with golden oldies playing and the sea crashing in the background. I'd have packed a good book, and a light lunch, and a picnic dinner too. Because my favorite time on the beach is again, when it's quiet and everyone has drifted home to go start up their summer barbeque's.

I call it the 'golden hour' -- from about 4 o'clock on until sunset. You lean back in your favorite old beach chair and wrap a warm towel around your sunburned shoulders, waiting for the green flash when the sun hits the water, while enjoying a yummy sandwich and the peace and quiet. Just the crash of the endless waves and the gulls grabbing their seafood supper keeping you company. That is my perfect summer day. Thanks for allowing me to take you back there...I think I need a beach day!

Victoria’s site is a dreamy rabbit hole for me, since I am assured to love everything she finds, with her pitch-perfect eye for interiors and moods. And I adore her Sunday in the City series, because I get to see corners and details of San Francisco through Victoria's talented eye and lens. 

Thanks so much, Victoria, and I hope you get to bask in the golden hour soon!

Comments

[Cathy A]

I grew up in the LA suburbs (Glendale/La Crescenta) in the late 60's and 70's. I remember beach trips, but not very often. And I usually got a bad sunburn. My great grandma lived in Brentwood, and I do have fond memories of visiting her and going to the beach in Santa Monica. I remember walking up by the street and looking at the artist's paintings that were for sale.

But I do remember the beach being just like you described. I may have to check out that blog!