Current at 5/24/2008 (Online waypoint URL)
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Virtual Cache California Scenario by 4forfun (1.5/1)
N33° 41.356  W117° 52.929 (WGS84)
UTM  11S   E 418239  N 3728053
Use waypoint: GCC450
Size: Virtual Virtual    Hidden on 1/14/2003
In California, United States
Difficulty:  1.5 out of 5   Terrain:  1 out of 5
We've all heard that in California we can travel from the mountains to the desert to the forest in just a few hours-now it's time you did it. All located within 200 yards of each other.I saw this location on a television show and tracked down where it was. I thought it was a great place and thought I would share it with those who don't know it is here.
I am making this a VIRTUAL CACHE because apparently the actual cache I placed was taken the same day I placed it. To log the cache as a find you need to E-mail me the number of metal supports that hold up the back of the bench that is nearest to the coordinates of the original traditional cache (by the middle of U shaped path through the redwoods). **As a bonus, see if you can find where the artist signed the work...it isn't on the bench. E-mail me with that answer if you find it. Count it as a find and don't forget to list your geocaching name on the e-mail if it is different than your e-mail name. If I don't get your e-mail with the correct number, your visit will not count.

The location is free unless you decide to pay to park. Parking is $3.00 for 30 minutes all around the location. You can park at South Coast Plaza at 33.41.495 by 117.53.190 for free and take the pedestrian bridge from those coordinates, along a 1/4 mile pathway that passes many outdoor sculptures. The cache is in a courtyard behind El Torito and Jerrys Famous Deli.

The following is a short description I got of the location from a pamphlet. "California Scenario, a distinctive sculpture garden created by renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi is also known as Noguchi Gardens - one of the most important outdoor sculpture gardens in the country. The engaging garden retreat occupies more than 1 1/2 acres and combines stone, sculpture, water, metal, earth and vegetation into a remarkable interpretation of our Souththern California environment.

Various elements vital to the California environment are depicted in the garden, which features an Energy Fountain, The Spirit of the Lima Bean Sculpture (the stack of boulders), sandstone paving, granite benches, and areas named the Forest Walk and the Desert Land."

To get a more in depth description of what this place is, visit this link Noguchi Gardens. The artists website is WWW.NOGUCHI.ORG

Additional Hints (There are no hints for this cache)

Current at 5/24/2008

Found it 5/10/2008 by BICCachers
Wow, what a great location... tftc!

Found it 4/30/2008 by mtefft
On a trip for business from Pittsburgh, PA and noticed this was right across the street from my hotel. Had to go check it out. found the bench, but couldn't get the bonus...Thanks for the cache and the diversion from work! (sending email now to owner with answer to question and a pic taken from pda at the site)

Found it 4/27/2008 by Cache O'Plenty
What a great area! Never knew this was here and we've visited the black glass building many times in the past and never knew it existed. If you have to work, this would be one of the better environments!! TFTC P.S. Answers e-mailed to owner. Hope we got both of them right!

Found it 4/26/2008 by AAFlightCrew
Very peaceful. Really enjoyed the info and website too! Missed the signature.

Found it 4/17/2008 by MK3 cachers
One of the nice benefits of geocaching are these type of discoveries in your own backyard. Another treasure in the area that we did not know existed. We enjoyed the walk around the area. We also found the bonus, after circling the area and coming to the last object, whew it was there.
TFTC

Found it 4/13/2008 by littledebbie
Stopped by before seeing phantom of the opera tonight. Both are on the must see list! :-D I looked for the bonus but didn't see it. I guess I'll have to come back again. Yay! I have an excuse! Anyway, thanks for bringing me to this beautiful serene place. :)

Found it 4/12/2008 by RanNat1718
#203. What an interesting spot! Too bad it was way too hot to spend a lot of time here. TFTC!

Found it 4/5/2008 by shoestorm
@10:00 – Had a nice dinner a Jerry’s and then checked out the park. Excellent location. One of those places an out-of-towner would never visit without Geocaching. Didn’t quite read the cache page close enough and was looking to some “numbers” on the bench. Blush Initially thought I would log the DNF but upon further review it was the number of supports !

Found it 4/3/2008 by RowanKP
Thanks for the great walk after dinner! I prefer your parking area. I overshot the target on my first pass, with my GPS pointing towards a construction zone. This place is nearly invisible to the casual passerby. It boggles my mind that someone would build something like this in the middle of a skyscraper jungle. TFTC! Email to follow.

Found it 3/8/2008 by 3cd's
Grabbed this one during a break in my sons Volleyball tournament today. Answers en rt

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Additional Hints (There are no hints for this cache)