OUT AND ABOUT

As the summer heats up, there’s no shortage of places to see and stay, activities, and dining experiences.

BY Hannah Meyers

Next time you take the trip down south, dip into the new AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles. Centrally located across from the Crypto.com arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center, the 347-key hotel is modern and fresh, and their upscale yet cozy rooms are a haven for work or relaxation. Neutral fabrics frame the view of the Hollywood Hills through the floor to ceiling windows. With eight dining concepts between AC and the edgier Moxy Hotel that shares the building, it’s hard to bore even a foodie’s palate. The options are wide, from tasting French-Japanese fusion at Maison Kasai to soaking up the sun at Mother of Pearl, an alfresco oyster and ceviche bar. Be sure to take in the view at La Lo La Rooftop lounge on the 34th floor featuring wraparound vistas of the sprawling city (and the traffic you’re not sitting in trying to rush home), while enjoying refined tapas and signature cocktails.

Cheer on your favorite team this summer at Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club

The season is packed with a record number of teams and players so there’s never a dull weekend. Start on Friday at the happy hour match, featuring drink specials and bar bites. On Sunday opt for a meal at the club’s Fieldside Coastal Steakhouse for a front row seat to the action.

Take a seat under the sunlight for Après Sea at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara. When the clock strikes 6 p.m., the fun begins. Wrap up a beach day by indulging in one of the three experiences. Relax with their new signature Après Sea cocktail–the gem of a drink is inspired by the annual butterfly migration, fusing butterfly pea pollen tequila with refreshing floral and citrus juice. Watch the colors transform into a work of art as the liquid transitions from a deep lavender to a bright magenta reminiscent of a Santa Barbara sunset. This unique cocktail is as delicious as it is beautiful. Guests can also opt to enjoy a guided sunset walk or a luxurious massage in the incredible spa.

Raise a glass to the 10th anniversary release of DAOU Family Estates’ flagship wine: Soul of a Lion. The Cabernet Sauvignon’s debut was 2010, and it has since received nothing but praise from wine critics and lovers. The 2020 Soul of a Lion vintage is crafted from their grapes at DAOU mountain in the Adelaida district of Paso Robles, the perfect setting for Cabernet Sauvignon. With notes of blackberry, fig, and black cherry, this wine will perfectly complement any summer dinner table.

Put your walking shoes on for the fourth annual fundraising walk at the beautiful Alma Rosa Winery this summer. The “Peace of Mind” walk originated in 2020 to support mental health services and fund research, and has since raised over $545,000 for mental health organizations. On Saturday, July 22, participants will take 10,000 steps through the vineyards on the 628-acre Buellton property, enjoying expansive valley views. A glass of wine and a cozy reception await at the finish line. Support a wonderful cause and increase your endorphins at this incredible event.

Feelings of safety, healing, and connectedness envelop guests at Enlightenment retreat. Set on a gorgeous Santa Ynez estate, the annual one-day workshop is designed to help you feel your best. Created by Chloe Redmond of Vino Vaquera Consulting, Enlightenment focuses on supporting mental health and fostering self love, and offers tools to “implement in your own personal journey towards enlightenment.” Attendees embark on a host of events including a fire ceremony, trauma-informed yoga and a sound bath led by Kovina Avila, meditation lead by Darci of Soul Boost Meditation, and neurotrophic watercolor painting with Christi Belle. Guests also enjoy a farm-totable lunch by Kate Campbell paired with local rosé and Sunstone’s new cannabis spritzes. The day concludes with the opportunity to interact with mindful vendors offering intuitive henna tattoos and tarot card readings, and depart with a tote of gratitude goodies. While we need to wait until 2024 for the next ticketed Enlightenment retreat, if you feel called to host a wellness workshop as a team building, or treat your loved ones to an elevated well-being retreat, Vino Vaquera Consulting will customize a curated wellness event to deliver an unforgettable experience.

BY Alexandra Lee | PHOTOGRAPHY Silas Fallstich