7 minute read
MIRAMAR & BEYOND
With its unparalleled beauty and perfect climate, Santa Barbara has earned its moniker
as the American Riviera. Yet the region is much more than simply a coastline, boasting some of the nation’s finest dining, shopping, wine tours, museum exhibits, polo events, and more. At the epicenter of this idyllic, luxurious playground is a renowned destination for visitors and locals alike: Rosewood Miramar Beach.
Images courtesy of Rosewood Miramar Beach
Stay.
Spread across 16 acres of prime coastal real estate, the Rosewood Miramar Beach is the only property in Southern California to offer guestrooms set directly over the sand with unparalleled views of the Pacific – perfectly in keeping with the name Miramar, “to behold the sea.”
History of the Montecito destination dates to the 1870s, when the beach was home to a private residence and collection of cabins that came to be known as Miramar by the Sea. Fast forward 150 years, and a lot has changed thanks to the work of Caruso, the company behind some of the world’s most acclaimed lifestyle destinations. It took more than 12 years and a cast of thousands to transform the original Miramar destination into a brand new masterpiece of landscaping and architecture; yet the spirit of the original beachfront retreat carries forward to the present day. WHAT MAKES MIRAMAR BEACH SO SPECIAL, BEYOND THE INCOMPARABLE SETTING, IS ITS HISTORY AS A BELOVED ICON OF HOSPITALITY – IT’S SIMPLY EMBEDDED IN THE LAND.”
— RICK CARUSO
Play.
Time is a luxury at the Miramar, allowing endless opportunities for activity and adventure. Mornings are best for an exhilarating beach run, relaxing outdoor yoga, or an early-morning stand-up paddle board. The entire resort is pet-friendly, and pups enjoy surfside adventures followed by long naps in the elegantly appointed petbeds.
The resort’s state-of-the-art fitness center, featuring indoor and outdoor treadmills and high-performance equipment, draws guests throughout the day. When the sun hits high noon, the Cabana Pool beckons adults only with its luxurious cabanas and serpentine-edged pool. The familyfriendly Manor Pool is an equally favored destination, as are the open-air bocce and shuffleboard facilities for some friendly competition.
To relax and re-energize, Sense Spa offers unique treatments such as the Montecito Sage Purification, inspired by healing traditions and indigenous plants of the region. A variety of luxury services, along with unforgettable relaxation rooms, steam rooms, saunas, and treatment rooms make Sense Spa the only Forbes five-star recognized spa in Santa Barbara.
ENGAGE.
A wide array of stimulating programs ensure that visitors of all ages stay inspired and active. Programs are seasonal, and highlights include:
Stars & S’Mores: A stargazing experience with astronomers from the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit. Learn about the constellations and stars then
head to the resort’s cozy fire pits to indulge in custom Miramar S’Mores kits by the fire.
Dive-In Movies: After night falls at the Manor Pool, family-friendly films are displayed on a huge screen adjacent to the pool, accompanied by popcorn, ice cream, and other late-night treats from the poolside Scoop Shop.
The Falconry Experience: Visit with the resort’s resident falconer and the Miramar Harris Hawks, Jekyll and Hyde, to learn all about falconry and enjoy a photo moment with Miramar’s hawks.
Stray.
Just a stone’s throw away from the resort is the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. The club welcomes spectators to enjoy a Happy Hour polo marketplace on Friday afternoons as well as Sunday Polo events throughout the season. The club’s Fieldside Grill is the perfect place for an early dinner, and the historic field-side clubhouse is the ideal spot for rubbing shoulders with players after the game.
Coast Village Road is another key destination in Santa Barbara; and the best way to experience the historic strip is in one of the resort’s three custom designed “Jollys.” The playful pink, turquoise and yellow open-air Jollys boast polished wicker seats and striped canopy roofs, reminiscent of the picturesque taxis of Capri.
DINE.
Executive Chef Massimo Falsini
Chef Massimo brings more than 30 years of international experience to his role as Executive Chef at Rosewood Miramar Beach, including stints in Michelin-starred restaurants Solage in Napa and Harry’s Bar in Rome. A testament to his talent and expertise, the resort offers an ambitious variety of culinary experiences.
Massimo’s Garden is an elegant yet casual outdoor dining experience featuring seasonal coastal cuisine harvested from the surrounding garden. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience: Chef Massimo demonstrates his skills and shares tips as he prepares each course of the menu, customized for intimate gatherings.
At Caruso’s, the resort’s romantic oceanfront restaurant, authentic Italian inspires contemporary Californian cuisine. Chef Massimo likes to describe the menu as “alive” – it is dynamic yet remains true to his commitment of respect towards the environment, animal welfare, and health. Alive is exactly how one feels after an evening at this Michelin-recommended eatery.
For a more casual evening after a day of shopping or at the polo grounds, visit the Miramar Beach Bar, where Chef Massimo recommends watching the sunset over the Channel Island Halibut Carpaccio paired with a glass of La Spinetta Il Rosé di Casanova.
EXPERIENCE.
Kendall Conrad
Through the international PlaceMaker program, Rosewood introduces community innovators in the areas of art, style, food, sustainability, health, and more. Rosewood’s first PlaceMaker native to Santa Barbara is Kendall Conrad: a handbag and accessories designer who is an expert in style, design, Santa Barbara living, and the connections among them.
Kendall maintains an active list of ways to best experience Santa Barbara. An avid hiker, she suggests visiting the Santa Ynez hills for a moderate-level hike at Red Rock, where a series of swimming holes offer respite for the weary. For a delicious post-hike meal in Montecito, she highly recommends Pane e Vino (get the puntarella that is available in early spring) or Loquita in the Funk Zone for Spanish tapas and palomitas.
Whether enjoying nature, or visiting the latest new restaurant, Kendall embodies Santa Barbara style in three words: easy, elegant, and comfortable. She has a few favorite spots that speak to her personal style: “I love shopping at The Webster and James Perse at the Miramar as well as Diani on State Street.” And when it comes to home stores, there are too many to count, but she loves to frequent Pierre Lafond Upstairs and William Laman in Montecito, and Garde and Porch in Summerland.
Back at the resort, Kendall is continually drawn to Miramar Beach for long walks with her dogs at sunset. Enjoying lunch with family or friends at The Revere Room or celebrating milestones at Caruso’s are also occasions she especially recommends. No visit to the resort goes without meaning for Kendall, she admits: “Growing up, I went to the Miramar every summer... I have such a special place in my heart for it, and there are so many places on the property that are nostalgic for me. When it first re-opened as the Rosewood, my mom and I went, and we were so happy to see it come back to life..." ◊
Charlie Petersen
805.637.0312 | CalRE #01742017 Charlie.Petersen@gmail.com CharliePetersenProperties.com
Representing Distinctive Montecito and Santa Barbara Properties
Susan Conger
805.689.3034 | CalRE #00545024 SusConger@aol.com SusanConger.com
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