Classic Packards Take Center Stage in Newport Beach

A free, open-to-the-public All-Packard Car Show takes place Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach.

On view will be 30 to 40 concours-quality automobiles dating from the 1920s through the early 1950s. Among them is the original Irvine Ranch Packard, purchased in 1924 by James Harvey Irvine and driven until 1953 by his daughter Joan Irvine Smith. 

The car remains unrestored and closely reflects its condition when it was found in a storage unit in the 1980s. It started upon discovery and is set to participate in a local driving tour on Friday, May 1, marking the 100th anniversary of U.S. Route 66 centennial.

The show is presented by Packards International Motor Car Club in celebration of its 63rd anniversary.

Built in Detroit from 1899 to 1956 by the Packard Motor Car Company, Packard was among the most prestigious American automobiles of its time. Favored by presidents, royalty, and industry leaders, it earned a reputation for elegance, durability, and a smooth ride. Its well-known tagline said it best: Ask the man who owns one.

Today, Packards continue to draw collectors, museums, and enthusiasts from around the world. The Santa Ana-based club is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the marque, offering members access to events, resources, publications, and regional gatherings that keep the legacy of Packard alive.

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach is at 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach

J Ruby: A Colorful Creative Find in South Laguna

J Ruby opened in February, marking the first retail space for designer Jessica Ruby, who has been creating and refining her work for years. The Laguna Beach studio, set in the historic St. Clair building, serves as both a boutique and the home of the South Laguna Art Project, where workshops and classes are offered regularly.

Inside, the space is filled with upcycled fashion, custom embroidery, and original artwork by Jessica. The racks feature 100 percent yarn-dyed cotton shirting made in California, including her signature Boyfriend Shirt with classic or sport cuffs. A Patch Bar invites customers to personalize pieces with nautical letters, anchors, sharks, and more, all sewn on in-house.

Jessica works alongside her daughter Paige, who hand-embroiders many of the designs and helps run the studio. Together, they have created a welcoming, community-driven space that blends fashion, art, and hands-on creativity. Even Poppi, the studio pup, makes the occasional appearance.

The shop also carries scarf hats, bandana shirts, accessories, and small-batch items made from repurposed materials.

J Ruby is open Friday through Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with parking available behind the building.

J Ruby is located at 31711 Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. 

A Coastal Spa Experience Arrives at Surf & Sand Laguna Beach

Surf & Sand Laguna Beach has partnered with OSEA to debut an exclusive OSEA Spa Suite at Aquaterra Spa, marking the first spa collaboration of its kind following the resort’s recent transformation.

The experience is available as a limited three-month residency, introducing a fully branded treatment suite designed around OSEA’s core elements of Ocean, Sun, Earth and Atmosphere. At the center is the Dream Firming Massage, a restorative treatment focused on circulation, skin firming and deep relaxation using the brand’s seaweed-based formulations.

The partnership feels like a natural fit. Both brands are rooted in the California coast, and Aquaterra Spa has incorporated OSEA products into treatments for years. This new suite builds on that relationship, creating a more immersive, ocean-inspired wellness experience.

Guests can expect OSEA’s signature products woven throughout each treatment, along with thoughtful sensory details that reflect the brand’s coastal origins. The timing aligns with a growing interest in wellness experiences that feel intentional, immersive and rooted in clean, plant-based skincare.

The launch also comes as Surf & Sand Laguna Beach continues its refreshed chapter, with new Spa Director Avigale LaGrass bringing more than 15 years of luxury resort experience and a focus on elevated treatments and meaningful wellness programming inspired by Laguna Beach.

1555 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach.