Lunch...Spanish Style

When we were staying with my parents, we spent a delightful afternoon shopping at one of my favorite shops and having an al fresco lunch in the courtyard of the Mission Inn.

Built just after the turn of the century and over a period of 30 years, it is considered the largest Mission Revival Style building in the United States. A southern California landmark for centuries, it has hosted a dozen U.S. presidents and an impressive list of notable persons, ranging from John D. Rockefeller to Helen Keller to Cary Grant!

After lunch, we meandered around the inn a bit and sat and enjoyed the lobby.

When I was a kid, the doors to this chapel were left open, with a velvet cord to keep the curious outside. But, unfortunately, the doors are kept locked today, so we were unable to see the beautiful gold chapel with its altar made from 18-k gold leaf. It is a sight to behold!