With warm, clear skies underway and colorful tulips blooming, now is the perfect time to host a picnic. But before you reach for the classic checkered blanket and finger sandwiches, consider elevating your typical get-together with these ideas — dressed from head to toe with themed food and matching activities — for your perfect picnic.
Cozy cottage core
Location Recs: Yorba Regional Park (Anaheim), George Bellis Park (Buena Park), Miles Square Regional Park (Fountain Valley), your own backyard!
It’s cute, rustic, and maybe slightly overused, but no one can argue with the aesthetic of a classic cottage core picnic. Choose a sunny day (70-85°F is ideal) to visit a nearby garden or park, and allow the greenery to guide the color scheme of your embellishments. Any floral or lace blanket will work, as long as you don’t forget the essential woven basket, filled to the brim with jams, cold cuts, cheeses, and fruits for a charming charcuterie board. Feel free to bring out the vintage dishware for this special occasion; teacups for iced herbal tea and small jars to hold flower bouquets. Turn on any Florence + The Machine playlist to accompany you and your friends as you create flower crowns or decorate scrapbooks with freshly picked wildflowers.
A trip to the Mediterranean
Location Recs: Bolsa Chica State Beach (Huntington), Heisler Park (Laguna Beach), West Jetty View Park (Newport Beach), Top of the World (Laguna Beach)
Who doesn’t love hummus and pita? Use this picnic as an excuse to go all out with a Mediterranean spread! Think crispy falafels, marinated olives, warm flatbreads, and tangy tzatziki; the bright and fresh flavors pair perfectly with a cliffside spot overlooking the ocean or a homely coastal town. Arrive just before sunset to catch the golden-hour glow and evening breeze that sets the dreamy atmosphere just right. To match the Mediterranean feel, set up a vibrant color scheme with blankets and throw pillows — anything with soft oranges, coral reds, light turquoise, or olive greens is perfect for a cozy and relaxed look. And don’t forget to have some fun; dance to Mediterranean folk music or Spanish tango to fully embrace the cultural ambiance!
A Studio Ghibli remake
Location Recs: Rainbow Lagoon Park (Long Beach), Ralph Clark Park (Buena Park), Craig Regional Park (Fullerton), El Dorado East Regional Park (Long Beach)
Step into the magical world of Studio Ghibli with picnic essentials inspired by your favorite animations. A tranquil park or lakeside spot is perfect to mirror the serene, fantastical atmosphere of The Wind Rises, Ponyo, or whichever film resonates best. Spread a blanket — either a Ghibli-inspired pattern or a simple gray to resemble Totoro — under a shady tree, and add plushies to play the part of your fictional Ghibli “friends.” For food, get creative with delicious recreations of the films’ iconic dishes: Haku’s onigiri from Spirited Away, a hearty bento box from My Neighbor Totoro, and for dessert — a miniature version of the famous cake from Kiki’s Delivery Service. Stay busy by decorating cupcakes inspired by Ghibli characters or flying a kite in the wind. And of course, let a Ghibli soundtrack accompany your fun!
Picnics are the perfect way to enjoy sunny weather and cheerful ambiance with friends. Gather your group and start picnicking!
