Jan 4 and 5 – 80 degrees in So Cal. A beautiful Cali winter!
Archive for the Category »California «
Dec 22nd |
If You Can Get a Reservation, Don’t Miss This Foodie Haven |
Leave a Comment Category: California, Los Angeles, Travel, restaurants
So I may be sealing LA’s reputation to the rest of the world as casual, carefree, and at times a bit wacky, but this is what I encountered while out and about Santa Monica recently.
Yes, Christmas carolers in bikinis and Speedos, ironically singing about a White Christmas. I wouldn’t have it any other way – even the most rushed and stressed out shoppers began to smile. Great spirit. Loving life.
In that same vein, I recently dined at one of my favorite restaurants, just down the road in a similarly spirited part of L.A.- it is Gjelina on Abbot Kinney in the artsy town of Venice Beach. (pronounced Juh-leena)
I dream about coming here. If you’ve ever had the caramel butterscotch salted pudding, you know exactly what I am talking about. Foodies – back me up.
The menu is seasonal, and robust – there are so many choices, even the pickiest of eaters are satisfied. And I’ve been here with my share of vegetarians, dairy-free friends, etc.
The idea is to order a bunch of small plates and share – There are a mess of plates on every table. The brussel sprouts with balsamic and bacon and kale salad are staples for me.
If the food isn’t enough to wow you, the other elements of Gjelina will – buzzy, high energy atmosphere… cool design… outdoor patio…and our Ashton-Kutcher look alike waiter provided good service.
The downer is it’s a bit loud… and the LA Dept of Public Health recently rated it – a “C”! The Huffington Post wrote about it, as foodies were skeptical. It may be irresponsible of me to say, but if I can get a reservation easier now, I am all over it. Gjelina is THAT good.
Book your dinner way in advance, or else you’ll be left with only 5:30 or 10PM . …oh, and DO NOT forget to order the caramel butterscotch salted pudding for dessert. I am trying to replicate it for Christmas dinner…Santa? The recipe would fit in my stocking…
I hope you enjoy this special time of year of great food, family, and friends.
Nov 02nd |
Bicoastal Beans Taking on Starbucks – Look For Them |
Leave a Comment Category: California, San Francisco, Travel
One thing I love about traveling is having coffee all around the world. And I’m not talking about running to the local Starbucks in Paris.
No surprise, but in the Bay Area, the buzz is all about another bean breakthrough. Don’t all delicious new food movements come from San Francisco? (OK so after living there for 9 years, I am biased.)
It is called Blue Bottle, and yes folks, it is a courageous coffee shop taking on the Starbucks’ of the world… and by the looks of the lines out the door at the downtown San Francisco shop, they are on their way.
Why should I write about this? For one, if you are a coffee seeker like I am, Blue Bottle makes amazing coffee – totally fresh, and beans grown pesticide free. They say they get their beans from the fields to their customers within 48 hours. You can TOTALLY taste the difference – the coffee is deep, and not bitter. They started out in farmer’s markets, and attracted customers who are passionate about food.
My friends and I were laughing – and you must be warned – they are serious about their java. Don’t even think about ordering a half caff double skim eggnog latte….
My friend tried ordering a single shot latte, and was stared down. Guess she missed the sign above.
The Coffee Nazis have arrived.. Although, they are kinder and gentler on their website, stating they “offer elderly and pregnant women seats on the bus…and brush and floss daily.” Gotta love coffee makers percolating with personality.
Blue Bottle is worth a trip – there are a few dozen of them opened on each coast – Bay Area and New York. Check the website for more. And remember – no special orders 
I haven’t been this excited by something in the travel industry in a long time. Ram’s Gate Winery, which just opened a few weeks ago in Sonoma, is bound to cause some buzz…It is unlike any other winery I have ever visited in the world.
You don’t have to love wine to automatically feel like you are somewhere special… there is plenty to admire in the architecture, design, and food.
One can’t help but be drawn into the Ram’s Gate experience by the sheer design – contemporary decor in a country setting – a dramatic Calacatta marble slab bar for tasting… cozy furniture for mingling… eclectic and interesting pairings of furnishings in a 22,000 sq foot barn setting.
The massive floor-to-ceiling glass “walls” that open to sweeping vineyard and bay views bring the outdoors very much indoors. Designer Orlando Diaz-Azcuy – brilliant.
The winery is open 10-6PM… but cozy up to the fireplace..
or lounge in the private library… and there is no reason you can’t stay all day and hang out with friends. You can even request a picnic lunch to take down to the nearby lake…. but there is a fantastic tasting menu if you stay at the winery.
On the tasting menu, each wine is listed with appropriate foods. I had a private dinner there recently, and got to experience the exquisitely paired food and wine – the 2009 Zinfandel with the dark chocolate olive oil and goat cheese cake with orange zest (and I dislike chocolate with orange) was insane.
Oenophiles, who may be more into the wine than the design and food, take note: the wine offerings are darn good too. There are mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir… from single and estate vineyard (Some from Durell Vineyard – I’m a fan.) You can try a flight if you like.
The wines, priced from $25-$75/bottle, will be sold exclusively at the winery and via the winery website and wine membership.
Guests can experience the winery in a multitude of ways, and the staff is there to create tailored experiences for its visitors – drop in for an impromptu tasting, reserve the private wine parlor for a wine and food pairing, or celebrate an occasion over a wine dinner with friends. The open kitchen will offer guests the opportunity to learn about how Ram’s Gate wines pair with food, even getting the chance to cook alongside the chef.
Now… Since they host private parties for 6 people to 600, I am looking for an excuse to have a soiree there. Anyone else game? I am SO there. You should be too.
www.ramsgatewinery.com - just 35 minutes from San Francisco.
Sep 30th |
Hotel of the Week: A Rare Gem Re-opens and Dazzles |
Leave a Comment Category: California, Cool Hotels, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Luxury Travel, Travel, hotels, southern california
When you are on the road a lot, many hotels start to seem the same. Then, there are those special ones that leave a mark on your soul. I can’t say that about very many hotels, but Hotel Bel Air is one of them. It is a spiritual and romantic retreat hidden high in the leafy streets of the Bel Air neighborhood in Los Angeles, which is part of its non-chain-hotel charm.
Now, after a two year remodel, (which it did need by the way) it will re-open this month with even more class and exclusivity. The iconic swans in the hotel’s lake are still there, as well as the signature Spanish Colonial buildings in “Bel Air pink,” but beyond the deliberate scene stealers, there are other new charms to disarm you.
The new design is amazing- Hotel Bel Air with a fresh, glamorous, and youthful face-lift in public spaces…
…and rooms.
There are 12 new accommodations, built into the hillside offering sweeping canyon views, expansive sliding glass walls, outdoor fireplaces and spacious decks with private spa pools.
Also new to the hotel: a 12,000 square foot Spanish mission style structure featuring a new bell tower, fitness studio, three unique “Loft guestrooms” with open floor plans, double sided fireplaces and dramatically high ceilings as well as the brand new 4,134-square-foot Spa by La Prairie, the luxury Swiss beauty company.
I have always enjoyed the restaurants, or late night drinks at the hotel, and now there are expanded dining and drinking options, as well as famed Hollywood chef Wolfgang Puck taking over the restaurant services. Room rates start at $565, with a $100 food credit through the end of the year… If you can’t swing a full stay at the hotel, try to get there for lunch or dinner to experience something so special to LA, it doesn’t feel like LA at all.
If you don’t take my word, just check out the reviews on TripAdvisor. Have you ever seen more 5-star, rave reviews? http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g32655-d111751-Reviews-Hotel_Bel_Air-Los_Angeles_California.html
The legendary hotel is officially reopening October 14- but it is accepting dinner and room reservations now. I look forward to the return of something special…don’t we all? Life is too short. Enjoy it and have a great weekend wherever you are.
Aug 12th |
Hotel of the Week: A Picture Perfect Setting for Romance… or Rug Rats |
Leave a Comment Category: California, Cool Hotels, Family Travel, Los Angeles, Luxury Travel, Travel, golf, hotels, southern california
View from Terrenea Resort
This was the ocean view from my room at Terranea resort in Ranch Palos Verdes, CA… about 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles. That’s one of the things that makes this Mediterranean style 582 room resort special – all of the rooms offer private balconies, and most have ocean views. I could have stayed there all night and watched the sun set on this gorgeous only in So Cal summer night.
The setting for this huge-but-doesn’t-feel-too-big resort is spectacular – on one of the most gorgeous parts of the California coast… and it really is secluded from major developments or traffic, as it sits right at land’s edge on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Although it is along the coast, the stretch of beach for guests is not that large, but pretty.
At certain times of year you can see the sun both rise and set thanks to it’s location…. you have views from the pools as well as the guest rooms.
My favorite place to catch the view is at one of the restaurants: Nelsons, which sits right on the cliff. It is a casual environment… with an outdoor deck that also boasts a fire pit.
We went at sunset – the best time – but you really do need to get there early as it fills up fast. We were told it was a two hour wait to eat… but it ended up only being 30 minutes.
Like most of the restaurants at Terranea, Nelson’s has a children’s menu. The upscale resort could easily have catered more to an elite, adults only crowd, but the management was smart enough to realize more adults are traveling with their young children.
They have a number of activities for kids – My kids spent all day at the family pool with a 140 foot water slide and a water play area…. they barely came up to our lounge chairs for a break.
There is also a kids camp where you can drop in, a family-friendly Par 3, 9 hole ocean front golf course, and a s’more party at night by the pool. (By the way for you golfers – the 9 hole course is brilliant in my opinion. When traveling, golf can eat up a big chunk of your day – 9 holes allows you to have a great round, then leave some time for relaxing too. If you want a longer course, Trump National Golf Club is a public course about three miles away.)
As a critic, I often see hotels that try to do too much – Terranea gracefully can accommodate and satisfy couples as well as families – There is an adult only pool that is quiet and has ocean views, and also a spa pool near the 50,000 sq foot very-adult indulging spa.
Another nice touch for adults and couples: You are welcomed at check in with a glass of champagne. They won me over right there – a really nice touch.
Another nice touch was a bottle of Paraiso Pinot noir and incredible chocolate covered strawberries in our room!! (Note: sorry – but that was a personal touch from the manager.) But you can order the Pinot in the restaurants and although I’m not a huge Pinot fan, it was darn good.
If you rent one of Terranea’s two, three, or four bedroom villas, you can keep the wine in your kitchen. These rooms are great options for families, or groups traveling together.
There were a lot of locals at Terranea – especially for dinner- and with good reason.
If you are visiting Los Angeles, and want to take in all the sights of Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Universal Studios, Santa Monica and Malibu beaches, Getty museums – Terranea is not the most convenient location, especially since – shocker – Los Angeles has a little traffic problem.
But what I always do when booking a trip to a big city is find a relaxing resort or waterfront hotel that provides a balance in your trip. If your budget allows, I would add a few days here to stay planted, unwind, and enjoy the golden sunshine on our stunning coastline.
Why can’t summer last forever? www.terranea.com
I’m a summer girl through and through. So it pains me to realize we only have half of the best season ever left.
Had to maximize the summer fun this weekend and do quintessential So Cal summer stuff… the LA Times wrote a good article about the very same thing in Sunday’s Travel section. http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-socalcloseups-20110731,0,1394619.story A nice primer for out of town visitors.
First, my summer fling: my favorite thing to do along the beaches of Los Angeles: ride bikes on the 8 miles of trails along the sand from Temescal Canyon in Santa Monica to Venice Beach. The sun kissing your cheeks… and the sea breeze blowing your hair. Carefree and California.
Great for kids, or go with a friend. Park your car in one of the public lots along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Santa Monica. Parking will cost you about $8.00.
If you park close to California St incline, there are bike rentals a short walk away on the beach-side bike path. Perry’s in Santa Monica carries everything from tandem bikes to the kiddy carts. I would recommend carts for any child under 7 – they get tired and If you head south, you are riding against the wind on the way back. Perry’s has eight locations along Santa Monica and Venice. www.perryscafe.com
Perry’s is also a cafe – music playing and a buzzy environment with a kids’ menu. TIP: It is cash only.
**TIP:f you stay in a hotel, get a map of Santa Monica because there are often bike rental coupons in the tourist map.
Once you are set with wheels and a meal, the adventure begins. The Ferris wheel of the Santa Monica pier is always in your view, (background of above photo) so chances are if you are with kids, they will beg you to stop there. Pacific Park Amusement Park has rides and arcade games. Personally, I find it crowded and trashy – especially in summer, so limit your time. But the kids like it and It is a pretty setting right on the pier.
Farther down the road you will come to Venice Beach – always an entertaining area. There’s never a shortage of people watching – from musicians to muscles to magicians – Venice Beach’s street performers attract many. Nearby Abbot Kinney Blvd is one of the only strolling streets in LA that isn’t inhabited by chain stores and still maintains it’s unique character.
The LA Times article briefly mentions the new Santa Monica Place… it is a three-story outdoor mall of sorts with a view of the ocean. The top floor has many restaurants – check which ones have kids menus.
The Market is an exciting new addition – 45,000 square feet with a French chocolatier, a wine shop, and a cooking school for starters. It is helping turn this local into a foodie destination.
True Food Kitchen, Santa Monica
True Food Kitchen has a nice kids menu, and for the total over the top healthy Cali meal, you can’t beat this. The kids’ pizza has a whole wheat crust, and I had an organic glass of chardonnay from Mendocino.
Movie theaters nearby and lots of fun shops makes this a bustling place to stroll.
Live from So Cal… The weather is beautiful and I wish you were here.
Jun 17th |
Hotel of the Week: Laguna Beach Love |
2 Comments Category: Beaches, California, Cool Hotels, Luxury Travel, Travel, hotels
I can’t really think of many more special places than Laguna Beach in Southern California. I visited recently, and every time I go, I appreciate it more. Almost 200 art galleries within 5-10 miles, and some of the most spectacular beaches California has to offer. That being said, I did go BEFORE the summer crowds starting piling up. The road getting into Laguna from the freeway is long and one lane…. you could end up moving very slowly on sunny summer days.
But it’s worth it! We stayed at the beautiful Montage Resort ….
At the Montage Resort, Laguna Beach
Best way to describe it is waaay upscale, but it doesn’t lose it’s beach vibe. Probably because of the Craftsman -style architecture, instead of so many of the overdone new hotels in Orange County.
The hotel itself is located on an oceanfront bluff, so the views are pretty darn nice from practically everywhere.
The hotel has teen and kids programs…. and is offering some specials – one is a night night stay plus breakfast starting at $595.00. www.montagelagunabeach.com. It is not a cheap chain… but a lesser hotel doesn’t have the great cocktail hour with the piano and view at sunset in the main lobby That, and the cabanas by the pool, were my favorite elements. There are board games poolside, and your cabana comes with a TV if you just can’t miss that HGTV show.
If you are lucky enough to be part of the Exclusive Resorts program, you will have your own personal concierge, who is fabulous – we lifted the telephone for the most ridiculous reasons, and she was there to help
The town of Laguna has plenty to offer – take some time to stroll through the village. The restaurants are plentiful and varied -
But … we visited some restaurants recommended by the resort.. and were terribly disappointed. One was not what we expected a nice resort to suggest – it was up the coast a few miles, and the crowd was predominantly overly-coiffed blonds with too much make-up and bad plastic surgery wearing short skirts, leaving with aging men…or pro-athlete types with multiple body piercings. And I LOVE a good time – but I felt like I needed to take a shower after having margaritas here. We should have stayed on campus at any of the Montage’s nice restaurants where I’ve had great meals.
One special “only in Laguna Beach” activity is to get tickets to the “Pageant of the Masters” running in July and August. My words will not do this production justice – it is performed and run by volunteers, and couldn’t be more entertaining. I can’t even describe what these people do – but that photo above is NOT a painting – it is the actors recreating the painting. They basically reproduce a masterpiece painting with live bodies and set decor…all in an outdoor theater. Lovely at night under the stars. www.foapom.com
Laguna is a great destination for the Fourth of July… or anytime to kick off your summer.
Have a great weekend and happy travels!
Apr 16th |
Hotel of the Week: Perfect Post-Spring Break Get-Away |
Leave a Comment Category: California, Cool Hotels, Travel
Palm Springs has been a spring break destination for decades… sun-seekers from all over the country come to the Southern California resort town for some beautiful weather, golf, and swimming pools galore.
So if you can, come after or before spring break when the crowds have left, and before the weather becomes unbearably hot. But here’s a tip: If you can stand the heat, desert hotels offer great specials in summer!!
At La Qunta Resort, CA
I was recently at one of my favorite resorts – La Quinta Resort and Club in the desert town of La Quinta. It is not an overdone hotel. The white Spanish style buildings have a casual vibe which I love, and the place is fantastic for kids. It is nicely spread out on many acres. www.laquintaresort.com
La Quinta Resort and Club
I was there at the beginning of spring break season, so the place was buzzing… fun and lively, but harder to book a tennis court or spa treatment… and definitely harder to get an outside table at one of the great restaurants there. (If you like loud music, the upstairs patio near the Mexican restaurant Adobe Grill is in full party mode… if that’s not your thing, and you’d rather be able to talk to your companions, try Morgan’s in the Desert, closer to the valet parking.)
When we come, the kids play tennis, golf, swim, or venture into the air conditioned arcade when it gets really hot. There ARE 41 pools here after all… I know what you’re thinking, but it really isn’t a zoo. The way the resort is laid out, there are a few hotel rooms to each pool. You can book anything from a casita – some which have their own patios and fireplaces – or a ville or a suite.
Easter weekend is especially great for kids – starting Good Friday (April 22) the fun begins – dive in movie and pottery painting for the kids… & on Easter Sunday an Easter egg hunt.
N. Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs CA
If you are looking for some adult time outside the resort, go to downtown Palm Springs. One of my favorite thing is to hunt for Mid-Century Modern treasures… whether you find some furniture at an estate sale, and refinish it… or find that gem in one of the many mod stores. Head to N Palm Canyon Drive for tons of furniture galleries… you really only park once and walk the strip.
Christopher Anthony in Palm Springs
One boutique with incredible stuff in my opinion is Christopher Anthony. My friend bought a feminine desk that once belonged to Eva Gabor, and me, being a sucker for art, I ended up falling for and buying this contemporary painting.
Try to negotiate the price of things… many places also give designer discounts.
To cap off the adult afternoon, try head to The Parker Hotel – a hip place that used to be the old Gene Autry Hotel.
The Parker Hotel
It is swank, and I just had to go to see the design alone. Part old Hollywood glamor, yet with a new fresh eclectic mix. Lunch at Norma’s in the hotel isn’t really worth the trip – get a smoothie, or a drink at the fabulous bar instead.
How chic, right? www.theparkerpalmsprings.com
Wherever your travels take you, I wish you a good one
Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
I recently took a field trip with my UCLA architecture class to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. I had been to the hall before for performances, but this time I got a tour led by a docent…and you can too.
Frank Gehry Designed Walt Disney Concert Hall
If you have seen photos or been yourself, I don’t have to tell you how stunning the stainless steel-clad building is.
The inside is breathtaking too – but not in such a grand way – it is simply gorgeous wood, mixed with white walls, steel accents, and a lot of light from large windows and sky lights. (Of course, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but most would agree the structure is a beauty.)
If you are visiting LA, or are a local – this is a fantastic place to visit on the weekend. Many locals eat lunch in the beautiful garden area on weekdays, and it is a quiet time to take a tour, but on some weekends there are free musical concerts and arts and crafts activities for the kids. (Look up “Phil the House” activities on the WDCH website.)
In my opinion, it’s one of the best cultural experiences for the little ones in all of my travels. The concerts don’t happen every week so plan ahead. The kids are also able to create a masterpieces at art tables set up outside.
If you don’t have children along, take the docent led tours…or if you prefer, a self-guided audio tour. Both take about an hour. The tour leads you throughout the inside of building, and some outdoor spots like the garden or public balcony.
Along the way you learn the story of how the magnificent downtown centerpiece came to be – Lillian Disney donated $ 50 million for a concert hall….there was an architectural contest … Frank Gehry’s design won, it is supposed to resemble a ship’s hull…the grand opening was in 2003.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The tour goes into a little more detail, but I have to be honest, I would have liked more in depth information from the docent. If you are someone who only wants to learn more, I’d recommend the book that tells the whole story – makes a nice coffee table topper. http://www.amazon.com/Symphony-Frank-Gehrys-Disney Concert/dp/0810949814
Unfortunately, the tours don’t go inside auditorium because there are rehearsals. Disappointed? It is still a worthwhile tour, but if you are dying to see the auditorium, why not go back for a LA Philharmonic performance? Here’s a tip:
If you are a student or a senior, buy rush tickets – show up two hours before concert time and get discounted tickets for $10 – $20!!! (Good seats normally can go for more than $100)
And don’t park in the hall’s parking lot – it is cheaper on the street, or in some of the lots nearby.
Check the WDCH’s website for schedules of both the self-guided and docent-led tours. http://musiccenter.org/visit/toursched.html
Now that spring is almost here, you can enjoy a clear view of downtown from various places on the tour. As much as LA is criticized, this landmark will leave one in awe, and hopefully inspire some appreciation for the City of Angels.