Hyper-local, all Californian
Palm Springs and Coachella Valley
Sure, it’s blazingly hot in Palm Springs and Coachella Valley in the summer— that’s why they have all those swimming pools. But, as they said in the ’60swhen Mid-century Modern style ruled here, you can enjoy the pools but then savewater by showering with a friend.
Discover more about that famous Mid-century Modern architecture at the Palm Springs Art Museum’s new Architecture and
Design Center in the Edwards Harris Pavilion downtown.
Info: (760) 423-5260, www.psmuseum.org/architecture-design-center
L’Horizon (formerly the Horizon Hotel), a property that’s seen the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable and several U.S. presidents, reopens Wednesday after a “multimillion-dollar re-envisioning” with 25 bungalows on three acres. Doubles from$600 a night.
Info: (760) 323-1858, www.lhorizonpalmsprings.com
Triada Palm Springs in the Movie Colony area opened in October with eight casitas, eight suites and 20 units with full kitchens. Doubles from$100 a night.
Info: (760) 844-7000, www.triadapalmsprings.com
The former Viceroy Palm Springs became the Avalon Palm
Springs in April with emphasis on “alchemy, holistic health and global herbal medicine” in its Estrella Spa. Doubles from$180.
Info: (760) 320-4117, www.avalonpalmsprings.com
Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs claims to be the first carbon neutral resort in North America. It launches its 3 1⁄2 acre solar-generating farm Sunday, on the summer solstice. Doubles from $219 a night.
Info: (760) 329-8791, www.two bunchpalms.com Skip that car and try the Palm
Springs Buzz, a trolley that began in December and covers about12 miles with 31stops from 11 a.m. till1 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays.
Info: Palm Springs Buzz, www.buzzps.com
San Diego area
Sea gulls no doubt dream of joining chefs and visitors at the Tuna Harbor Dock side Market with all its freshly caught seafood and aqua-farmed seaweed. Emphasis is on local fisher folk who use sustainable fishing methods.
Info: 8 a.m.-1p.m. Saturdays, www.thdocksidemarket.com
Funky, foody fun: A 30,000square-foot formerly vacant lot is now Quart yard, which opened in February as an urban park in the East Village neighborhood with a farmers market anda dog park.
Info: www.quartyardsd.com The boutique Hotel Marisol
Coronado reopened in the fall after a major renovation of the 88-year-old hotel. Better, though, is its location two blocks from Coronado Beach. Doubles from$199 a night.
Info: (619) 365-4677, www.marisolcoronado.com In June 2014 the Kona Kai Resort& Spa on Shelter Island completed a $22-million renovation and in November launched Spa Terre featuring ancient Indonesian spa treatments. Doubles from$199 a night.
Info: (619) 221-8000, www.resortkonakai.com
Newport Beach
Next to the beach on the Newport Peninsula, the Newport Beach Hotel, one of the Four Sisters Inns, opened five remodeled suites with full kitchens in April. Doubles from$225 a night.
Info: (800) 571-8749, (949) 6737030, www.newportbeachwalkhotel.com
The 292-room Island Hotel in Newport Beach finished a yearand-a-half renovation this month, adding the Island Club, a 2,000square-foot lounge with 360-degree views from the 20th floor. The redesigned pool area has cabanas, a poolside bar and large-screen TVs. Doubles from$259 a night.
Info: (866) 554-4620, (949) 7590808, www.islandhotel.com
Dana Point
The St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point is scheduled to complete a $30-million redo of its 400 guest rooms and suites later this month, but the really fun part is that the resort adopted two goats (alas, off site) to provide milk for fresh goat cheese. Doubles from $425 a night.
Info: (800) 722-1543, (949) 2343900, www.stregismb.com
Laguna Beach
Designed to “reflect the laidback California vibe,” the Laguna Beach House( formerly the Laguna Cliffs Inn) completed a $1.5- million remodel in April, placing emphasis on beach life and surfing. Doubles from$197 a night.
Info: (800) 297-0007, www.the lagunabeachhouse.com
Santa Monica
The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel in March opened a swimming pool on the fourth floor where guests can gaze at the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Pier without getting sand between their toes. Doubles from$398 a night.
Info: (888) 332-0160, (310) 4586700, www.loewshotels.com/ santa-monica/ The LEED-certified Ambrose
Hotel relaunched earlier this monthwith an emphasis on health, environmental responsibility and casual Santa Monica charm. Doubles from$269 a night.
Info: (855) 426-2767, www. ambrosehotel.com
Santa Barbara
Two baby Masai giraffes have been born at the Santa Barbara
Zoo in the last seven months: Butter cup on Nov. 18, 2014, and Asha onMarch19.
Info: (805) 962-5339, www.sbzoo.org/animals/giraffe/
A new shark cove and improved shark-touch tankw ere added to
the Santa Barbara Museum of
Nature History Sea Center on Stearns Wharf this spring. In February, the center redid its touch pools, which emphasize Santa Barbara’s marine ecosystem.
Info: (805) 962-2526, www.sbnature.org/twsc/2.html
The Good Lion, a craft-cocktail bar named for an Ernest Hemingway children’s story, opened in November.
Info: (805) 845-8754, www.goodlioncocktails.com
Bacara Resort& Spa, with a beachfront location in Goleta near Santa Barbara, has renovated all of its 360 guest rooms and suites, and the last of those will reopen in July. The resort also added a poolside bar with fireside lounges and high-definition TVs. Doubles from $350 a night.
Info: (855) 968-0100, (805) 2901475, www.bacararesort.com
Central Coast
With traditional half-timbered architecture outside and sleek modern Scandinavian style inside, the new Landsby boutique inn in Solvang emphasizes Danish traditions and wine-country atmosphere. Doubles from$249 a night.
Info: (805) 688-3121, www.the landsby.com
Allegretto, a new luxury resort on 20 acres of gardens and vineyards, is to open in August in Paso Robles. Offerings will include cooking classes aswell as visits to local wineries, ranches and farms. Doubles from$279 a night.
Info: (800) 764-4614, (805) 2963120, www.lat.ms/1Fc5LLP
The luxe Bernardus Lodge & Spa, which relaunched in April, sits on 28 acres in the Carmel Valley. The multimillion-dollar remodel reconfigured guest rooms aswell as public and event spaces. Doubles from$475 a night.
Info: (831) 658-3400, www. bernarduslodge.com
After sitting vacant in Santa Cruz for 70 years, an1890 mansion in Stick-Eastlake style has undergone a $3-million restoration and opened in November as the Rio Vista Luxury Suites. The original curved wooden grand staircase and redwood entry have been restored to their former grandeur. Doubles from$99 a night.
Info: (831) 621-2929, www.rio vistasuites.com
Napa Valley
After a top-to-bottom modernization and makeover, Napa Vineyard House’s suites and two bedroom cottage were reopened in May. All accommodations have views of vineyards. Doubles from $325 a night.
Info: (707) 927-3909, www.napavineyardhouse.com
Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer, in St. Helena, in May added four 475-square-foot Harvest Lofts. Also new, Palmer’s Harvest Table restaurant. Doubles from$269 a night.
Info: (800) 950-8466, www. harvestinn.com
In May, following a $1.2-million renovation and expansion, Solage
Calistoga in Calistoga reopened its Spa Solage with more than 3,000 square feet of space. Doubles from $545 a night.
Info: (855) 942-7442, www. solagecalistoga.com
The historic Indian Springs
Resort& Spa, also in Calistoga, added 75 new Mission Revival-style bungalows and lodge rooms in October. The remodel also added meeting rooms and event gardens. Doubles from$239 a night.
Info: (707) 942-4913, www.indianspringscalistoga.com
Sacramento
Thefirst California Craft Beer Summit will be Sept. 11and12.
Info: (916) 228-4260, www.lat.ms/1Hxd0Er
Although his vegetarian restaurant, Mother, is very popular, in early July chef Michael Thiemann will open a heartier place, Empress
Tavern, which will specialize in rotisserie meats.
Info: www.empresstavern.com
Fort Bragg
A four-mile segment of the California Coastal Trail opened this spring in Fort Bragg. As part of Noyo Headlands Park— and locally called the Fort Bragg Coastal Trail— the new segment connects with another five-mile-long seaside trail. Thesouthern segment of the park will open in mid-September.
Info: www.californiacoastaltrail.info