Greer's Blog

gourmetbythebay

8th Annual Gourmet by the Bay Returns to Newport Beach

Image
By Greer Wylder
August 07, 2026

Newport Bay Conservancy will host its 8th Annual Gourmet by the Bay dinner and auction on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Muth Interpretive Center in Newport Beach.The evening kicks off with wine, beer, a featured cocktail and live music, all set against sweeping views of the Upper Newport Bay. Do or Dine Catering will handle dinner, Tap Truck Orange County will pour the drinks, and Bristol Farms will provide appetizers and desserts. Guests can also browse the event's silent auction while mingling with fellow supporters of the bay.Newport Bay Conservancy is a nonprofit dedicated to…

Continue Reading
bestJohn_Williams_final_cover

Library Foundation Brings the Voice Behind Williams’ Music to Witte Hall

Image
By Greer Wylder
August 07, 2026

The Library Foundation of Newport Beach is bringing a rare treat to Witte Hall this month: an evening with the person who spent years researching the life of John Williams, the composer behind some of the most recognizable film scores ever written.Arts journalist and educator Tim Greiving will speak Thursday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. as part of Newport Beach Art Week. Greiving is the author of the first full biography of Williams, whose Oscar nomination count remains unmatched in Motion Picture Academy history.Williams' scores have shaped generations of moviegoing, including "Star Wars," "Indiana Jones," "Jaws," "E.T.," "Jurassic Park," "Schindler's…

Continue Reading
europavillagewine

Europa Village Unveils Lucia at the Cave, a New Wine Cave Cocktail Lounge

Image
By Greer Wylder
August 07, 2026

Europa Village Wineries & Resort in Temecula Valley has opened Lucia at the Cave, a new cocktail bar and lounge tucked inside the resort's Vienza Cave. The concept is the newest addition to Europa Village's food and beverage lineup, bringing a polished cocktail destination to the winery's underground setting.Named for the Latin word for "light," Lucia balances elevated design with an inviting atmosphere. Custom furnishings, a central chandelier and a grand bar anchor the space, giving the subterranean cave a refined, moody feel suited to intimate dates or small gatherings. Guests can order specialty cocktails alongside Italian small plates.Standout cocktails…

Continue Reading
alisalheaven

Alisal Ranch Marks 80 Years with a Summer of Celebration

Image
By Greer Wylder
August 06, 2026

Alisal Ranch, the 10,500-acre working ranch and resort in the Santa Ynez Valley, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this summer. The property first welcomed guests on July 16, 1946, and has spent eight decades building a reputation for Western hospitality and family tradition. I've never stayed there myself, but I have friends who have, and they can't stop raving about it. It's firmly on my bucket list.To mark the milestone, the ranch is rolling out a summer's worth of experiences and keepsakes. The centerpiece is the 1946 Legacy Package, a two-night stay for six adults priced at a symbolic $19,460.…

Continue Reading
thompsonhotelspalmdesert_2

Palm Springs Gets a New Reason to Stay and Stay Awhile

Image
By Greer Wylder
July 29, 2026

Palm Springs' famed Palm Canyon Drive just got a stylish new anchor. Thompson Palm Springs, by Hyatt, has paired up with downtown newcomer Bar Issi to give visitors a fresh way to experience the desert: a secluded resort escape by day and a lively coastal Italian dining scene by night.Perched above downtown with sweeping views of the San Jacinto Mountains, Thompson Palm Springs delivers the kind of desert calm that feels far from everything, even though it's right in the middle of it all. Guests will find lush, open-air walkways, two cabana-lined pools and firepit-warmed lounges made for slowing down.…

Continue Reading