Greer's OC | The latest in Orange County fashion, dining, and trends.

Jonathan Alcala Named Executive Chef at Temecula Creek Inn

By Greer Wylder

August 14, 2026

Temecula Creek Inn has named Chef Jonathan Alcala as its new Executive Chef, bringing a lifelong love of California cuisine, hyper-seasonal ingredients and community-driven dining to the beloved Southern California retreat. In his new role, Alcala oversees all culinary operations across the property, including Corkfire, Temecula Creek Inn's signature garden-and-flame restaurant, as well as special events and immersive culinary programming.Alcala arrives at Temecula Creek Inn after most recently serving as Executive Chef at Carter Hospitality Group, where he led culinary operations for more than two years. Before that, he was Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director at Mount Palomar…

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.…

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.…

One Night, Five Courses, and a Top Chef Canada Champion at Balboa Bay Resort

By Greer Wylder

July 20, 2026

Balboa Bay Resort is bringing something special to Newport Beach this summer. On Thursday, Aug. 6, the resort will host an intimate chef's dinner with Coulson Armstrong, winner of Top Chef Canada and Culinary Director of Toronto's Our House Hospitality. Tickets are $415.90 per person and available on Eventbrite and at balboabayresort.com.Armstrong is one of Canada's most compelling culinary voices. He serves as Executive Chef of the celebrated Prime Seafood Palace, where he works alongside restaurateur Matty Matheson, and his Season 12 win on Top Chef Canada earned him fans well beyond the industry. But what shaped his cooking most…

Summer Nights on the Lawn at VEA Newport Beach

By Greer Wylder

June 25, 2026

VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa, is bringing back its popular Summer Concert Series for 2026, inviting resort guests and the local community to enjoy live music, chef-curated bites, signature cocktails, and ocean-view sunsets from the resort's scenic Sunset Lawn.The concert series features evenings of live entertainment overlooking the Pacific:• July 16, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. featuring Daniel Bonte & The Bonafide• Aug. 20, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. featuring Teddy RobbGeneral admission tickets are $25 per event.Guests are encouraged to bring friends and family and enjoy the open lawn setting. Limited seating will be available on a first-come,…