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Summer Vacation: Santa Barbara

Summer Vacation: Santa Barbara

Want to take a vacation but don’t want to jump on a plane? Sometimes what we are looking for is right in our own backyard!

For over a century Santa Barbara has famously been referred to as The American Riviera as early visitors saw so much of a resemblance to the French Riviera. There is so much to do in Santa Barbara! Here are some five-star world-class hotel choices and a couple of four-star choices.

Belmond El Encanto

Belmond El Encanto

This five-star resort advertises itself as one of California’s most indulgent hideaways and it’s true! It’s an architectural masterpiece. Every part of its original 1920’s glory still remains, but it’s been meticulously restored. It boasts separate bungalows with fireplaces and patios, a full spa, dramatic pool and lounge areas overlooking Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean, award wining dining and more. Peached in the Santa Barbara foothills just above State Street it’s a quite forest setting just above downtown!

San Ysidro Ranch

San Ysidro Ranch

Located in the historic Montecito area of Santa Barbara this five star resort boasts 41 individually decorated private cottages winding along San Ysidro’s hillside creek. This romantic getaway has a rich history. It was the spot John and Jackie Kennedy chose to spend their honeymoon! Just because it’s close doesn’t mean it’s not among the best in the world!

The four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara The four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara

It doesn’t get better than this! The Biltmore is a five star resort tucked in between the beach and the San Ynez mountains spanning 22 acres! Its Spanish colonial villas and bungalows are updated but, are still reminiscent of what made this historic landmark a Hollywood favorite since the 1930’s.

The Ritz Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara The four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara

Located adjacent to the famous Sandpiper Golf Course this five star resort will match the best Hawaiian resorts without the flight! It spans 78 beachfront acres on the Gaviota Coast just north of Santa Barbara. Here you can escape to its two beaches, three pools or you can pamper yourself in the resort’s 42,000 square foot spa!

Fess Parker Santa Barbara Doubletree Hotel by Hilton Fess Parker Santa Barbara Doubletree Hotel by Hilton

The Fess Parker Santa Barbara is in a great East Beach location. This four star resort is close to everything and has been a favorite for years. It’s convienent of Cabrillo Pavillon, Presidio Santa Barbara, The Mission, Downtown and more!

Fess Parker Santa Barbara Doubletree Hotel by Hilton Rosewood Miramar Beach Montecoto

This five star hotel was just completed and sits on the former site of the Miramar By The Sea Hotel. It is a luxury resort with 124 rooms, and 37 spacious suites, a full wellness center and cabins lined pools, sitting on the beautiful Miramar Beach. This Caruso developed resort offers true pampering and luxury!
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Weekend Events: May 7 – May 9

Weekend Events: May 7 – May 9

Check out these events happening in Los Angeles this weekend May 7 – May 9!

The Comedy Store Reopening “Best of the store”

The Comedy Store is a world-famous comedy club located in West Hollywood at 8433 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip. The reopening of comedy’s capital is a fantastic way to spend a Saturday Night laughing at some great jokes. Tickets for this indoor seated live event must be purchased in advance. There will be no tickets sold at the door and no stand-by lines. No parties over 4 people.

First Fridays at the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum’s in-person First Fridays may have gone the way of the dodo, but the museum isn’t letting the after-hours event go totally extinct-instead, it’s digging it up and brushing it off for an online presentation. NHM First Fridays Connected will assemble speakers for Zoom webinars alongside a dance party on YouTube. And best of all: It’s all entirely free to attend (though reservations are required).

Rooftop Cinema Club

The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing have returned, with both a Santa Monica drive-in and a new rooftop in El Segundo (the typical Hollywood and DTLA locations are still on hold for now). You’ll find the rooftop screenings in a warehouse district of El Segundo, on the fourth floor of a parking garage (1310 E Franklin Ave) that’s been remade into socially distanced alfresco cinema. You’ll find all of the RCC fixtures here, including wireless headphones, lounge seats (or loveseats), popcorn, a full bar, lawn games and pizza from the Urban Oven.

Transcend time and space with immersion into Elsewhere at the Madcap Motel

There’s no better escape from the mundane than exploring a mystical submarine inside a time portal, right? Not just another “selfie-museum,” Elsewhere at the Madcap Motel combines experiential trends such as Instagram playgrounds, escape rooms, and immersive theater into a wondrous, ethereal experience. Through a seemingly normal 1960’s-themed motel room, guests merge through different dimensions to uncover an interactive series of 19 whimsical and thought-provoking adventures.
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Home Tips: Interior Design Trends For Summer 2021

There is something so beautiful about summer decor. Those breezy fabrics, muted color palettes, and boho influences associated with the season make it feel like you’re bringing the sunshine indoors. Check out the latest interior design trends that will help you preserve that summery vibe in your home for the rest of the year!

 

 

Tip #1: Natural Wood

Rattan, cane, wicker, and other wood of similar hues can make any space feel bohemian and summery. Boho decor is most closely associated with the summer season, but we’re here to tell you it works all year round!

 

Tip #2: Natural Elements

Of late, people are becoming obsessed with being plant parents. There’s something so incredibly enriching about the experience of helping a plant grow. Luckily, greenery is a big part of boho decor. Incorporating plants and succulents into your decor can be life-changing. We recommend going for the real thing, unless you want to keep up with seasons and trends, in which case, faux plants might be better suited to your needs.

 

Tip #3: Blue Tones

If summer had a color, we’re willing to bet it would be a beautiful blue! It’s no wonder the who’s who of interior designers voted this color as one of the top summer interior design trends for 2021. We recommend using richer blues as an accent wall in your living room or trying lighter blue linens and decor pieces paired with a white backdrop to give your space that effortless Grecian vibe.

 

Tip #4: Light and Airy

Light, airy fabrics are usually associated with seasons when you can keep the windows open, but it’s easy to keep those textures on display year-round. The easiest way to do this is with your curtains and throw blankets. Pick out pieces made of lighter material like linen for your throw blankets so that they provide the warmth you need while still looking casual draped over your couch. For curtains, look for fabrics like cotton voile, flax linen, sheer silk, or something similar to get that airy feel in your home, no matter the time of year.

 

Tip #5: Go Neutral

White, ivory, pale gray, and beige are all colors usually associated with summer beach homes. But, neutral colors are gorgeous all year round, which is why they’re one of the biggest interior design trends for 2021. The thing about neutrals they give you an excellent base and backdrop for whatever color scheme you want to switch over to as time goes by while also holding their own with ease.

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Economic update for the month ending April 30, 2021

 

Stock markets – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the month at 33,874.85, up 2.4% from 33,066.96 at the end of March. It is up 10.7% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the month at 4,181.17, up 4.6% from 3,958.55 last month. It is up 11.3% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the month at 13,962.68, up 7% from 13,045.29 last month It is up 8.3% year-to-date.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the month yielding 1.65%, down from 1.74% last month. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the month at 2.30%, down from 2.41% last month. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates often follow treasury bond yields.

Mortgage rates – The April 29, 2021, Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 2.98%, down from 3.18% last month. The 15-year fixed was 2.31%, down from 2.45% last month. The 5-year ARM was 2.64%, down from 2.94% last month.

The April jobs report will be released next Friday. These are March’s results.

U.S. employers added 916,000 jobs in March – The Department of Labor and Statics reported that 916,000 net new jobs were added in March. That number exceeded Dow Jones analysts’ expectations of 675,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate declined to 6% in March, down from 6.2%, in February.

Home sales are released on the third week of each month for the previous month. Below are the March sales results.

U.S. home sales and prices – March 2021- The National Association of Realtors reported that the number of existing-home sales rose 12.35% in March from the number of sales in March 2020. The median price paid for a home in March rose 17.25% from the median price one year ago. That marked 109 straight months of year-over-year increases in the median price. Inventory levels totaled 28.2% fewer homes on the market than one year ago. There was just a 2.1 month supply of homes for sale, down from a 3.3 month supply last March. First-time buyers accounted for 32% of the home sales. Second-home (vacation home) and investor purchases accounted for 15% of the sales. Foreclosure and short sales accounted for less than 1% of sales.

California existing home sales in March – The California Association of Realtors reported that existing, single-family home sales totaled 446,410 on an annualized basis in March. That represented a year-over-year increase of 19.7% from the 373,070 annualized rate of homes sold in March 2020. The median price paid for a home climbed 8.6% month-over-month from the median price in February. The median price paid for a home in California was $758,990 up 23.9% from the median price of $612,440 last March. There was just a 1.6 month supply of homes for sale in March, down from a 2.6 month supply one year ago. Below please find a graph of regional statistics for Southern California.

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Out and About: SoCal Beach Staycation

Itching to get outside and stay near the beach? Southern California offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. Road trips are a great option as opposed to flying (if you are not yet comfortable), and staying local is always a great idea! From Malibu down to La Jolla, we have you covered in our favorite hotel spots down the coast!

The Surfrider – Malibu 

Terrenea Resort – Rancho Palos Verdes

Pelican Hill – Newport Beach

The Montage – Laguna Beach

La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club – La Jolla 

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Weekend Events: April 30 – May 2

Check out these events happening in Los Angeles this weekend April 30 – May 2, 2021!

 

Lorenzo’s Food Truck Fest

Join The Lorenzo on Friday, April 30th for their Food Truck Festival. They will have several local food trucks, a live DJ, games, raffles, and more! 

Fri, April 30, 2021

4:30 PM – 7:00 PM PDT

Location: The Lorenzo

325 W Adams Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90007

 

Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, & Botanical Gardens have reopened their doors, and the public can experience the Orbit Pavillion—an innovative “soundscape” that captures satellites moving in space

Sat., May 1, 2021

10:00AM – 5:00PM

Admission varies; kids under 3 are free

Location: Huntington Library

1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108

 

Main Street Farmers Market

The Main Street Farmers Market is OPEN again for business!  Please join them each Sunday for farmers and pre-packaged foods. 

Sun., May 2,2021

8:30AM – 1:30PM

Location: Santa Monica

2640 Main St, Santa Monica, CA

 

Frozen 2  at the Drive-In Movies in Culver City

Drive-In At The Park returns for its second season in LA County Parks. Lake, Mountain, and Park locations create a magical experience in the most gorgeous settings. New features this season include curated cuisines & beverages from your favorite food trucks, themed nights for the family, SoCal’s largest screen and state-of-the-art laser projection. Spring and Summer evenings out, are back.

Sat., May 1, 2021

6:00PM

$30 per vehicle

Location: Kenneth Hahn Disc Golf Course

 4100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90056

 

Cakeland Gallery Presents The Beauty War

“The Beauty War” is a light-and-dark themed immersive art installation: part hall of mirrors, part dark ride, part cake infinity wonderland. This birthday celebration-friendly event has recently been featured in We Love LA, KABC-7’s Localish, and KCET. Part dark ride, part hallucinatory Hall of Mirrors — The Beauty War’s contrasting labyrinth of rooms hold allegorical references to the universal archetypes we all traverse; from birth, independence, fear of the unknown, personal actualization, spiritual illumination and death. They use a percentage of their income to invest in causes and organizations that support socio-economic justice, and a healthy and protected environment.

Sat., May 1, 2021

$15

Location: Cakeland.LA

936 Mei Ling Way

Los Angeles, CA 90012

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LA & Valley Eats: Mother’s Day Brunch

Mom has fed you so many times, so this Mother’s Day, treat her to a special brunch on Sunday, May 9, 2021. Browse our list of the top brunch restaurants in Los Angeles and make sure to book your reservations as soon as possible before everything gets booked up! 

 

Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel Air

701 Stone Canyon Rd. 

Los Angeles, CA 90077

Simple yet elegant California cuisine by über-chef Wolfgang Puck at the iconic Hotel Bel-Air.

 

Redbird

114 E. Second St. 

Los Angeles, CA 90012

A fun but sophisticated project from Neal Fraser at the historic Cathedral of Saint Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles.

 

Mar’sel

100 Terranea Way 

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Elegant California cuisine and spectacular views from the patio at this relaxing resort restaurant.

 

La Grande Orange Cafe

260 S. Raymond Ave. 

Pasadena, CA 91105

Occupying a historic train depot, LGO Café offers satisfying renditions of comfort foods.

 

The Front Yard

4222 Vineland Ave. 

North Hollywood, CA 91602

The Front Yard, which resides in front of The Garland hotel in North Hollywood, serves farm-fresh seasonal dishes.

 

Mastro’s Ocean Club

18412 Pacific Coast Hwy. 

Malibu, CA 90265

Seafood and steaks in a prime Malibu location perched over the beach.

 

Crossroads Kitchen

8284 Melrose Ave. 

Los Angeles, CA 90048

L.A.’s temple to upscale vegan dining from Oprah’s former private star-chef Tal Ronnen.

 

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Home Tips: Environmentally Conscious Cleaning

With a lot of us spending more and more time at home, we are finding ourselves cleaning more and more often. Switching over a few cleaning supplies to environmentally friendly supplies will be cost-effective, easier on all living things within your home, and better for the planet. Check out our tips below!

Natural All-Purpose Scrub

From the kitchen to the bathroom and many places in between, the uses for baking soda are almost endless. One way to get even more mileage out of this universal cleaning agent? Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into a bowl and add just enough liquid soap to make a creamy paste. Spread the mixture on the flat side of 1/2 of a lemon and scrub. The lemon acts as a sponge and leaves a natural citrus scent. Use a damp rag or sponge to wipe away any residue. You’ll find the paste will stay moist for a few hours.

Nontoxic Stain Remover

For nontoxic stain removal, there are many different formulas you can play with to remove stains. From mixing liquid dish soap (1 part) with hydrogen peroxide (3 parts) or liquid dish soap with vodka and lemon juice, as long as you have a chemical reaction, it should pull the stain right out!

Mold Remover

Using chlorine-based bleach to kill mold is kind of a double edge sword as bleach is arguable just as harmful to people and the environment. Soap and water will get rid of most mold or a solution of 2 teaspoons tea tree oil—a natural fungicide—and 2 cups water. But when it comes to mold and mildew, prevention is really your best bet.

DIY Tub and Tile Cleaner

Distilled white vinegar is the MVP of cleaning products that you can use to whiten laundry, deep clean vents, drive out pests, etc. Vinegar works well on soap scum and mineral deposits, but rinse thoroughly, as it can corrode some fixtures and stone (like marble), and etch glaze on tiles. You can also try tea tree oil—2 drops tea tree oil with 1 cup water—in a spray bottle to clean out grout from tiles.

Name-Brand Cleaners

Sometime’s it’s easier to buy than DIY. Newer eco-friendly brands of natural cleaners prove you don’t need high-octane chemicals to render a home spic-and-span. Look for biodegradable formulas and plant-based ingredients that don’t compromise on cleaning power. A few of our favorite brands are Dr. Bronners, Mrs. Meyers, Honest, Blueland, etc!

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Out and About: Santa Ynez Wine Trip

Many Santa Ynez Valley wineries are open and waiting to host you. It’s been a tough, lonely time in the wine country.
Rather than traditional tastings, there is wine by the bottle or glass. Some wineries have wine flights. If you have been to the Santa Barbara wine country, we are sure you’re ready for a trip back!  If not, you’re in for a treat. The food and wine are great, but the real treat is the beauty of the area and the short drive! Hotels are open as well.

Below is a list of some of the wineries that are currently open. Most are only open Friday to Sunday. To maintain proper social distancing they are limiting the number of guests, so check their websites and make an appointment!

Alma Rosa Winery
Babcock Winery & Vineyards
Brick Barn Wine Estate
Casa Dumetz Wines
Dierberg & Star Lane
Epiphany Wine Co.
Hitching Post Wines
Laetitia Vineyards and Winery
Jamie Slone Wines
Lafond Winery & Vineyards
Margerum Wine Company
Melville Winery
Pence Vineyards & Winery
Presqu’ile Winery
SAMsARA Wine Co.
Santa Barbara Winery
Stolpman Vineyards
Photo by George Rose/Getty Images
Sunstone Winery 
The Vincent Family Estate Vineyards & Winery
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Weekend Events: April 23 – April 25

Check out these fun weekend events that are sure to kick this weekend off into high gear!

Cruel Summer – ‘90s Roller Rink

When: April 24 2021 – April 25 2021

Where: Century City Mall

For one weekend only, a free ’90s-inspired roller rink is landing at the Westfield Century City. The black-and-white–checkered rink, which celebrates Freeform’s new series Cruel Summer, will pop up on April 24 and 25 with a playlist that goes all in on tunes from 1993, ’94 and ’95. Reservations are available for time slots between noon and 6pm on Saturday and 11am and 6pm on Sunday. The rink will accept walk-ups, too, if there’s room.

Golden Road LA River Cleanup

When: April 24 2021

Where: Golden Road Brewing

Help Golden Road clean up the L.A. River (or a beach or watershed, depending on the location) and get a deal on some beer during this socially-distanced (just after) Earth Day event. Meet up at Golden Road’s Atwater Village pub (or the ones in Huntington Beach and Anaheim) and you’ll be led on a guided cleanup; each $15 ticket includes four canned beers, a koozie and a draft beer ticket for the bewery’s Earth Day Kolsch. Golden Road will donate $5 of each ticket to a local waterway organization.

Made in LA Exhibit

When: Until August 1 2021

Where: Multiple Venues

The Hammer Museum’s excellent, ongoing series of biennial exhibitions ups the ante each year with its spotlight on emerging and under-recognized L.A. artists, and the fifth edition is no exception—with a co-presentation at the Huntington Library, too.

Desert X

When: Until May 16 2021

Where: Various Locations

The desert-spanning biennial is back, with premieres of site-specific works from a slate of 13 artists across 40 miles of the Coachella Valley through May 16. Admission is free and there’s an emphasis on visitor safety (with the exhibitions all being outdoors, that seems like a natural fit).

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