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LAGUNA RIVIERA FOR THE HOLIDAYS

12.03.10

By Sheryll Alexander

South Laguna Beach is one of the best places in the world to spend the holidays with family. Why?

Because once you get to this artsy seaside town, you don’t need a car. Quality time spent with family includes walks on the beach, playing in the pool, shopping at hot boutiques, browsing art galleries and dining everywhere from casual eateries to indie coffee shops to fine dining at some of OC’s best restaurants.

Plus, if you stay at our family’s favorite South Laguna pad, Laguna Riviera Hotel, you can cook meals and heat up leftovers as some suites have kitchenettes or even full kitchens and dining rooms. The modern rooms and suites at this homey hotel also include a continental breakfast, free wireless, ocean view balconies, old-fashioned glassed-in porches and access to the indoor salt water pool, jacuzzi and adjoining family game room.

Founded in 1948 when Grandfather Harry Willats bought the land and built a cottage right above the beach (the cottage can be rented), Laguna Riviera is still run by Willats’ forebears, the Pearson clan. Built mostly in the 70s and 80s, each modernized room is different and the hotel is built on several levels to take advantage of the cliff and the stunning Laguna Beach coastline views.

You can easily reach the beautiful beach below by walking down the hotel’s steep steps that are filled with colorful flowers, lots of greenery and colorful murals. At the bottom of the stairway, you find yourself on South Laguna’s St. Ann’s Beach, which is a haven for surfers, locals, dogs and sun worshippers.

And remember, Laguna Riviera is located smack dab in a charming South Laguna neighborhood. That means big grocery stores, artisanal food boutiques, liquor stores and cozy cafes are just a few minutes away on foot.

Family Water Therapy at Laguna Riviera
Mothers, fathers and kids usually don’t think of a winter holiday vacation as a time for swim play and aquatic exercise. Laguna Riviera, however, makes winter water therapy fun again.

The structure over Laguna Riviera’s indoor pools was recently reconstructed to make this kid-friendly water play area even better.

On a recent visit, my family “took in the waters” a few times a day. First, we took a stimulating morning walk on the beach. On the way back, we ate breakfast and then we all hopped in the warm water pool and hot jacuzzi for some rejeuvenation.

Feeling hot and toasty from hanging in the soul-and-body warming salt whirlpool, we played ping pong, air hockey and foosball in the adjoining game room. When lunch beckoned, we headed over to Wahoo’s Fish Tacos for a cheap and satisfying meal. Along with loads of other energetic kids and adults of every age, we could be found in the pool again in the afternoons or perhaps even after dinner.

Holiday Dining in South Laguna Beach
So, you’ve decided to save a few dollars by booking a suite with kitchen or kitchenette at Laguna Riviera.

Now, you can plan your big holiday blow-out meal at one of OC’s best restaurants. All of these restaurants, except for those at The Montage, are within a 5-10 minute walk from Laguna Riviera.

Chef Azmin Ghahreman at Sapphire Laguna is known for his prix fixe menus of fine global cuisine during the holidays. If a picnic sounds good, a trip to totally gourmet Sapphire Pantry fills the basket with deli items, wines and desserts.

Splashes at the nearby Surf & Sand Hotel sits right above the water and cooks up its fine California cuisine for special holiday meals.

Other close-by restaurants with excellent cuisine, atmosphere and service during the holidays is French 75, Mozambique and any of the restaurants at The Montage Laguna Beach, including The Loft and Studio.

Seeking some late night fun? Just a couple of blocks from your Laguna Riviera hotel room, Mosun has a better-than-decent sushi bar and Pan-Asian cuisine restaurant on the bottom and a hot dance club on the second floor.

Are you ready to call South Laguna home this holiday season? Your family will never forget Laguna Riviera for its cozy vibe, incredible locale, beach scene and fabulous holiday dining.

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, California.

OJAI FOR THE HOLIDAYS

12.02.10

By Joanne Tucker

Seeking a close, but out-of-the-way place to celebrate the holidays with family in nature, luxury and complete relaxation? Only a 90-minute drive north of OC, there’s a picturesque valley surrounded by majestic snow-covered peaks and acres of citrus groves.

Where is this idyllic spot? Ojai Valley draws holiday visitors each year to enjoy its seemingly never-ending wintertime sunshine, pristine air, natural springs, lush foliage, old oak trees and the foot-friendly town of Ojai.

Where to Stay in Ojai for the Holidays
Are you seeking a healthy holiday? Once a 1920s historic hotel, the Oaks of Ojai was transformed into a health spa in 1977 by Sheila Cluff, an internationally-recognized fitness expert.

A family-run business, the Oaks of Ojai offers 46 guest rooms, three low-fat spa meals a day and 16 optional daily exercise classes. Plus, guests have access to the swimming pool, sauna, eucalyptus steam room, hot tubs and exercise equipment. This health spa also has a variety of spa skin care and body treatments available.

We stayed in a deluxe guest room that featured beautiful Spanish tiles created by local artists. An intimate patio outside our room was the perfect spot to catch the afternoon rays and the blue-tiled water fountain lulled us into a restful sleep.

A hot stone massage released our city tensions, and we slipped into the sauna, which was seeped with eucalyptus vapors to rid the body of toxins.

For the holidays, The Oaks of Ojai offers a “two-night stay and get the third night half off” and a “book one massage or facial and get a second one half off.” Mention the “holiday half off special” at time of booking by calling 800-753-OAKS for reservations.

For utter peacefulness, the Emerald Iguana Inn is a charming collection of Art Nouveau inspired-cottages set amid lush gardens. The inn’s accommodations range from single rooms and suites to private cottages with spacious living rooms and full kitchens.

We enjoyed a guest room with an interior décor that blended Southwestern style and Middle Eastern aesthetics. In the morning, we just loved the European-style continental breakfast, which was served poolside. And in the evenings, we stopped by the pool again for wine tastings and cheese samplings.

The Emerald Iguana Inn’s “Two Night Holiday Massage Package” costs $199 and includes a bottle of Ojai wine, a box of gourmet chocolates, two etched “iguana” wine glasses, two one-hour massages. The room rate for two nights is not included in the package. Call 805-646-5277 for reservations.

Want to ditch the car for the holidays? The Lavender Inn makes a cozy holiday retreat in downtown Ojai where you can walk to restaurants, shops, bookstores, yoga classes and several spas.

With seven beautifully decorated guest rooms, the inn features an on-site day spa, gourmet cooking classes and a home-cooked breakfast in the mornings with a wine and cheese hour in the evenings. Pets are welcome in two of the inn’s rooms.

Lavender Inn’s holiday special features a 10% discount on choice of rooms. The special also includes an afternoon wine and cheese reception and a full gourmet breakfast. Call 877-646-6635.

The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is best suited for families, golfers and those who love luxurious spas. This five-diamond resort has 308 deluxe guest rooms, including the Spa Penthouse, Hacienda Penthouse and 75 other suites, which offers the ultimate in luxury accommodations.

The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa also features one of the best day spas in the country, a championship golf course, tennis courts and a fine dining restaurant. It is also pet friendly.

The Ojai Valley Inn has a book one guest room at the regular rate and get the second room at half price package for the holidays. Or, book one room at the regular rate and receive a $100 resort credit per night. There’s also a stay two nights and receive the third night free package (available Sun.-Thu. except for December 24-26). Call 888-697-8780 for reservations.

Designed in the Mission Revival style, Su Nido Inn offers spacious one- and two- bedroom suites, which are built around a charming cobblestone courtyard. With unique décor and 600-1000 sq. ft of space, every suite includes a kitchen or hospitality center with microwave and refrigerator.

Su Nido Inn’s holiday package includes a 25% hotel discount, plus a free lunch at Azu’s Mediterranean Restaurant. This package is available until December 31. Call 866-646-7080 for reservations.

The Town of Ojai
A community of about 8,000 residents, Ojai has long been a haven for writers, artists, musicians and health enthusiasts. As an enclave for the creative spirit, you’ll find art centers, theatres, museums and an impressive array of galleries on about every street in downtown Ojai.

With a distinctive city center faithful to its Spanish heritage, Ojai boasts one-of-a kind specialty shops, restaurants and wine tasting rooms. Every store is an original and you won’t find any boxy chain stores or fast-food restaurants.

No visit to Ojai would be complete without a drive up Dennison Grade at sunset. At the summit, we watched the fading sunlight create a brilliant shade of pink for several minutes on the Topa Topa Bluffs—Ojai’s magical “Pink Moment.”

With its laid back atmosphere, Ojai is definitely a peaceful spot to unplug from urban holiday stress and enjoy being pampered at one of its quaint inns, luxurious resorts or rejuvenating health spas.

Holiday Dining in Ojai
The year-round Mediterranean climate of Ojai Valley makes it ideal for cultivating organic produce, citrus, nuts, grapes and lavender. Most of these local ingredients are found in the creative holiday menus of restaurants, bistros and cafes in the town of Ojai.

One of the best places to splurge on a holiday dinner, paired with fine wines, is at the Ranch House. A favorite dining spot with the late actor, Paul Newman, the Ranch House offers alfresco dining on a wooden porch facing Ojai’s scenic valley as well as its romantic garden, twinkling lights, meandering streams and stone fountains. This award-winning restaurant is also known for its extensive wine list, bakery and herb garden.

Suzanne’s Cuisine is another favorite fine dining restaurant with visitors and locals alike. Freshness counts at this mother-and-daughter restaurant in the Ojai Valley run by Suzanne Roll and Sandra Shinall. Suzanne’s love of cooking is infused in every dish from lovely freshly-baked breads to entrees laced with fresh herbs, grown in Suzanne’s own private garden, to her decadent desserts.

With Ojai’s great outdoors, organic flavors, sensational spas and artsy inspiration, this historic yet modern town offers cozy inns, top rated resorts and exceptional health spas for you and your family to enjoy a stress-free holiday season.

Joanne Tucker is a freelance travel and dining writer based in Costa Mesa, California.

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