Casino Royale
The Coral is back—and it’s brighter and better than ever.
The Coral is back—and it’s brighter and better than ever
Photographer Gray Malin takes his poolside POV above deck.
Written by Jennifer Blaise Kramer
Photographs by Gray Malin, David Mendoza III
CORAL CASINO in Montecito is back after a four-year hiatus. During its pandemic-induced closure, owner Ty Warner put considerable thought and $108 million into renovations. Designed in 1937 by Gardner Dailey of San Francisco, the Moderne–Art Deco private club was a magnet for Hollywood stars, filmmakers, musicians, and authors. For decades, members lounged on its sandy “beach” or jumped from the high dive (both gone), and the scenic social hot spot hosted murder-mystery parties, fashion shows, and, of course, photo shoots.
“The historic Olympic Pool within the surf setting is a defining element of the club.”
The property has long been a favorite for photographers like Hal Boucher, who captured numerous celebrities there. He passed in 2020, and lifestyle photographer Gray Malin arguably stepped in as house photographer, first in 2017 when he shot synchronized swimmers and vintage balloons, and again this spring with a new breed of models: dogs, flamingos, and giraffes.
“It felt surreal to reenter such a special place after so many seasons have passed,” Malin says. “Few places in the world are as timeless as the Coral Casino. Whether it’s 1937 or 2024, a photograph in front of the clock tower—with Butterfly Beach in the background—is as ageless as ever.”
The photogenic striped awnings and iconic cabanas are still here (just crisper and costlier), and every corner of the club has been similarly upgraded. Architects Peter Marino and Barry Winick streamlined the landmark’s glamour.
“The historic Olympic Pool within the serene surf setting is a defining element of the club. We focused on elevating it with luxurious amenities, starting with the glass ocean-edge spa, the Coral Cafe, the enlarged Fins Surf Bar, and the whimsical improvements to the cabanas,” Winick says.
Pups plunge in the Olympic pool.
Upgrades include an oceanfront cold plunge; California’s largest glass spa, with seating for up to 25 and custom jets and lights; and the “Sandbox,” with 16 chaises sunk into sand imported from Malibu. Fitness stars Or Kahlon and Peter Park offer sculpting and training, respectively, and culinary legend Thomas Keller will soon be taking over the Tydes restaurant. For Warner, who has owned the property since 2000, it’s all in an effort to position the club to be the best. “What is unchangeable through modernizations is the club culture,” he says. “The casino is a time capsule of both social and architectural history, a place anyone would feel lucky to set foot in, and that will never change.” 1281 Channel Dr., Santa Barbara, coralcasinobeachclub.com
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An Afternoon of Garden Delights
Lotusland Acknowledges Three Decades of Horticultural Achievement.
Lotusland Acknowledges Three Decades of Horticultural Achievement
Written by Joan Tapper | Photography by Elizabeth Messina and Isaac Hernandez
It was truly a celebration of “Where the Wild Things Grow” on Saturday, July 22, when Ganna Walska Lotusland opened its grounds to patrons of its annual fundraising gala, sponsored by Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley, in memory of Marjorie Reeds McNeely, with co-chairs Joseph Marek, Ashley Adelson, Caroline Thompson, and Merryl Brown. This year the always glittering and sold-out event not only marked the 30th anniversary of public access to the world-renowned garden but also paid homage to the living collection of rare and endangered plant species on the property.
Guests began their afternoon with a stroll through the gardens, pausing along the way to strike a pose for photographer Kim Reierson, listen to the sounds of Tingsha in the Japanese Garden, marvel at Eros Biox of LA Stilt Circus, enjoy a tarot card reading by Mary Wessely, and choose seeds from the plant collection to take home.
There were botanical elixirs to sip, cocktails by The Flair Project, wine by Presqu’ile Winery, and hors d’oeuvres by Duo Catering, which also provided the gourmet al fresco dinner, with wine pairings by Antica Terra, on the Great Lawn.
After dinner, guest auctioneer Geoff Green, of the Foundation for City College—with special appearances by James Brayton Hall of the Garden Conservancy and August Bernstein of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel—led spirited bidding for six spectacular items, Among the prizes were a VIP Las Vegas Experience with Katy Perry, a one-of-a-kind jeweled pendant from Silverhorn, and an opportunity to design your own garden pergola or greenhouse with acclaimed architecture firm Shubin Donaldson.
Of course, there were other treasures growing all around, an ongoing botanical tribute to the vision and generosity of the garden’s founder, Ganna Walska herself.
Family Hours
When envisioning a sophisticated members-only club, teepee-filled playrooms and applesauce happy.
Written by Danielle Torres | Photographs by Blake Bronstad
When envisioning a sophisticated members-only club, teepee-filled playrooms and applesauce happy hours are probably not top of mind. But for Santa Barbara–based entrepreneur Erin Kanaley, the concept is one and the same. After countless less-than-relaxing outings with her young twin boys, Kanaley sought to create a space where parents can unwind and kids are free to play and explore. The result is bungalo805, Santa Barbara’s new private gathering space, which offers everything from a stylish café and bar to a media room, play pen, kitchen, and art lab. Rotating pop-in classes offer a broad range of activities, spanning family cooking workshops, music courses, fitness workouts, language lessons, storytelling, and much more. Chair massages and chiropractic adjustments are also on the menu. Kanaley sums up the concept best: “It is great for coworking, arts and crafts with your littles, a glass of wine and snack, pop-in classes, or chilling in the Boobie Lounge while cleaning your jewelry and snagging a foot massage.” Clearly, something for everyone. 28 W. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, bungalo805.com
Clockwise from top: The Play Pen keeps young ones happily corralled; nursing parents can enjoy stylish comfort in The Boobie Lounge; a glass of wine is the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon of play; The Media Room provides entertainment for all.
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Not Just Red
When it comes to flowers, the rose always takes first place. Having one named in your honor is an accolade reserved for the lucky few.
The view from Rose Story Farm.
Written by Lorie Dewhirst Porter
When it comes to flowers, the rose always takes first place. Having one named in your honor is an accolade reserved for the lucky few. (Julia Child’s rose is butter yellow and reportedly smells like licorice.) THE COLOR OF ROSES (Ten Speed Press, $35) celebrates the queen of flowers in glorious detail. Written by Danielle Dall’Armi Hahn, a Great Rosarian of the World, and chockablock with photos by Victoria Pearson, the new book is a delightful compendium of 300 varieties organized by color.
For more than 20 years, Hahn has helmed Rose Story Farm in Carpinteria. Her book focuses primarily on roses hybridized after 1867 and offers invaluable advice about planning a rose garden and choosing varieties. The lush photographs are left unretouched on purpose, enabling readers to see the blooms as they actually exist in nature. As Hahn says, “Perfection has no place in a garden.” Available at Chaucer’s Books.
Reprinted with permission from The Color of Roses by Danielle Dall’Armi Hahn, copyright © 2023. Photographs copyright © 2023 Victoria Pearson. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.
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Color Forms
When Lissa Zwahlen needed space where she could create, she found it in Montecito.
Written by Elizabeth Varnell | Photographs by Sara Prince
When Lissa Zwahlen needed space where she could create, she found it in Montecito. Now the always inventive AQUARIUS COCKTAIL designer has shaped her 300-square-foot workroom into a boutique, complete with garments in the bold hues that define her unique women’s collections.
Along the coral-colored wall behind her worktable are racks of her latest introductions, including voluminous striped tops with ribbons, taffeta skirts, and tunics, alongside essentials such as her washed-silk T-shirts, pants, and skirts. There are also reworked vintage pieces like polos with brocade puff sleeves and army pants with tuxedo stripes. A midcentury Heywood-Wakefield dresser, an aluminum coatrack, acid yellow shelves, and bamboo chairs round out the space where the designer—a force behind Roxy, with a long career creating for Quiksilver, Gotcha, and other California brands—spends her days dreaming up the small-run designs made in downtown Los Angeles. 1152-2 Coast Village Rd., Montecito; open Friday through Monday, appointments suggested: info@aquariuscocktail.com, aqcclothing.com
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Botanical Blends
Loria Stern is known for using pressed or powdered flowers in her pioneering recipes.
Stern in the kitchen.
Written by Elizabeth Varnell | Photographs by Laurie Frankel, Lindy Lin (Portrait)
Loria Stern is known for using pressed or powdered flowers in her pioneering recipes. Her new book, EAT YOUR FLOWERS (HarperCollins, $45), is filled with stunning visuals that bring nature’s colors into culinary presentations in bold new ways. Stern credits her Ojai childhood with sparking her awareness of plants and the living world. A college course on edible and medicinal plants—which included hikes through Montecito and Santa Barbara among edible wildflowers—was equally formative.
In her hands, freeze-dried raspberries change a cake’s hue without artificial coloring, and vegetables and leafy plants like spinach are vital components in beautiful food presentations. Stalks and roots—particularly turmeric, ginger, carrots, radishes, and beets—also make their way into Stern’s creations, adding color, flavor, and health benefits to dishes or plate pairings. “My go-to sweet colorant dust is raspberry or beet powder. For savory foods, I love using turmeric,” she says. Available at Chaucer's Books.
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The Garden Path
Allie Chandler and Alvaro Rojas didn’t have to think hard to come up with a name for their new venue.
The open-air venue includes an enclosed sitting area with a cabinet repurposed as a mobile bar and a cute pantry hung with dried flowers and stocked with local treats like Pacific Pickles and Twenty-Four Blackbirds chocolates.
Written by Joan Tapper | Photographs by Sara Prince
Allie Chandler and Alvaro Rojas didn’t have to think hard to come up with a name for their new venue. THE HIDDEN GARDEN is literally that—a rustic chic venue tucked behind the Vintage Fox antique shop on Chapala. It’s perfect for cocktail mixers, small birthday parties, corporate happy hours, or baby showers, as well as pop-up dining, says Chandler, who launched Slate catering six years ago, working with Rojas, the restaurateur behind Milk and Honey.
With wooden tables, bistro chairs, and a mobile bar, “this is a very customizable space,” says Chandler. “It’s something we had on our radar, but it had to be the right fit.” 609 Chapala St., Santa Barbara, sbhiddengarden.com
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City Stay
Located directly on State Street, this building from the 1920s has been transformed by Anacapa Architecture into the drift Santa Barbara, a serene modernist escape.
Housed in a historic 1920s building, the 45-room hotel is located right on the State Street promenade.
Written by Caitlin White | Photographs by Sara Prince
Located directly on State Street, this building from the 1920s has been transformed by Anacapa Architecture into the DRIFT Santa Barbara, a serene modernist escape. With interior details built out of wood reclaimed from the building’s original structure, cool natural-toned linens, gold fixtures, and customized toiletries, the minimalist bedrooms (most of which are queen-size rooms) in this 45-key hostelry are particularly good for solo travelers. A couple of rooms feature a slightly larger footprint with king beds, and the top-floor penthouse comes with a kitchen and a balcony seating area with a firepit, perfect for hosting an in-town soirée or booking a luxurious staycation.
With no formal front desk and a digital concierge, Drift’s hospitality style is understated and technology forward. The property comes with dual food and beverage offerings on the ground floor: Dawn, a daytime coffee shop with elaborate espresso and tea drinks; and Dusk, a mezcal bar with plenty of boozy options as well as coastal-influenced bites. 524 State St., Santa Barbara, 855-721-2658, drifthotels.co
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Making Waves
Matt Titone, founder of lifestyle brand Indoek, is giving surf aficionados another reason to head to Ventura.
Surf Shacks turns to shared studio space
Reef-encrusted fins from Mark Cunningham’s installation.
Written by Danielle Torres | Photographs by Ryder Alves (found poster, window), Scott Soens (adler, cunningham, fins, gallery view, olarte), Matt Titone (opening)
“Our space will serve as an art gallery, a shared studio, and a place to gather and host events.”
Matt Titone, founder of lifestyle brand Indoek, is giving surf aficionados another reason to head to Ventura. After years of publishing Surf Shacks books, zines, and beach-town guides, the platform is diving into its newest foray with its first physical space, INDOEK GALLERY. “Our new space will serve as an art gallery, a shared studio, and a place to gather, inspire, and host events with like-minded creative folks,” says Oxnard-based Titone, who also cofounded design studio ITAL/C.
Indoek kicked off in January with a group show that included 26 local artists; later it debuted Found, a collection of art using materials from the Southern California coast and the Hawaiian Islands. This June the gallery will display works from Santa Barbara photographer Will Adler and mixed-media artist Ty Williams. Between shows, Titone is “playing with the idea of a curated surfboard swap of vintage boards by local shapers, and an artist print sale.” 432 N. Ventura Ave., Studio 30, Ventura, indoek.com
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Set Sail
Touted as the largest luxury sailing catamaran on the West Coast, the CHANNEL CAT draws all manner of revelers for lavish sails out of Santa Barbara.
Written by Danielle Torres | Photographs by Tegall Studios, Blake Bronstad, Ali Beck Photography
Touted as the largest luxury sailing catamaran on the West Coast, the CHANNEL CAT draws all manner of revelers for lavish sails out of Santa Barbara. The pearly white 85-foot vessel, which accommodates as many as 140 guests, boasts equally stunning interiors, thanks to Daryl Stegall of Stegall Studios. Owners Jen and Skip Abed recently tapped the Santa Barbara–based designer to create a “coastal, yet sophisticated vibe,” says Stegall, inspired by the surroundings. Neutral-toned custom furnishings, seagrass tables by Jamie Young, wingback chairs from Palecek, Bernhardt rattan swivel chairs, and rope furniture from Azzurro Living outfit the spacious seating areas. Brass detailing adds a touch of sophistication to textured and natural elements. “From the bow to the salon to the stern, all the design elements are seamless, giving us the flexibility to arrange the areas as is best suited for our guests,” says Jen Abed. channelcatcharters.com
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Basque in It
Tara Penke and her husband, Jaime Riesco, spent more than 20 years living in Barcelona—and still own a restaurant, Picnic, there—so it’s no surprise that their unassuming new Santa Barbara spot, GALA, is heavily influenced by coastal Spain.
Coastal Spain influences a hot new eatery
Arched shelving, banquettes, and vintage photos of 1950s Santa Barbara from the owner’s grandfather round out the decor at Gala, a charming new spot on Anacapa Street.
Written by Caitlin White | Photographs by Sara Prince
Tara Penke and her husband, Jaime Riesco, spent more than 20 years living in Barcelona—and still own a restaurant, Picnic, there—so it’s no surprise that their unassuming new Santa Barbara spot, GALA, is heavily influenced by coastal Spain. Jaime helms the kitchen and Tara handles the front of house at this mom-and-pop restaurant. For Penke, born and raised in Santa Barbara, it’s a return home, whereas Riesco was born in Santiago, Chile, and bears traces of that country’s heritage in his one-man kitchen.
A recent menu offers Spanish pintxos, like mixed olives, gildas (green peppers and olives wrapped in an anchovy and threaded on a toothpick), raw oysters, and shrimp croquettes, along with flatbread and grilled vegetables. Fried zucchini blossoms and burrata round out the plentiful starters, and larger dishes venture into more luxe offerings like duck confit, steak with bone marrow, mushroom risotto, and a smash burger. Additional sides such as watermelon and heirloom-tomato salad, leafy greens with herbs, or french fries are available, too, as is a $6 chance to buy your neighboring table a glass of sparkling cava, or the $8 option to buy the kitchen a beer.
“For co-owner Tara Penke, born and raised in Santa Barbara, it’s a return home from Barcelona.”
These tongue-in-cheek menu items are proof of the casual, community-focused environment Penke and Riesco are looking to create. Eager to bring their own style to the former Low Pigeon café space, the couple tapped Kevin Moore Architect, Casey Geeb Interior Design, and Southwest Construction for the renovations. They’ve added inlaid shelves and light wood accents, creating a sunny dining room that flows between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
With a wine list that encompasses Spanish picks and local favorites and a robust cocktail menu, plenty of guests gather for a glass of something cold and a nibble. It’s even better for a full-on dinner with multiple courses—brunch is coming soon—but be sure to round any visit out with a slice of Basque cheesecake. 705 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, galasb.com. c.w.
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Easy Living
Set on three terraced levels with manicured gardens and ocean views, HOME CRUSH’s new Summerland showroom is a statement in coastal luxury.
Portia dining chairs, $789 each, Bowman table, $1,999, and Heatsail outdoor lamp, $5,497
Written by Danielle DiMeglio | Photography by Sara Prince
Set on three terraced levels with manicured gardens and ocean views, HOME CRUSH’s new Summerland showroom is a statement in coastal luxury. Oyster-shell-encrusted birdbaths, neutral-toned woven chairs, and sleek Belgian outdoor heat lamps round out the alfresco vignettes curated by Montecito-based Aimee Miller (a California residential designer for more than 20 years). “Walking up through the trumpet trees, visitors can see different designs and furnishings as they ascend to the top terraces,” she says of the quarter-acre venue. The interactive lifestyle and outdoor center—or “deconstructed store” as she describes it—is an extension of Home Crush’s downtown Santa Barbara shop and design studio. Find everything from padded picnic blankets from Germany and linen beach towels from Rome to herb-scented citronella candles and textured outdoor pillows. “Everything a visitor sees or touches is available with interior and exterior design services, as well as Smart Home Integration by California Smart Homes,” says Miller. (Think single-touch systems for lighting, music, and more.) 2500 Lillie Ave., Summerland, 805-837-8836, home-crush.com.
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Gimme Shelter
What started about 10 years ago as a quest to create the ideal camp blanket has resulted in four rental cabins in Joshua Tree, an online home-goods shop, and, more recently, the opening of the first CAMPOVER store in Los Alamos.
Campover's modern essentials
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks | Photography by Jessica Sample
What started about 10 years ago as a quest to create the ideal camp blanket has resulted in four rental cabins in Joshua Tree, an online home-goods shop, and, more recently, the opening of the first CAMPOVER store in Los Alamos. Consciously sourced, handcrafted housewares and “modern shelter supplies” line the shelves in the retail space that reflects the company’s utilitarian-design ethos and approach to hospitality. Coming soon: An expanded array of online offerings—including proprietary Campover products—and a handful of Campover-renovated Central Coast accommodations. 235B Centennial St., Los Alamos, campover.com.
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Farm to Your Table
Elder Flat Farm, the 102-acre property organically farmed by Carla Malloy, has famously supplied many of the region’s best restaurants.
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks | Photography by Jessica Sample
Elder Flat Farm, the 102-acre property organically farmed by Carla Malloy, has famously supplied many of the region’s best restaurants. It now offers its goods to home cooks at the ELDER FLAT FARM SHOP in Los Alamos. Open Thursday through Sunday, the farm store displays Elder Flat’s bounty of organic produce and flowers and farm-fresh eggs along with curated collections of artisanal products and provisions. The venue also hosts live music and other events, including classes on cheese-and-charcuterie-board styling, “how-tos” on raising chickens, and canning workshops. 325 Bell St., Los Alamos, elderflatfarm.com.
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I Walk the Wine
An active wine-tasting experience awaits those who embark on the new hiking tours at renowned ALMA ROSA WINERY.
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks | Photography by Jessica Sample
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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Immortal Femmes
Angela Perko is fascinated by precious objects, and her recent series of paintings focuses on ancient female fertility figures.
Written by Lorie Dewhirst Porter
Angela Perko is fascinated by precious objects, and her recent series of paintings focuses on ancient female fertility figures. Perko’s paintings are always packed with quiet symbolism and deep layers of meaning; and while her new works acknowledge that women have been constantly reproduced as objects over time—from Paleolithic venus figurines to plastic Barbie dolls—the females showcased here were revered as powerful fertility symbols. At the same time, Perko has juxtaposed these symbols with carefully chosen background visuals that resonate with present day concerns, a dialogue-sparking device inspired by artist Kehinde Wiley’s dramatic Equestrian Portrait of Prince Tommaso of Savoy-Carignan (2015) displayed at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
Perko’s striking portrait of a prehistoric Japanese Dogū figurine, which floats on a background of bright red polka dots, is a direct reference to feminist artist Yayoi Kusama of Japan—known internationally for her commandingly beautiful and obsessive installations—who frequently employs a similar polka dot pattern in her art. Using a 10-by-10-inch square format, Perko’s exquisite figurine paintings are small but mighty. They are on view, along with other works by the artist, July 29 through September 26 at Sullivan Goss - An American Gallery. Don’t miss the opening August 4 (5 to 8 pm). 11 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, 805-730-1460; sullivangoss.com.
O’side Opens Up
The Mission Pacific Hotel makes a splash in San Diego
The rooftop pool at Mission Pacific Hotel offers unmatched views of the Pacific and the 1,942-foot-long Oceanside Pier.
The Mission Pacific Hotel makes a splash in San Diego
Written by Caitlin White
Oceanside has long been a skate and surf paradise. Now it’s becoming a haven for visitors of all stripes. This sleepy little San Diego suburb, nicknamed O’side by locals, was recently outfitted with two new ocean-facing hotels (both under Hyatt’s umbrella). The Seabird Resort is a kitschy, family-oriented getaway with Cape Cod flair, but its sleek bohemian neighbor, MISSION PACIFIC HOTEL, is the one to watch.
Of the two hotels, located across the street from each other a short block from the beach, Mission Pacific feels like the older sister of the pair. Its modern architecture gets a beachy boost with warm, natural materials that create a tranquil space and emphasize coastal living. The bulk of the hotel’s 161 rooms offer unobstructed ocean views, and the rooftop pool and bar double down on panoramic views of the coast.
With a fine-dining restaurant on the ground floor—Valle, from chef Roberto Alcocer of Baja Mexico's Guadalupe Valley—the hotel also hosts the more casual High/Low oceanfront café from F10 Creative hospitality group, the masterminds behind Palm Springs dining staples Cheeky’s and Mr. Lyons. Mission Pacific also recently debuted its very own dessert haven in a classic 1887 bungalow dubbed the Top Gun House because it was featured in that 1986 Tom Cruise film. Relocated from elsewhere in Oceanside, the carefully restored venue now sits safely in Mission Pacific’s courtyard, serving up its signature HIGH-pies and other sweets. From $319/night. 201 N. Myers St., Oceanside, 760-655-1332, missionpacifichotel.com.
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Desert,Three Ways
The best way to beat the heat this summer? Embrace it!
The best way to beat the heat this summer? Embrace it!
Written by Caitlin White | Photographs: The Sands Hotel & Spa, Tim Street-Porter; Hermann Bungalows, Jim Bartsch. Photographs: The Pink Cabana, Jamie Kowal; Azure Sky, Sheva Kefai.
Hermann Bungalows
The zero-edge pool at Hermann Bungalows boasts serene mountain views; the 24 smartly appointed bungalows feature floor-to-ceiling windows. Midcentury interiors at Hermann Bungalows.
A visit to the desert is all about escape—relief from the mundane. Tucked away in a hidden corner of L’Horizon Resort and Spa’s manicured grounds, HERMANN BUNGALOWS offer the kind of decadence that eclipses ordinary life. Proprietor and Montecito resident Steve Hermann has continued his vision for indoor/outdoor living in this new venture. A pathway leads to his hotel’s incredibly private, completely enclosed mini resort. Inside the property, an 85-foot, zero-edge wading pool lined with deep blue tiles lends a tropical aura to the whole area. Situated in the shadow of the San Jacinto Mountains, the enclave has been landscaped with romantic olive trees and equipped with crisp white lounge chairs, along with a private bar available only to guests. The 24 bungalows arranged around the glistening water feature comprise studio suites, junior suites, and a presidential suite that includes a living area, bedroom, and private hot tub on a large enclosed patio. Custom dark wood and magnificent tile round out each bungalow’s luxe desert feel, while Venetian terrazzo floors, gold fixtures, and even TOTO smart toilets add to the sense of opulence in every room. Each bungalow is slightly different from the others, but they all include private outdoor spaces and plush furniture. A select few boast soaking tubs and outdoor showers. An ideal desert oasis, Hermann Bungalows ups the ante for L’Horizon’s guests, doubling down on its already celebrated hospitality. From $1,000/night. 1050 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-323-1858, hermannbungalows.com.
“I wanted to design a luxurious, modern hotel that felt like a fine curated home”
Sands Hotel & Spa
The Sands Hotel & Spa's poolside lounge chairs and cabanas beckon; the Moroccan-inspired lobby designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard; an in-room soaking tub at the Sands.The Pink Cabana restaurant at the Sands.
There are nine cities in the constellation of the Coachella Valley, and Palm Springs is merely one of them. Venture a little deeper into the Greater Palm Springs area, and you’ll come upon Indian Wells, a small outlier best known for its tennis tournament. Even if you have no interest in hitting the court, the SANDS HOTEL & SPA is enough reason to draw you here. Since reopening in 2018, this boutique property by designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard has become exceedingly popular. Bullard’s vision for the hotel, which encompasses 46 rooms, embraces a Moroccan take on the desert, with arched entryways, intricate patterned-tile inlays, and art deco flourishes. The on-site restaurant and bar, The Pink Cabana, is a glittering haven that serves Mediterranean cuisine with Moroccan influences. Select rooms include balconies or private patios, and custom-built furniture carries the hotel’s playful decor through the property. From $329/night. 44-985 Province Wy., Indian Wells, 760-321-3771, sandshotelandspa.com.
Azure Sky
Azure Sky's guest rooms feature custom millwork and built-in beds; the retro exterior; the lobby at Azure Sky pays homage to the property's midcentury roots.
With just 14 rooms, AZURE SKY is a newly renovated microhotel embracing a midcentury modern ethos in South Palm Springs. Originally built back in 1959, the hotel, now operated by Santa Barbara’s Acme Hospitality, features serene grounds that have been thoughtfully transformed. A grassy meadow, formally the original pool, features an inviting fire pit. The expansive new pool area is now the focal point of the property with unobstructed views of the San Jacinto Mountains. Restored and redesigned with a neutral palette, muted black finishes, and glossy wood, the accommodations include plenty of natural light. Boasting custom-built beds, the spacious suites—12 of which feature kitchenettes—call to mind an airy apartment more than a hotel room. With a lobby that doubles as a retro living room, complete with a cocktail bar, guests don’t have to leave the property to enjoy all the desert has to offer. From $299/night. 1661 S. Calle Palo Fierro, Palm Springs, 760-469-4498, azureskyhotel.com.
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Sun, Surf, Sand Essentials
Sun, Surf, Sand Essentials
Trend Report
Gigi Hadid for Gigi x Frankie collab collection, from $80, frankiesbikinis.com
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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.