Shopping Spree
Jump-start your summer with elevated seaside staples
A spate of new shops stocking summer staples is cropping up at the Montecito Country Mart
Written by Elizabeth Varnell
Photography by Sara Prince
Stella Peters in Heidi Merrick Mimizan swim bottom, $95, and Duchess sweater, $295, heidimerrick.com.
As the sun reaches its apex, daylight hours stretch, and shadows shrink, a spin through the newest additions to the Montecito Country Mart (1016 Coast Village Rd., Montecito) beckons. Slip into a light-as-air prairie-printed frock from sisters Margaret and Katherine Kleveland of DÔEN, who trace some of their sharpest and most influential memories to their youth in Santa Barbara. It seems particularly fitting that their voluminous blouses, pretty swimwear, printed shorts, gingham dresses, wispy skirts, and a host of organic cotton staples are now housed at their new brick-and-mortar shop at the mart. The collectively owned, women-run, online apparel label collaborated with L.A. design team Nickey Kehoe to create the shop, inspired equally by the area’s Spanish Revival architecture and midcentury design. Ojai artist Rebekah Miles added her hand-painted patterns—reminiscent of those adorning her ceramics—to the earthy shop walls. shopdoen.com.
Doên dresses are beloved for their romantic silhouettes and nostalgic patterns.
Cynthia Benjamin stocks a range of retro and designer glasses for women and men.
Fight the glare at CYNTHIA BENJAMIN eyewear boutique. After more than two decades working with specs, Benjamin and Cynthia Montoya have a sixth sense about frames and fit. Their new shop, co-owned and operated with Jordan Feldman, stocks a curated collection of luxury glasses from an array of independent lines as well as one-of-a-kind vintage, new old-stock frames from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s with sun or optical lenses. Richly colored Kirk & Kirk optical glasses are also on offer with embellished hinge pins. As the longest day of the year approaches, Cynthia notes, “Salt Optics is releasing a new collection of titanium Aviator sunglasses made in Japan, just in time for summer drives along the Pacific Coast.” cynthia-benjamin.com.
Handwoven linens at Heather Taylor Home.
Another new addition, HEATHER TAYLOR HOME, is stocked with all manner of cotton tablecloths, napkins, tea towels, coasters, and place mats in stripes, ginghams, and plaids ideal for coastal gatherings. Taylor, who vividly remembers childhood visits to Montecito, is also conceptualizing an exclusive pattern for the pop-up shop, which is filled with all the accoutrements—designed in Los Angeles and handcrafted by artisans in Chiapas, Mexico—for alfresco dinners in town and picnics near the water. heathertaylorhome.com.
Parker Thatch tennis bags and more at Montecito Mercantile.
Carrie Schei’s MONTECITO MERCANTILE general store is filled with the sort of finds she sources for sister shops Salt House Mercantile on Washington’s Bainbridge Island and in Sag Harbor, New York. Photographer Dewey Nicks’s summer snaps are on display, as are a variety of ceramic tablewear, linens, gifts, Parker Thatch bags, Peter Beaton hats, what Schei calls the “ultimate white shirt” from Sarah Alexandra, and key apothecary items from Bamford, plus cards, books, and magazines. montecitomercantile.com.
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Close to Home
When a restaurant space with a sprawling patio and room for a big kitchen came up for rent at Coast Village Plaza, Michael Sheldon jumped.
Head chef Jonny McDermott (center) created the all-day menu.
Written by S. Irene Virbila | Photography by Sara Prince
When a restaurant space with a sprawling patio and room for a big kitchen came up for rent at Coast Village
Plaza, Michael Sheldon jumped. The retired tech CEO had an itch to open a restaurant for the community—and did just that. LOCAL invites the Montecito set to dine, drink, and lounge (with live acoustic music at night) from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. An avid cook who’s eaten all over the world, Sheldon, with chef Jonny McDermott, has designed a menu of his favorite comfort foods and more sophisticated dishes from his travels.
The best seller—no surprise—is the double burger (a short-rib/brisket blend), which comes with French fries and a garlicky aioli. There’s also a lot to like about the Korean maple-glazed chicken wings, crudo from the raw bar, a shrimp po’ boy doused with Crystal hot sauce, shrimp Louie salad, and pan-seared salmon in red-curry coconut broth. The latest menu additions are a Snake River Farms Wagyu rip-cap and Alaskan halibut with caviar beurre blanc. And there’s more to come, promises Sheldon. Pastry chef Peche (who goes by just one name) turns out a mean panna cotta and chocolate peanut butter pie. Almost everything on the menu is gluten free, including batter for the Nashville fish and chips. You can even get a gluten-free burger bun if you ask.
Live music—perhaps a pianist, guitarist, or jazz trio—often starts around 7 p.m. in the bar, next to the grand piano. Cue in a late-night menu that includes that double burger. 1187 Coast Village Rd., Stes. 8 and 9, Montecito, 805-770-2269. localmontecito.com. S.I.V.
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Catch of the Day
When BAR LE CÔTE opened in Los Olivos in September 2021, it marked the second Santa Ynez Valley establishment led by Michelin-starred restaurateurs Greg Ryan and chef Daisy Ryan–
Executive chef Brad Mathews and general manager Gracie Gates
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks | Photography by Jessica Sample
When BAR LE CÔTE opened in Los Olivos in September 2021, it marked the second Santa Ynez Valley establishment led by Michelin-starred restaurateurs Greg Ryan and chef Daisy Ryan—the award-winning duo behind Bell’s in Los Alamos—this time with culinary partner and chef Brad Mathews. The impeccably designed seafood tavern, part of the much-lauded Companion Hospitality restaurant group, features a modern menu reminiscent of European coastal cuisine and an on-point international and local wine list. In addition to serving dinner Wednesday through Sunday, the restaurant now offers lunch with casual fan favorites like arroz verde (vegetarian paella), fried-oyster po’ boys, skate-wing sandwiches, peel-and-eat shrimp, and BLC spiced fries. There’s happy hour, too, with half-priced bottles of sparkling wine to pair with oysters or caviar. 2375 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos, barlecote.com
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Tasting Twice
Winemaker Rob DaFoe’s passion for wine originally took hold more than 25 years ago, when the Santa Barbara County native toured France as a pro snowboarder.
Rob Dafoe stands behind the bar at his eponymous tasting room.
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks | Photographs by Jessica Sample
Winemaker Rob DaFoe’s passion for wine originally took hold more than 25 years ago, when the Santa Barbara County native toured France as a pro snowboarder. Now after more than a dozen vintages, eponymous DAFOE WINES occupies one of the newest tasting studios in Los Olivos, an intimate space lined with mementos of DaFoe’s well-lived life. Here guests can savor the label’s minimal-intervention, classically made wines, which include Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, concrete-aged Grenache, skin-fermented Grenache Blanc, Albariño, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Tastings also showcase DaFoe’s second label, ATTIC SALT WINE CO., under which he produces dynamic varietal blends. Photos and boards—of the surf and skate kind—adorn the tasting room’s interior, while an airy deck in front allows for outdoor tastings. 2901 Grand Ave., Ste. C, Los Olivos, 805-429-0070, dafoewines.com
I Walk the Wine
An active wine-tasting experience awaits those who embark on the new hiking tours at renowned ALMA ROSA WINERY. The appointment-only hikes traverse the historic El Jabali estate, a 628-acre property in the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. The two tours—Caracol Hike ($75 per person) and Attente Hike ($95 per person)—vary in duration and intensity and showcase different sides of the estate, rewarding adventurers with spectacular mountain and valley views plus glasses of wine, followed by a private wine tasting and cheese plate at Alma Rosa’s ranch house. Alma Rosa will offer a similar hiking excursion on July 23, during its third annual Peace of Mind: 10,000 Steps in the Right Direction fund-raising walk to benefit both One Mind and the Mental Wellness Center in Santa Barbara. almarosawinery.com.
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Home Sweet Homestead
The queen of California cool is at it again.
Inside the designer's Santa Ynez ranch house
Written by Anush J. Benliyan | Photographs by Angi Welsh
Jenni Kayne
The queen of California cool is at it again. With an ever-expanding portfolio of U.S. boutiques, a recently published second book, and a distinct voice in the fashion, beauty, entertaining, and home décor realms, Jenni Kayne shows no sign of slowing down. The lifestyle maven’s eponymous brand and its unmistakable relaxed-meets-refined aesthetic were on full display—quite literally—when she unveiled the Jenni Kayne Lake House in Lake Arrowhead in 2019 (which she since successfully sold). Now, the designer has debuted her second experiential showcase property—an idyllic retreat nestled on a hillside in Santa Ynez. Renovated and decorated to a T, the serene 20-acre Jenni Kayne Ranch will be a hub for branded and invitational events. Plus, fans can enter a forthcoming social media giveaway that will allow members of the community to stay at the abode and fully immerse themselves in the Jenni Kayne world. Pieces from the interiors collection mingle with one another in the space, while outside, horses, baby goats, and donkeys roam the landscape. “I grew up in Santa Ynez, so when picturing an escape from L.A. for my family and friends, the location felt like the perfect place to bring the growing Jenni Kayne Home brand to life,” says Kayne. The launch is just one of Kayne’s latest endeavors in the region. In August, she will open the doors to a home store in Montecito, and come fall, JK’s Oak Essentials skin-care line will take center stage at The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern spa in Los Olivos. jennikayne.com.
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Vine Tuned
Summer 2022 brings the ultimate wine experience back to Santa Barbara County
Summer 2022 brings the ultimate wine experience back to Santa Barbara County
Written by Gabe Saglie | Santa Barbara Wine Country map, courtesy of Jamie Slone Wines
After a two-year pandemic pause, the world is paying attention again to the fact that world-class wines are being crafted here. The big picture remains the same: This is an industry that is both welcoming and cooperative, and for the budding oenophile the tasting experience is extraordinary and approachable at the same time. The offerings and experiences, however, have gotten a makeover—they’re more curated, more personal, and more focused on quality that easily rivals the rest of the world.
The east-west orientation of the Santa Ynez Mountains—creating a natural corridor and a unique set of conditions in which a wide range of wine grapes thrive—sets the stage for seven AVAs, or unique growing regions: Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District, Happy Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria Valley, and the newest of all, Alisos Canyon. Spread across them are 70-plus grape varieties, more than 14,000 acres of grapes, and more than 250 wineries. The industry generates upward of 9,000 full-time jobs.
The pioneers who launched Santa Barbara’s wine industry some 40 years ago are, for the most part, still here, creating and collaborating with the next generation of winemakers who have brought along new practices, fresh investment, and notable innovations to the visitor experience. Today’s wine consumer is savvier and more curious than ever, and thanks to a special blend of charm and glam—and with deference to both past and future—no wine region delivers like Santa Barbara.
We celebrate this exceptional terroir and unique viniculture in our highly anticipated annual Winery Guide, available online at sbmag.wine.
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Table Talk
A new generation of restaurateurs are discovering Ojai’s network of farmers, fishermen, and ranchers
A new generation of restaurateurs are discovering Ojai’s network of farmers, fishermen, and ranchers
Written by S. Irene Virbila | Photography by Jessica Sample
At DUTCHESS, part of Santa Monica’s Rustic Canyon restaurant group, pastry chef/partner Kelsey Brito takes full advantage of Ojai’s Sunday farmers market. She turns out classic French breakfast pastries, from pain au chocolat to almond croissants filled with fragrant almonds from Fat Uncle Farms. Heading into berry and stone-fruit season, she’ll be baking lemon-blueberry scones and gluten-free and vegan apricot muffins. “I want the pastry case to show off the full bounty of what’s growing locally,” says Brito. Come dinner, chef Saw Naing steps in with an appealing California-Burmese menu. 457 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai; 805-640-7987, thedutchessojai.com.
For lunch, head to PINYON OJAI, the joint project of chef Jeremy Alben, baker Tony Montagnaro, and natural wine buff Sally Slade. Don’t let the casual ambience fool you; the food is seriously good, all made from scratch. Alben breaks down a whole lamb every week, braising the shoulder and neck for barbacoa hoagies, turning the leg into meatballs, and curing the belly pancetta style. Baker Tony Mont is a firm believer in long, slow fermentation focusing on regional whole grains, which gives Pinyon’s buns, rye sourdough bagels, and wood-fired pizza crust their flavor. A bottle shop tucked into a nook is devoted to both domestic and imported natural wines. Says Mont, “We’re using old world techniques in a new way to produce something different and delicious.” 423 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, pinyonojai.com.
For dinner there’s RORY’S PLACE from sisters Rory and Meave McAuliffe. Chef Meave has a resume that includes Gjelina in Venice, while Rory, a former film producer, manages and runs front of house. The pair’s indoor-outdoor space features custom woodwork (bar facade, banquettes) made of redwood and fallen Ojai oak, ceramic sconces handcrafted by Meave, and a live-fire hearth. The standout raw bar highlights locally harvested shellfish in a sumptuous fruits de mer seafood tower that includes rock crab, uni, and rock shrimp. Meave tops a grilled tartine with lemony sunchokes, raw ahi tuna, aioli, and capers, and pairs a roasted half chicken with wood-fire escarole. For dessert, drill into the seasonal dark-chocolate gelato with candied kumquats or the goat-milk banana cream pie, maybe with a natural wine from the list curated by Roni Ginach. 139 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, rorysplaceojai.com.
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Bold Blues for 2022
Designer Christina Rottman isn't playing it safe with rich, tone-on-tone interiors
Designer Christina Rottman isn't playing it safe with rich, tone-on-tone interiors
“This room reflects our client’s deep love of nature, surf, and creative inspiration.”
TOP: Details include vintage leather campaign chairs from the Paris Marché Paul Bert Serpette and Robert Crowder wallpaper. Below: Painted in Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue, the library is filled with heirlooms and objets d’art, both found and collected. Pieces include a custom sectional by Christina Rottman Designs in a Holland & Sherry navy velvet, vintage desk lamps from Lucca Antiques, a Harbinger coffee table, an Hélène Aumont chandelier, and a Mansour hide rug. "The deepest of blue greens was our go-to color in transforming this space," says Christina Rottman.
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Home Run
Lining a wall of Heidi Merrick’s Summerland showroom is a deftly curated collection of coffee-table books, candles, and other home goods with a minimalist bent, ideal for expanding a design library or updating a bar cart.
Heidi Merrick’s Summerland showroom
Written by Elizabeth Varnell | Photography by Sara Prince
Lining a wall of Heidi Merrick’s Summerland showroom is a deftly curated collection of coffee-table books, candles, and other home goods with a minimalist bent, ideal for expanding a design library or updating a bar cart. The ready-to-wear designer decamped with her family to a plot of land between Ojai and Carpinteria during the pandemic, and she’s been exploring off-the-grid notions of housekeeping as well as more polished aspects of domesticity. Merrick’s eponymous shop stocks handblown glasses and decanters in subtle mint, peach, and onyx tones or smoky gray hues alongside asymmetrically playful Tina Frey resin bowls. Karen Mordechai’s Sunday Suppers (Clarkson Potter, $35), a recipe book with tips on offbeat entertaining, joins A Tale of Interiors (Rizzoli New York, $60), with its glimpses inside the lush yet livable houses dreamed up by Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward—of the L.A.- and Nashville-based firm Pierce & Ward—for Dakota Johnson, Lily Aldridge, and Karen Elson. By appointment only. 2272 Lillie Ave., Summerland. heidimerrick.com.
Merrick’s Summerland candle, $58.
A set of six handblown coupe glasses, $195.
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Poetry in Motion
If you have had the pleasure of stumbling upon the serene, lyrical work of Maria Trimbell—
Written by Anush J. Benliyan | Photography by Steve Ouimet
If you have had the pleasure of stumbling upon the serene, lyrical work of Maria Trimbell—be it in the pages of Santa Barbara Living (Rizzoli New York), in a café in Spain, or inside a perfectly appointed Michael Smith-designed home—there is no doubt that you have been entranced by the Ventura-born artist’s hand-painted atmospheric murals.
“I discovered decorative painting serendipitously after searching for a good fit for my artistic skills, my obsession with European art and architecture, and my desire to do something with my hands out in the world rather than sitting at a desk or easel all day,” says Trimbell, who recently moved to Los Osos with her husband, art reproduction expert Steve Ouimet.
Calling upon such age-old influences as Italian frescoes, Japanese screens, chinoiserie, verdure tapestries, and bygone French artists like Monet, Matisse, and landscape painting pioneer Claude Lorrain, Trimbell—with the help of Ouimet—begins each custom scenic mural as a loose sketch directly on site or on a wall-sized canvas. She then builds upon her chalk or watery paint base using high-quality lime paints like Color Atelier, golden acrylics, and chalky paints like Farrow & Ball, adding depth and intricate details for a “misty, layered effect,” she explains. (For works on plaster, they mix their own paints.) The resulting frescoes—which take anywhere from two weeks to two months to complete—depict romantic scenes of nature that immerse the viewer into Trimbell’s poetic world.
In addition to painted-to-order murals, Trimbell and Ouimet are now offering a new accessible line of custom-printed wallpaper murals that are hand-painted, photographed, then printed on large-format archival canvas to be installed by a paperhanger. “Our clients are creative and sophisticated,” Trimbell says, “and, above all, they appreciate living with art and beauty.” mariatrimbell.com.
Top to bottom: Artist Maria Trimbell paints grisaille trees for her Lorrain mural inspired by the work of Claude Lorrain; a sitting room features a fantasy trompe l’oeil balustrade, trees, and landscape; a detail of Trimbell's Livia mural at her studio.
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Feast Your Eyes
A plethora of not-to-miss museum and gallery reopenings and shows
A plethora of not-to-miss museum and gallery reopenings and shows
Written by L.D. Porter
If you’re wandering downtown, be sure to stop by Sullivan Goss: An American Gallery (sullivangoss.com) to experience Organic, a dynamic group show by local artists whose work combines traditional craftmanship with natural materials. At Colette Cosentino Atelier + Gallery (colettecosentino.com) you can soak up the talents of its namesake owner, a decorative painter whose bespoke murals are coveted. Nearby, at the top of Paseo Nuevo mall, the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (mcasantabarbara.org) is ground zero for what’s happening now in the art world. Artist Shana Moulton’s The Invisible Seventh is the Mystic Column multimedia exhibition is on view until August. Closer to the beach, REH GraySpace Art (grayspaceart.com) in the Funk Zone celebrates summer with Accession, a group show of women abstractionists curated by MOAH Lancaster’s Andi Campognone. The Atkinson Gallery at Santa Barbara City College (gallery.sbcc.edu) is known for its innovative exhibitions. Although the space is shuttered during the summer, artist Muna Malik’s spectacular mirrored boat sculpture remains visible to campus-goers from the gallery’s outside terrace. Home to one of the most important architecture and design archives in North America, UC Santa Barbara’s Art, Design & Architecture Museum (museum.ucsb.edu) is a resource for students and the wider Santa Barbara community.
Summer exhibitions are viewable online; in-person programming will resume this fall. Starting in July, Westmont College’s Ridley-Tree Museum of Art (westmont.edu/museum) will be highlighting Towards a 21st Century Abstraction, the work of eight painters who push abstraction into new territory. Coast Village Road is paradise for art lovers. Visit Caldwell Snyder Gallery (caldwellsnyder.com), for artist Kenton Nelson’s show, A Day at the Beach. At Cassandria Blackmore Gallery (cassandriablackmore.com) you can meet the artist in person and enjoy her luminous shattered-glass paintings (known as verre églomisé) in a pristine white setting. A few steps farther, at Heather James Fine Art (heatherjames.com), a tempting blue-chip selection of artworks awaits. Feast your eyes on works by Monet, van Gogh, Calder, Frankenthaler, Warhol, and many more. While perusing Peregrine Galleries (peregrine.shop) and its offerings of vintage California plein-air paintings, you’ll be tempted to try on some fabulous vintage Chanel, Bakelite, Native American, early Taxco, and Georg Jensen jewelry. Montecito’s Upper Village is home to Stewart Fine Art (diane-stewart.squarespace.com), an inviting gallery full of summer offerings includes landscapes by early California artists who worked in Europe, alongside rare works by acclaimed artist Roger Kuntz (1926-1975) from his Goodyear blimp series, circa 1970. The Ojai Valley is a haven for art, and a great place to experience it is at Porch Gallery (porchgalleryojai.com), a converted historic home in downtown Ojai. A joint show, Molly Larkey and Brian Wills: Selected Works, pairs colorful work by two Los Angeles-based artists. Starting July 22 works on paper by artist John Millei will take center stage. Don’t miss canvas and paper (canvasandpaper.org), a serene nonprofit exhibition space where paintings from the early 20th century by French cubist Jean Metzinger are on view through July, followed by a group show of paintings by Milton Avery, Jean Lurçat, and Ángel Zárraga. Always on the cutting edge, Ojai’s Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation (carolynglasoebaileyfoundation.org) celebrates California-based Zapotec textile artist Porfirio Gutiérrez with a solo exhibition, Continuous Line, Linea Continua. Rare etchings by Dutch Master Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669) are on view this summer at the Elverhøj Museum (elverhoj.org) in Solvang, part of Legacy of Decency: Rembrandt, Jews & Danes, an exhibition combining the painter’s work with displays about the Danish resistance during World War II. Solvang’s Wilding Museum (wildingmuseum.org) is a dynamic arts destination whose summer exhibitions include Bio/Mass: Contemporary Meditations on Nature, featuring artists who create work in series.
Photographs by Sara Prince, Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation, Liz Fish; Cassandria Blackmore, Sam Frost
Unveiling the Muse
Our community’s grande dame, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, is home to 27,000 artworks
Written by L.D. Porter
Our community’s grande dame, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, is home to 27,000 artworks, including classical antiquities, masterpieces of French impressionism, Latin American art, Asian art, and photography. A five-year renovation project—designed by Kupiec Architects PC and constructed by Diani Building Corp.—has transformed the original 1912 structure and its majestic Ludington Court (named for founding member and generous donor Wright S. Ludington) with newly refurbished gallery spaces and unseen, but important, improvements to preserve the museum’s impressive collection for future generations of art lovers. 1130 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-963-4364, . sbma.net.
SBMA rendering, Kupiec Architects PC.
Cardio, Coffee + Cocktails
Did we get your attention? If you’re like us, that would be a fitness fantasy (okay, during the last year it was mostly the latter), but for Nora Tobin—personal trainer, wellness spokesperson, and now luxury-rejuvenation-retreat headliner—this is a mantra for healthy longevity.
Nora Tobin’s Rejuvenation Retreats are hosted at five-star hotels, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and private estates
Nora’s Naturals coffee is grown in the Finca Isabel mountain range and roasted in Montecito
Did we get your attention? If you’re like us, that would be a fitness fantasy (okay, during the last year it was mostly the latter), but for Nora Tobin—personal trainer, wellness spokesperson, and now luxury-rejuvenation-retreat headliner—this is a mantra for healthy longevity. Tobin, who can be found weekly on her IG live workouts (@noratobin) including yoga and meditation, has paired with The Ritz-Carlton for tony three- to five-day escape packages (from $1,800) that include an a.m. start with her namesake natural antioxidant-rich coffee and partnerships with Casa Dragones tequila for happy-hour stress-relief workshops. Client Kathy Freston, vegan advocate and New York Times best selling author, affirms Tobin’s unique appeal: “What I like most about her programs and overall style is that she’s not a drill sergeant. She gives you that big push cloaked in kindness.” noratobin.com. G.T.
Photographs: Beach, Kristen Jordan; Coffee, Kennedy Williams.
Ride bikes to Sweet Wheel Farms, 805-770-3677, sweetwheelfarms.com, in Summerland for farmer’s veggies, fresh salsa, and their unreal scones and zucchini muffins to take to Padaro Beach.
Grab picnic items from Pierre Lafond, 805-565-1504, montecitoshopping.com, for a stand-up paddle session at Butterfly Beach.
Sprint workout at East Beach then treat ourselves to ricotta pancakes at Jeannine’s Montecito, 805-969-0088, jeannines.com.
Tennis lessons with Jeff Thompson at Knowlwood Tennis Club, 805-969-0815, knowlwood.club.
Don’t Miss
Installation artist Bruce Munro has added to his fiber-optic Field of Light in Paso Robles
Installation artist Bruce Munro has added to his fiber-optic Field of Light in Paso Robles. Nestled into a hillside at the edge of the 15-acre site are 69 Light Towers, each made of 252 wine bottles (in homage to local vineyards), with filaments that turn the luminescent forms into colorfully mutable jewels. 4380 Highway 46 East, Paso Robles, 805-226-4287, sensoriopaso.com. J.T.
AM to PM
As terrace hopping becomes Santa Barbara’s new favorite ritual, a noteworthy collection of cafés and cocktail bars are helping make transitioning from day to night a pleasure
As terrace hopping becomes Santa Barbara’s new favorite ritual, a noteworthy collection of cafés and cocktail bars are helping make transitioning from day to night a pleasure
Written by Ninette Paloma | Photographs by Blake Bronstad
In the eastside enclave known as the Haley Corridor, refreshing morning brews are dispensed from a keg at Low Pigeon (lowpigeon.com); their signature Dirty Bird Espresso blend makes for a smooth entry into the day. When the sun sets, the rustic and candlelit interior of The Mill comes to life, and in an unmarked corner of this hip warehouse space, Lab Social speakeasy (lab-social.business.site) beckons the adventurous. Let award-winning mixologist Sean Sepulveda shake up your evening with a Spanish Mule, made with 10-year-old brandy, a sangria-reduction syrup perfumed with citrus and apples, and a splash of ginger beer and chocolate bitters.
For Southern France vibes, head to the Funk Zone and order up a June Bug from Dart Coffee Co. (dartcoffeeco.com) before settling into their tranquil, garden terrace. The latte layered with Peruvian espresso, creamy oat milk, and a swirl of fragrant lavender syrup is the perfect accompaniment to a morning among the butterflies. Come nighttime, follow the pulsating sounds of mambo to Test Pilot (testpilotcocktails.com), where Cuban and Jamaican rums fortify cocktails using fresh fruit and house-made syrups. Try the Thai Iced Tiki with coconut, passion-fruit pearls, and a kick of Caribbean allspice.
In the Historic Theatre District nothing whispers oasis quite like the new outpost of Cajé Coffee Roasters (caje.coffee), where wicker loungers and a gurgling fountain lull the downtown crowd into Santa Barbara serenity. Order the Bella Rose—a matcha latte dream swirling with pomegranate-juice ice cubes, strawberry elderflower syrup, and a sprinkle of beet powder and rose petals—and watch the sun’s rays dance around the courtyard’s archways. When cocktail hour strikes, float down to La Paloma Cafe (lapalomasb.com), an iconic gathering place for Old Spanish Days revelers in the 1940s. Once led by three generations of women (and later the locals’ favorite Paradise Café), La Paloma has a new proprietor in Sherry Villanueva, who celebrates the history of this corner spot with innovative twists on regional classics. Sink into a chair on the cobblestoned terrace and order their namesake La Paloma—a refreshing grapefruit, tequila, and champagne dazzler served up by the pitcher until the moon rises over the Santa Ynez mountains.
Sun Shine
Shades of yellow make for brighter days ahead
Shades of yellow make for brighter days ahead
Model Stella Peters, photographed by Stuart Wieten at Santa Claus Beach, wears the Brigitte bikini by Solid & Striped. Surfboard by Davenport Surfboards.
1. Wink Face Bucket canvas tote, $168, Kule. 2. Business & Pleasure striped cotton beach towel, $69, Upstairs at Pierre Lafond. 3. Gradient square sunglasses, $405, Fendi. 4. 14-karat yellow gold and diamond happy face eternity bracelet, $10,000, Sydney Evan. 5. Lightweight canvas nylon jacket, $1,800, Gucci. 6. Natalie Martin silk maxi dress, $348, Wendy Foster. 7. Le bob Artichaut large brim bucket hat, $130. Jacquemus. 8. Sienna leather sandal, $430, Birkenstock. 9. Breitling Endurance Pro watch, $3,150, Bryant & Sons.
Photography by Stella Peters, Stuart Wieten
Ciao, Bella
It’s officially last call for all local So de Mel swimwear fans as our own Girl from Ipanema is trading our sunny beaches for chic Italian ones.
So De Mel’s tropical retreat on Coast Village Road.
It’s officially last call for all local So de Mel swimwear fans as our own Girl from Ipanema is trading our sunny beaches for chic Italian ones. After 30 years in Santa Barbara, Brazilian designer Sonia de Mello will be moving across the pond to continue her design career from the Italian Riviera. Her tropical showroom in Montecito will close end of July, but you can still find her sublime suits at Upstairs Pierre Lafond and Bonita Summerland. sodemel.com.
Photography - Blue Gabor,
Model - Charlotte Hodges
New Pastorals
Dior celebrates summer in Santa Barbara with its Dioriviera takeover at the Rosewood Miramar Beach
Dior celebrates summer in Santa Barbara with its Dioriviera takeover at the Rosewood Miramar Beach
Actor/dancer Melissa Barrera wears a Dior Dioriviera swimsuit, $880, and hat, price upon request. Dioriviera umbrella, price upon request.
Dioriviera deck chair, $1,200.
Summer essentials such as skateboards, visors, parasols, and fans—all covered in scenic Toile de Jouy motifs—highlight the Dioriviera takeover of two bungalows at the Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel in Montecito. The pop-up boutique, open through September 6, houses Maria Grazia Chiuri’s summer capsule of raspberry, black, or chartreuse women’s ready-to-wear; accessories; and D-Connect sneakers, espadrilles, and mules for the French fashion house. Dior’s elegant patterns, woven throughout the collection, elevate everyday objects and resort mainstays, even beach chairs, into instant heirlooms. There are also book totes and Lady D-Lite and Caro bags. The bold colors, an early nod to the house’s fall palette, enliven beach games and hammocks, plus a limited-edition customizable Vespa 946. 1759 S. Jameson Lane, Montecito, 805-900-8388, DIOR.COM.
Written by Elizabeth Varnell
Dior: Photography by Emman Montalvan. Fashion Direction by Samantha Traina. Location: Bellosguardo Foundation, Santa Barbara. Hair by Clayton Hawkins at A-Frame Agency. Makeup by Lilly Keys at A-Frame Agency.
Family Fun
Los Olivos Lemons, the charming lemonade cart from God’s Country Provisions.
A curious ostrich at OstrichLand USA in Buellton
Must-try activities in and around town for kids of all ages
Santa Ynez’s Folded Hills Farmstead invites guests to feed their friendly animals (from goats and piglets to llamas) and grab some organic produce to take home. 2323 Old Coast Hwy, Gaviota, 805-694-8086, FOLDEDHILLS.COM.
OstrichLand USA is home to more than 100 ostriches and emus that roam the Solvang ranch. 610 E Hwy 246, Solvang, 805-686-9696, OSTRICHLANDUSA.COM.
For little equestrians, SB Party Ponies offers group and private horsemanship lessons at Modoc Riding Ring, as well as pony or miniature horse visits for parties. 805-335-0538, SBPARTYPONIES.COM.
Of course, there’s always the Santa Barbara Zoo—unique in its proximity to the ocean—with more than 500 animals housed across 30 acres. 500 Ninos Dr., Santa Barbara, 805-962-5339, SBZOO.ORG.
All net proceeds from The Elephant Project plushies benefit nonprofits that aid and protect the animal. THEELEPHANTPROJECT.COM.
Adventurers can rent an electric Moke car from Santa Barbara’s Wheel Fun Rentals or Solvang’s Moke Experience. 805-650-7770, WHEELFUNRENTALS.COM; 1510 Mission Dr., Solvang, 866-523-6653, MOKEXP.COM.
At Lighthouse Skate Shop, stock up on gear before hitting the half-pipe at Skater’s Point nearby. 16B Helena Ave., 805-770-3042, Santa Barbara, LIGHTHOUSESB.COM.
Head to A-Frame or Surf Happens in Carpinteria for private surf lessons or kids’ summer surf camp. 3785 Santa Claus Lane, Carpinteria, 805-684-8803, AFRAMESURF.COM; 3825 Santa Claus Lane, Carpinteria, 805-966-3613, SURFHAPPENS.COM.
Don’t miss the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum’s summer exhibit of surfboards, paintings, and historic photos. 113 Harbor Way, Ste. 190, Santa Barbara, 805-962-8404, SBMM.ORG.
Lil’ Toot provides narrated boat rides between the S.B. Harbor and Stearns Wharf, as well as private birthday parties. 237 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, 805-465-6676, CELEBRATIONSANTABARBARA.COM.
Hit up the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and its Sea Center for a close-up look at the wonders of the ocean. 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, 805-682-4711; 211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, 805-962-2526, SBNATURE.ORG.
Endless interactive exploration awaits at the MOXI science museum. 125 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-770-5000, MOXI.ORG.
When hunger strikes, hit up the Scoop Shop at Rosewood Miramar Beach for burgers and gelato. 1759 S. Jameson Ln., Montecito, 805-900-8388, ROSEWOODHOTELS.COM.
God’s Country Provisions’ donuts and small-batch lemonade from their Los Olivos Lemons stand always hit the spot. 252 E. Highway 246, Ste. C Buellton, 805-691-9222; 2902 San Marcos Ave. D, 805-691-9222, Los Olivos, GODSCOUNTRYPROVISIONS.COM.
And be sure to stop by the new Coco-Belle Cabana at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn to shop stylish summertime ensembles for the kids. 2860 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-688-7788, @COCOBELLELOSOLIVOS.
Written by Anush J. Benliyan
Photographs by OstrichLand, Elephant Project, Folded Hills, and Moke cars, Sara Prince. SB Zoo, Sheri Horiszny. SB Party Ponies, Los Olivos Lemons, Lighthouse, and Coco-Belle, Sara Prince.
Full Plate
Ones to watch in Santa Ynez Valley’s booming dining scene
A fresh seafood spread at Bar Le Côte.
Ones to watch in Santa Ynez Valley’s booming dining scene
Food & Wine’s “Best New Chef” Daisy Ryan pairs with culinary partner chef Brad Mathews, at Bar Le Côte, the newest venture from the much-lauded Companion Hospitality restaurant group. Opening early summer in Los Olivos, the stylish seafood tavern founded by the award-winning team behind Bell’s in Los Alamos serves up dishes reminiscent of Europe’s coastal cuisine. 2375 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos, BARLECOTE.COM.
Bone-in tomahawks and lobster-whipped potatoes shine at Solvang’s Sear Steakhouse, where the restaurant’s proprietary farm-sourced ingredients include components for Alberto Battaglini’s delicious cocktails. 478 4th Place, Solvang, 805-245-9564, SEARSTEAKHOUSE.COM.
On weekends the one-year-old peasants FEAST has been featuring limited-edition cake creations from the Central Coast’s Golden Opal Baking: stunning, multilayered confections crafted with local produce, often adorned with locally sourced, edible flowers. 487 Atterdag Rd., Solvang, 805-686-4555, PEASANTSFEAST.COM.
Alessio Carnevale—of S.Y. Kitchen and Nella Kitchen & Bar front-of-house fame—opens his first brick-and-mortar Italian gelato shop, Via Gelateria, in Solvang this summer. @VALLEYCRAFTGELATO.
Celebrated chefs Anthony Carron, Lincoln Carson, and Steven Fretz partnered with Hillary Calhoun and wine-world rock star Rajat Parr on Solvang’s Coast Range & Vaquero Bar, now offering elevated all-day dining and bar menus, sophisticated evening steakhouse fare, and classic drinks from general manager and mixologist Joseph Sabato. 1635 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-691-9134, COASTRANGE.RESTAURANT.
Refresh with summery sips at Solvang’s V Lounge, which overlooks the Vinland Hotel’s outdoor pool. The bar’s seasonally appropriate craft cocktails include the likes of a “Sunshine Valley,” “Lemonade Stand,” and “Blackberry Smash.” 1455 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-688-2018, VINLANDHOTELANDLOUNGE.COM.
In Santa Ynez the S.Y. Kitchen has been enhanced for the season with an outdoor courtyard, while its Los Olivos sibling, Nella Kitchen & Bar shakes things up with famed Los Angeles barman—and now resident—Chris Hewes. 1110 Faraday St., Santa Ynez, 805-691-9794, SYKITCHEN.COM; 2860 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-686-1359, NELLAKITCHEN.COM.
New Buellton brasserie The Tavern at Zaca Creek welcomes James Beard House alum chef Cullen Campbell; his decadent dinner and brunch menus include crudo and caviar, buttered rock crab, Wagyu burgers, and grilled bone marrow, as well as house-made Wagyu pastrami. 1297 Jonata Park Rd., Buellton, 805-688-2412, ZACA-CREEK.COM.
The Santa Ynez Sausage Company at Buellton’s Sideways Inn offers alfresco dining on house-made sausage sandwiches such as “The Dogfather” (sweet Italian pork sausage) or the mushroom-and-lentil “Southwestern Veggie.” Sides include homemade pickles, plus hand-cut Belgian fries with dipping-sauce options like truffle parmesan aioli or scallion pesto. 114 E. Highway 246, Buellton, 805.688.8448, HIGHWAYWESTVACATIONS.COM.
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks
Photographs by Nella, Sara Prince; Coast Range/Vaquero Bar, Jeremy Ball, Bottle Branding; Bar le Côte, Sara Prince; Zaca Creek, Michelle Ramirez Photography.