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Spring getaways

Find more California travel adventures at www. mercurynews.com/travel.

BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2015 >> F7 >> 001

Travel Web

High-octane app WHAT: The Gas Guru app helps you fill the tank by finding gas stations, sorted by price, near your current location.

HITS:

I’ve known that smartphone apps like this existed, but out of habit, I always filled up at the gas station down the street.

Once I tried the completely redesigned Gas Guru app, I found a number of stations where I could save 30 to 54 cents a gallon less than four miles from my house and close to shops I drive by regularly.

You can use the app in map mode and get directions, or view by list and sort by price or distance. It’s easier to use than its competitor, GasBuddy.

MISSES: I wanted two more features: a “favorites” list, where I could save gas stations, and a road trip calculator.

— Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times

Travel Tip

BERNARDUS LODGE & SPA

Carmel zzz’s The new owners of Carmel Valley’s four-star Bernardus Lodge have just reopened the place after a four-month renovation designed, we’re told, to delight “epicureans and romantics.” There’s a new restaurant, Lucia, under chef Cal Stamenov. All 57 guest rooms ($515 and up) have been redone. The public spaces were redesigned with vineyard views, outdoor fireplaces and a heated, outdoor dining terrace. And the spa has added a new hot tub, pool cabanas and summer “experiences,” including guided hikes, moonlight yoga and lavender harvest classes. Details: www. bernarduslodge.com.

Meanwhile in Carmel-by-the-Sea, La Playa Carmel is celebrating its 110th anniversary with a couple of sweet deals.Add a second night’s stay for $110 or, if you got married, honeymooned or celebrated your anniversary at the hotel, the first night is $110, too. Or, if you have $110,000 burning a hole in your pocket, you can book the whole hotel for a week. Details and restrictions: www.laplayahotel. com/110laplayacarmel.

— Jackie Burrell, Staff

Top Ten

Calistoga’s charms chase away stress

TONY HICKS/STAFF

Rented bicycles, deli sandwiches and glorious vineyards add up to a perfect afternoon picnic in Calistoga.

Tensions vanish as mud baths, geysers beckon IF YOU GO

By Tony Hicks

thicks@bayareanewsgroup.com

This is how adults are supposed to feel coming back from vacation: Clearheaded, with muscle knots erased.

Skin slightly darkened by sunshine. Peaceful. Happy. Reacquainted with one’s partner, remembering what they were like before years of children screaming and dogs barking. Needing a few minutes Monday morning to remember what one actually does at work.

The Napa Valley is perfect for adults needing some depressurizing from real life. In fact, we felt better before we even got out of the car, thanks to the gorgeous Wine Country drive up to Calistoga.

We headed straight for the Calistoga Bikeshop, where owner Brad Suhr took care of us, even though we didn’t have reservations (but don’t count on walking in and just getting a bike — the area’s trails and scenery make biking a high-demand activity). Suhr took the time to go over a map with us, giving us the best routes for a low-traffic/high-scenery balance. The bikes come with good-sized rackbags, which we filled with sandwiches from the Cal Mart deli, whose box lunches fit nicely.

What followed was one of the best afternoons we’ve had together. We rode a couple miles to the Old Faithful geyser.

Because of varying underground temperature, it was erupting every five minutes instead of the usual 30 or so. The place is very cool (well, not the geyser).

TONY HICKS/STAFF

Calistoga’s Old Faithful is one of the nation’s three “faithful” geysers, which erupt on a fairly regular schedule.

Not only does it have one of the world’s three “faithful” geysers that erupt mostly on schedule, there’s a small but surprisingly detailed museum that focuses on the See CALISTOGA, Page 10

Calistoga Bikeshop: Open 10 a.m.6 p.m. daily. Rentals start at $18 and include helmet, lock, map and rackbag.

Self-guided tours of as many as five wineries are $89.99. Prices vary for guided tours. 1318 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga; www.calistogabikeshop.com.

Old Faithful California Geyser: Open 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday from May through October. Admission is $8-$14, free for children younger than 4. 1299 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga; www. oldfaithfulgeyser.com.

Sharpsteen Museum: Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Admission is free.

1311 Washington St., Calistoga; www. sharpsteenmuseum.org.

Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort: Spa packages include mud baths ($80), mineral baths ($70) and massages ($75-$140). 1300 Washington St., Calistoga; www.romanspahotsprings. com.

Cal Mart: Deli, espresso bar and specialty grocery store open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. 1491 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga; www.calmartnv.com.

Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery: 1250 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga; www. calistogainn.com.

Calistoga Kitchen: 1107 Cedar St., Calistoga; www.calistogakitchen.com.

MOVIE REVIEW

SPORTS

Should you plan for a visit with ‘Doctor Strange’? Ticket

The downside to being the least-penalized team in NFL 1C

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ELECTION 2016

State sharply divided on death penalty vote

BY ALEXEI KOSEFF

akoseff@sacbee.com

Competing ballot measures that would bring historic changes to California’s fractured death penalty system are both on the cusp of passing in Tuesday’s election.

A new survey of likely voters from the Field Poll and UC Berkeley’s In-

stitute of Governmental Studies found a slight majority for Proposition 62, which would repeal capital punishment in California after nearly four decades. It leads 51 percent to 45 percent, with the remainder still MORE INSIDE

Here’s why California is on the verge of legalizing marijuana. 2A

undecided.

But support has also soared in recent weeks for a rival initiative that aims to resume executions after more than 10 years and speed up an appeals process for death sentences that can take decades.

Forty-eight percent of likely voters are inclined to vote yes on Proposition 66, according to the poll, up 13 percentage points

from September. Another 42 percent are opposed, while 10 percent have not made up their minds, down sharply from 42 percent in the last survey.

Nearly a quarter of poll respondents indicated they would support Proposition 62 and Proposition 66, which present contradictory fixes for a death penalty system that both campaigns characterize as

Field Poll: The death penalty

The two death penalty ballot measures are in tight contests.

PROPOSITION 62

Replaces death penalty with life in prision

51%

45%

YES

PROPOSITION 66

Speeds up death penalty process

48% YES

NO

4% Undecided

NO

10% Undecided

Source: Field Research Corp./Institute of Governmental Studies

broken. If both measures pass, whichever has a higher number of votes will become law.

“It’s like they don’t even care whether the death penalty itself is the issue,” said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field

42%

The Sacramento Bee

Poll. “They just want to change the status quo from what it is right now.”

The poll also showed strong majorities for seven other ballot measures: Proposition 52, a hospital SEE DEATH PENALTY, 2A

INSIGHT

HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE

As head of Sacramento’s Office of Public Safety Accountability, Francine Tournour ensures police follow the city’s policies and procedures. 1B

INSIGHT

DOG ATTACKS UP 44 PERCENT

What’s behind the large increase in serious dog bites over the past decade in California? 3B

RANDY PENCH rpench@sacbee.com

CRANES RETURN TO DELTA WETLANDS

A pair of sandhill cranes search for food Thursday as they walk through a flooded field in the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve in San Joaquin County near Woodbridge. The ancient cranes have returned to the Delta wetlands for the winter as they do each year before heading north in March. Starting today and running through the weekend, the 20th annual Sandhill Crane Festival opens in Lodi, celebrating the birds with tours, workshops, presentations and more. For more information, visit cranefestival.com.

ELECTION 2016

LOCAL

MORE THAN DROP IN BUCKET

A soggy October didn't cure the state’s drought, but in some areas it did manage to make a significant dent. 3A

Clinton pushes for minority turnout as Trump denounces her as corrupt

BY ALEXANDER BURNS AND JONATHAN MARTIN

The New York Times

Saturating swing states with powerful campaign surrogates and mobilizing a vast field organization, Hillary Clinton on Thursday intensified her public attacks on Donald Trump as a threat to minorities in the hope

of driving them to the polls in decisive numbers.

In an effort to blunt any late momentum for Trump, Clinton is moving to reinforce her position among crucial constituencies, including black communities in North Carolina and Florida, and Latino strongholds in Nevada and Arizona, to lock down the 270 electoral votes

needed to win.

She and President Barack Obama assailed Trump in separate campaign appearances Thursday as an enemy of black voters and warned that he could use the power of the presidency against them.

Clinton’s efforts are most intense in a few large swing states where balloting is under-

BUSINESS

NATION

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Broderick bringing its popular hamburgers to Folsom. 11A

Study finds no economic harm from tax hikes on the rich. 13A

Autopsy, foster parents’ story don’t match, says coroner. 3A

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1F 1E 1E 1D

way. Guided by data on millions of voters around the country, the Clinton campaign has deployed her top surrogates to areas where she needs a boost: Obama fired up voters on her behalf in Miami and Jacksonville, Fla., cities where black voters have yet to turn out in sizable numbers.

Seldom have Trump and Clinton’s divergent approaches to electioneering been on more vivid display. Where Clinton has homed in on minority turnout in early-voting states, Trump has delivered a broad-brush mes-

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Morning fog

74° / 49° See 8B

ALLEN PIERLEONI apierleoni@sacbee.com

ellow restaurant reviewer Carla Meyer and I recently collaborated on a Sunday Life & Style cover story that got a lot of buzz – our top-10 list of favorite hamburgers around town. Like pizza and barbecue, burgers are among certain dishes that resonate on a visceral level with diners, who are loyal to their brands.

Taste, after all, is subjective.

Along the way, someone urged us to try the new Exception Burger at Hop House, known for its ro-

F

apierleoni@sacbee.com

BY ALLEN PIERLEONI

tating taps of super-hoppy India Pale Ales from local craft breweries (13 at last count).

That’s how lunch pal and Drone Pilots Federation president Bruce Parks and I found ourselves inside the beautifully appointed tap house – lots of reclaimed wood and natural light – but not for long. The patio was more inviting, our table under ancient olive trees and overlooking a little lagoon. The trees were brought to California from Spain in 1878, planted in a commercial olive grove near Oroville and then transplanted in El Dorado Hills Town Center.

The menu ($5 to $15)

Want bacon with that craft beer?

Try Hop House

COUNTER CULTURE shows myriad variations of the grilled cheese sandwich and mac ’n’ cheese, along with french fries in four iterations and an abundance of pulled pork.

What grabbed us was the star of the show – ultra-thick-cut bacon. It’s on best display in a “small plates” slab of excellent candid bacon “confit,” meaning the bacon was cooked in its own fat. How else would bacon be cooked? The crispy-soft pork “mini-steak” was sweet with brown sugar and mildly heated with cayenne pepper.

Seven of the 15 items in the “sandwiches/burgers” column contained thickcut bacon, along with the option of adding it to the non-bacon sandwiches for $1.50. You can also add pulled pork for $2. If we wished, we could have added bacon or pulled pork to the candied bacon, but why go over the top?

If you love dark, smoky, salty bacon – and the brew to go along with it – Hop House could become your

The Exception Burger at Hop House is topped with “extremely” thick-cut bacon.

STAY CONNECTED SACBEE.COM

Two of the best burgers we’ve encountered in our travels are in Carmel, at Brophy’s Tavern and the much more formal Grasing’s.

Last year, the Phoenixbased company that owns the five-star grande dame La Playa Hotel bought the Dolphin Inn and the adjoining Brophy’s, once a dimly lit and raucous locals’ hangout. It refurbished both, renaming the lodging Hotel Carmel and

......................................................

Information: 916-358-3977, www.hophouseedh.com

How much: $-$$

Ambiance: EEEE

Food: EE1⁄2

Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight, Sundays-Wednesdays; 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Thursdays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-2 a.m. weekends.

Happy hour 3-6 p.m. daily.

Where: El Dorado Hills Town Center, 4364 Town Center Blvd., El Dorado Hills

Hop House

.......................................................

Allen Pierleoni: 916-321-1128, @apierleonisacbe

wisely keeping the Brophy’s name.

Now the pub is airy and bright, pulling from eight taps and decorated with vintage photos (including Henry Miller in Big Sur) and a showpiece collection of 1,000 beer cans from around the world.

The burger is a groundto-order half-pound of Angus chuck on a brioche bun with bacon, earthytasting cremini and king trumpet mushrooms, and smoked fontina, served with crisp, well-seasoned fries ($14). If you prefer fish ’n’ chips, it’s the more upscale halibut, not cod.

San Carlos and Fourth; 831-586-5566, www.thehotelcarmel.com.

Grasing’s patio is the place to dwell over its half-pound Angus bistro burger on a griddled ciabatta bun with bacon, avocado and cheddar ($18), and a side of housemade beer-battered onion rings ($8.50 and $13).

Mission and Sixth; 831624-6562, www.grasings.com.

Dining

|

TWO BURGERS WORTH THE RIDE

go-to. We wanted to know more about the bacon – what cut is it? where is it sourced? why does it dominate the menu? – but the owner didn’t get back to us.

Meanwhile, the Exception Burger arrived, a thick patty of unexceptional ground beef on a grilled bun with mayo, covered in melted American cheese and topped with two slices of that thick-cut bacon and a sunnyside-up egg. Instead of complementing the patty, the bacon overwhelmed everything, turning the burger into a bacon sandwich wet with runny egg yolk. The fastfood onion rings were more crunchy coating than onion slices.

We liked the B.L.A.Twich, a half sandwich of bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato on very tasty grilled sourdough, but the fresh and crisp housemade “spicy coleslaw” showed no flavor. We added a spoonful of Hop House’s signature Sriracha-citrus aioli, which helped.

The heat from the fish in the salmon salad had wilted the “wild” (really?) greens and cremini mushrooms, which was to be expected, but a heavy hand with the balsamic dressing turned the dish into a swampy, acidic mess. It was spiked with bursts-of-flavor lardons, cubes of crisped pork fat used in classic French dishes such as frisée salad and coq au vin. We agreed the salad was solid in concept, weak in execution.

Another Hop House is projected to open at the end of the month at 1475 Eureka Road, Roseville.

TICKET

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THE SACRAMENTO BEE

16A

The Carmel Pine Cone

September 13, 2013

F O O D

&

W I N E

La Playa for locals, Taste of Carmel ticket discounts, and a C.V. prix fixe

55 Camino Aguajito, Monterey

Open 7am to 2pm

(831) 717-4054

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7th & San Carlos behind The Tree House Cafe

Carmel-by-the-Sea

625-6508 Give your community a stimulus plan — shop locally!

By MARY SCHLEY

M

ANY THINGS changed at La Playa Hotel during its extensive remodel, but one of them wasn’t the classically styled bar, which remains a Carmel landmark. The bar’s menu of small bites, however, has been revised, fun cocktail offerings are in the works, and general manager Mary Crowe is working on winemaker dinners and other events — like hosting “celebrity bartenders� — to draw more locals to the town’s largest lodging place. “Whatever their signature cocktail is, they’ll tell us how to make it, and we’ll offer it all night for $7,� she said of the evening’s celebrity bartender, the first of whom will be Carmel Chamber of Commerce CEO Monta Potter. “It’s not like a business mixer — it’s a purely social.�

Potter will take over the bar in the historic hotel at Camino Real and Eighth Wednesday, Sept. 18, when her Sidecar will be available from 5:30 to 10 p.m. for $7. “I used to drink them in college when we would go from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., because the drinking age was 18 in Canada,�

Potter explained. “We’ve started making them lately at home because they’re tasty and easy to make.�

With free hors d’oeuvres passed all night and Potter’s friends dropping by to sip and schmooze, the evening will also serve as a celebration of her reaching the 10-year mark as head of the chamber. (That milestone also earned her recognition by the city council at its Sept. 10 meeting, when she was presented a certificate by Mayor Jason Burnett.) “It can be anybody in the community who is our celebrity for the night,� Crowe said. “There’s no qualification for it, and we already have a list of people who want to do

it. It’s a lot of fun.�

The hotel and the star bartender invite everyone to visit the bar on the designated day — which could be any night of the week — for a drink, food and fun. “It’s a good way to get your friends together without having to host them,� she said. “It’s like a ready-made party.�

Open to the public and guests from 2 p.m. until 9 for food and 10 for drinks, the bar also recently launched a bruschetta menu that features seven different toppings on toasted bread. Among the tastiest are the Merlot braised short rib; the arugula, burrata, tomato and bacon; and the spinach and artichoke toppings, and guests pay $15 for any three bruschetta they choose.

Crowe said she’s proud of La Playa’s strong representation of local wines, including Cowgirl’s rosĂŠ by the glass, of which she is particularly fond, and the Bud Allen Hour continues on Sundays from 5 to 5:10 p.m., when any cocktail can be had for a dime. “Here’s what I’m seeing at the hotel — this is the magic: The hotel has such a residential atmosphere that guests really hang out here, they have wine and cheese every night, and they meet strangers and start talking to each other,â€? she said. “I want the bar for locals to have the same feeling.â€?

■‘Spanish-style’ wine dinner Resort chef Tim Wood and Dan Lee of Morgan Winery teamed up Thursday to present a Spain-inspired dinner at Carmel Valley Ranch, and fortunately for those who missed it, the menu and wine pairings will be offered Friday and Saturday, too. It’s a new practice at the ranch that allows patrons

Continues next page

September 13, 2013

F O O D From previous page more options by not restricting such prix fixe affairs to a single night.

While on one Thursday each month, the fixed menu will give guests time to talk with the winemaker, chef and sommelier, the menu and pairings will be offered the following two nights, too, even if the people behind them aren’t available for chatting.

The Spanish-style wine dinner included tapas, paella, lamb, cheese and truffles, and is available Sept. 13-14 for $50 per person, or $90 with wine pairings from Morgan.

Reservations are recommended. Call (831) 626-2599. Carmel Valley Ranch is located at 1 Old Ranch Road at mid-valley.

■ Taste of Carmel tickets on sale Tickets for the Carmel Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Carmel, set for Thursday, Oct. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Carmel Mission on Rio Road, are on sale now at early bird prices. This year’s theme is a Masquerade Ball, and chefs from dozens of local restaurants and numerous wineries will be sharing their best during the celebration

in the Mission courtyard. The Money Band has signed on to perform, and an extensive auction, also online at biddingforgood.com, will help raise money for the chamber’s programs.

VIP admission is $85 per adult with a Riedel commemorative wine glass until Sept. 15, early bird general admission is available for $75 per person until Sept. 19, and general admission is $95 per person from then until the date of the event.

Visit www.tasteofcarmel.com to learn more.

&

The Carmel Pine Cone

17A

W I N E

■ Gourmet Grazing on Green The 10th Annual Gourmet Grazing on the Green, a festival of food, wine and beer that benefits the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group, will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, from noon to 4 p.m. in Aptos Village Park.

Beneficiaries include Hospice of Santa Cruz County, Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Association, Katz Cancer Resource Center, WomenCARE Cancer Advocacy, Researchers from the University of

See FOOD page 20A

■ IlFo raises $ for old dogs Peace Of Mind Dog Rescue will hold its Fall For The Dogs Fundraiser at Il Fornaio Restaurant in the Pine Inn at Monte Verde and Ocean Thursday, Sept. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. The nonprofit is inviting guests to bring their own pups along for an evening on the restaurant’s pet-friendly patio.

The cost is $25 per person and will benefit the group, which seeks to find compassionate and safe homes for older dogs, and more information is available at www.peaceofminddogrescue.org. For reservations, call (831) 718-9122.

Taking over the kitchen in a gorgeous Coastlands home perched on the cliffs above the Pacific in Big Sur, chefs from the Post Ranch Inn were joined by guest chefs from Bali and Singapore for a special dinner Saturday.

PHOTO/MARY SCHLEY

Since 1958

THREE COURSE PRICE FIXED MENU

Choose one plate from each selection...$33.95

1st Course

Soup du Jour Carmelized onion and goat cheese tart Parisian Butter Lettuce Salad

Entrees

Herb Roasted Organic Chicken Lamb T-Bone Chops with Pistachio Mint Pesto Fresh Fish of the Day

Desserts

Vanilla Ice Cream with Raspberry Coulis Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream

WINO WEDNESDAY

Every Wednesday night, all bottled wine is 50% off SPECIALTIES Moroccan Tagine of Goat, Rabbit with Wild Mushrooms & Pancetta Penne, Sweetbreads Madeira, Holland Dover Sole served table-side Dinner Nightly from 5:30 pm

831.620.1942 – www.escargotcarmel.com on Mission at 4th, Carmel-by-the-Sea

RESO RTS | H O M E S | TR AVE L | A DV E NTU RE

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

AN ART-INSPIRED GETAWAY IN

ARIZONA

Finding rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation in Scottsdale.

BY AMALIA MCGIBBON

66 | G E N T R Y D E S T I N AT I O N S

At the center of the resort, the guest house is an elegant expression of mid-century modern architecture and serves as a social gathering place for guests and locals. The design, from Delawie Architects, includes floor-to-ceiling glass walls to highlight the inviting indoor restaurant and lounge spaces. The exterior’s expansive patio and fire pits encourage guests to sit and socialize, while the interiors reflect a mix of modern classics and midcentury interpretations.

G E N T R Y D E S T I N AT I O N S | 67

T

he weather forecast said 105˚ in Scottsdale.

Yikes!, I thought, I’m a California girl, born and raised, and ‘temperate’ is all I know. What wardrobe do you pack for that kind of heat?

How do you emotionally prepare?? There was no need to fret, I soon learned; the recently opened Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa has everything covered.

The resort is situated on 23 acres of sweeping desert landscape at the base of Camelback Mountain. I’ve always thought that one of the markers of a truly great property is its ability to take the hand that Mother Nature dealt it—be it green slopes or red rocks, rolling fog or shimmering heat—and convince you there’s no better environ for a vacation.

Andaz Scottsdale manages this feat with remarkable aplomb.

All of the resort’s carefully curated comforts flatter and elevate its desert locale: from the flip-flops (instead of slippers) placed next to the bathrobes in each room, to the complimentary frozen drink served poolside every day at noon, to the massage menu featuring essential Sonoran oils, and the flawless landscaping that mixes 50-foot pine trees with giant cacti and desert wildflowers.

There is no real lobby or front desk at Andaz Scottsdale; travelers check in via iPad while sipping homemade iced tea in the resort’s “Guest House.” The 201 bungalow-style guest rooms and suites— ranging in size from 350 to 1,800-square-feet—are grouped in 68 | G E N T R Y D E S T I N AT I O N S

clusters of four to six units connected by meandering pathways and communal courtyards with firepits.

It reminds me of an artists’ colony, and indeed the resort’s midcentury design is the result of a collaboration with many talented painters, ceramicists, photographers, fiber artists, and textile designers. Spacious rooms draw inspiration from the 1950’s desert art scene with an eclectic mix of bright colors, folk art, and cultural patterns. They feature skylights, beamed ceilings, sliding barn doors, and front terraces with colorfully cushioned “banco” seating.

The resort’s glass-walled restaurant, Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen, serves locally sourced, shareable plates from Executive Chef Adam Sheff. There’s no official breakfast, lunch, or dinner hour—you can order whatever you want, whenever you want.

The all-day New American menu features locally-inspired delicacies like the Blue Corn Short Stack with orange-poppyseed custard and rye whiskey syrup, and Whole Trout a la Plancha with a pecan romesco sauce. You can also pull up a stool at the restaurant bar to munch on snacks like lamb jerky, lavender almonds, or blistered shishito peppers, alongside craft cocktails like the Diamondback Fizz with Olmeca Altos tequila, grapefruit, lime, and jalapeno agave.

Then, of course, there’s the on-site “Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary,” a place where nature and grace intertwine. The 12,000square-foot spa features four indoor and three outdoor treatment rooms, outdoor hydrotherapy pools, a nail and hair salon, eucalyptus

A glass box display kitchen (opposite) featuring innovative use of plancha cooking techniques puts Executive Chef Adam Sheff’s creations on full display. Your introduction to the Andaz experience begins when you enter the guest house (left), Andaz’s fresh answer to the hotel lobby. It feels like the inviting living room of a good friend, albeit one with fabulous taste in art and furniture. The spectacular Turquoise Pool (below) is a perfect spot to soak up both the sun and the scene.

G E N T R Y D E S T I N AT I O N S | 69

70 | G E N T R Y D E S T I N AT I O N S

Located on 23 acres in Paradise Valley, less than two miles north of Old Town Scottsdale, the mid-century inspired resort features 201 bungalow-style guestrooms and suites.

Rooms feature state-of-the-art technology and entertainment, as well as private terraces, including some with outdoor showers.

steam rooms, outdoor relaxation lounges and an exclusive private pool for guests. Guest favorites include the Sonoran Scrub, a customized body scrub using desert salts, agave infused sugar and ultra-fine mesquite buffing grains; and the Cactus Couture, a luxurious mani-pedi combo using a prickly pear exfoliating scrub and rich shea butter cream.

It would seem that Andaz Scottsdale has been designed to encourage the laziest of vacations, but there are treasures to behold if you venture off-site. Visit the Cattle Track Arts Compound, a collective of working artists less than a mile from the resort and one of Scottsdale’s best-kept secrets. Originally built in the 1930s, the complex is currently home to six full-time residents and 35 working artists. Andaz Scottsdale has an artistin-residence program that allows resort guests to interact with these painters, dancers, photographers, and even blacksmiths—so be sure to inquire about the interactive workshops on offer.

I also highly recommend a visit to the nearby Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s muchloved winter home and architectural laboratory. With its low-pitched roofs, overhanging eaves, and open floorplan, the inspiring site is a prime example of Wright’s “Prairie Style” architecture. Take the 90-minute guided tour for a peek into the dramatic Living Room, the Cabaret Theater, and Wright’s living quarters.

Old Town Scottsdale has its own charms too, with art galleries, boutique shops, and a trendy restaurant scene. Definitely book a table at FnB Restaurant, where Chef Charleen Badman, a James Beard award semifinalist in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017, cooks globally-accented food that showcases the best of Arizona’s abundant farming and agricultural community. I particularly enjoyed the Pink Grouper with green olive relish, fennel, and grapefruit, and the Soft Scrambled Duck Eggs with hedgehog mushrooms and cultured butter toast.

FnB’s adjoining eight-seater bar highlights a different growing region every month and is a favorite among wine lovers. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more rambunctious, head down the road to Counter Intuitive, an intimate cocktail lounge, which changes its theme—i.e., décor, food, and drinks—several times a year.

Andaz Scottsdale was recently recognized on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 “Hot List” (one of just 22 properties in the U.S.) and for good reason: the turquoise pool, the casita-inspired bungalows, the jagged mountains, and the endless sky all make it a seriously special destination.

Nightly room rates are seasonally based, starting at $399 per night during peak season.

Suite pricing starts at $2,500 during peak season. www.andazscottsdale.com ◆ G E N T R Y D E S T I N AT I O N S | 71

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Journey Like a Chef

Heading to Italy any time soon? When we heard about Poggio chef Ben Balesteri and his partner Romano Chietti’s culinary and viticulture adventure through Sardinia, Rome and the Amalfi Coast, we figured they would be the best people to share some tips on where to eat and what to do. M.T. Sardinia

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY La Playa Carmel by the Sea, built in 1905 by artist Christian Jorgenson as a gift for his wife, a member of the Ghirardelli family, is celebrating its 110th anniversary by offering a special buy-out package, wherein guests can make the grande dame their own private estate for one week for $110,000, or couples who have honeymooned or spent an anniversary there can return for $110 per night for up to two nights (photos are acceptable proof). laplayahotel.com MIMI TOWLE

DO Tour the vineyards in Calasetta, which is connected to Sardinia by an ancient Roman bridge. Sardinia is known for fresh seafood and Calasetta's 140-year-old vineyards. (Many of these wineries can be found on Poggio's menu.)

EAT Visit Ristorante da Pasqualino for fregola sarda, a semolina pasta, which is like couscous, served with frutti di mare. All the restaurant menus here are seafood driven, offering fresh tuna, spaghetti with bottarga, whole sea bass and razor clams with olive oil and sea salt.

Rome

DO Tour the famous Campo de' Fiori market in Rome. Americans might also enjoy Open Baladin, the nearby beer hall with 28 microbrews on tap from all over Europe.

EAT You’ll want to try carbonara and taglierini pasta with white truffle at Roscioli and fried meatballs with pesto sauce and oven-roasted lamb at Da Cesare, a local spot with not too many tourists.

Also don’t miss the veal saltimbocca, lamb sweetbreads with artichokes, and fragolini (tiny wild strawberries) with gelato from Ristorante Piperno, a classic restaurant in the Jewish quarter that has been open for many years.

Amalfi Coast

DO Take time to walk the streets and admire the views, and afterward enjoy the plentiful opportunities for wood-fired pizza.

EAT Make reservations at La Sirenuse, a restaurant in the Il San Pietro in Positano. Besides the amazing display of fresh seafood (tuna focaccia, a full raw seafood bar, local mackerel crudo, blue lobster in a porcini sauce), you'll find razor clams with spaghetti, braised veal tortellini with shaved black truffles, and poached pear with caramel gelato. The lemon trees growing up the wall and the live musicians add ambience to make this a memorable night.

ACT NOW, SAVE LATER Squaw Valley–Alpine Meadows is offering a worry-free season pass for 2015–16. If you don’t ski or ride for at least five days, you will be credited up to four days for a 2016–17 pass. Purchase by May 7. squawalpine.com M.T.

78 M AY 2 0 1 5 M A R I N

GAZETTE MAY 2016

CELEBRATING 38 YEARS

NOB HILL…AN ATTITUDE, NOT AN ADDRESS

S

nuggled between April’s spring break madness and June’s summer vacations is mellow May—the ideal month to take a close-tohome staycation. You don’t have to travel far or stay for long to recharge and relax. Here are some fantastic destinations less than four hours by car from Nob Hill.

LOCAL Getaways

Meadowood 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena 855-625-7546 or reservations@meadowood.com meadowood.com Two-night packages start at $1,800 per couple

LAKE TAHOE: The Ritz-Carlton Perched mid-mountain at an elevation of 7,000 feet, the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, FORT BRAGG: The Inn at You don’t have to go far to escape from it all. blends the elixir of sophisticated luxury and Newport Ranch exciting outdoor adventure. Spring is the Although it might feel as though you’re at ideal time to enjoy alfresco activities in the the end of the world, The Inn at Newport area. Go kayaking, stand-up paddleboardBy TERESA RODRIGUEZ Ranch is only 3½ hours from Nob Hill. This ing, boating, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, and golfing at two nearby championship courses. You can also 2,000-acre property is the dream of Will Jackson, who spared no expense to join “Ranger Rick” on a fun hike highlighting the local eco-culture, and enjoy build this breathtaking property. Each room is a stunning compilation of other unique offerings exploring both the natural wonders and the rich cultural detailed woodwork, unique antiques and plush accoutrements. The property traditions of the Sierra Nevada region. After all that exploring, try the “Tahoe has two buildings with accommodations: the Main House and the Redwood Time Out” package, a locally inspired spa treatment that begins with a fullHouse. Each suite in the Redwood House has its own hot tub or soaking tub, body exfoliation with pine essence, followed by a private soaking tub infused and the three guest rooms in the Main House share a rooftop hot tub overlookwith Epsom salts and sage. Your journey concludes with a full-body massage ing the dramatic north coast cliffs below. (For a peerless view from bed, book incorporating cedarwood oil. The 90-minute treatment is $320. the Captain’s Quarters.)

You can explore much of the ranch by horseback, ATV or hiking its 20 miles The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe of trails. Every evening begins with a wine and cheese tasting at 5:30 p.m.

13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court, Truckee Afterward, you can stay for dinner and enjoy the company of other guests 530-562-3000 around the communal table. Breakfast is a flavorful feast served at the time you ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/lake-tahoe specify the night before. The innkeepers, Creighton and Cindi Smith, make you Rates start at $220 per night feel as though the entire 2,000 acres are your private playground. (And if you want, you can book the whole property!) Even though the ranch is located on a remote stretch of shoreline, you’ll have Internet access—although you’ll want to focus on the breaking surf, not surfing the Web. The Inn at Newport Ranch 31502 North Highway 1, Fort Bragg 707-962-4818 or innkeeper@theinnatnewportranch.com theinnatnewportranch.com The Captain’s Quarters starts at $350 per night

ST. HELENA: Meadowood Many people know Meadowood as a private club where local celebrities and famous athletes lounge by the pool after a tough day of golf or wine tasting.

But you don’t have to be a member to take advantage of the magnificent 250acre estate. Hotel guests enjoy all the perks of membership, including luxury lodging, golf, tennis, croquet, hiking, swimming, spa and fitness, wine tasting and dinner at Meadowood’s Michelin three-star restaurant. The property has a sterling reputation for offering “healthy” packages that leave you feeling fit and energized when you check out. Their Healthiest Year Yet! package includes a two-night stay for two in a posh guest room with a deep soaking tub; a 90minute fitness assessment and “prescription”; unlimited fitness classes; and unlimited access to Meadowood’s tennis, golf, croquet and swimming facilities.

18 MAY 2016 GAZETTE

COURTESY RITZ-CARLTON, LAKE TAHOE

KODIAK GREENWOOD

Post Ranch Inn hugs the coast of Big Sur

Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

nobhillgazette.com

SAUSALITO: The Inn Above Tide If you would like to sail away somewhere near, take the Golden Gate Ferry from the Ferry Building to Sausalito. Just steps from the ferry dock is the Inn Above Tide. This hidden gem was named one of the World’s Top 50 Hotels by Travel + Leisure and was named one of the Best Hotels in the World by readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

Every room overlooks the water and features combinations of a fireplace, soaking tub, luxury bathroom and private deck. Be sure to request a luxury bath kit, which includes EO Bath Salts, a Voluspa Candle, chilled Pommery POP champagne, and a relaxing blend of “Mother’s Little Helper” from DAVIDsTEA. Also included is a yummy bag of saltwater taffy that you can enjoy while soaking in your warm tub overlooking the San Francisco skyline.

Follow your decadent bath with an in-room massage or relish the ultimate getaway by booking the penthouse.

The Inn Above Tide 30 El Portal, Sausalito 415-332-9535 or stay@innabovetide.com innabovetide.com The penthouse starts at $1,365 per night

CARMEL: La Playa Carmel In 1905, Norwegian artist Christian Jorgensen built a beautiful stone mansion for his wife, Angela Ghirardelli. He wanted to make the property very special for her, so he commissioned the first swimming pool in Carmel. Now this lovely mansion is La Playa Carmel, a charming 75-room historic luxury boutique hotel located two blocks from the beach and village shops, art galleries and restaurants. The peaceful grounds include meticulously tended gardens, intimate patios, secluded courtyards and a tranquil terrace swimming pool.

Champagne breakfast is included in your stay, along with round-trip car service to local restaurants in the evening. The hotel provides cruiser bikes you can use during your stay, and each night they host a lovely wine tasting for guests.

Book the La Playa Suite; it’s on the top floor with panoramic ocean views.

La Playa Carmel Camino Real at Eighth Ave., Carmel 831-293-6100 laplayahotel.com The La Playa Suite starts at $650 per night

Post Ranch Inn 47900 CA-1, Big Sur 831-667-2200 postranchinn.com Rates start at $775 per night

CARMEL VALLEY: Carmel Valley Ranch If you want to take your mom somewhere fantastic to celebrate Mother’s Day, consider Carmel Valley Ranch. May’s Rustic Ranch Bouquets workshops let mom design her own personal bouquet using flowers from the property’s lush garden. Book a Vineyard Oak Studio Suite and get cozy outdoor soaking tubs and amazing views of the valley.

Carmel Valley Ranch, One Old Ranch Rd., Carmel 855-687-7262 or reservations@carmelvalleyranch.com Vineyard Oak Studio Suites start at $395 per night

SAN FRANCISCO: Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square If leaving the city sounds like too much work, but you want a weekend of luxury and decadence, look no further than Ghirardelli Square. At Fairmont Heritage Place, you’ll have access to the house car and chauffeur, housekeeping and butler services, complimentary daily breakfast, an evening wine and cheese social, in-residence dining options (including private chef), and personal shoppers who will stock your kitchen with everything you want. If relatives are coming to visit, book the Family Suite—it’s a marvelous threebedroom suite featuring 1,800 square feet of living space and a pullout sleeper sofa in the living room. One bedroom has twin Murphy beds that are perfect for kids. The best part is, if you really love the place, you can purchase a one-tenth deeded interest, since it’s also a private residence club. To arrange a visit or make a reservation, contact 415-292-1000.

Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square 900 North Point St., San Francisco 415–292-1000 fairmontatghirardelli.com The Family Suite starts at $1,200 NHG Teresa Rodriguez is a travel expert and the founder of tangodiva.com. She is also the author of several books, including Fly Solo: The 50 Best Places on Earth for a Girl to Travel Alone; Solo: 7 Keys to Conquering the World Alone; and Body, Mind.

KODIAK GREENWOOD

FELIPE PASSALACQUA

BIG SUR: Post Ranch Inn If there is one place that should be on your bucket list, it’s Post Ranch Inn. Famously known for its ultraluxurious accommodations, breathtaking views and super-secluded location, Post Ranch Inn is the ideal destination for those seeking some peace. Its 39 guest rooms are hidden on 100 acres of lush coastal hillside shrouded in oak trees and giant redwoods. While there, you

can gaze at the endless Pacific Ocean, soak in your own private tub, enjoy the cliffside infinity pools, hike the many trails, or dine in the award-winning Sierra Mar restaurant. Each guest room is a beautiful expression of rustic elegance complemented by such amenities as an organic king-size bed, wood-burning fireplace, indoor spa tub, private terrace and massage table.

nobhillgazette.com

COURTESY RITZ-CARLTON, LAKE TAHOE

COURTESY LA PLAYA CARMEL

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Even the tub has a view at The Inn Above Tide. Post Ranch Inn’s Sierra Mar restaurant. Get cozy at the RitzCarlton, Lake Tahoe.

Dine with nature at La Playa Carmel.

GAZETTE MAY 2016

19

Head to Humboldt

Did you know the creator of the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon show studied marine science at Humboldt State University and drew inspiration for the show’s Krusty Krab cafe from working at local eatery Stars Hamburgers? A trip to the area might also involve a stop at One-Log House along Highway 101 south of Garberville; it’s made of a single redwood trunk. Those are just a couple of reasons to visit our northernmost county in California; here are a few more. M.T. ! The term Bigfoot was coined by a Eureka newspaper after a series of mysterious encounters in 1958 with one such legendary man-ape near Willow Creek. ! Humboldt County has more artists per capita than any other California county. ! The world’s tallest tree, in Redwood National Park, is 380 feet high, six stories taller than the Statue of Liberty. And the 20 tallest trees in the world are all redwoods in Humboldt County. ! The second-most viewed amateur film ever is the 1967 PattersonGimlin footage of the Bluff Creek Bigfoot.

! The town of Fortuna hosts the West’s oldest rodeo each July. ! The most photographed Victorian home in the nation is the Carson Mansion in Eureka.

! Ferndale boasts the world’s tallest living Christmas tree, which, curiously, is not a redwood.

! The oldest continuously operating movie theater in the nation is the Minor Theater in Arcata. ! California’s oldest county fair, which takes place each August in Ferndale, began in 1896.

! The oldest operating passenger ferry in the United States is the Madaket in Humboldt Bay. ! The Samoa Cookhouse, the last surviving lumber camp–style eatery in the West, has served hearty meals since 1893.

! Two-thirds of all oysters consumed in California originate in Humboldt Bay.

! The longest stretch of undeveloped beachfront in the continental United States is California’s Lost Coast. ! Eureka was the inspiration for Duckburg, the hometown of Disney characters Scrooge McDuck and Donald Duck.

! The world’s tallest totem is in the town of McKinleyville and is 160 feet high.

Bike Big Sur Mother Nature has played a bigger-than-usual role in Northern California this year. We saw people skiing in July and, to the south, those same storms caused the collapse of Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge and a landslide on Highway 1.

As a result, a stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway is now unreachable by cars and has been dubbed “Big Sur Island.” Until the bridge repairs are completed this fall, visitors have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bike along the cliffs on the road, sans cars. Hotel Carmel and La Playa Carmel, in nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea, have teamed up with Big Sur Adventures, an e-bike rental shop, to offer two-wheeled weekend adventures, available for only a few months. thehotelcarmel.com, bigsuradv.com M.T.

PATRICK ORTON (REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK)

LUXE LAKE LIFE This summer, The Ritz-Carlton,

Lake Tahoe celebrated the opening of a new waterfront lake club featuring a multilevel dining and bar facility, designed by Clare Walton, that blurs the line between indoors and out. Located in Tahoe Vista, the club has an expansive lawn, direct beach access, a private dock and grounds to roam for the little ones; an outdoor spa and fire pit have great appeal for the adults. For snacks and meals, a rotating menu from the grill includes marinated skirt steak, grilled shrimp, grilled salmon, sausages and veggie burgers. Seasonal salads, desserts and morning breakfast items like fruit and granola are also available. Don’t miss the signature Mai Tahoe Tai cocktail. Shuttles run frequently between the club and the mid-mountain resort. ritzcarlton.com M.T. M A R I N S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 7 85

084-085 Dest.TBUZZ.0917.indd 85

8/14/17 3:24 PM

POTMEDICAL ON AEDIBLES PLATE GOLDTASTING COUNTRY WINE TRAIL FRANCIE DILLON IN THE PLACER FOOTHILLS A MOTHER’S HEARTBREAK

— IN — 8 LOCAL K-9 TEAMS

MARCH 2017

Pebble Beach Food & Wine festival

T R AV E L

Taste of Carmel Two world-class food festivals come to the Central Coast each spring, drawing culinary celebs and lots of people seeking a good time.

BY KRISTA MINARD

A

s springtime breezes in on the Central Coast, the foodie world blossoms with festivals that bring in some of the world’s leading culinary thinkers, from winemakers and brew masters to chefs and purveyors. They converge on the coast, where fertile land joins swirling sea, under skies usually sunny, in locations that are, put simply, stunning.

As is the food. Now in its fourth year, in mid-March, Relais & Chateaux GourmetFest arrives in Carmel-by-the-Sea, with events that fill gathering spaces at La Playa Carmel and L’Auberge hotels, as well as at various points around the region. (For example, a guided wild mushroom hunt takes guests tromping through the 20,000-acre Santa Lucia Preserve deep in the Carmel Valley, and then everyone has lunch.) Then, the third weekend in April, the prestigious Pebble Beach Food & Wine festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year—some 250 vintners and 100 chefs come together for pairings, demos and multicourse dining experiences, all held on-site at Pebble Beach Resort.

Both events are high luxury, Q Relais & Châteaux GourmetFest 2017, gourmetfest from the accommodations to the carmel.com. Event tickets haute cuisine and premium (and run $195–$5,500. often rare) wines, right on down Q Pebble Beach Food & Wine, to the closing-night gift bags. (Atpbfw.com. Ticket options range tendees at GourmetFest last year approximately $100–$4,750. staggered away with a ton-weight bag of goodies that included cookbooks, sets of S. Pellegrino glassware, an adorable Le Creuset refrigerator magnet that looked exactly like a stew pot for Barbie and Ken, and lots of Valrhona chocolate. Of course, what’s in the bags each year depends on the sponsors, but suffice it to say, there’s no scrimping at these food fests.) You’ll taste dishes you’ve never heard of and wines you’ve only dreamed of—collectors and connoisseurs are out in force, but there’s room for the layperson as well.

This year’s Relais & Chateaux GourmetFest, held Thursday– Sunday, March 16–19, opens with a welcome party at La Playa March 2017 SACRAMENTO MAGAZINE

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Travel Chef Brian Malarkey does a cooking demonstration at Pebble Beach Food & Wine

Carmel Beach

Seafood at Relais & Chateaux GourmetFest

Carmel (a lovely inn with gardens that tumble downhill oceanward) and ends with a midday food and wine Taste of the World gathering at Folktale Winery, 5 miles inland along the Carmel River. In between, the schedule is packed, with vintner-led tastings (such as the one from Dominique Lafon of Domaine des Comtes Lafon) and chef-packed and wine-paired lunches and dinners that include the $1,495-a-person Rarities of the Sea champagne brunch and the $5,500 Rarities Dinner held at Aubergine restaurant in L’Auberge; each meal seats only 28. The festival can accommodate up to 500 people, though, with numerous tastings and pairings spread throughout the four days, with several overlapping so you must choose, for example, whether to do the mushroom hunt or the cooking demo and lunch with Daniel Boulud (of New York’s Michelin two-starred Daniel) and Nathan Rich (of Twin Farms, an all-inclusive farmstay property in Vermont). Event founder (and L’Auberge owner) David Fink presides over the festivities, clearly smit48 SACRAMENTO MAGAZINE

March 2017

ten with the talent he has beckoned from all around the world.

Starting with an evening opening ceremony on Thursday, April 20, and running through Sunday, April 23, Pebble Beach Food & Wine festival takes over the Pebble Beach compound with 100 renowned chefs, 15 dining events, 22 wine and spirit seminars, eight cooking demos, two grand tastings (in the fancy Lexus tents) and some 8,000 attendees. Founded by David Bernahl of Coastal Luxury Management (also responsible for the Los Angeles Food & Wine festival and Monterey’s fabulous Restaurant 1833), Pebble Beach Food & Wine lures talent from around the world.

It was a feather-in-our-cap statement when some of our favorite Sacramento chefs were invited in the past, including Michael Thiemann (Mother, Empress Tavern), Matt Masera (Hook & Ladder), Kelly McCown (The Kitchen), Oliver Ridgeway (Grange), Ramon Perez (Puur Chocolat) and Billy Ngo (Kru)—and we’ve yet to see what this year’s Pebble Beach lineup brings. The festival invites the leg-

endary, the rising stars, James Beard- and Michelin-award winners, and those with other stellar culinary designations, and has hosted Thomas Keller, Cat Cora, Fabio Viviani, Jacques Pépin, Guy Fieri, Charlie Trotter and Wolfgang Puck, just to name a handful. This is a crowd of heavy hitters and the lineup promises to shine in this 10th anniversary year.

So pick your weekend, buy your tickets and make your plans. And while you’re there, here are a few other ways to enjoy the beautiful region in the spring.

17- M I LE DR IVE— If you’re at Pebble

Beach, you’re already here and you’re probably going slow, thanks to all the other visitors in the area for the festival. Relax.

Stop often. Get out of the car, stretch your legs and throw your arms open to the springtime sea mist. Blazing blue in the sunshine, the ocean roils and charges in and crashes against the rocks—just give up on your windshield while you’re in this neck of the woods. Highlights along the way: The Restless Sea (some of the rough-

est surf along the Pacific Coast), Bird Rock (look for sunbathing sea lions), Cypress Point (perfect for sunsets and marriage proposals), The Lone Cypress (just what it sounds like) and The Ghost Tree (watch for surfers).

MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM— It’s not

just for kids, although you’ll dodge plenty of them while you’re there. Even if you’ve been before, exhibits change often, and right now, several enticing ones are running: Tentacles, which includes squid, cuttlefish and the giant Pacific octopus with its intimidating arms (legs?) covered with suction cups; and ¡Viva Baja!, a vibrant collection of animals from the coral reef communities to our south. It won’t be too tough to spot the Cortez rainbow wrasse, a fish with bubble-gum coloring, or the baby golden trevally, little fishes the color of a yellow highlighter.

vest in Monterey, A.W. Shucks in Carmel (down an oyster, too) or Phil’s Fish Market in Moss Landing. Malt vinegar is on the table.

A NEW HOTEL— Located on a quiet side

street within walking distance of Ocean Avenue, Hotel Carmel opened in spring 2016 with 27 cushy guest rooms. Our favorites front the courtyard, where a fireplace warms a seating suite and a blazing

fire pit centers a collection of Adirondack chairs—both spots perfect for conversation, some local wines and a collection of snacks (perhaps from The Cheese Shop in nearby Carmel Plaza). The communal jetted hot tub is tucked into the corner. The hotel’s cozy lobby serves as the breakfast nook, where you’ll find house-made granola, bagels, all kinds of cream cheese (including one with bacon) and jams, and lots of coffee. thehotelcarmel.com

PLAY GOLF— It’s a popular pastime at the

Pebble Beach Food & Wine festival, catching a round before the tastings and seminars get underway. Tee times fill up fast, though, even at $525 a round. Rest your pocketbook and book the local muni, Pacific Grove Golf Links, which is renowned for its bargain prices ($69 a player) and spectacular views (the back nine runs adjacent to 17-Mile Drive), and has been referred to as “poor man’s Pebble Beach.”

BEACHCOMB WITH THE DOGS— Car-

mel Beach, at the bottom of Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea, invites dogs to frolic leash-free. It’s a delightful spectacle, the four-legged friends gallivanting along the water’s edge, chasing balls and sticks and weird rope toys—and each other.

Little dogs with bellies full of sand, big ones dancing in place while someone winds up their arm to hurl the ball—the joy is contagious. With dog or without, you’ll get in a solid, calorie-burning stroll on the hard sand by the water, and you’ll feel it when you huff back up the hill to your car or the Carmel shopping district.

Meurice 30 Light Chandelier by Robert Abbey

BETTER LIGHTING. BETTER LIVING. Northern California’s best selection of classic to contemporary lighting, fans, furniture and home accessories. Affordable style with an eye on great design. Friendly, expert advice. In-home consultation.

FISH AND CHIPS—This is for after the

food festival, when you’re hanging around an extra day or two and craving something more pedestrian. Several spots in the general area serve up some mean fish and chips, and it may just be the kind of comfort food that hits the spot after four days of haute cuisine. Crispy on the outside, moist white fish—with no icky brown stuff—on the inside. Hit Sea Har-

Visit our Midtown Showroom at 2028 K Street 916.444.5585 • Free Parking Open Tuesday-Friday: 10am-6pm • Saturday: 10am-5pm

March 2017 SACRAMENTO MAGAZINE

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Marin Meet Our Cover Contest Winner and 12 Finalists

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Destinations

T H E L AT E ST LO C A L T R AV E L D E A L S A N D G E TAWAYS PLU S J O U R N E YS A RO U N D T H E G LO B E

5 DAYS 5 COURSES

Grab your buddies and head south for the ultimate golf road trip.

ROBERT KAUFMAN

BY ROBERT KAUFMAN

The fourth hole at Spyglass Hill Golf Course.

M A R I N M AY 2 0 1 5 67

Destinations / GO

T

HERE A RE FA MILY road trips —

“Daddy, how much longer until we get there?” — and there are golf road trips: “Joe, we’re playing golf five consecutive days; you in?”

It’s a time-honored truism that golfers love to travel and play on bucket-list courses in faroff exotic locales. But what if a distant journey wasn’t required to try the game’s crème de la crème venues? Therein lies the distinct advantage of California. In fact, all golfers need to do is view a map of the state from south to north to see it gives the impression of a left-toright dogleg fairway.

Regardless of which direction you start in, it’s evident that when Mother Nature was distributing her genes within these borders, she bestowed an extraordinary pool of geological assets, including mountains, rivers, lakes,

68 M AY 2 0 1 5 M A R I N

valleys, forests, desert and 1,264 miles of Pacific Ocean coast to help shape the most spectacular assortment of golf courses on the planet.

While various regions around the Golden State may claim bragging rights to the finest fairways and greens, none of them would be wrong. With just over half the state’s 1,100plus golf courses open for public play, the primary quandary usually concerns how deep to dip into the pocket for green fees, which run the gamut from low double- or triple-digit figures to as high as $495 for Pebble Beach Golf Links. But if you take cost out of the equation and simply factor in the combination of scenery and quality, the Monterey Peninsula becomes ground zero for the greatest concentration of celebrated golf courses in California. So for a five-day opportunity of a lifetime, gather your best buds, load up the

sticks, and take a couple hours’ drive south from Marin for a multicourse adventure throughout this renowned golf paradise.

Bones. The notoriously long and demanding 6,960-yard challenge, ranked No. 11 on “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses List”

by Golf Digest, maintains its reputation as one of the toughest on the PGA Tour, with two distinctly different types of terrain influencing the way holes look and play. The first five holes roll through sandy seaside dunes; the remaining 13 cut through majestic pines surrounding elevated greens, with bunkers and lakes strategically placed to grab errant shots. pebblebeach.com/golf/spyglass-hill-golf-course

! Pebble Beach Golf Links Opposite page from top: CordeValle in the Santa Cruz Mountains; Pasatiempo’s first hole in Santa Cruz. This page from top: The 10th hole at Pebble Beach offers spectacular views; Bayonet’s 18th hole is full of sand traps.

No other 18-hole layout in Northern California offers better boasting creds: it’s one of the game’s most rarified grounds, America’s No. 1 golf course, and host site for the annual AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am PGA Tour, as well as five U.S. Open Championships (1972, 1982, 1992, 2000 and 2010, with No .6 coming in 2019). The hefty public entry fee proffers the privilege of playing in the shadows of golf legends. Undoubtedly inspired by the seven oceanside holes, Jack Nicklaus once said, “If I only had one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach.” pebblebeach.com/golf/pebble-beach-golf-links

! Bayonet and Black Horse

ROBERT KAUFMAN (CORDEVALLE, PASATIEMPO, PEBBLE BEACH)

! CordeValle

Tucked in the gently rolling terrain of the Santa Cruz Mountains, seemingly light-years from the chip universe and a short drive from storied Steinbeck country, this Robert Trent Jones Jr.–designed property boasts 18 masterful and walkable holes, played predominantly by the sultans of tech. The 7,169-yard layout, void of any homes, has already hosted the PGA Tour’s Frys.com Open (2010–13), and in July 2016, the titans of the women’s golf world will compete in the U.S. Women’s Open Championship. After the round, swing into the vino fueling stop located on-site at the Clos LaChance Winery. cordevallegolf.com/golf

! Pasatiempo Golf Club

Acclaimed golf course architect Alister MacKenzie (Cypress Point GC and Augusta

National) conceived a magical formula in 1929 that transformed a scenic parcel in Santa Cruz into a course rich with history, and where World Golf Hall of Famer Juli Inkster honed her game growing up in a home along the 14th fairway. Situated up Highway 1 from the 17-Mile Drive in Monterey, the 6,500-yard layout in 2007 underwent a complete restoration by one of today’s supreme architects, Tom Doak, after slides were uncovered in the early 1990s detailing the original design from golf’s “golden age.” pasatiempo.com

! Spyglass Hill Golf Course

Bordering Monterey Peninsula’s 17-Mile Drive and taking its theme from Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, this Robert Trent Jones Sr.–designed masterpiece features golf holes with names such as Black Dog and Billy

With an inland setting, yet still providing views of Monterey Bay, these two 18-hole gems renovated in 2008 by Gene Bates are sometimes overshadowed by the aforementioned courses.

The PGA Tour Q-School Stage III tournament has been a longtime fixture on the 7,104-yard Bayonet constructed in 1954. The course is famous for its “Combat Corner” (the green is located at Fort Ord, a former military base), and this year (Oct. 15–18) will host the Senior PGA National Championship. Its sibling, the 7,024yard Black Horse, was designed in 1964 and has been transformed from a tightly tree-lined layout to one that’s more open. If there’s one day to play a doubleheader, these courses will help lower the trip’s average green fee while not disappointing on quality. bayonetblackhorse.com Five world-class courses with 23.42 breathtaking miles of fairways and greens — there’s little chance any golf buddy would turn this adventure down. m M A R I N M AY 2 0 1 5 69

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SiliconValley

Forward Progress

THE WOMEN OF PROJECT INCLUDE ARE OUT TO FIX TECH’S DIVERSITY PROBLEM

M O D E R N L U X U R Y. C O M

FALL FASHION

PATTERN MIX WITH APLOMB & THE SEASON’S STRONGEST SUITS

CURB APPEAL

THE HOTTEST HOMES HITTING THE MARKET IN THE VALLEY & BEYOND

DESERT DREAM HOME

The award-winning team at San Francisco-based SB Architects conjures a mid-century modern inspired masterpiece.

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“

e selected one of the most challenging lots on purpose,” relates SB Architects’ Vice President Matt Page.

Indeed, the lot Page is referring to is a steep-grade, triangular-shaped slice of land set in the rugged McCullough Range in Henderson, Nevada.

It seems the team at SB Architects thrives on challenges—conjuring hotels and resorts of breathtaking beauty set on cliffs above the Caribbean, in steep canyons in Napa Valley, or volcanic islands off of China, just to name a few. “We wanted to show what was possible with our design,” he continues.

SB Architects, with offices in San Francisco, Miami, and Shenzen, was selected by the owners of the ultra-exclusive ASCAYA development along with five additional top architectural firms including Richard Meier & Partners, Swabeck Partners, Marmol Radzinor, Lake Flato, and Hoogland Architecture to create inspiration homes for prospective buyers. In an exercise

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Nestled in the rugged McCullough Range in Henderson, Nevada, the ultra-exclusive development, ASCAYA, features modern homes that accentuate the desert landscape. Designed

by San Francisco-based SB Architects, this home presents the essence of simplicity with long horizontal lines that are tempered by rich, natural textures and earthy colors. Using neutral tones, Interior Designer Carrie Channel of Laguna Beach created sleek, yet warm, interiors.

56 | G E N T R Y H O M E

of collective creativity, each home introduces a different interpretation of contemporary design. Page relates, “The ASCAYA owners had one caveat, that the homes must be modern— absolutely no Tuscan or chateaux-style architecture.”

SB is globally known for site-sensitive designs and creating thought-provoking and well-crafted architectural projects. Their ASCAYA inspiration home serves as case in point.

Drawing on their extensive background in hospitality, the SB Architects team approached the project as a small-scale resort.

Says Page, “We see a lot of crossover with private estates wanting more resort amenities and hotels yearning to feel more residential and intimate. So we brought the resort lifestyle experience to the ASCAYA residence—incorporating an open layout with substantial gathering places, fluid connectivity from indoor-outdoor spaces, and amenities that overlook the Las Vegas Strip. With pockets of flexible spaces, future homeowners can create different settings and experiences. The home is equally comfortable as a private retreat for two or an ideal setting for a lively gathering.”

Page continues, “We really tried to recall the early days of Las Vegas—that mid-century modern/Rat Pack era of bold architecture with strong geometry.” To that end, the SB Architects team created what appears to the casual observer to be a simple massing of

structure with long, horizontal lines that are tempered by rich, natural textures and earthy colors. “That simplicity represents countless hours of design, engineering, and planning,” notes Page.

“We had to fit the house together like a puzzle, ensuring privacy from neighbors, concealing the garage door from the road, and building into the verticality of the lot.”

The resulting 7,000+ square foot home offers expansive living, dining, and kitchen areas with jaw-dropping windows and a 45foot-wide glass wall taking in the desert views. A cleverly placed series of clerestory windows makes the roof seem to float, semidisconnected from the structure. The home also features a covered outdoor dining room, a sunken fire pit, outdoor spa, and an indoor multi-functional room with a highly coveted roof deck. A spacious ground-floor master suite, set at a right angle to the rest of the house, opens up to the pool and a private yoga lawn. Three additional bedrooms and an office occupy the second story. “One of the remarkable aspects of this home is how seamless the transition is from indoor to outdoor space,” adds Page. “We worked with interior designer Carrie Channel of Laguna Beach to ensure that indoor/outdoor vibe. To see the finished home filled with guests enjoying the scene by the pool and outdoor fire pit,” notes Page, “makes all the hard work that went into it very rewarding.” ◆

ASCAYA exudes a resort lifestyle experience with fluid connectivity leading from indoors to an outdoor covered dining area, sunken fire pit, and lap pool/spa, perfect for entertaining (upper left). SB Architects configured the home like a puzzle on its steep-grade, triangularshaped lot to ensure privacy from neighbors and concealing the garage door from the road (lower left and center). The expansive living, dining, and kitchen area is enhanced by a 45-foot-wide glass wall to reveal gorgeous desert views (right).

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Drew Barrymore

The Actress and Her Carmel Connection

D E S T I N AT I O N S

THE RITZ-CARLTON, DOVE MOUNTAIN Tu cs o n , A r i zo n a

O

BY RENEE BRINCKS

n a Tortolita Mountain trail lined by towering saguaros, mesquite trees and granite boulders, Ron Brink pauses beside

a chain-link cholla. Brink, who oversees nature programming at Arizona’s Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, breaks a piece off the shrubby, spine-covered cactus with a pair of pliers and then melts the thorns with a lighter. After slicing into the fruit, he offers a taste of the peppery, avocado-like interior.

“These chollas are packed with moisture, which makes them a secret survival tool in the desert,” Brink says.

Guests might not expect to learn survival tips at a Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond luxury resort, but nature is central to the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain experience. Situated on 800 acres in the Tortolita foothills, 30 miles from downtown Tucson, the property is an upscale oasis that takes inspiration from the surrounding Sonoran Desert.

Rich mesquite wood, nature photography and subtle Southwestern design details distinguish the resort’s 253 rooms and suites, while copper accents and quartzite floors also pay homage to the regional landscape.

Balconies in main lodge rooms overlook the neighboring mountains and canyons; stand-alone casitas offer additional living space and private patios.

Throughout the property, guests enjoy Frette linens, plush robes, Asprey bath products and marble bathrooms with separate soaking tubs and rainfall

Photos: Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

showers. And, nightly turndown includes chocolates and constellation cards that suggest local stargazing options.

In addition to guided stargazing outings on Friday evenings, the RitzCarlton Dove Mountain team leads several themed hikes that explore the area’s ecology and history: cactus walks, birding excursions, nighttime scorpion tours and rock art hikes spotlighting ancient petroglyphs, among other hikes. During the nightly Spirit of Adventure Celebration gathering on the Ignite Lounge patio, Ranger Brink shares Native American stories while flute music echoes through the canyon.

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The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is situated against the Sonoran Desert and Tortolita Mountains. The Hohokam people were the first inhabitants of the area, and the luxury resort aims to preserve their spirit and connection to the natural surroundings.

Brink also directs robust Ritz Kids program-

treatments at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

Pilates, yoga and strength classes take place at

ming that connects youngsters with Southern

spa. The Desert Gemstone Ritual incorporates

the resort’s fitness center, and private wellness

Arizona’s plants, animals and cultural heritage. In

essential oils and amethyst and citrine stones,

instruction is also available. A 235-foot water

the nature center, children can play games and

together with an exfoliation, aromatic bath and

slide winds around the main pool complex,

view an astounding collection of live scorpions,

full-body massage. The Desert Morning Dew

where the casual Turquesa Latin Grill opens for

snakes and other critters. Half- and full-day itin-

body treatment uses mineral-rich clay, lavender

lunch and happy hour and welcomes guests at

eraries and evening activities share lessons in sci-

and refreshing rosemary shea butter. The spa

poolside tables. Cayton’s Burger Bistro dishes up

ence and art, and keep little ones entertained

offers an indoor-outdoor couple’s treatment

American comfort food at The Golf Club at

while parents are enjoying the resort’s amenities.

suite, sauna and steam room facilities, an outdoor

Dove Mountain, and morning coffee and pas-

serenity pool and private cabanas, as well.

tries are served at To | Go in the main lodge.

Not surprisingly, the natural world also informs

The resort offers incredible weather, averaging 350 days of sunshine per year, gourmet cuisine, championship golf, holistic spa treatments, and luxurious rooms. The spa has been ranked #3 in North America by Condé Nast Traveler magazine.

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The property’s signature restaurant, CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar, opens for breakfast and also serves Southwestern-influenced American food for dinner. Spacious and stylishly outfitted in stone, rustic wood and whiskey-hued leather, the modern eatery has quiet tables and counter seating overlooking the exhibition kitchen, as well as private dining rooms for small groups.

From house-made chipotle ancho butter and sourdough bread bites, to prickly pear vinaigrette over tender greens, to rib eye topped with Tucson-grown mushrooms, the menu features local ingredients in fresh combinations.

Upstairs, the newly renovated Ignite Lounge serves casual gastropub fare—think quinoa bowls, Buffalo tacos, carnitas and more—in lively quarters just off the main lobby. The outdoor

After waking up to sunshine, the hotel concierge can assist guests in planning activities such as nature hikes, shopping, canyon tours, biking, tennis and golf. Children will love the pool’s 235-foot waterslide or staying busy in the children’s program.

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The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dove Mountain offer luxury homes located 25 minutes north of downtown Tucson on 800 acres.

Jack Nicklaus-designed fairways, part of a course that formerly welcomed the annual World Golf Championships—Accenture Match Play Championship. Homeowners receive membership at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain, as well.

A community concierge can assist with landscaping and housekeeping services or stock a kitchen with groceries before owners return from their travels. The team coordinates chef demonstrations, wine tastings and other neighborhood gatherings for residents. Homeowners also have access to the main resort’s spa, pools, patio has fire pit seating that fills up for happy

Mountain, provides options for guests who

hour, and the main bar stocks an extensive

choose to extend their time in Arizona. Semi-

Connections to the hotel lend a vacation-like

selection of scotches and whiskeys. There’s

custom, single-family homes here range from

feel to daily life, explains Dove Mountain Realty

wine and local beer, too, plus craft cocktails

approximately 1,700 square feet to nearly 5,500

Sales Assistant Kayla Manley.

made with herbs and citrus grown in the

square feet. Homeowners can add stand-alone

“The Ritz-Carlton is the anchor of our com-

resort’s gardens.

casitas to each plan, or create fully customized

munity, and the service the ladies and gentlemen

fitness facilities and other amenities.

“We just upgraded the kitchen at Ignite this

homes in each of three communities. Lots start

of the hotel provide to homeowners is unlike

summer, and it’s become one of the busiest

at 1/3 of an acre in the Seven Saguaros and

any other. The environment and lifestyle created

spots at the resort,” says Michael Aylmer, Ritz-

Amolillo

here is unmatched,” she says.

Carlton Dove Mountain director of sales and

Rockpoint Ridge reach up to seven acres in size.

Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is located at

marketing. “It’s a great place to grab a cocktail

Standard residence features include granite

15000 North Secret Springs Drive, Marana, AZ.

and talk with other guests, and you’ll often see

countertops, wood and stone flooring, and win-

For more information call 800-542-8680. For hotel

our residents getting together here, as well.”

dow walls that slide back to create indoor-out-

inquiries, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain. For

The resort’s adjacent residential community,

door living spaces oriented to sunrise, sunset

more on The Residences at Ritz-Carlton, Dove Moun-

The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton Dove

and far-flung city views. Some overlook the 27

tain, go to www.theresidencesdovemountain.com.

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neighborhoods,

while

sites

in

JULY/AUGUST 2017

ARCHITECT IN RESIDENCE SB Architect’s Bruce A. Wright conjures a contemporary home of his own in San Francisco.

G E N T R Y H O M E | 57

W

hen the teams behind Auberge Resorts, St. Regis Hotels, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties look to an architectural firm to create a new resort or revive a classic one, they rely upon the San Francisco, Miami, and Shenzhen, China-based SB Architects.

The firm has earned a sterling reputation for masterfully balancing crisply modern structures with spectacular settings.

Seeing the possibilities in impossible pieces of land seems ingrained in the SB mindset. When Senior Vice President and Principal Bruce Wright, AIA, LEED AP, spotted an open corner lot in Bernal Heights, his mind started racing. Wright quickly did his research and seized the unique zoning opportunity to build.

As Wright relates, “The design concept was driven by the microfeatures of the site and the desire to create a contemporary design expression that was rooted in Northern California architecture

.

In the kitchen, custom cabinetry crafted from glazed walnut adds a rich counterpoint to the white Caesarstone waterfall countertops. The hardwood floors throughout the home are also walnut. Spectacular windows by Fleetwood grace the house, which is Energy Star Certified and outperforms CA Title 24 by at least 15 percent.

G E N T R Y H O M E | 59

60 | G E N T R Y H O M E

Making use of extensive experience in hospitality design, the team at SB Architects created a resort-styled living experience within this 1,750square-foot custom home with open flowing spaces, clean high-end finishes, and rich woods.

and sustainable ideals. The basic envelope was shaped in large part by the neighborhood planning code, which dictated elements such as bay windows, notched side yards, and inset entries to create movement and shadow along the streetscape.”

While the design is rooted in the local vernacular and code within this traditional San Francisco neighborhood, the interpretation is distinctly clean and modern. The naturally sloping site inspired the idea of a focal stair core wrapped by private areas and topped by a dramatic skylight, bathing the interiors in natural light and forming a direct link between the private spaces on the entry level and the public spaces on the upper level. Wright adds, “The central stair core also creates a strong vertical wall on the exterior, resulting in an intriguing alternative to the typical horizontal layering of living spaces. The corner location and internal organization of space created an exterior expression that broke free of horizontal restraints to create a blend of horizontal and vertical lines, punctuated by a strong cantilevered roof.”

Locating the main living spaces on the top floor allowed Wright’s design to take full advantage of the dramatic views of the city

skyline. Windows on all aspects of the building, unusual in this urban setting, provide an abundance of natural light and significantly lower the need for artificial lighting. Making use of extensive experience in hospitality design, Wright and the design team created a resort-based living experience within this 1,750-squarefoot custom home with open flowing spaces, clean high-end finishes, and rich woods. In particular, Wright selected Western Red Cedar to make a bold statement as the ceiling finish in all the main living spaces and chose to run the wood out to the exterior as well, cladding the underside of the cantilevered roof.

Notes Wright, “Western Red Cedar is as durable as it is attractive and works wonderfully in both interior and exterior settings. It was the perfect unifying element to achieve a contemporary design but with interior spaces that are warm and embracing.” ◆ G E N T R Y H O M E | 61

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John Cisco is the CFO at SB Architects, but that doesn’t mean he spends all day crunching numbers.

“I do just about everything whether it’s loading the dishwasher, dealing with human resources or negotiating with a bank or insurance companies,” Cisco said. “Whatever needs to be done.”

“I feel much more challenged dealing with people and all the things it takes to run a business.”

SB Architects is located in San Francisco, but Cisco lives in Napa.

1. What was your childhood ambition?

I grew up during the Apollo missions so I wanted to be an astronaut and travel beyond the moon and explore other planets.

2. Did you have a nickname when you were growing up?

I’ve always been the Cisco Kid. When I started high school (the song) “The Cisco Kid” by War came out. I loved it.

3. What was your first job?

My dad and a family friend started one of the first recycling centers in Honolulu, Hawaii in the mid-1970s. It was my first summer job while I was in high school.

4. How did you get into the architecture industry?

Most of my career has been with hotel development/management. I was working for Auberge Resorts and opening the Calistoga Ranch when I first met Scott Lee and Bruce Wright of SB Architects. SB Architects was designing the resort.

I was very impressed how they approached the design challenges of this very unique resort. Scott also met one of my Auberge co-workers, Tracy Herk, now Tracy Lee, Scott’s wife. Back in 2007/2008 Scott was looking to “beef up” the accounting department to keep up with the huge growth the firm was experiencing. Tracy suggested that Scott hire me and the rest is history. As for myself, about 70 percent of SB Architects’ business is in high-end hospitality which is something I still remain very passionate about, so this eased the way for me to take this twist in my career path.

5. What is the biggest challenge your business/industry has faced?

I took the position with SB Architects in February 2008 and Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy on Sept. 15, 2008. After the Lehman Brother’s bankruptcy, the bulk of our clients stopped work and many projects were literally “deadbolted” overnight. Survival was the biggest challenge that we faced but we survived by making the tough decisions on reducing staff and leveraging our global connections to keep the firm afloat as the domestic economy recovered.

6. What’s on your to-do list?

I am one of the forward thinkers for the firm looking at succession planning of a new ownership group down the road. I also continue to look for ways to enhance the analytical tools we use to manage and grow the firm as well as looking out for next economic downturn that is somewhere in our future.

7. If you could change one thing about your business/industry, what would it be?

I would like to see the architectural academia spend a little more time on the student’s ability to take client input (and) clearly articulate their vision in design for a particular project.

Architects that master this ability are able create something incredible for the client as well as advancing their careers. Of course, as a numbers guy, I would always like to see curriculum based on what is involved in running a business.

8. Which three people would you most like to have dinner with?

Winston Churchill.

Carl Sagan.

King Kamehameha I. 9. What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

Having being born and raised in Hawaii.

10. You have two teenagers. What’s your advice to your own kids about choosing a career?

Pick something that you are passionate about and go for it.

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The Estate Yountville, a 22-acre compound comprised of two “ultra-luxe” lifestyle hotels, a spa, retail and dining complex and “experiential” event spaces, unveiled the design for the multi-million dollar transformation of Vintage House and Hotel Villagio.

A team of interior designers, architects, landscape designers and others were assembled by owners Brookfield to bring the new vision to life, said a news release from the company.

Hospitality interior design firm, Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), worked in tandem with two of the firm’s subdivisions, Illuminate lighting design and Canvas art consultants, as well as with SB Architects for the exteriors, to spearhead the renovation.

Launched to the public on Oct. 4, Vintage House’s “serene interiors exude a sophisticated aesthetic with gray and soft lavender color schemes and subtle nods to the locale’s carefree spirit,” said the release.

The 80 bungalow-style abodes “are tucked quietly amidst the lush landscape of The Estate, which is ideally located in the center of Yountville.”

The Estate Yountville “will emulate the charm and character of Yountville with its village-within-a-village feel and fusion of agrarian roots and residentially-inspired sophistication,” said Steve Davino, general manager of The Estate Yountville.

“We are excited to host travelers and locals alike at our newly transformed property.”

The hotel is now welcoming guests to its “reimagined” guestrooms, a new pool area and a transformed lobby. !

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By!Garrick Ramirez!Sep!13,!2016!

Don't put away your summer luggage quite yet. Thanks to a recent boom in lodging renovations, fashionable new inns are popping up all over Northern California. From the mountains to the coast, these five spots offer stylish, cozy retreats from the city. Bon voyage! ! !

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CARMEL!—!The!minute!Diane!Flynn!leaves!her!Menlo!Park!driveway,!the!vacation!begins.!She! listens!to!TED!Talks!and!music,!calls!her!daughters,!and!arrives!in!about!two!hours!at!Santa!

Lucia!Preserve,!driving!up,!up!and!up!the!twisting!roadway,!passing!through!stands!of!valley!oak! and!coastal!redwood!as!the!vistas!open!up!in!front!of!her!—!pristine!green!canyons,!rolling!for! miles!—!before!she!finally!pulls!into!the!driveway!of!her!second!home.! !

It’s!time!for!her!to!get!unplugged:!“You’ve!checked!out!of!all!the!highKpressure!hustleKbustle!of!

Silicon!Valley!and!checked!into!the!most!relaxing!mindful!place!where!you!can!enjoy!life!and! friends!and!think,”!said!Flynn,!a!tech!marketing!executive.!“It’s!just!an!unbelievable!escape.!Our! guests!always!comment!on!how!well!they!sleep!here.!They!check!their!cares!at!the!gate.”!

And!there!is!a!gate.! !

Santa!Lucia!Preserve!is!a!gated!community!that!doubles!as!a!wilderness!preserve!on!20,000! acres!adjacent!to!Carmel!Valley!and!Pebble!Beach.!With!custom!homes!selling!for!between!$3.6! million!and!$11.8!million,!it!also!is!one!of!the!many!getaways!—!from!the!Central!Coast!up! through!Napa!Valley,!Sonoma!County!and!Lake!Tahoe!—!that!lure!affluent!Silicon!Valley!families! looking!for!summers!and!weekends!away!from!the!brutal!work!routines!of!the!tech!economy.! !

The!National!Association!of!Realtors!reports!record!sales!of!vacation!and!second!homes!across! the!U.S.:!roughly!21!percent!of!all!homes!sold!in!2014!fell!into!that!category.!In!California,! where!real!estate!prices!are!through!the!roof,!second!homes!accounted!for!only!5.3!percent!of! all!home!sales!in!2015,!according!to!the!California!Association!of!Realtors.!That!still!translates! into!substantial!numbers!in!Northern!California:!more!than!$1!billion!in!residential!home!sales! last!year!in!North!Tahoe!alone.! !

Whether!the!recent!stock!market!turmoil!in!the!U.S.,!China!and!elsewhere!will!have!a!softening! effect!on!the!secondKhome!market!remains!to!be!seen.!For!the!moment,!the!numbers!are! robust:!“When!times!are!good,!it’s!a!growing!market,”!said!Mike!James,!president!of!the!Bay! Area!and!Hawaii!regions!for!Coldwell!Banker,!the!real!estate!brokerage.!“When!times!are!bad,! it’s!the!first!shrinking!market.!It’s!good!right!now.”! !

Ginger!Martin,!a!Sotheby’s!agent!based!in!the!Napa!Valley,!would!agree:!“I!have!made!my!living!

on!second!and!third!and!fourthKhome!buyers,”!she!said.!“That’s!my!clientele.!I’m!dealing!with! the!private!equity!and!VC!guys!who!fund!the!companies.”! !

The!Bay!Area’s!middle!class!doesn’t!necessarily!relate!to!that!kind!of!braggadocio.!To!many!of! the!region’s!residents,!having!a!second!home!means!renting!a!modest!lakeside!cottage!for!a! week!away!with!the!family.!Still,!the!accumulated!wealth!of!the!tech!elite!is!substantial;!for!that! portion!of!the!population,!second!homes!are!both!a!way!of!life!and!a!solid!investment.!

At!Santa!Lucia!Preserve,!where!18,000!acres!are!conserved!through!the!community’s!own! endowed!land!trust,!development!is!a!fairly!laidKback!affair.!It!is!limited!to!300!lots!and!the! marketing!emphasis!is!on!slowKspeed!living.! !

Diane!Flynn!and!husband!Mark,!comanaging!partner!of!a!venture!group!in!Woodside,!designed,! built!and!furnished!their!approximately!8,000KsquareKfoot!house!in!2000K2001!with!a!second! couple!from!Silicon!Valley,!old!friends!from!business!school.!It’s!a!contemporary!ranchKstyle! house!with!three!wings!—!one!for!each!family!and!another!for!guests!—!radiating!out!from!a! large!common!area!with!25Kfoot!ceilings,!kitchen!and!TV!nook,!pool!table,!grand!piano!and!cozy! knockKaround!sofas.! !

During!holidays,!long!weekends!and!summer!breaks,!the!children!of!both!families!have!grown! up!together!—!and!count!the!preserve!as!their!backyard,!with!its!100!miles!of!trails.!When!the!

Flynns’!daughter!Lisa!turned!21!in!2013,!she!requested!that!the!family!mark!the!occasion!with!a! favorite!hike!up!to!Hall’s!Ridge.! !

“We!get!there!and!the!kids!launch!into!a!chorus!of!‘The!Hills!are!Alive,’!”!Diane!Flynn!said.!

Skewing!toward!baby!boomers,!while!planning!a!shift!toward!younger!Gen!X!buyers,!Santa!

Lucia!Preserve’s!amenities!include!a!pool!club!and!equestrian!center,!a!golf!course!that! encircles!a!mountain!and!a!1920sKera!Hacienda!of!GatsbyKesque!splendor,!where!residents!can! linger!over!cocktails!and!meals!in!front!of!roaring!winter!fires!—!or!drop!by!for!takeout!pizza.!

Residents!invariably!talk!about!the!community’s!informal!rituals:!the!summer!camp!programs,! the!annual!dog!show,!the!Friday!night!campfires!with!S’mores!by!the!lake.! !

“Parents!can!put!the!helicopter!down.!They!don’t!have!to!be!circling,”!said!developer!Tom!Gray,! whose!company!purchased!the!20,000!acres!—!a!former!ranch!—!for!$70!million!in!1990.!A! lifelong!backpacker,!he!said!that!“the!land!drives!the!plan”!for!development.!That!has!been! generally!steady,!though!the!dotKcom!bust!and!more!recent!recession!have!posed!challenges.!

Since!lots!went!on!the!market!in!1999!—!all!have!been!sold!—!about!115!homes!have!been! built,!including!one!that!encompasses!11,500!square!feet!and!recently!listed!for!$8.5!million.!

Aside!from!its!9,600KsquareKfoot!residence,!the!spread!includes!a!12Kcar!garage,!caretaker!

cottage!and!guesthouse,!plus!barn,!bocce!court,!infinity!pool!and!home!theater.!

Even!with!that!kind!of!luxury,!many!buyers!say!the!preserve!is!a!counterbalance!to!the!rest!of! their!lives.!“It’s!not!competitive,”!said!Alayna!Gray,!a!cosmetics!executive!before!she!and!her! husband,!Tom,!moved!here!a!quarterKcentury!ago.!“A!dressKup!event!is!really!not!that!attractive! here.!People!wear!jeans!to!dinner.!It’s!back!to!some!old!values!and!the!kids!can!just!roam.!

There’s!no!security!concern.”! !

In!North!Tahoe,!the!development!known!as!Mountainside!at!Northstar!puts!a!different!spin!on! the!unpluggingKfromKSilicon!Valley!theme.! !

With!a!marketing!plan!that!targets!Gen!X!families!looking!for!second!homes,!it!describes!itself! as!a!“skiKin/skiKout”!community!for!timeKstrapped!techies!who!want!to!get!away!and!go.!That’s! the!message:!Walk!out!your!door,!strap!on!your!snowshoes!or!skis,!then!hit!the!40!miles!of! trails!crisscrossing!the!previously!undeveloped!mountainside!between!the!Village!at!Northstar! and!the!RitzKCarlton!hotel,!now!being!lightly!peppered!with!custom!homes!and!townhouses! across!3,000!acres.! !

“Yes,!they’re!coming!to!unplug!—!that’s!the!point,!to!understand!nature,!for!everyone!to!take!a! deep!breath,”!said!agent!Jeff!Brown!who!owns!Tahoe!Mountain!Realty!in!the!Village!at!

Northstar.!“The!reality!is!that!everyone’s!wiped!out!at!the!end!of!a!day!of!skiing.”! !

SingleKfamily!homes!—!most!of!them!glassKwalled!with!expansive!mountain!views!—!cost! between!$3.6!million!and!$9.3!million.!The!newest!ones!are!designed!by!Bohlin!Cywinski!

Jackson,!the!architectural!firm!behind!the!design!of!Apple!stores.!(Townhouses!aimed!at!a! younger!millennial!crowd!begin!at!$1.95!million.)! !

Staff!outfitters!are!available!to!arrange!everything!from!massages!to!grocery!shopping,!babyK sitting!and!ski!lessons!for!the!kids.!Private!concierges!work!out!of!Mountainside’s!community! hub,!which!is!known!as!the!Tree!House!and!has!a!fitness!center,!pool,!game!room!—!and!more! awesome!vistas.!Upon!request,!the!outfitters!go!hiking!with!homeowners,!too.!

Senior!partner!Ron!Barnes!emphasized!what!Mountainside!is!not.! !

Not!gated,!it!is!a!remote!enclave!with!one!long!and!winding!road!leading!to!it.!Unlike!nearby!

Martis!Camp!and!other!more!traditional!Tahoe!communities!that!cater!to!the!tech!and!venture! capital!elite!with!golf!course!and!lodge,!it!is!an!example!of!“esoteric!development,”!he!said.!By! summer,!it!will!offer!movable!meditation!and!yoga!huts!—!set!down!here!and!there!on!the! mountain!by!helicopter!—!and,!some!time!in!2018,!a!Zen!Cube!think!tank!and!gathering!space! for!executives!and!their!associates.!

The!Zen!Cube!will!have!glass!walls,!too.! !

Unlike!Santa!Lucia!Preserve,!Mountainside!isn’t!about!buying!a!lot!and!then!designing!and! building!one’s!own!home,!a!lengthy!process.!

Rather,!the!residences!—!10!single!family!homes!and!43!townhouses!have!been!completed!thus! far!—!are!built!and!sometimes!furnished!by!the!parent!company.!That’s!because!Gen!X!buyers,! said!agent!Brown,!want!“instant!gratification.!They!are!making!this!purchase!in!order!to! maximize!the!time!with!the!family!and!they!know!the!clock!is!always!ticking.!So!waiting!a! couple!of!years!to!build!essentially!mortgages!that!time.!So!this!is!about,!‘Let’s!go,!let’s!start! enjoying!this!now.’!“! !

Then!again,!there!are!all!kinds!of!gratification,!instant!and!otherwise.! !

Back!at!Santa!Lucia!Preserve!late!one!recent!afternoon,!Diane!Flynn!sat!down!in!the!courtyard! of!the!Hacienda,!shady!from!the!labyrinth!of!old!madrone!branches!overhead.!Glass!of! chardonnay!in!hand,!she!lingered!with!friends!Jeff!Chambers!and!Andi!Okamura,!of!Atherton,! who!built!a!home!here!about!five!years!ago!—!and!whose!son!Nat!was!married!at!the!preserve! in!2014.!

They!mused!over!the!pleasures!of!the!place.!

“The!minute!we!drive!through!the!gates,!it!feels!like!we’re!in!another!world,!just!relaxing!and! peaceful,”!said!Chambers,!semiretired!from!his!private!equity!firm!on!the!Peninsula.!

“Exactly.!Leave!your!worries!behind,”!said!Flynn.!

“It’s!time!to!decompress,”!said!Okamura.!“I!can!spend!hours!in!front!of!a!window!doing!a!puzzle! or!needlepoint!—!but!I!can!also!spend!five!or!six!hours!on!the!golf!course.”! !

She!laughed.! !

“I!can!do!what!I!want.!I’m!home.”!

Happy!110th,!La!Playa!Carmel!

!

It's!a!celebratory!century,!plus!a!decade,!at!the!historic!hotel.!

By!ARTICLE!IN!BLOGLAND!Alysia!Gray!Painter! !

Hotel!with!history:!La!Playa!Carmel!celebrates!is!110th!anniversary!during!2015!with!three!

110Lthemed!packages!

!

!

CHOCOLATE,)GUESTS,)AND)1905:!Travelers!like!their!hotels!to!have!a!bit!of!a!story! or!some!lore.!Perhaps!there's!a!time!capsule!in!the!foundation,!or!the!roses!out!front! are!named!after!the!children!of!the!family!who!built!the!property,!or!a!beautiful! building!was!built!as!a!love!letter!to!an!adored!spouse.!Such!is!the!case!of!La!Playa!

Carmel,!which!rose!in!the!snug!picturebook!burg!back!in!1905!thanks!to!artist!

Christian!Jorgensen.!Mr.!Jorgensen!constructed!the!hotel!in!honor!of!his!wife!Angela,! who!was!a!member!of!the!Ghiradelli!family.!It's!a!sweet!twist!on!the!typical!hotelL meetsLcandy!story,!which!typically!only!involves!the!chocolates!left!upon!your! pillow!at!turndown.!La!Playa!Carmel!went!one!better,!boasting!a!chocolateLy!tie!that! only!adds!a!sprinkle!to!its!loveLstoryLesque!beginnings.!Add!a!mixture!of!time!to!the! tale!LL!a!century!and!a!decade,!to!be!specific!LL!and!you!bring!the!hotel,!one!of!the! grand!dames!of!California's!hotel!landscape,!up!to!today.!To!celebrate!its!110th! anniversary,!the!landmark!is!offering!a!trio!of!packages,!two!built!around!the! number!of!years!it!has!been!open!and!one!built!around!past!duos!that!have!made! the!getaway!their!love!retreat!(as!well!as!$110,!as!a!theme).! !

THE)WHOLE)HOTEL:!You!can!book!the!entire!property!for!yourself,!and!your! nearest,!dearest,!and,!we!imagine,!most!grateful,!by!plunking!down!a!cool!$110,000.!

You'll!be!able!to!"make!it!your!own!private!estate!for!one!week"!so,!yes,!all!75!guest! rooms!are!yours!to!fill!or!not.!La!Playa!shall!keep!its!full!staff,!and!if!you're!crossing! your!fingers!that!there'll!be!a!full!Champagne!brunch!daily,!uncross!them!at!once! and!practice!holding!a!glass!flute.!(Translation:!Yep,!there's!a!bubbly!bash!each! morning.)! ! $110)SECOND)NIGHT:!There!are!some!crossedLout!dates!on!this!one,!and! availability!has!an!asterisk,!but!here's!the!very!solid!deal:!Book!two!nights,!pay!the! regular!rack!rate!for!night!number!one,!and!then!owe!$110!for!night!two.!There!you! have!it.!! !

RETURNING)COUPLES:)Did!you!throw!your!wedding!at!the!notLtooLfarLfromLtheL ocean!getaway?!Or!honeymoon!there?!Or!anniversary!there?!Tuck!the!snapshots!of! the!event!in!your!bag!LL!or!email!them,!perhaps,!if!you!only!have!them!electronically! (but,!seriously,!back!those!up)!LL!and!show!them!at!the!hotel!to!receive!a!"special! anniversary!rate!of!$110!per!night,!up!to!two!nights."!! !

Would!you!like!to!return!to!the!days!of!yore!at!La!Playa!Carmel?!We!can't!send!you! back!to!1905,!when!the!awningLclad,!flowerLfancy!structure!made!its!grand!debut,! but!we!can!send!you!to!the!official!site!for!the!anniversary,!which!has!some!lively! lookLback!photos.!

C armel-by-the-S ea has a s torybook quality about it: the pictures que downtown, s tunning hous es – each one unique – and beautiful ocean vistas. And within that setting, there’s no better place to s et up s hop than the L a P laya C armel – an oas is within an oas is . O riginally built in 1905 by artis t C hris tian J orgens on as a gift for his wife, a member of the G hirardelli family, the mans ion was converted into a hotel in 1916 and has s ince remained a s acred getaway and s ocial gathering place in the s cenic s eas ide community.

“The property honors the history by having Ghirardelli chocolates as a turn down amenity”, said

G eneral Manager Mary C rowe.

Another ode to his tory is that La Playa has a “10 cent happy hour” tradition that was started by Howard “Bud” Allen, a local resident who bought the property in 1968.

“Wanting to draw in the locals from the residential neighborhood, he added a full-time bar (cons idered a modern amenity at the time) and reduced the price of martinis every S unday to a dime”, said Crowe. “The residents, most of whom were artists at the time, loved the reduced rate and made La Playa their stop every Sunday.”

Now the “Bud Allen Hour” is only for 10 minutes ; it las ts every S unday from 5:00 pm to 5:10 pm.

Like Mr. Allen insisted upon in the ’60s, patrons must pay in exact change.

“La Playa Carmel is one of the coastal village’s oldes t, mos t cheris hed landmarks , harkening back to the town’s heritage as an affluent artists’ community,” said Crowe. To top it off – the hotel is a little more than a block from C armel beach in one direction and s hops and res taurants in the other – ideally s ituated for fun.

Elegant Comfort L ike s o many of the charming inns in the village, L a P laya has that iconic, old-s chool feel with its tile, open wood beams and antique furniture. T he grounds have lus h gardens where gues ts can walk around or jus t kick back in the his toric bar.

T he hotel als o offers a number of room options , from ocean views to large pools ide cas itas , which include fireplaces and s itting areas . O ther options include garden and village views .

Champagne Breakfast D uring my vis it to C armel-by-the-S ea, I learned that all hotels and inns offer complimentary breakfas t and L a P laya is no exception, s imply delis h. After a bris k daily morning walk on the white s andy beach, I was always excited to return to the hotel for a cup of coffee or mimos a, while enjoying a fres h omelet or waffle, cus tom made for each gues t. T he C hampagne B reakfas t B uffet als o included eggs , fruit, variety of chees es and more.

“From the moment we got here we were impressed,” said guest G abrielle Mais onet of Albany, New Y ork. “Complimentary s angria, wine, and milk and cookies upon arrival! I was there on my honeymoon and the hotel took s pecial note – delivering a bottle of champagne to our room. H ow thoughtful.”

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Beyond L a P laya is the perfect location to dive into C armel-by-the-S ea, which is renowned for its boutique s hops and plentiful art galleries . T ake a walk around downtown, but pay attention, the village has lots of hidden nooks that vis itors will want to check out.

For art lovers who don’t want to miss anything, try Carmel Art Tours, which offers a variety of packages to take you on, and off, the beaten path. “One of Carmel’s highlights is its booming arts scene”, said art connoisseur Rohana LoSchiavo. “Whether it’s artists busy at work in their galleries , award-winning chefs creating works of edible art in the village’s world-clas s res taurants , or s hop owners crafting head-turning s torefronts , the es s ence of art is as defining to Carmel as its beautiful beaches and fairytale cottages,” said LoSchiavo.

During the Carmel art tour guests explore artwork from the 1906 artists up to today’s young generation who use new technologies in their art. “The art in Carmel-by-the-S ea today is the legacy of over 100 years of artists living and working in Carmel,” said LoSchiavo. “Built on the tradition of well-trained painters and s culptors , the art colony continues to attract profes s ional artists exploring their own styles, inspired by the Carmel coast”.

C armel is nes tled between B ig S ur, C armel Valley, P ebble B each and, beyond that, Monterey.

C armel Valley boas ts a thriving wine indus try, as well as hors eback riding and hiking. T ake the 17 -Mile D rive through P ebble B each, or enjoy a round of golf at one of its famous cours es . Vis it his toric Monterey, home to C annery R ow and the Monterey B ay Aquarium.

Dining Out There’s no shortage of good eats in Carmel-by-the-S ea, from tas ty mors els to fine dining. O ne popular and pet friendly place is Terry’s Lounge, inside the Cypress Inn – a 1929 landmark property co-owned by legendary Hollywood actress Doris Day. At Terry’s Lounge they offer a line-up of ‘20s to ‘40s-era hand-crafted cocktails that keeps things buz z ing.

Another great option is V es uvio which offers traditional Italian dis hes , like chicken piccata and os s o bucco, but fus es in s us hi and other As ian cuis ines . T hey als o offer creative appetiz ers . (try the fried artichoke lollipops with chipotle aioli) F or des s ert, how bout the chocolate mous s e, cannoli “piccola italia”, white chocolate crème brulée or “cheese-a-cake” with s eas onal berries .

D elis h!

Grasing’s res taurant features fine s teak and s eafood. T una tartare, D ungenes s crab cakes , s callops , a bone-in rib eye – or all of the above.

Wherever you go in C armel, enjoy the atmos phere and comfortable s urroundings . T he village is an idyllic place to relax on the beach, enjoy a cocktail, take in beautiful art and have a nice es cape.

With S pring B reak quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to plan your vacation to the Monterey Peninsula. Whether you’re looking for a familyfriendly g etaway that will keep the kids happily occupied, an adults -only trip including wine tas ting and g ourmet c uis ine, or an ac tivity-c entric vacation that will keep you on-the-go, thes e enticing S pring Vacation ideas will give you a taste of what you’re looking for.

F AMIL Y F UN F or bus y parents , the ideal S pring B reak vacation s tarts at the P ortola Hotel & S pa, an award-winning, centrally-located hotel in downtown Monterey, that offers a number of kid-friendly activities and outings that the whole family will enjoy. Not to mention, in S pring 2017, the hotel will reveal a fully renovated property, including a completely updated res taurant, redecorated rooms , and more.

F rom the Monterey B ay A quarium F amily G etaway package and Whale Watc hing T ours to the hotel’s Complimentary Pirate Program (for children age 3-12) and even S ea C ar T ours , this AAA 4-s tar hotel offers a wide range of packages that will keep you and your family bus y and engaged throughout your entire S pring B reak vacation.

S ince the hotel is in walking dis tance to a number of premiere des tinations on the Monterey Peninsula, it’s a great choice for families who want to get out about.

F rom the mus t-s ee Fisherman’s Wharf (which is your bes t s pot for clam chowder tas tings and watching s ea life) to touring his toric locations (like C ity Hall and the Monterey A dobes ) in old town Monterey, your family can walk to all of thes e s pots directly from the hotel, making it a convenient

choice.

If you’re family wants to be a bit more adventurous and explore the great outdoors , jus t a s hort drive away is Lover’s Point in P ac ific G rov e. T his is an ideal s pot for k ayaking or s tand-up paddleboarding with A dv entures B y T he S ea. T o make you feel s afe and comfortable while navigating the waters , their knowledgeable and friendly team will s et you up with your equipment, give you hands -on ins truction prior to launching, and even do a guided tour on the B ay.

F O O DIE ADV E NT UR E If you’re a wine lover who enjoys relaxing under the stars on a warm Spring night, then add B ernardus L odg e & S pa in C armel Valley to your S pring B reak vacation lis t. T his exclus ive res ort invites gues ts to relax in s tyle at their new villas and s uites , which are nes tled among 26 lus h acres of blooming gardens and vineyards .

T o celebrate S pring, the ups cale res ort is currently providing gues ts with a special ‘book 2 nights get the 3rd night free’ offer, which is available through May 31s t (for arrivals F riday through T ues day).

As a gues t, you can play tennis , bocce or croquet complimentary as well as enjoy the C armel Valley s uns hine while relaxing by the outdoor junior O lympic s ize heated pool or infinity jacuzzi.

T he pos h property is a s hort 5-minute drive from over 22 wine tas ting rooms and wineries in nearby C armel Valley Villag e. Not to mention, B ernardus Vineyards & Winery’s line of award-winning wines , including s ublime C hardonnays and delectable P inot Noirs.

If you’re a gourmet cuisine lover, then consider booking your Spring B reak vacation at one of the many enc hanting inns , s uch as L a P laya Hotel in charming C armel-by-the-S ea. J us t a few blocks up from the famed C armel B eac h, this renowned his toric hotel offers plus h accommodations in a tranquil Mediterranean s tyle s etting.

In addition to a terrace overlooking the beautiful garden courtyard (which s erves cocktails and light bites ), L a P laya Hotel als o makes s ure that gues ts s tay entertained on-s ite with a playful, overs ized ches s s et and cruis er bicycles that can be us ed to ride around town.

When you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, just a few minutes from the hotel are a number of top res taurants in C armel-by-the-S ea. F rom indulging in Il T eg amino’s authentic Italian fare prepared in a cozy, intimate setting followed up by enjoying A nton & Mic hel’s decadent des s erts overlooking a courtyard fountain, C armel-by-the-S ea is the ultimate play place for any foodie.

O N-T HE -G O T o help you burn off thos e calories (becaus e we know how tempting home made pas ta and pie can be), during S pring, L a P laya Hotel and Hotel Carmel are both participating in the first “Scenic Fitness Retreat with America’s Running Coach Jeff Galloway”, offered between March 29 – April 2, 2017 (3 Days /4 Nights ); participating gues ts can enjoy 20 percent off during thos e days .

As one of the newes t renovated properties in C armel-by-the-S ea, Hotel C armel is quickly gaining a following amongs t visitors and locals . Within walking dis tance to a number of eateries , art galleries , and boutiques , this completely refurbis hed hotel boas ts traditional cottage-s tyle architecture, with an updated, modern vibe. In addition to the warm and inviting decór, the property als o includes an on-s ite s ports -themed res taurant & bar called Brophy’s, which has become a popular s pot for nearby res idents and tourists .

During your s tay in C armel, a few of the mus t-s ee places are the C armel Mis s ion, which was founded by S aint J unipero S erra and features enchanting gardens and delightful s culptures , as well as T he Mis s ion R anc h R es taurant, a popular eatery overlooking s heep grazing in pas toral meadow with far-off views of the P acific O cean. T he res taurant (owned by legendary Hollywood actor and director, C lint E as twood) is not only a great spot for dinner and cocktails, it’s also an ideal place to go for Sunday B runch.

As you can s ee, the Monterey P enins ula is the perfect place to getaway for Spring Break, whether you’re traveling solo, joined by your loved one, or with the family in tow.