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Good Reads || Summer
Travels || Check out CCM at one of our
Hotel Partners
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SUMMER
TRAVELS
June
2008
In the city. On the beach.
In wine country. On the green. In
quaint, one-of-a-kind communities.
There are so many ways to escape
in California. The fabric of our
landscape—woven together by
our highways, byways, railways, and
scenic country roads—provides
a vibrant and variegated world of
leisure and indulgence just waiting
to be discovered, or revisited. Get
away to all that California has to
offer in these seven splendid summer
stays, just a few hours away. |
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THE INN AT SPANISH BAY
Where the Grass
is Greener
www.pebblebeach.com
Some
destinations are so distinctive
they can be summed up in a
sort of verbal shorthand requiring
just a word or two. Case in
point: Pebble Beach. While
Pebble Beach is technically
an unincorporated community
and home to more than 4,000
residents—rather than
just a resort—there’s
no doubt about what those two
words stand for: some of the
world’s best golf, ultra-exclusive
grounds, and seventeen miles
of extraordinary road, superlatively
elegant accommodations, and
breathtaking, craggy coastal
vistas.
The
property known as Pebble Beach
Resorts comprises
three
hotels—a stay at any
of which gains guests access
to all resort privileges—and
four golf courses. The Lodge
at Pebble Beach is the original
hotel, opened in 1919 to
complement the famed links.
Casa Palmero
is the intimate, Mediterranean-style
inn with just 24 rooms, located
near The Lodge. The third,
the Inn at Spanish Bay, is
set off on the northern side
of Pebble Beach, removed
from the other accommodations,
with
its own celebrated golf course:
The Links at Spanish Bay.
The
Inn at Spanish Bay’s
270 rooms feature views from
the private patios or balconies
of a crashing blue sea, the
Del Monte forest, or the
linksland course that winds
through restored
sand dunes. Throughout the
inn, no detail is overlooked;
from the art and pottery
that graces the lobby and
lounge
area, to the complimentary
snacks and refreshments in
each room, to the plush and
comfortable guestroom furnishings,
the setting is refined.
Each
evening, a lone bagpiper
makes a twilight stroll along
the course playing an evocative
tune. As guests huddle
by
fire pits on the stone
terrace while
enjoying day’s-end
cocktails, he concludes
his serenade,
as the sun sets and the
endemic Monterey fog rolls
in. It
is one of those truly remarkable
moments that feel significant
and exclusive.
As
would be expected from a property
of this caliber,
the
culinary options make The
Inn an epicurean getaway.
Especially
Pèppoli, named for
an estate belonging to
award-winning
vintner Piero Antinori,
which serves inspired rustic
Italian
cuisine: pappardelle with
wild boar ragú,
gnocchi with winter black
truffles & mascarpone
sauce, lasagna layered
with filet mignon. With
an inspired
list of Antinori wines
that pair so perfectly
with the
menu, Pèppoli is
an outstanding break from
typical
Central Coast cuisine.
The
ultimate finishing touch
is the 22,000-sq.ft.
spa
with 25 treatment rooms
offering everything from
body wraps,
hydrotherapy, advanced
anti-aging procedures,
and a full-service
salon in a tranquil setting.
Pebble
Beach Resorts is an award-winning
and acclaimed
property. Whether you
visit often or manage it once
in
a lifetime, it’s
a treasure that we can
call our very own. |
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Rooms from $580
Suites from $1,150
Golfing
at The Links at Spanish
Bay for Resort Guests: $260 including
cart
2700
17-Mile Dr., Pebble Beach
Reservations: (800) 654-9300
PHOTO COURTSEY
THE INN AT SPANISH BAY
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HOTEL OCEANA SANTA BARBARA
Central Coast d'Azur
www.hoteloceanasantabarbara.com
Santa
Barbara has always been noted
as a unique slice of California
coast. Its southward facing location
tempers the climate, and the
hills that roll into the Pacific
lend a distinctly Mediterranean
feel to the community. One of
Santa Barbara’s signature
sights is the tall palms that
line Cabrillo Boulevard, crowning
the coastline. That’s where
you will find Hotel Oceana Santa
Barbara: right on the ocean,
just up from State Street, near
Stearn’s Wharf on the West
Beach.
It’s
fitting that Hotel Oceana sits
on land once
occupied
by one of Santa Barbara’s
first luxury hotels, The Potter,
which was destroyed by fire
in 1921. You can still see
the Potter’s
grand promenade lined by ancient
palms that bisect the property.
From the ’30s through
the ’50s,
other hotels like La Playa,
The Beachcomber, The Sandy
Beach,
and Ocean Palms took up residence
on this magical plot. Today,
those quaint and comfortable
California beachfront hotels
are now combined into one—and
are undergoing yet another
makeover—as
The Hotel Oceana Santa Barbara.
The
Oceana is exactly what you hope
for in a traditional
beachside
retreat. The grounds are
spacious. The rooms are crisp
and clean
and combine an old beach
charm with modern amenities like
flat screen TVs, imported
Egyptian
cotton linens, down comforters
and pillows, Aveda bath toiletries,
and either CD Players or
iPod docking stations. Two pools
with
cabanas and a European Continental
breakfast complement the
Oceana’s
offerings, and with the Pacific’s “Côte
d’Azur” spread
before you and the vibrant
city of Santa
Barbara behind, you may as
well be getting away to the
French
Riviera—without jetlag
or a passport. |
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Summer rates range
from
$225 – $445
202 W. Cabrillo Blvd.,
Santa Barbara
(800) 965-9776 ~ Reservations
(805) 965-4577 ~ Tel
(805) 965-9937 ~ Fax
PHOTO
COURTESY
HOTEL OCEANA |
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THE US GRANT
Historic Downtown Grandeur
http://luxurycollection.com/usgrant
Topping
the list of destinations with something
for everyone, San Diego has it all:
world-class arts and culture; nightlife;
activities for families; opportunities
to relax or be pampered; and countless
forms of exercise. For the young
at heart, there’s Sea World
and the famous zoo, while championship
golf courses, scores of great stores,
and some of the southland’s
best restaurants compete with 70
miles of sun-soaked beaches for your
leisure time and attention.
It
is typically the outstanding weather
and warm ocean waters that draw visitors
to California’s second largest
city. Often overlooked, though, is
the historic Gaslamp Quarter District,
a 16-square-block area with a sophisticated,
urban vibe full of sidewalk cafés,
jazz clubs, boutiques, and galleries
showcasing the work of resident artists.
The best hotel in which to absorb
the history of the area is the landmark
US Grant—a majestic, 1910 Beaux
Arts property built in honor of the
18th president, by his son.
Recently
renovated to the tune of $52 million,
the grand lobby of black
and gold travertine and white Italian
marble has been restored to its original
splendor, while the 270 luxury guestrooms
were completely upgraded with all
modern conveniences. With one-of-a-kind
headboards by artist Yves Clement,
imported custom wool carpets, Empire-style
furnishings, rich Italian linens,
and elegant bathrooms of stone and
marble, the redesign left no elegant
detail overlooked.
In
a serendipitous turn of events, the
property is now
owned by the
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation—the
very tribe for which President Grant
ordained 640 acres of land in 1875.
The Sycuan see the purchase as an
ancestral tribute to Grant and have
directed the restoration while also
commissioning new paintings, sculptures,
and mixed media, thus securing the
glorious building as a cultural landmark—in
the midst of the hottest modern,
urban spots—for ages to come. |
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Deluxe Rooms from
$295 – $499
Suites from
$595 – $3500
326 Broadway, San Diego
(619) 232-3121
PHOTO
COURTESY
THE US GRANT
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PASO ROBLES
INN
The Best of Both Worlds
www.pasoroblesinn.com
The
appeal of Central Coast living lies
in the unique opportunity to access
all the benefits bigger cities offer
without leaving the pristine countryside
or losing the charming small-town culture.
Paso Robles Inn is a classic example
of this felicitous position. Built
in 1864 at the center of the booming
agricultural town, the inn is bolstered
by a rich history of cowboys, outlaws,
and missionaries, and—over 100
years later—is still at the heart
of the region’s modern industries
and developments.
This
Central Coast wine country hub (minutes
from more
than 90 premier
wineries) looks out onto the idyllic
City Park. Bordered by some of the
region’s best restaurants and
boutiques, the park is the crux of
cultural activity in Paso. Here, a
farmer’s market unfolds each
week, wine festivals and other exciting
community events take place, and visitors
can lounge on the grass or partake
in games of horseshoe or Frisbee between
bouts of shopping, dining, and wine
tasting.
The inn’s popular Steakhouse
and Lounge and 1940s-diner-style Coffee
Shop provide a prime view of these
daily happenings. The convenience of
proximity, however, is not had at the
price of comfort or quiet; the centrally
located inn is like the eye of the
lively Paso “storm.” A
soothing stream trickles through the
middle of a lush inner courtyard accessed
by winding, Oak and brick-lined paths
and bridges, and streams into large,
mesmerizing koi ponds at one end, and
into the pool area at the other. Both
the Deluxe Spa rooms and the newest
two-room suites (in the Jesse James
Building) offer comfortable, Monterey-style
décor with mineral hot spring
Jacuzzi tubs on private balconies.
The Grand Ballroom and other meeting
venues allow for tasteful private parties
and, to reconnect with the inn’s
early bathhouse roots, they will break
ground this fall on the construction
of a brand new, 8,000 sq.ft., full-service
spa—the final touch for this
relaxing and convenient oasis from
the comings and goings of the bustling
downtown right outside. |
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Summer rates range from
$125 – $330
1103 Spring St.
Paso Robles
Toll Free ~ (800) 676-1713
Local ~ (805) 238-2660
PHOTO COURTESY
PASO ROBLES INN
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ON THE BEACH B&B
Cayucos Dreamin'
www.californiaonthebeach.com
There
are few towns along the California
Coast that manage to retain the flavor
of the old romantic California beach
community; Cayucos, just north of
Morro Bay, is one of the last. And
nestled along the quaint stretch
of stores and restaurants that flank
the tidy beach and pier, there is
the appropriately named On the Beach
Bed & Breakfast.
On
the Beach is a throwback to a time
when whitewashed
wood buildings
matched the sand outside and surfers
parked their woodies and waited for
the next set to roll in. All of that
is still alive at this B&B—but
don’t be fooled; this is truly
laid back luxury. The rooms are full
and airy. All of the amenities are
included: wireless, fireplace, large
screen TV (if you get tired of the
awesome 360 degree views), rooftop
spa, and evening wine tasting (each
month they feature a different regional
winery). Plus, there’s a gourmet
breakfast. After all, this is a bed
and breakfast. And to top it all
off, each suite comes equipped with
towel warmers and incredibly fluffy
robes.
If
you can force yourself to leave the
perfect surroundings of
On the
Beach Bed & Breakfast, the town
of Cayucos is easily explored on
foot from your base of operations.
Stroll the pier. Have lunch next
door at the funky Schooner’s
Wharf. Dine at Hoppe’s Garden
Bistro across the street and enjoy
cuisine provided by CCM’s 2007
Iron Chef Central Coast champion,
Wilhelm Hoppe. All of this within
one square block. So, if you’re
California dreamin’ for classic
beach town culture, you don’t
need to go any farther than Cayucos. |
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Weekdays from
$189 – $249
Weekends from
$275 – $350
181
N. Ocean Ave.
Cayucos
Toll Free ~ (877) 995-0800
Local ~ (805) 995-3200
PHOTO COURTESY
ON THE BEACH BED & BREAKFAST
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THE LODGE AT SONOMA
Ultimate Wine Country Retreat
www.thelodgeatsonoma.com
Though
it is known as Valley of the Moon,
Sonoma is a place to see by daylight.
Rolling, tree-studded hills and peaceful
valleys made up of infinite hues,
vast vineyards under wide, bright
blue skies, and rambling country
roads that pass clusters of charming
homes are sights that cause the body
to relax and the mind to unwind.
Emanating a slightly slower tempo
than its big sister, Napa—Sonoma
is a wine country getaway that will
smooth your rough edges.
Paramount
to a perfect Sonoma experience is
selecting the right accommodations:
you’ll want a fully-equipped
resort in casually sophisticated
surroundings, comfortably elegant
rooms, and a tranquil, rejuvenating
atmosphere. You’ll want to
choose The Lodge at Sonoma.
Located
just a few blocks from the famed
Sonoma city park square,
The
Lodge is a perfect base from which
to explore the charming downtown—assuming
you decide to leave the grounds.
The property and all of its buildings
are reflective of the inherent beauty
of the region; decorated in warm,
lush earth tones and pleasing textures.
Each of the 182 luxurious rooms and
private guest cottages features a
balcony or patio, king-sized feather
bed, and most have a deep soaking
tub and fireplace. The grounds, which
are landscaped with native plants
and grasses, provide a backdrop for
the permanent, rotating art collection
featuring the work of local artists.
The
Lodge’s award-winning Carneros
Bistro and Wine Bar offers a menu
utilizing a bounty of quality artisan
ingredients from the area; though
you’ll surely want to try some
of Sonoma’s famous restaurants,
don’t miss out on Chef Janine
Falvo’s exceptional regional
cuisine. Rounding out the resort’s
amenities is the outstanding Raindance
Spa with its menu of innovative treatments
using indigenous Sonoma products.
The
ultimate Sonoma experience won’t
require much effort. You’ll
just need to make the right choice:
The Lodge at Sonoma. |
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Weekdays $289 – $339
Weekends $439 – $459
1325 Broadway
Sonoma
(707) 935-6600
PHOTO COURTESY
THE LODGE AT SONOMA
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THE HADSTEN HOUSE INN & SPA
A Scandinavian Escape
www.HadstenHouse.com
Most
of us don’t remember when Solvang
was simply a community founded by
persons of Danish extraction bound
together by common heritage and customs.
Today, we tend to overlook the meaningful
roots and think of it as a draw for
tourists, where visitors can experience
Danish culture without
traveling across the ocean; perhaps
indulge in some Aebleskivers or pick
up a
few souvenirs.
Attracting
visitors from around the country,
Solvang—which
means “sunny
field”—remains true to
its authentic Danish roots, but the
town has evolved in the last few
years to reflect the fact that it
is smack dab in the middle of the
famed Santa Ynez Valley wine country.
Successfully incorporating tasting
rooms and gourmet restaurants into
the scene of Danish bakeries and
Scandinavian architecture, luxury
accommodations within Solvang city
limits were a little harder to come
by—until now.
While
the Hadsten House Inn & Spa’s
walls may have been part of a former
motor hotel, it isn’t accurate
to say this charming property has
been merely renovated. Rather, it
has been entirely transformed from
floor to ceiling, and is reincarnated
as a luxurious boutique-style hotel.
A sophisticated color palette of
olive greens and dark browns is the
backdrop for the 71 uniquely appointed
guestrooms that feature custom mattresses,
plush bedding, European furnishings,
decorative fireplaces, flat screen
TVs, and
granite and tile bathrooms stocked
with L’Occitane products—some
with top of the line, pipeless Sanijet
tubs.
The
property’s dining
room is a destination spot of its
own—a
chic atmosphere of dark wood and
soft lighting, and an enticing menu
of gourmet wine country cuisine including
giant, succulent New Zealand Green
Lip Mussels in a luscious white wine
broth; perfect Lobster Bisque topped
with puff pastry; prime steaks and
fresh seafood with flavorful sauces;
and a Santa Barbara County wine list
that changes regularly. The service
in the restaurant (and elsewhere
on the property) is absolutely first-rate.
To
complete the retreat experience,
the onsite Haven Day Spa is staffed
by practitioners dedicated
to rejuvenating the skin
while soothing the soul. Featuring
an awesome line of organic seaweed
products from Sea Flora, they offer
some of the best facials and body
treatments found anywhere in the
county.
Just
steps away from all that is Solvang,
The Hadsten House Inn & Spa makes
this delightful village destination
oh-so-much more
perfect.
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King Rooms from
$174.60 (Sun– Thur)
$255.60 (Fri
and Sat)
King Jacuzzi Rooms from
$255.60 (Sun– Thurs)
$336 (Fri
and Sat)
One Night Spa Package from $300 plus
applicable taxes
One Night Dinner Package from $205
plus applicable taxes
(Sun– Thurs only)
1450 Mission Dr.
Solvang
(800) 457-53731
PHOTO COURTESY
THE HADSTEN HOUSE
INN & SPA
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