Thanks seedmoney. It indeed looks like a jade plant from the pictures I googled. Some of its leaves are not grown in opposing pairs, as described by Wikipedia, but I guess some leaves are just lost or eaten by bugs.

We visit Monterey 3x/yr (mostly to eat, LOL). I was so impressed with this protea which is living outdoors, on the bike trail behind Cannery Row. Just gorgeous! I also see a lot of Romneya coulteri "Fried-Egg Plant" in Monterey/PG, which makes me envious because it flops in my Oakland hills garden. I see a lot of plectranthus around there, which is low-water and loves the mild climate down there. Mostly the silvery leaf forms, but if you are willing to eke out a little more water, this chartreuse variegated plectranthus groundcover - I must have bought it at either Berkeley Hort or East Bay Nursery - is stunning in shade spots. It and the companion Iresine with its bright fuchsia foliage would be gorgeous in a pot together. Iresine is very tender so it would love your climate - it didn't love mine! A lot of people use bacopa, but I think the plectranthus is much prettier (but harder to find). The spiky foliage is an old-fashioned evergreen bearded iris, which I use everywhere: Although we weren't impressed by the food at Anton & Michel (Andre's Bouchee is sooooo much better), the containers had lovely combinations. This one has the silver-leaf plectranthus with coleus. Iresine is a similar color but a perennial, and would also work: And one container had this angel's wing begonia so large, I had to take a photo. Another plant that doesn't do well in my garden, too much competition: I would think all the usual 'tough shrubs, low water' would work, too: phormiums, euryops, pelargoniums, etc. If you get a chance, check out the new "Guardsman" phormium - it's stunning when backlit. Every time EBay Nursery gets some pots in, they're sold out in a few days' time: I have never had much luck with salvias, common sage does better for me. But I ran across this pineapple sage and it's been a stunning performer. Very little water, shrugs off cold air, gets big 3'Hx4'W very quickly. The flowers are small spikes but so bright they show up even from a distance: If you have the space, Phormium atropurpureum grows fast and very big. It's a spiky upright form, and looks terrific with the silver-leaf plectranthus as a groundcover at its feet (set them at least 2' apart to discourage the plectranthus from climbing over the phormium). Doesn't take much water to get it established, and hardly any at all to keep it going. Poor soil won't bother either one a bit!

canarybird - I was in a hurry before and didn't thank you personally for the beautiful card. That rose reminds me of my rose Bewitched. Lars - You must be psychic because I ended up getting the swordfish. It was at Carniglia's and the dish was called Inoutini Di Pesce Spada. It was swordfish rolled and stuffed with pine nuts, golden raisins and capers in a salmoriglia sauce, with a baby beet and leek ragu on the side. It was very good. So good I wished the portion side was much bigger. The house salad and bread selections were very good too. DH had the hailbut with fresh tomatoes and capers and it was good also. DS had the lobster ravioli with cream crab sauce. He said it was great. I highly recommend this place if anyone is going to the Santa Cruz wharf. Then we had the Trader Joe's New York cheesecake for dessert at home. It was also quite good. A great foodie night! Clare Here is a link that might be useful: Carniglia's

There are also a number of festivals that may coincide with your travels along the coast. These two come to mind: http://gilroygarlicfestival.com/ http://centralcoastoysterfestival.com/ The Exploratorium in SF is in a new location now and I haven't been there but the old place was great. I imagine the new space is even better. http://www.exploratorium.edu/ There is always something to do/see at Golden Gate Park. http://www.golden-gate-park.com/ On the Peninsula below SF is Filoli Mansion in Woodside. Beautiful gardens and mansion. http://www.filoli.org/ Here is a link that might be useful: List of food related festivals in CA. This post was edited by barnmom on Fri, Jan 30, 15 at 12:36