Lemon Cake & Daisies: A Simple Family Picnic in Balboa Park

Some of our favorite picnics are the simplest ones. On a sunny afternoon, we spread a floral blanket under a shady tree in Balboa Park, set a woven basket in the middle as a little table, and let the light filtering through the leaves do the rest.

Nothing was fussy. Nothing was homemade from scratch (well, almost nothing). And it was one of the loveliest afternoons we've had all year.

A little from everywhere

Our spread came from a handful of places, including Trader Joe's: salami and prosciutto, cheese and olives, green grapes, strawberries, cherry tomatoes on the vine, a ripe peach, cantaloupe wedges, Marcona almonds and a bottle of sparkling pink lemonade poured into rosy glasses.

That's the secret of an easy picnic. You don't need to make everything. Pick up a few good things, arrange them on a wooden board, and it instantly feels special.

Flowers make the table

If we could give one tip, it's this: bring flowers. A small jar of roses, white mums and stock turned a blanket on the grass into a proper table. Add patterned plates and a few cloth napkins and you're done.

The lemon cake

The star of the afternoon was a simple lemon cake that my daughter decorated herself with thin slices of lemon and delicate daisies. It took five minutes and looked like it came from a bakery.

And the best part? The delight on her face as she took that first bite.

Fitz and Daisy

Our dogs, Fitz and Daisy, joined us too. They waited (very) patiently in the shade for any bites that might come their way. Balboa Park is wonderfully dog-friendly, so bring your pups along. Just keep them leashed.

Your turn

Want to recreate it? Stop by Happy Go Picnic at 415 Laurel Street, just 1.5 blocks from the park. Grab sandwiches, sweets and drinks, and rent one of our picnic baskets (with or without a blanket). We'll help make it beautiful and easy.