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Alisal Ranch Marks 80 Years with a Summer of Celebration

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.…

Anaheim’s Sixth Annual World Taste Returns to the Packing District

By Greer Wylder

August 04, 2026

Anaheim Packing District, named Orange County's Best Food Hall of 2025, is bringing back its World Taste of the Packing District for a sixth year on Tuesday, August 11, from 5 to 9 p.m.This year's theme is Y2K, and guests are invited to dust off their early-2000s best for a tasting crawl through the district's historic venues, including Anaheim MAKE, Anaheim Packing House, Farmers Park and the Packard Building.The vendor lineup spans nearly 20 spots, with standouts including:URBANA Mexican Gastronomy, serving quesabirria tacos with consommeMangal Mediterranean, offering a mini bowl with chicken shawarma, falafel or gyroThe Wooden Pearl, with a…

Palm Springs Gets a New Reason to Stay and Stay Awhile

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.…

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LJ’s Lounge Brings Soul-Infused Dining and Music to Triangle Square

By Greer Wylder

July 24, 2026

LJ's Lounge has opened at Triangle Square, bringing elevated Southern-inspired comfort food and a lively music scene to Costa Mesa. The restaurant serves dinner on weekdays and brunch on weekends, with plans to add breakfast and lunch daily in the coming weeks.Black and veteran-owned by Orange County native Kenneth Jackson, LJ's is named for his mother, Linda Jean. The weekend brunch series, Soul to Sole, features a DJ spinning old-school music on Saturdays and live gospel and jazz on Sunday mornings that transition to reggae by evening. A full entertainment calendar is coming in August.Jackson developed the menu with chef…

VIII by Selanne Unveils Summer Tasting Menu

By Greer Wylder

July 23, 2026

VIII by Selanne, the intimate tasting-menu restaurant next to Selanne Steak Tavern, has introduced a new summer menu celebrating California's seasonal harvest through a multi-course dining experience.Available for a limited time, the menu highlights premium seafood, locally sourced produce and expertly prepared meats, with each course designed to capture the freshness of summer and reflect VIII's contemporary approach to fine dining.Executive Chef Vince Terusa and his team open the experience with an assortment of canapés, including king crab tartelette, beef tartare and pomme dauphine, before moving into California Coastline, a seafood trio of bay scallop, bluefin tuna toro and Misty…