Over the past weekend, I went to the bay area to visit family, and also do some sightseeing. I had heard about the Hakone Gardens, which was one of the oldest Japanese gardens in the United States, and wanted to visit there on my weekend trip.

Hakone Gardens was undoubtedly the nicest Japanese garden I had even been to. Nestled at the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains, right outside the city of Saratoga, the garden held an atmosphere that was serene and meditative.

The beautiful upper teahouse, situated at the front and center of the garden, was a spectacular view, and the view from the teahouse itself was a sight to see. Multiple garden paths wind along the hillside of the garden, which provides secluded sights over the garden withing a wooded environment.

The wooded landscape on a clear spring day provided a perfect environment for my trip there. I would recommend anyone taking a trip to the Bay area to attend the Hakone Gardens, especially if you enjoy going to Japanese gardens.

Another thing that stuck out the most to me was the colorful array of flowers and other plants that were spread throughout the garden. The colorful arrangement reminded me of why spring was my favorite season.

Throughout winter, I always look forward to spring, when all of nature is colorful. The long needed rain dropped heavily this year in California, so it provided one of the more colorful springs than in year's past.

The purple lilacs and lavenders, orange poppies, yellow tulips, along with white almond blossoms are enough reason to love the natural landscape of spring.

Spring also brings on warmer weather and longer days, which provides time to relax and do more outdoor activities. In Central California, the spring provides the cooler weather that is not felt in the summer, since the summer often holds temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The combination of these elements are the reason why spring is my favorite season. Despite having acute spring allergies, I enjoy going to parks and gardens the most in the spring and roaming around in nice, moderate weather that I do not get to enjoy for most of the year.

Although spring signifies the end of the semester for most students, it also signifies a sense of natural serenity and enjoyment for me.