I love to put my fictional families into the real-life setting of Orange County, California where I live. Recently, I wrote about the quaint farmhouse and painted lady houses from Isobel’s Mission of Courage.
The Cinzano family from House of Courage lives in a fictional section in the canyons of Orange County, only fourteen miles from the city of Orange where the fictional Parker family from Isobel’s Mission of Courage live.
The real-life location is the Silverado-Modjeska Canyon area consisting of 65 square miles of mountainous terrain and surrounded in part by the Cleveland National Forest and the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve. This is on the eastern edge of a densely populated, urban Orange County.
Photo credit http://ocmomdining.com/silverado-cafe/
Marissa’s home is nestled between high mountain ridges, with wild sage, scrub and oaks, with many creeks and waterfalls. If there hasn’t been a drought, that is. It’s a Mediterranean climate, similar to what the Cinzano ancestors left in Italy.
Small farms, groves, and vineyards are sprinkled throughout the canyons. Not many orange groves are left, and we read of the Cinzano’s struggle to preserve their’s.
A star attraction of the area is the historic Silverado Canyon Café. It’s rustic outside and in, with great home-style food, and it attracts residents and visitors from around Southern California. Food is part of the Cinzano’s DNA with a family restaurant in San Diego, so I envisioned the Cinzanos visiting the café. I’m anxious to go back when it’s safe to visit restaurants again.
Photo Credit http://ocmomdining.com/silverado-cafe/
When it’s safe to travel, come visit Orange County. Check out the canyons and the Silverado Café. Imagine Isobel, Alfio, and Dante enjoying a hearty meal inside the quaint eatery.
Leave a Reply