Santa Barbara

DIVE IN

Summer on the American Riviera

Gray Malin gets wild at Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club

William Laman

PRIVATE 16 ACRE RETREAT

Views // Privacy // Land Offered at $4,900,000

MOSAÏQUE

WINICK ARCHITECTS

ARCHITECTURE + INTERIOR DESIGN

Winick Architects

RENEWING BRILLIANCE AT THE CORAL CASINO

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S ULTIMATE SHOPPING DESTINATION

Alexander McQueen · Audemars Piguet · Balenciaga · Berluti · Bottega Veneta · Brunello Cucinelli · Bvlgari

Cartier · Celine · Chanel · Chloé · Christian Louboutin · Dior · Dolce&Gabbana · Fendi · Ferragamo · Givenchy

Graff · Gucci · Harry Winston · Hermès · Jil Sander · Loewe · Louis Vuitton · Maison Margiela · Marni · Max Mara

Missoni · Moncler · Monique Lhuillier · Moynat · Oscar de la Renta · Patek Philippe · Prada · Ralph Lauren

Rimowa · Roger Vivier · Rolex I Tourneau Bucherer · Saint Laurent · Stella McCartney · The Webster

Thom Browne · Tiffany & Co. · Vacheron Constantin · Valentino · Van Cleef & Arpels · Versace · Zegna

partial listing

Valet Parking · Personal Shopper Program · Gift Cards · Concierge Services

Coldwell Banker - Hanseth

BUILDING PEACE OF MIND

Sotheby’s - Baker

PRICE UPON REQUEST | 8 BEDROOMS | 10 BATHROOMS

8,755 SQUARE FEET | 3 ACRES

Nestled in the iconic Lower Village, this recently renovated 1920s estate blends timeless charm with contemporary comforts. The gated property offers panoramic views and includes a media room, office, wine cellar, and exquisite primary suite with a grand walk-in closet. Elegant Moroccan-style archways and steel doors and windows lead to a central courtyard with a grand outdoor fireplace. Enjoy a pool, cabana, sauna, championship tennis court, guest house and gym.

Compass - Ebbin

M ARSHA KOTLYA R

ESTATE GROUP

Winemaker’s Haven & Equestrian’s Dream in the Santa Ynez Valley

Rare Opportunity to acquire this incredible 62+ Acre Ranch with a 20,000 sq.ft. State-of-the-Art Wine Production Facility, Chardonnay Vineyard, 3 Homes, Equestrian Facility, Storage Barns and more. Potential to separately purchase the Santa Barbara Winery brand, inventory and Funk Zone lease space - call for more details. Also available as a separate offering is the 105+/- acre North Vineyard of Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery, which is located in the Santa Rita AVA.

ULTRA LUXURIOUS EAST END ESTATE | OJAI, CA

Everything about this private estate has been refined and perfected to create one of the most magnificent properties in Ojai. On 9+ acres with truly exquisite gardens, the entire property has awesome views of the valley and mountains to the west. The compound includes a main house, a guest house, a studio, a pool, 2 greenhouses, an entertainment barn, a pool house, a brand new tennis court with pavillion, solar and a well. Every location takes full advantage of the natural beauty and each detail has been finished with the utmost care to make it breathtakingly beautiful, warm and luxuriously livable.

LuxuryEastEndEstateOjai.com

Offered at $18,500,000

A luxury villa/vineyard estate providing the ultimate in architecture, design, craftmanship, and setting. Brand new construction of the 5100 sqft, 4br/5ba home is finished with the highest quality materials, appliances and fixtures. An H-shaped floorplan separates private sleeping areas from public social areas. The open living area includes a chef’s kitchen, a 2-sided fireplace, and a wine tasting room/library. The grounds feature a 100% organic vineyard, pool/spa with epic views, and multiple courtyards and verandas to take full advantage of the spectacular natural setting.

Offered at $9,750,000

Photography by Matt Albiani

Written by Elizabeth Varnell. Photography by Jason Sean Weiss/BFA

Written by Christian Beamish. Photography by Dewey Nicks

Written by John Connelly. Photography by Sara Prince

Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks. Photography by Blake Bronstad and Maia Hinton

Sotheby’s - Koutnick

EDITORIAL

Jennifer Smith

Enjoy that Santa Barbara sunshine!

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Gina Tolleson

CREATIVE CONSULTANT

James Timmins

MANAGING EDITOR

Sarah Rutledge

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER

Dean Alari

PHOTO EDITOR

Lauren White

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Anna Ferguson-Sparks

The Andersen’s - Masthead

Happy Hour 2:30-6pm everyday

Scratch made cakes & pastries

Exquisite wines & European beer

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

High Tea, served daily from 2pm

1106 State Street | 805-962-5085

Open Daily 9am-6pm, Closed Tuesdays AndersensSantaBarbara.com

Amelia Fleetwood

Jennifer Blaise Kramer

Lorie Dewhirst Porter

Jessica Ritz

Gabe Saglie

Hana-Lee Sedgwick

Katherine Stewart

Joan Tapper

Caitlin White

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ingrid Bostrom

Blake Bronstad

Sam Frost

Blue Gabor

Tierney Gearon

Michael Haber

Gray Malin

Elizabeth Messina

Dewey Nicks

Victoria Pearson

Sara Prince

Jessica Sample

Mariana Schulze

Trevor Tondro

Rosewood Miramar

©2024 BY SMITH PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC.

Groove Pilates - Masthead

All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from Santa Barbara Magazine

TO OUR READERS

Santa Barbara Magazine invites you to share with us your reactions to our latest stories. Letters are not for publication, but please include your address in case we need to contact you. By mail: Reader Response Department, Santa Barbara Magazine, 2064 Alameda Padre Serra, Ste. 120, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. By e-mail: editorial@sbmag.com.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Single copies and subscriptions are available at shop.sbmag.com. Domestic rates are $19.95 for one year. For Canada, add $49 postage; for rest of the world, add $69. Subscriber Customer Service: please contact subscribe@sbmag.com

ADVERTISERS

For advertising inquiries, contact Amy Lipson, publisher, at amy@sbmag.com.

FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Summertime and the living is easy—or so the song goes. But in a place that is built around never-ending summer vibes, this season stands out with its endless activities, cultural and historic annual events, sheer natural beauty evidenced in its topography, and the idea that anything is possible on the shores of Santa Barbara.

become a global phenomenon.) Artist Ann Diener applies her artistic and academic sensibilities to continue that conversation within her latest body of work, featuring drawings, beaded textiles, and a greenhouse installation. Art adviser John Connelly visited Diener for “Capturing Changes” (page 120) at her coastline studio, designed by Robin Donaldson, to see how one voice can speak loudly and resonate through artistic endeavors.

Carpinteria vintage and antiques dealer Wayne Babcock found his passion at an early age surfing waves with legends up and down California and Hawaii, and he started collecting surfboards as a boy. Decades later, Babcock has amassed one of the world’s greatest collections of historical and contemporary surfboards in the country, if not worldwide. Photographer Dewey Nicks and writer, rider, and shaper Christian Beamish take us inside the mind of a prolific collector in “Wave Riders” (page 110).

Edit Note

When Coral Casino was recently unveiled after an almost four-year hiatus and plenty of construction, it was a sight for sore eyes. Although much stayed the same, local hotelier Ty Warner did a ton of work to get it just right. Photographer Gray Malin captured the club’s fresh essence for our cover and “Casino Royale” (page 59). Celebrating that spirit, we are ready to dive right in! Happy summering.

Take a tour along the boardwalk and you are bound to find yourself in the harbor full of fishing boats and a culture that is so tied to the sea, it has become one and the same. Famed East Coast photographer Matt Albiani (and now part-time local and co-owner of Mate Gallery in Montecito) aimed his lens to document a day in the life of this watery wonderland for our opening feature, “On the Waterfront” (page 94).

Speaking of otherworldly, Zaca Lake—just an hour’s winding drive over the pass toward Santa Ynez—is a feast for the eyes and full of Chumash lore. This idyllic mystic mountain lake resort has been reinvented to be shared with others on a similar path of renewal and rebirth. We tagged along with PALMA Colectiva—a healing arts community partnering with the property for bespoke retreats—to take time to let go, balance, and just breathe in “The Magic of Zaca Lake” (page 128).

Santa Barbara is always passionate about environmental issues around protecting our water and land resources. (After all, we did grow Earth Day in 1969 among like-minded locals, and it has

Jennifer Smith

ON THE COVER: Photographer

Gray Malin captures golden hour at the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club.

Explore more of Malin’s latest series at graymalin.com

CONTRIBUTORS

PETER HORJUS

The award-winning illustrator and graphic designer who created the opener to this issue’s features section (pages 92–93) has merged his illustration and design work into largescale paintings that combine his love for simple imagery, unique texture, and a nod to his favorite era—the 1940s. His clients include Saks Fifth Avenue, the US Open, Coca-Cola, Herman Miller, SC Johnson, and The New York Times SB MUST DOS Running along the beautiful beaches like Butterfly and Hendry’s ● Sketching ideas early in the morning at Handlebar Coffee at the marina ● Trying out delicious appetizers at The Honor Bar.

MATT ALBIANI

The New York–based photographer who shot the feature on the Santa Barbara Harbor (“On the Waterfront,” page 94) has worked for fashion companies such as Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, and L.L. Bean. He is a part-time Santa Barbara resident and owns the Montecito shop Mate Gallery with his partner, Ron Brand. SB MUST DOS A beach walk at Fernald Point ● Delicious lunch at Brophy Bros. ● A relaxing visit to San Ysidro Ranch.

Contributors

CHRISTIAN BEAMISH

The surfboard shaper, international surfer, and writer who penned “Wave Riders” (page 110) is the author of The Voyage of the Cormorant (Patagonia Books, 2012) and the former associate editor of The Surfer’s Journal The Ventura resident writes about wilderness surfing, surfboard design, and cross-cultural experiences. SB MUST DOS A burger and beverage at Padaro Grill ● Surfing at Rincon ● A picnic with friends at the first night of Fiesta on the grass at the Mission.

Horjus in his art studio with Gray Cowboy, acrylic on canvas. More works can be seen at peterhorjus.com

JOHN CONNELLY

“I loved learning more about the beautiful and insightful artwork of Ann Diener and the astounding history of California’s water system and drastic landscape change caused by Big-Ag farming,” says the Santa Barbara resident who penned “Capturing Changes” (page 120). SB MUST DOS Happy hour at Shoreline Beach Cafe with feet in the sand ● The cozy pet shop George on Coast Village Road ● A jaunt to Bar Le Côte in Los Olivos for deliciously prepared seafood.

Play. Learn. Discover.

Moxi - Contributors

MAIA HINTON

The ceramicist and shutterbug who shot the PALMA Colectiva retreat for “The Magic of Zaca Lake” (page 128) was raised around the ease of Southern California living. Her work reflects the subtle beauty in the ever-changing, and with a love for capturing the world’s beauty through film and digital, her focus remains on look-book and lifestyle photo diaries. SB MUST DOS A great meal at Your Place Thai ● A beach stroll at Mesa Lane ● The best Mexican food at Super Cucas.

AN ORIGINAL EXHIBIT CREATED BY THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGH

Heading South

Explore Ventura’s flourishing surfing, arts, and culinary scenes

WE LIVE IN PARADISE

WE LIVE IN PARADISE

Breakfast is a must at FRONTSIDE CAFE, located just a short walk from the beach. Here, husband-and-wife duo Joel and Charne Huff blend the flavors of her native Australia with his deep Ventura County roots. “After our last visit to Australia, we were inspired to bring the Australia café–coffee scene back to California,” says Charne. “We wanted to offer a place where the community could get an upscale coffee and a great breakfast or lunch made with local ingredients.” The chic, minimalist space is bright and airy, with a relaxed atmosphere perfect for a postsurf coffee and bite. The food menu, although selective, showcases a delightful fusion of Australian and Californian cuisine, including favorites like the Full Aussie Breakfast with eggs, bacon, and smashed potatoes, and the Smashed Avocado Toast, piled high with avocado, pickled veggies, and dukkah. 1070 E. Front St., Ventura, FRONTSIDECAFE.COM.

Live - Ventura

Nestled between Carpinteria and Malibu, Ventura is a laid-back surf town known for its unpretentious vibe and small-town feel. Once a sleepy coastal enclave, it has recently evolved into a vibrant destination with an influx of inviting restaurants, unique boutiques, and artsy neighborhoods that enhance its creative, community-driven spirit.

A short distance away along the coastline, the VENTURA PIER AND PROMENADE provides an excellent spot for taking a leisurely morning stroll and watching surfers. Surfing is ingrained in Ventura’s identity, and the number of surfers in the water on any given day proves the city’s surf culture is alive and well. A great place to catch some of the action is C Street, an area beyond the Ventura Pier at California Street; this spot is known for having one of the highest numbers of surfable days on the West Coast. This popular surf site becomes particularly lively during September’s annual C Street Classic, a celebrated surf-andskate contest—now in its 38th year—that draws talented up-and-comers as well as water legends. CSTREETCLASSIC.COM.

Nearby, between Surfers’ Point and the Ventura Amtrak Station, the VENTURA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS is a versatile venue for entertainment and cultural festivities throughout the year, and it’s especially bustling

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Frontside Cafe offers a relaxed setting for breakfast and lunch; the restaurant’s airy interior; Smashed Avocado Toast at Frontside Cafe.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Downtown’s pedestrian-friendly Main Street; vibrant street art; the Italian Renaissance Revival architecture of the Bank of Italy; Ventura Amtrak Station.

Live - Ventura

during the summer months. From June 28 to 30, the fairgrounds will welcome the X Games (XGAMES.COM ), bringing world-class athletes and extreme sports pros to showcase their skills in skateboarding, BMX biking, and Moto X. From July 31 to August 11, the annual Ventura County Fair (VENTURACOUNTYFAIR.ORG ) returns, captivating people of all ages with its array of games, carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, and rodeo events.

Ventura’s coastal appeal is undeniable, but a visit wouldn’t be complete without exploring Main Street downtown. Lined with architectural gems that house everything from vintage shops and eclectic art galleries to chic bars and eateries, this pedestrian-friendly district is a vibrant community hub.

After founding the Ventura-based lifestyle brand Iron & Resin, Thom Hill brought his passion for adventure and well-crafted goods to Main Street with the opening of THE IRON & RESIN GARAGE

in 2012. Located in a century-old building with exposed brick and a roll-up garage door, the store offers a collection of goods that reflect Hill’s lifestyle and experiences, including durable outerwear and an eclectic mix of goods, like knives, books, camping gear, and barware. “Iron & Resin is really a mash-up of all the things I’m into,” says Hill. “I believe in owning fewer quality items that last a lifetime, and that’s the philosophy I hope this store embodies.” 324 E. Main St., Ventura, IRONANDRESIN.COM.

Live - Ventura

FROM

Discover thoughtful treasures from local artisans and independent designers at FINDINGS MARKET, a retail destination for women, men, and kids. Inside, you’ll find Ventura’s only candle bar, DUSK, which offers a collection of hand-dipped candles, crystals, handmade jewelry, and fully customizable glass candles that are poured to order. Also downtown is the newly opened FINDINGS FLEA, which is redefining the antique shopping experience. Housed in a 1907 brick building with exposed beams, this modern antique collective showcases unusual wares and vintage finds curated by more than a dozen collectors from along the California coast. Rotating events, vintage markets, and food pop-ups on the large outdoor patio enhance its community-centric essence. 27 S. Oak St., Ventura; 33 S. Palm St., Ventura, FINDINGSMARKET.COM; @FINDINGSFLEA.

CLOCKWISE

TOP LEFT: The century-old building of The Iron & Resin Garage; the Iron & Resin brand of men’s outerwear; bike and motorcycle parking; the store’s collection of curated goods; owner Thom Hill.

Not far away, RUMFISH Y VINO provides a delicious respite from the bustle of shopping. After finding success with the original Rumfish y Vino in Belize, in 2016 Pamela and John Solomon opened their second location in downtown Ventura, just off Main Street. “When we opened Rumfish in Belize in 2008, we infused it with a little SoCal flair. This time, we’ve brought a touch of Belize to SoCal,” Pamela says. “We like to say it offers vacation vibes, no passport required.” True to their word, the space exudes a relaxed, carefree atmosphere, and the lunch, dinner, and beverage menus lean heavily into the seafood and tropical themes— think Caribbean fish stew, fish tacos, conch fritters, rum punch, and a best-selling orange-andjalapeño-infused margarita. 34 N. Palm St., Ventura, RUMFISHYVINOVENTURA.COM.

If Korean street food is more your speed for lunch, head across town to MATNA 1631, situated within the Victoria Village Shopping Center. Although it’s new to Ventura’s dining scene, the casual counter-service restaurant has already turned heads for its Korean-style ramen, kimbap, and fried chicken—all made in house. 1435 S. Victoria Ave., Ste. E, Ventura, MATNA1631.COM.

Live - Ventura

Back downtown, a half mile off Main Street, is BELL ARTS FACTORY. Established in 2006, this nonprofit, community-based arts center is a beacon of culture and creativity, providing a supportive space for local and multicultural artists to flourish. In addition to rotating art exhibitions and First Friday art shows, Bell Arts Factory hosts a diverse range of activities, including youth art classes, Aztec dance, artist-led workshops, and yoga classes. 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura, BELLARTSFACTORY.ORG.

Next door, INDOEK seamlessly integrates Ventura’s rich artistic pursuits with its iconic surf culture. This chic gallery showcases coastalinspired art, books, and other merchandise, along with a curated lineup of programming and events aimed at elevating the traditional aesthetic of the surfing lifestyle. 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura, INDOEK.COM.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Rumfish y Vino’s Creole Sea Bass paired with an orangeand-jalapeño margarita; coastal art at Indoek; Indoek’s Matt Titone and Rachel Cano.

Live - Ventura

After exploring Ventura’s diverse boutiques and galleries, recharge with dinner and drinks downtown. Kick off the evening with happy hour at MODEL CITIZEN. Situated inside a centuryold building, the space highlights a casually cool, minimalist design featuring white-oak booths, rose-gold mirrors, and eye-catching curves. “We really wanted Model Citizen to be reminiscent of one’s favorite neighborhood restaurant/bistro in any respective larger city but with a focus on the amazing seasonal produce available, almost literally, in our backyard here in Ventura,” says Derek Ulrich, who co-owns Model Citizen and Prospect Coffee Roasters with his brother, Blake. Although the food menu changes frequently, staple dishes include the Ricotta Fritters—a happy hour hit—and dinner favorites such as the Roasted Rainbow Carrots with labneh, brown butter, and Ojai Pixies, and the Yellowtail Crudo topped with preserved lemon, pistachios, capers, and chiles. 70 S. Oak St., Ventura, MODELCITIZENVTA.COM.

Italian cocktails are the specialty at BANK OF ITALY COCKTAIL TRUST, from Good Lion Hospitality. Located inside the Bank of Italy building, the venue features a French-Italian Art Deco design that creates a sophisticated ambiance, and the cocktails draw inspiration

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Model Citizen founders Blake and Derek Ulrich; cocktails paired with seasonal dishes at Model Citizen; the interior of Bank of Italy Cocktail Trust, the historic building on Main Street.

from the Central Coast and the coastal regions of central and southern Italy. Complementing the diverse beverage list is a food menu of Asian-inspired offerings by Sama Sama Kitchen. “Asian food is not the first thing folks think of in accompanying Italian-style cocktails, but it works surprisingly well,” says Brandon Ristaino, who co-owns the bar with his wife, Misty Orman Ristaino. “The high acid, pleasant bitterness, carbonation, and complexity of the Bank cocktails trade at an equal or contrasting volume to the food offerings.” 394 E. Main St., Ste. A, Ventura, BANKOFITALYCOCKTAILS.COM.

The innovative Ristainos also own STRANGE BEAST next door, a contemporary cocktail Izakaya named after the mythical creatures of Japanese folklore, known as kaiju. “Inspired by the drinking dens of Tokyo,” explains Orman Ristaino, the space features a dark, moody ambiance, offset by pops of color and a striking wall of graphic pop art. The popular late-night spot offers an eclectic menu of punchy cocktails, sake, and shareable small plates like hand rolls and wings, crafted by the culinary team at Sama Sama Kitchen. Later this summer, the couple plan to broaden their creative ventures in Ventura with the debut of JAGUAR MOON, a tequila and mezcal bar developed in collaboration with Chef Ramon Velazquez of Santa Barbara’s Corazon Cocina. 394 E. Main St., Ste. B, Ventura, STRANGEBEASTBAR.COM.

Live - Ventura

Also enhancing Ventura’s late-night scene is THE MAJESTIC VENTURA THEATER, which stands as a prominent fixture in the heart of

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Strange Beast co-owners Misty Orman Ristaino and Brandon Ristaino; the historic exterior of The Majestic Ventura Theater; Ube Piña Colada and hand rolls at Strange Beast.

OVERLOOKING THE SANTA BARBARA COAST

Trade the stress of city life for balmy air and azure ocean views at El Encanto. Enjoy the finest local ingredients and Californian wines, best paired with deep blue skies and radiant golden sunsets. Experience luxurious privacy in elegant bungalows and cottages for uninterrupted serenity.

Provide the promo code SBMWINE with your room reservation to receive a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival.

downtown. Built in the 1920s and featuring the era’s popular Mission-style architecture, this lively concert venue hosts an eclectic lineup of musical performers spanning all genres of music, from punk and reggae to jazz and classic rock. Directly across the street, THE SEWER–SANS SOUCI, a divey cocktail lounge, is an ideal place to unwind with a postshow nightcap, enjoyed alongside more live music or karaoke. 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura, VENTURATHEATER.NET ; 21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura, @SANSSOUCI_VTA.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Spanish Revival architecture shines at the historic Hotel San Buena; the boutique hotel’s Pierpont Suite; a glimpse of the hotel’s 1920s-era heritage; The Sewer–Sans Souci cocktail lounge is a local watering hole after concerts at the Majestic.

Live - Ventura

When it’s time to call it a night, the HOTEL SAN BUENA is conveniently located just a short stroll away. This 32-room boutique hotel, originally built in 1928 in a Spanish Revival style, beautifully marries historic charm with modern conveniences, featuring well-appointed rooms and suites and scenic city and ocean views. 11 S. Ash St., Ventura, HOTELSANBUENA.COM.

Regardless of how you spend your time in Ventura, no doubt you will leave with a newfound appreciation for its

down-to-earth atmosphere, creative authenticity, and community spirit. “The laid-back vibe and hometown feel set Ventura apart from the beach towns south of us,” says Hill.

Adds Orman Ristaino, “Ventura is a really cool place, with vibrancy, diversity, energy, and natural beauty. But most noticeable is that folks here are really passionate about their community. It’s the people that make Ventura so special.” HANA-LEE SEDGWICK

Live - Solstice Pure Gold

The beginnings were modest, but the spirit of creativity was there from the start: On the summer solstice in 1974, artist and mime Michael Gonzales got a couple of friends to sashay up State Street in honor of his birthday. They ended up at the library lawn, where a few musicians and dancers and some intrigued passersby joined the fun. How that little parade has grown—to 1,000 imaginatively costumed participants, gargantuan puppets, elaborate floats, and plenty of art and music over three days this year, from June 21 to 23. The parade will make its way up Santa Barbara Street at noon on that Saturday, with entries that evoke the theme—Flights of Fancy—while adhering to the rules: no motorized vehicles, no live animals, no signs or logos. In honor of the golden anniversary, the SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL MUSEUM has opened Here Comes the Sun: Celebrating 50 Years of Solstice (on view until June 28), with evocative photos, masks, banners, oral histories, and five decades of posters inviting everyone to Santa Barbara’s biggest and best party. SBHISTORICAL.ORG. JOAN TAPPER

COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A giant face float makes its way along State Street in the 1986 parade. Jodi De Marcos designed the first Solstice Parade poster in 1978, the same year a group of musicians and revelers posed for a portrait and an onlooker waited out a pregnant pause.

Casino Royale

The Coral is back—and it’s brighter and better than ever

Photographer Gray Malin takes his poolside POV above deck.

WE STYLE IN PARADISE

CStyle - Coral Casino

ORAL CASINO in Montecito is back after a four-year hiatus. During its pandemicinduced closure, owner Ty Warner put considerable thought and $108 million into renovations. Designed in 1937 by Gardner Dailey of San Francisco, the Moderne–Art Deco private club was a magnet for Hollywood stars, filmmakers, musicians, and authors. For decades, members lounged on its sandy “beach” or jumped from the high dive (both gone), and the scenic social hot spot hosted murdermystery parties, fashion shows, and, of course, photo shoots. The property has long been a favorite for photographers like Hal Boucher, who captured numerous celebrities there. He passed in 2020, and lifestyle photographer Gray Malin arguably stepped in as house photographer, first in 2017 when he

“The historic Olympic Pool within the surf setting is a defining element of the club. ”

—architect Barry Winick

GRAY MALIN (DOGS); DAVID MENDOZA

shot synchronized swimmers and vintage balloons, and again this spring with a new breed of models: dogs, flamingos, and giraffes.

“It felt surreal to reenter such a special place after so many seasons have passed,” Malin says. “Few places in the world are as timeless as the Coral Casino. Whether it’s 1937 or 2024, a photograph in front of the clock tower—with Butterfly Beach in the background—is as ageless as ever.”

The photogenic striped awnings and iconic cabanas are still here (just crisper and costlier), and every corner of the club has been similarly upgraded. Architects Peter Marino and Barry Winick streamlined the landmark’s glamour.

“The historic Olympic Pool within the serene surf setting is a defining element of the club. We focused on elevating it with luxurious amenities, starting with the glass ocean-edge spa, the Coral Cafe, the enlarged Fins Surf Bar, and the whimsical improvements to the cabanas,” Winick says.

Style - Coral Casino

Upgrades include an oceanfront cold plunge; California’s largest glass spa, with seating for up to 25 and custom jets and lights; and the “Sandbox,” with 16 chaises sunk into sand imported from Malibu. Fitness stars Or Kahlon and Peter Park offer sculpting and training, respectively, and culinary legend Thomas Keller will soon be taking over the Tydes restaurant. For Warner, who has owned the property since 2000, it’s all in an effort to position the club to be the best. “What is unchangeable through modernizations is the club culture,” he says. “The casino is a time capsule of both social and architectural history, a place anyone would feel lucky to set foot in, and that will never change.” 1281 Channel Dr., Santa Barbara, CORALCASINOBEACHCLUB.COM.

JENNIFER BLAISE KRAMER

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: One of 31 upgraded cabanas with Ipa wood flooring, built-in closets, full-length mirrors, bulletin boards, charging stations, and ocean views; pups plunge in the Olympic pool; the Member’s Room; dogs play poolside under Malin’s direction; an overview of Coral Casino’s prime position on Butterfly Beach

EWisdom Family

Esmé Marshall and daughter

Rachel “Ray” Roberts put the “super” in model and mothering as they share memories and advice

Style - Rachel + Esme

smé: What insights or wisdom of mine do you feel you have most benefited from?

Ray: You taught me that having fun is important, connecting with strangers is soul food, and staying positive is invaluable. And to listen to music and groove whenever you can.

Esmé: Can you share a memorable job or travel experience?

Ray: Shooting the cover of American Vogue together when I was 12 with Annie Leibovitz. Condé Nast flew us—first class, hot fudge sundaes and all—and we traveled with my brother Hayden, who was just a baby at the time.

Esmé: You balance so much and have such deep relationships. How do you do it?

Ray: By staying grounded and saying no to things when I need to, having healthy boundaries. Then putting my relationships first, like my husband and my girlfriends. The sisterhood of motherhood is crucial for my sanity. And my family ties are just sacred. I feel having strong, connected relationships is what keeps us healthy. If you and your family have strong bonds with people you love and trust, everything else falls into place and thrives. Community is my secret.

Esmé: What’s on your bucket list?

Ray: Go deeper into my spirituality. Restore my 1983 Mercedes station wagon to top form. Become a better surfer. Give back and

VISIT OUR BOUTIQUE

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

With an underlying feeling of uncomplicated luxury, each piece in the boutique is hand selected with care. At Wunderkind, you’ll find effortless pieces to enjoy season after season. From a simple, perfect sweater to an incredibly chic runway bag, we’ve got you covered.

Located in Montecito’s upper village, Wunderkind features a highly curated assortment from the world’s best brands and stocks designer readyto-wear, luxury shoes, covetable handbags, and fine jewelry in a community-based, casual environment.

Wunderkind

YOU LOOK WUNDERFUL

Come explore our lovely boutique and meet our team of talented stylists! We’re currently featuring collections from Gabriela Hearst, Dries Van Noten, The Row, Chloé, Alaïa, and Khaite. We look forward to seeing you soon! the fashion you want to wear in the place you want to be.

be of service. Start dancing ballet again. And sleep—sleep would be nice.

Ray: What was your favorite part of raising children?

Esmé: Instilling the notion that life comes in sets of waves; always surf with grace.

Ray: What advice do you have for your children when it comes to parenting?

Esmé: Parenting is the toughest job we have. Keep an even keel and always have a good sense of humor. Here’s a favorite T-shirt saying I saw recently: “You can’t scare me, I have two daughters!”

Ray: What was the most iconic fashion moment in your career?

Esmé: Meeting Cary Grant after an amazing Ralph Lauren show in Manhattan and him telling me I reminded him of Audrey Hepburn. I have always adored her portrayal of Truman Capote’s Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and felt a deep affinity with the character.

Ray: Is there one incredible outfit you can share from your many shoots or a walk down the runway?

Esmé: Not one look, but I was honored to work in the ateliers of great icons of fashion—Ralph Lauren, Michael Vollbracht, Calvin Klein, Thierry Mugler, Kenzo Takada, Claude Montana, Bill Blass, Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan, and Perry Ellis, to name a few. Fashion in the ‘80s was just an amazing adventure!

Style - Rachel + Esme

Ray: What are you looking forward to?

Esmé: Future journeys with my four amazing children and filling our buckets with unconditional love and hermit crabs found on beach walks with my grandchildren. ●

WE STYLE IN PARADISE

“Smith’s treasurehunting habit morphed into an interior design business. ”

Style - Maja Smith

Like a moth to a flame, Maja Smith has always been drawn to beautiful things. And she’s seen plenty of them all over the world, leading her to become an expert at sourcing unique objects for the home. This talent for the hunt ultimately turned into a vocation, and her online store, FOUND BY MAJA, offers a wide variety of exquisite items culled from around the globe. (There’s also a brick-and-mortar location in San Francisco.)

Smith’s first foray into selling her finds occurred after college, when she had a small kiosk (later a store) at Newport Beach’s Fashion Island, selling tabletop items imported from Mexico City. But love intervened, and Smith relocated to New York City to be with her future husband. Marriage and the birth of twins ensued, followed by a move to Japan. “In Tokyo, I was able to continue my love of travel and my appreciation for all things aesthetic, beautiful, and artisanal,” she says. “It definitely helped shape my design appreciation.”

Along the way, Smith’s treasure-hunting habit morphed into an interior design business, as friends and clients encouraged her to bring her finds into their homes and

MAJA'S MUST-HAVES FOR ENTERTAINING

MY GRANDMOTHERʹS SILVER

MONOGRAMMED LINENS (best found at Marché aux Puces in Paris; look for your initials)

MURANO GLASSWARE

FRESH FLOWERS in different-size vases (French and Italian opaline, ceramic, silver ice buckets)

CAVIAR ON POTATO CHIPS

BAR CART STOCKED WITH FRENCH CHAMPAGNE (serve in vintage French coupes)

Maja Smith’s charming Santa Barbara cottage provides the perfect environment for alfresco entertaining.

Style - Maja Smith

curate their environments. After moving to San Francisco with her family, she began hosting trunk shows at her home. “I couldn’t always find what I was looking for, so I would travel to find gorgeous rugs and beautiful accessories and pieces, and I would always bring back more than I needed for a project,” she says. “So I had this small cache of things.” Thus, Found by Maja was born.

Smith and her family recently purchased a home in Santa Barbara. “Ever since going to school here, I knew I would come back,” she says. “It’s a small cottage, and I’m excited to fill it with all my found things.” And to entertain: “I love to have a dinner party.” To that end, Smith relies on her grandmother’s centuries-old Swedish silver as a starting point, and she “layers” her table with vintage linens from Marché aux Puces in Paris, Terre Mêlée plates, Murano glassware, vases and candlesticks by Davide Fuin, and vintage French coupes. She recommends the same to her customers: “People are excited to have something they can layer on top of their wedding china, alongside their grandmother’s crystal, something handed down. I encourage people to layer their table and to connect all those things.”

Smith still travels as much as ever, averaging four buying trips per year. And she’s purposeful in her acquisitions: “I try to buy as much as possible from women, from small artisans,” she says. “Most of it is handmade, most of it is hand-painted, and most of it is done by women.” FOUNDBYMAJA.COM. LORIE DEWHIRST PORTER

FROM TOP: Tablescape includes a Malachite Linen tablecloth, Greek Kyma dinnerware, Palm Linen placemats, and Murano glasses; the dining room table is set with vintage Parisian stemware, Italian linens, glass candlesticks, Murano wine glasses, and Jean Roger cachepots and vases. All available at foundbymaja.com

Gwyneth ’s Goods

Style - Goop

goop.com. The goop founder shares her Montecito must-haves

1. Ultimate Dry Brush, $25. 2. It’s All Easy Dress, $495. 3. Charlie Toggle Necklace, $4,495. 4. 72-Hour Supercharged Hydrating WaterCream, $68. 5. Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator, $125. 6. The Signature Cardigan, $595. 7. All-in-One Super Nutrient Face Oil, $98.

FROM LEFT: Gwyneth Paltrow in Hostess Dress, $695; the goop store is at Rosewood Miramar.

Men in Suits

Now that British menswear brand ORLEBAR BROWN has landed at the Montecito Country Mart, the sartorial summer season for men has officially started. The store’s grand opening—hosted by Santa Barbara Magazine ’s editorial director, Jennifer Smith—drew a gaggle of handsome men who enjoyed perusing the racks of swim and resort wear.

Style - Orlebar Brown

The stunning space, with its offwhite color scheme, evokes Caribbean beachfront bungalows. Wide shutters are integrated into the displays and an exposed truss ceiling incorporates sheets of wavy metal recalling beachshack roofs. A shiny red-and-white canoe floats overhead, suspended among rows of lights that resemble

sea waves. It’s the perfect setting to display the Summer 2024 collection, which celebrates the season with tailored looks featuring blazers and trousers made from premium Italian linen, silk shirts in floral prints, knitted polos, and, of course, swim shorts. Not to mention shoes you can swim in and a range of sunglasses designed in Australia and sustainably made in Italy.

Owned by luxury powerhouse Chanel, Orlebar Brown has an international reach, with stores in England, France, Greece, Turkey, and Australia. U.S. locations include New York, Palm Beach, and Beverly Hills. Renowned for its tailored swimwear, the brand is a celeb favorite; Daniel Craig donned a pair of sky blue Setter shorts in the James Bond film Skyfall. 1016 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, ORLEBARBROWN.COM. L.D.P.

WE WANT

FROM LEFT: The interior of Orlebar Brown’s new store includes Caribbean-inspired elements; designer and brand founder Adam Brown.

Marlo Laz Mini Porte Bonheur pendant, $1,800. Maison Michel Charles Brisa fedora, $980. Jacques Marie Mage Jagger sunglasses, $1,050. Moreau Paris Saint-Tropez tote, $990. The Elder Statesman

Owner, Lori Runnfeldt

KELLY FAJACK

Raising an Eyebrow Sun Worshipper

Like most California photographers, Blue Gabor has spent considerable time in the sun, taxing her skin for the sake of art. But unlike most shutterbugs, she cultivated a skin-care line to counteract the sun’s damage. Calling on her background in herbalism, time in New York in the beauty industry, and culinary training in France, Gabor created CREATURE SOLEIL for fellow sun worshippers.

“This is something I felt my skin needed and wants to drink it up, sometimes more than a lotion or an oil,” says Gabor, who calls herself a product junkie. After trying internal vitamins, she became curious about delivering the same effect to the skin, spending two years mixing different combinations of ingredients to target building the skin’s natural glutathione and natural moisturizing factors, the two elements she says are responsible for healthy-looking skin.

Style - Creature Soleil

Michelle Kass has been perfecting the art of eyebrow shaping since she was a teenager. She went on to train with Anastasia Soare, known as the Eyebrow Queen of Beverly Hills, in an era before brows were talked about as they are today. This summer her MONTECITO BROW STUDIO turns eight years old and remains a magnet for people near and far. “Clients drive from San Luis Obispo or San Francisco, or even fly in from New York and Texas, to see us,” Kass says, adding that she’s thrilled to bring elevated brow treatments to Santa Barbara so locals don’t have to travel for them. Services range from waxing and shaping to tweezing and tinting, with top treatments including the popular powder brow (a more permanent tint) and the newer lash lift. Says Kass, “We love seeing our clients walk out with a big smile and feeling more beautiful.” 116 Middle Rd., Santa Barbara, MONTECITOBROWSTUDIO.COM. J.B.K.

“I researched the smallest, most potent actives that were water soluble and stable and came up with a unique product that is neither a bath milk nor a serum but a mix of both,” she says. “There are no oils in the two initial products. They work more as hydrators with brightening and strengthening aspects. It’s basically a daily vitamin applied to your skin with warm water.” She uses Sun Milk Bath daily in the bathtub or as a powder-to-milk serum in the shower or sauna. The result is a new kind of glow that’s worry-free and easy to worship. CREATURESOLEIL.COM. J.B.K.

CLOCWISE FROM TOP: Creature Soleil founder Blue Gabor; she spent two years perfecting the formula for the initial products.

This exhibition is made possible through the generosity of the SBMA Women’s Board, SBMA Dead Artists Society, and the Elizabeth A. Chalifoux Fund for the Museum Collection. Funders as of press time.

Berthe Morisot, Young Girl Hanging a Bird Cage in a Tree (detail), 1890. Oil on canvas. Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Bequest of Leslie L. Ridley-Tree.

Paul Signac, Herblay - The Riverbank (detail), 1889. Oil on canvas. Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Gift of Lord and Lady Ridley-Tree.

At Silvers Omakase, rice is a big deal—they’re the only ones outside Japan to serve it. It makes an appearance throughout the dining experience, which can feature up to 15 courses.

WE TASTE IN PARADISE

An omakase jewel in the Funk Zone

TASTE

TTaste - Silvers Omakase

he menu at SILVERS OMAKASE is a snapshot of what’s available: It has changed more than 30 times since the buzzy Funk Zone eatery opened its doors in February.

“We’re going to feed you a fantastic meal, period,” says chef and owner Lennon Silvers Lee, who earned a Michelin star at age 27 while working at his brother Phillip’s Montecito hot spot, Sushi|Bar. Lennon isn’t shy about his aspirations to make his restaurant a premium gastronomic destination that embraces the Japanese tradition of omakase, in which diners give the chef free rein over what’s served. “Guests come in, and they put their trust into us,” he says.

The restaurant exudes minimalistic elegance, with seating for just 10. The dinner experience is offered in 13 to 15 courses, each presented with flair. Lee’s team is small by design—six total, including sushi chefs, a sommelier, and a maître d’—all handpicked. “One team, one dream,” he says. “No swing shift, no prep cooks, no night staff. If we get sick, we close down the restaurant.”

There’s a laser focus on the provenance of proteins—mainly fish—and especially the origin

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Small bites and big flavors define each course; Lee earned a Michelin star at age 27; Silvers Omakase serves its own caviar label, Schrenckii sturgeon from Astrea, and rare sake; the provenance of proteins is a priority.

GALA

Dinners, local and Spanish wines, fun cocktails

Tuesday through Saturday

HAPPY HOUR 4-5:30TUESDAY THRO

Taste - Silvers Omakase

of the rice. After all, “in true Japanese cuisine, rice is 90 percent of the menu,” says the chef. “What differentiates good sushi from bad is the rice, not the fish on top.” Silvers Omakase is the only place outside Japan that serves rice from the Doyuuno farm in Japan’s Toyama prefecture, which is grown organically, in mineral-rich soils and along mountainsides at higher elevations. It arrives daily as brown rice, then is polished to Lee’s size and flavor specifications. The result is a rice “with a bigger mouthfeel,” he says. “You almost taste every grain individually.”

A penchant for the exclusive extends to the glassware. All the sake, beer, and water glasses, and all the carafes, are crafted by Kagami, Japan’s first crystal house and, many assert, its finest. “Each glass is handmade by a master craftsman,” Lee says. Silvers Omakase doesn’t have a full liquor license because “distillates don’t really go well with this type of food.” Libations include “an ever-changing list” of top-tier wine and vintage Champagne brands (think a 2003 Dom Perignon at $1,500), as well as six Japanese beers and a lucrative lineup of sake. This could be the rarest sake list in the state, in fact, and maybe the most hedonistic, with some labels that require “the right relationships” to procure, and many that “you simply can’t get on your own.”

The omakase options include wine, standard sake, and rare sake pairings; there’s a nonalcoholic choice too. Silvers Omakase is open five nights a week, Tuesday through Saturday, and by reservation only. 224 Helena St., Santa Barbara, SILVERSOMAKASE.COM. GABE SAGLIE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Omakase means Lee gets complete control over the 13 to 15 courses served each night; the small-but-mighty space is bedecked with glassware, ceramics, and decor sourced from Japan; selective sourcing means fish offerings can change daily; Lee handpicked the small staff of six.

Fruits of the Sea

Taste - Oysters

A roundup of Santa Barbara’s best spots to enjoy oysters

The just-opened OYSTER BAR inside Moby Dick Restaurant is phase one of a comprehensive overhaul of the Stearns Wharf landmark. The former banquet room, with floor-to-ceiling windows, showcases sweeping Santa Barbara Channel views, along with six varieties of oysters from both coasts, including nearby Hope Ranch. Says CEO Karl Hutterer, “Oysters provide you with a sense of something fresh and delicious and something straight out of the sea.” They are on the lunch and dinner menus daily. 220 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, MOBYDICKSB.COM.

WE WANT THE FUNK This eclectic Funk Zone hangout serves fresh oysters on the half shell, as well as woodfired oysters with a sake-soy glaze. The So Shuckin’ Good pairs wood-fired oysters with parmesan, garlic, and cayenne pepper and adds toasted flatbread for dipping.

210 Gray Ave., Santa Barbara, WEWANTTHEFUNKSB.COM.

THE LARK Chef Jason Paluska got addicted to oysters at age 5. Today he serves Eagle Rock Pacific oysters, his favorite, with a cucumber-lime granita for acidity and a borage flower “that actually tastes like an oyster and cucumber. It’s wild, and I love it.” 131 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, THELARKSB.COM

BROPHY BROS. The wide-open harbor vistas here reel in the regulars, as do the oysters, served fresh on the half shell or with cucumber-lime relish. Oysters also appear on the Cold Combo, along with crab, shrimp, and ceviche. 119 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, BROPHYBROS.COM

KANALOA SEAFOOD MARKET The company, which is renowned for its sustainability practices, sells fresh oysters at its downtown Santa Barbara location or delivers them. The kitchen offers selections of classic and premium oysters daily on its open-air patio. 715 Chapala St., Santa Barbara, KANALOASEAFOOD.COM.

BROAD STREET OYSTER CO. The downtown Santa Barbara iteration of this beloved California restaurant offers a rotating selection of oysters for dining in, pickup, or delivery. The Seafood Tower comes with a dozen oysters, along with fresh uni, shrimp, caviar, and several sauces. 418 State St., Santa Barbara, BROADSTREETOYSTER.COM. G.S.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A top-tier oyster bar is step one in a revamp already under way at Moby Dick Restaurant; a cucumber-lime granita adds freshness to oysters at The Lark; We Want the Funk features multiple oyster preparations.

September 21 & 22, 2024

Santa Maria Airport

PREMIUM CHALET SEATING AT AIRSHOW CENTER

Enjoy Santa Barbara County’s premier airshow with luxury options such as Sponsor VIP Tent, Flightline Club Access, and Private Chalets. AirFest proceeds support the mission of the Planes of Fame Air Museum.

CLOSES SEPT 8

Maximus Gallery

2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara 805-682-4711

sbnature.org

Open Wednesday–Monday • 10:00AM–5:00PM

Enjoy a dazzling display of some of the world’s most flamboyant birds, lavishly depicted by 19th-century artists–John James Audubon and John Gould.

Splendid Plumage showcases the feathery adaptations of birds of Australia, New Guinea, Asia, and Europe.

WE GETAWAY IN PARADISE

Join the Club

From the shores of Summerland to State Street, staycation in our own backyard

A white 1963 Jeep Willy Wagon is the mascot of sorts of the White Caps Beach Club. Naturally, it’s topped off with a Dewey Weber longboard.

Michael Haber, owner of WHITE CAPS BEACH CLUB, describes his new venture as a place to eat, play, and stay, where “everyone’s a member.” A native New Yorker who was destined to be a West Coast transplant, Haber made a name for himself as a photographer before getting into the hospitality game by investing in properties in and around Summerland and Carpinteria. The latest is his just-opened beach club, which is located on a half acre next to the Nugget on Lillie Avenue in Summerland.

Getaways - White Caps

Anchored by a vintage-trailer-turned-restaurant serving lobster rolls (with fresh seafood from Maine) and other fare, the place has plenty of room for guests to spread out, enjoy a glass of wine or two, play some backgammon, and listen to live music. The terraced hillside hints at opportunities for future amenities like a stage, a movie screen, and a private banquet space.

“I wanted to create the same energy I grew up with,” Haber says. “People don’t have to buy a lot; they can just enjoy and hang out, play backgammon, and listen to some Frank Sinatra.”

The club officially opened in late May, and Haber plans to begin a local

membership system with perks like an automatic discount on purchases and monthly special wine tastings.

At the top of the hill, three short-term rentals— named Sail, Surf, and Sand, all of which have ocean views—cap off the project. Each suite has a separate bedroom, living room, and kitchen areas for guests. The middle unit, Surf, includes two queen beds, while Sand’s railroad-style layout accommodates a kitchen, a tiny office, a king bed, an outdoor deck with two seating areas, and an adjoining fire pit. But underneath it all, an East Coast influence is still evident.

“I was one of the first people to shoot and stay at the Surf Lodge in Montauk,” Haber says. “I always said, ‘One day I’d love to emulate that on the West Coast.’ And now I am.” @WHITECAPSBEACHCLUB. CAITLIN WHITE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The communal fire pit at White Caps Beach Club overlooks the main restaurant area; one of three casitas at the club, where local art adds to a chill Summerland vibe; legendary surfer and board shaper Renny Yater in the 1960s.

GETAWAY

Getaways - White Caps

The Malin Touch

After years of taking beautiful photos of places all over the world, photographer Gray Malin was ready to create an idyllic escape of his own. This time, his goal is to share a favorite corner of Santa Barbara with anyone who wants to experience it for themselves. Malin discovered the property that would eventually become his first hospitality project, the GETAWAY HOUSE, in 2020, when the urge to get a break from the noise of the presidential election was particularly strong.

Decamping for several days from Pacific Palisades to this former rental near Butterfly Beach in Montecito, Malin was taken with the location as well as the great bones of the house.

“It’s meant to be a one-ofa-kind experience where you get to indulge in little things that you wouldn’t at another house. ”

“I remember thinking, If someone could just update this house and make it beautiful, it would be such a great property,” he says. “Then last summer, when I was in Montecito shooting at San Ysidro Ranch, I went on Zillow on a whim. The house had been listed 12 hours earlier.”

It didn’t take Malin long to make the investment and get in touch with Madison Nicole Design in Santa Barbara to help style the interiors and renovation design with a coastal California vibe. He calls the property a “rental dream,” especially for families, with its four bedrooms— including a specialty bunk room for kids with built-in custom bunks and subtle, star-studded wallpaper—and three and a half bathrooms.

Although each room is themed around a showcase image or series from Malin’s photographic portfolio, highend design flourishes aren’t the only amenities for renters. The kitchen is outfitted with Williams Sonoma goods, the bathrooms are stocked with beauty and skin-care products curated by goop, and six Bluejay vintage-inspired electric bikes are on hand to explore nearby bike paths.

“It’s much more than a rental property,” Malin says. “It’s meant to be a one-of-a-kind experience where you get to indulge in little things that you wouldn’t at another house.” GRAYMALIN.COM. C.W.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The stylish kitchen at the Getaway House features gray marble; finishing touches include pink trim, custom wallpaper, and a built-in window seat; exposed beams in the master bedroom were painted blue.

GETAWAY

On the Sand

It doesn’t get much more tranquil than sitting on a windswept terrace at one of ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR

BEACH’s 26 suites overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Each offers direct access to the sand, a rarity even for many waterside hotels in California. But the residential style of this sprawling Montecito property—spread out over 16 acres on lush oceanfront grounds—makes even the signature garden bungalows an especially private, secluded option.

Getaways - Malin

With world-class dining from Michelin-starred chef Massimo Falsini at Caruso’s, traditional Japanese Edomae cuisine at Ama Sushi, and seasonal California fare at the Revere Room, there’s no reason to leave the property during your stay. If you fancy a drink, there are multiple on-site bars, from the alfresco Miramar Beach Bar to the speakeasy feel of Manor Bar, tucked inside a libraryinspired corner of the hotel.

Throughout the summer, guest bartenders from Allegory in Washington, D.C., and Overstory in New York will be serving drinks at the Manor Bar, bringing a hint of East Coast cocktail culture to Southern California. Two pools, boccie and shuffleboard courts, and a bevy of boutiques are just a few of the other amenities at the resort. Summer programming includes s’mores nights, ice cream sundae classes, and movie screenings.

Circling back to the main attraction—serene seaside moments—beach chairs and umbrellas, water toys, and even personalized butler service are available for guests who want to spend as much time as they can soaking up solitude at Miramar Beach. 1759 S. Jameson Lane, Montecito, ROSEWOODHOTELS.COM. C.W.

DON'T MISS

• The property’s world-class shopping will get a boost as Bottega Veneta and Zegna open boutiques in June.

• Get your surf on at the new Miramar Surf Club, a collaboration with Montecito resident and professional surfer Adam Lambert.

• Spend a patriotic weekend at the beach and enjoy cocktails, barbecue, and family-friendly activities on the Fourth of July— all with an ocean view.

• Dog lovers will have a blast at Miramar Best in Show, a philanthropic event and friendly competition to celebrate some of the best of the canines on the Central Coast; snacks like Champagne and caviar will be on hand.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: These posh oceanfront suites are literal steps from the water; brightly striped umbrellas mark the Rosewood’s signature beach lounges; one of the property’s two pools is an architectural beauty with a striking scalloped zero-edge border.

Getaways - Riviera Beach Inn

Mediterranean Vibes

Sun-drenched patios with coffee-colored wicker furniture are one of the defining features of the RIVIERA BEACH HOUSE, a new 41-room hotel on State Street that is tucked inside a 1928 building. A remodel has restored the property, which was previously Hotel Indigo, to its former splendor. Less than two blocks from the beach, it’s also close to the trendy Funk Zone.

As the name suggests, this guesthouse leans on the aspects of Santa Barbara that earned the town its American Riviera nickname, notably the sunny, temperate climate of southern Europe and the Mediterranean. The remodel, led by the owners of the landmark Culver Hotel in Los Angeles, includes a chic lobby with white-painted brick walls, marble coffee tables, and oversize cushions for lounging.

The second floor also houses a mini art gallery, part of an ongoing partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara. The hotel serves as a satellite location for the museum and will showcase two exhibitions per year. Sustainable touches like filtered-water stations on every floor (instead of plastic bottles in the room) give it a contemporary vibe. But the architecture and attentive, hands-on hospitality from the staff give the place an old-world feel.

In this European-style boutique, the rooms are cozy. But they’re done to the nines with large open-air terraces for all guests on the second floor and private outdoor spaces with garden views on the ground floor. Retro rotary phones, custom 300-threadcount linens, and “wet” bathrooms with collapsible glass shower doors and adjustable 8-foot shower heads keep things luxe even in tight quarters. 121 State St., Santa Barbara, RIVIERABEACHHOUSE.COM.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The tranquil lobby of Riviera Beach House; the hotel is located on the edge of the Funk Zone; pieces from the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara are scattered throughout the space.

Peter Horjus, C ô te de Santa Barbara , mixed media.

See our profile on the artist on page 40, and map legend, page 140.

SUMMER 2024

Whether you take a seagull’s eye view or a land-based look, there’s plenty to admire at the Santa Barbara harbor, from the backdrop of mountains to a yachtie’s anchorage.

On the WATERFRONT

Photographer Matt Albiani captures the sights and sounds of the santa barbara harbor

“ The salty harbor, with its seals, fi shermen, and sailing boats, always brings me back to my New England roots. ”

Feature - SB Harbor

Feature - SB Harbor

BEYOND THE BOARDWALK

Santa Barbara has always been a sea-facing town, but for years it lacked a real harbor. A long civic campaign raised the funds to build a breakwater, which was finished in 1930. Today the harbor is home to a fleet of working fishing boats as well as pleasure craft, marine-oriented businesses, water-sports enterprises, seafood markets, and restaurants. The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is here too, with exhibits that tell the colorful story.

Racks of kayaks and other watercraft await tourists who want to explore the harbor at ocean level. OPPOSITE: For those who prefer gustatory pleasures, a bounty of fresh seafood is on offer at the

Santa Barbara Fish Market.

“Santa Barbara feels like the halfway point between New England and Hawaii,” says Matt Albiani. “From downtown on Cabrillo looking left out through palm trees to the Santa Ynez Mountain range...It really is the combination of these elements that meld into one beautiful town.”

- Matt Albiani

Reflections on sailing are inevitable during a

harborside stroll.

OPPOSITE: Palm trees and blue skies epitomize the perennial allure of Santa Barbara’s coastal charms.

EVENING

Gwyneth Paltrow, in Loro Piana, welcomes friends and neighbors to the Montecito house she shares with her husband, Brad Falchuk.

On a Friday in May, Gwyneth Paltrow welcomed friends and neighbors to an alfresco dinner at her Montecito residence, hosted by goop and Loro Piana. The gathering, in celebration of the Italian fashion house’s Summer Resort 2024 collection and complete with elegant linens and cashmere blankets from the line, also offered a first look at the seasonal clothing capsule worn by Paltrow’s family and numerous guests. The natural palette blended with the stone walls and bronze doors of Paltrow’s house, a collaboration with Roman and Williams’ Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, visible across a rectangular pool from tables set for the evening feast.

Feature - Goop

silks, and cottons used to create flowing silhouettes, including wide-legged trousers, wrap skirts, kimono-sleeved shirts, jumpsuits and jackets proved to be ideal for the shift from daylight to evening. Expanding on the collection’s island theme, floral motifs of hibiscus flowers and tree-of-life patterns joined the subtle multicolored stripes on the pillows decorating outdoor couches and the naturederived neutrals worn by many in attendance.

The line’s palette, which included Loro Piana’s signature kummel red and a deep blue, was reflected in the elegant blue-and-white porcelain dinnerware, part of the L’Art de la

The goop founder and CEO has said she felt the region’s pull long before falling in love with the land and its views. She briefly studied at UC Santa Barbara before pursuing an acting career, and she returned for holidays while living in Europe. Now a resident, she began the evening’s festivities with basil margaritas and rhubarb white negronis while she and her son and daughter, joined by husband Brad Falchuk, greeted guests.

As drinks made the rounds, Loro Piana’s inspiration for the summer looks—a nod to the Tahitian embrace of la vie heureuse, French for the happy life—also became a theme of sorts for the tranquil gathering. The natural linens,

The gathering offered a first look at the seasonal clothing capsule worn by Paltrow ’s family and guests.

Long tables were set with Loro Piana s L Art de la Table blue-andwhite porcelain dinnerware and arrangements of seasonal blooms.

Feature - Goop

Feature - Goop

Table offerings, arranged atop long tables. The blue hue echoed the color of crockery inside Paltrow’s kitchen, where she and the house’s architects, along with interior designer Brigette Romanek, devised a wall to display her collection of patterned china. Wicker vases and trays held seasonal blooms, while matching leather-and-wicker baskets contained cashmere throws to offset the evening chill.

Local band Django Foxtrot, comprising CalArts graduates, played its blend of jazz and pop covers on the main lawn. Once guests took

their seats, Paltrow toasted the celebratory evening devoted to the art of living well, a philosophy prized by both goop and Loro Piana, which is known for its range of innovative textiles and understated designs.

As the sun set, guests dined on Italianinspired fare, including spring vegetables and burrata, carciofi alla giudia, striped bass, and Wagyu steak bavette. Desserts, including fragrant basil semifreddo and torta al cioccolato, made the rounds before everyone began their farewells. ●

OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Gwyneth Paltrow, Tracy James Robbins, and Brian Robbins; Moses Martin, Apple Martin, and Oprah Winfrey; Abigail Spencer and Nancy Matz; Rob Lowe and Nicole Avant; Sheryl Lowe, Jennifer Walsh, Oprah Winfrey, and Jennifer Smith; Michael Herd and Whitney Wolfe Herd; Anine Bing and Nicolai Nielsen; Gayle King.

Wayne Babcock has hundreds of surfboards in his collection representing the span of design evolution, from the earliest Hawaiian alaias to today’s high-performance boards. Outside his storage and display space on a ranch in Carpinteria, he keeps an array of early 20th-century boards called kook-boxes, designed by surfer Tom Blake and inspired by ancient olos , the 14- to 16-foot solid koa-wood surfboards of Hawaiian royalty.

Wave Riders

Collector Wayne Babcock’s quest for totemic surfboards

WRITTEN BY CHRISTIAN BEAMISH PHOTOGRAPHS BY DEWEY NICKS

Surfboards embody the cultural mores of their time; the chemical composites of today no less than the great olos of Hawaiian chieftains, selected from sacred forests. But what thread links the cultures of the Polynesian voyagers and the surfers of today? As the holder of one of the preeminent collections of surfboards—a grouping that includes boards that date to Hawaiian royalty and contemporary world champions—Wayne Babcock is uniquely positioned to answer that question. “It’s all connected,” he says, by “the same beautiful act of riding a wave and playing in nature.”

Feature - Surfboards

But it’s not as though Babcock sits around waiting for the boards to manifest. He’s been a collector for a long time. His mother was a collector, and when he was young she took him to estate sales around Los Angeles, helping him develop an eye for the valuable and unusual. Babcock held a spot at the Rose Bowl Flea Market for years, adding to his trove of 20th-century ephemera, such as sunglasses, lighters, and pocket knives.

Born in Los Angeles in 1958, Babcock describes his childhood wonderment at the butterflies and flowers that, for him, represented the real magic of the universe. This notion of magic, or at least of a grander scheme at work, continues to inform his view of the world. “It’s funny how the universe works with me,” he says. The historic surfboards that are his passion seem to come to him, he adds. “They manifest.”

Randy Rarick, who runs classic surfboard auctions and does restoration work on boards, says, “Surf aficionados and collectors are a rare breed. Of this select group, probably the most knowledgeable and prolific collector is Wayne Babcock. He has, arguably, the best collection in the United States, if not the world.”

The surfboards are his heart’s delight, but Babcock pays the bills running Angels Antiques in Carpinteria, where for 40 years he has been the go-to guy for anyone looking for that special midcentury object—a chair, table, teapot, or tchotchke. Hawaiiana is another specialty; he has an encyclopedic knowledge of Hawaiian slack-key guitar players.

In his flea market days, Babcock displayed a placard designed like a wanted poster from the Wild West. But instead of desperados, he was after vintage surfboards: “Top dollar paid!” read a graphic explosion. Rather than provide contact information on the poster, he waited for people to talk with him directly so he could gauge whether a lead was worth following.

During one such conversation, a woman mentioned that her husband had a very old board. So began a series of phone calls that Babcock likens to an affair, in which she quietly kept him apprised of her spouse’s willingness to

As a cultural preservationist, Babcock is keenly aware of his responsibility to protect his collection of surfboards.

The humble paipo (a thin wood board meant for riding prone) and its cousin, the alaia , are the “people’s boards” in Hawaii— often used by keiki (children) but also worthy of the most highly skilled surfers.

Babcock’s long-running connection to Carpinteria includes a deep appreciation for the Channel Islands surfboard label, started by Al Merrick in Santa Barbara in the 1970s.

The main room of Babcock’s facility resonates with the steady advancement of 20th-century surfboard design.

Redwood and balsa planks give way to pure balsa wood boards with increasing curves and the addition of skegs for stability and hold on the face of the wave. By the late 1950s, the innovation of polyurethane foam cores (or “blanks”) changed the nature of surfboard production.

Feature - Surfboards

The older boards in the collection speak of summers long passed yet suggest the timeless joy of getting into the surf and simply riding back to shore. George Greenough, originally of Montecito but long ensconced among the glistening forests and point surf of Byron Bay in New South Wales, Australia, is surfing’s patron saint of high-performance design. His experiments with kneeboards led to the shortboard revolution in 1967, forever altering the way surfers approach the waves. His windsurfing boards (shown lower right) incorporate highly advanced foils for maximum hydrodynamic efficiency.

In the 1930s, a visitor from

asked his

if he could purchase the oldest surfboard they knew of at the time. This board, of unknown provenance, was the craft they found. The reality is that surfing never went away in Hawaii, despite massive cultural upheavals brought on by contact with colonial and commercial interests.

Los Angeles

Hawaiian surf instructors at Waikiki (the Beach Boys)

let the board go. Her husband had bought it from another Angeleno who had acquired the board in the 1930s in Waikiki, the cradle of contemporary surfing. Waikiki was the stomping grounds of a cadre of Hawaiian watermen known as the Beach Boys, among them the greatest of all surfers, Duke Kahanamoku. It was not Duke’s board, but the man in the 1930s had asked the Beach Boys—whom he presumably met through surf lessons—if he could buy the oldest surfboard they knew of.

“ Surf aficionados and collectors are a rare breed. Probably the most knowledgeable and prolific collector is Wayne Babcock. He has, arguably, the best collection in the U.S., if not the world. ”

And it is the thought of distant generations of Hawaiian grandfathers riding this surfboard that fires Babcock’s imagination.

His oldest boards (including the 1930s-era board) were shaped by master crafters who obtained the characteristics they wanted in their designs through concaves and chines, wellshaped rails, and pure, functional outlines.

Ultimately, perhaps, it is the refinement of these earliest boards that connects the surfing and seafaring technologies of ancient Polynesia to those of the modern era. Babcock’s collection comprises some 400 surfboards, many representing important shaping developments: Joe Quigg’s Malibu Chip design sits on a rack above a Bob Simmons planing hull; there are Renny Yater’s era-defining noseriders and his California guns of the 1970s. Dick Brewer big-wave spears share space with George Greenough’s high-speed windsurfing boards. Al Merrick’s shortboard precision and John Bradbury single fins attest to the lineage of Santa Barbara surfing.

Feature - Surfboards

“Carpinteria needs a surf museum,” Babcock says. His wave-riding talismans, though wellcatalogued and properly stored in a temperaturecontrolled container on a private ranch in Carpinteria, are not available for public viewing. He envisions a venue where these boards can inform, inspire, and help people connect to the splendor of surfing and its long history in the Pacific and around the world. ●

—Randy Rarick

A Santa Monica boy, Wayne Babcock came up in the Dogtown era—a notorious scene embracing a radical outlook on all things involving surfing and skateboarding in the mid to late 1970s. Still, for all the clandestine skate missions involving the emptying of backyard swimming pools and the ferocity of the surf hierarchy at the postapocalyptic Pacific Ocean pier (where broken concrete and exposed rebar in the lineup were perhaps less threatening than the pugilistic locals), Babcock kept an eye out for surfing’s true roots in the oldest boards he could find, keep, and protect— and he continues the collecting game today.

Capturing CHANGES

ann Diener's new works address issues of land and water

Feature - Ann Diener

WRITTEN BY JOHN CONNELLY

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SARA PRINCE

Ann Diener ’s drawings often explore the societal and anthropological ramifi cations of our complex relationship with land and culture.

Ann Diener ’ s tranquil art studio is nestled among gardens and towering trees and has views of the Pacific Ocean. OPPOSITE:

Diener at work in her studio.

Ann Diener’s artwork has always revolved around a sense of place, time, and history. Her drawings and installations often explore the societal and anthropological ramifications of our complex relationship with land and culture. Her tranquil seaside art studio just south of Santa Barbara, designed by longtime friend Robin Donaldson of Donaldson + Partners, is nestled among gardens and towering trees and has views of the Pacific. She says it has “incredible light” and a huge main wall that “has inspired her to work at a large scale.” This expanse of blank creative space allows Diener to put up sketches and other research materials from her extensive reference library of “image and idea files” that she refers to constantly while working. Her newest collection of work created in this inspirational setting delves into California’s complicated and fraught relationship with water and farming.

Feature - Ann Diener

Before beginning work for her upcoming show, Diener read “a couple of dozen books on factory farming and issues relevant to it,” as well as “numerous articles on soil, water, and other issues pertinent to industrial agriculture.” The technological changes in farming practices over the past century, she realized, signified a profound shifting of the land from “agrarian to industrial, natural to man-made, organic to planned, and flat to stacked.” Diener was interested in rendering this dramatic transformation in her drawings. Her process of layering images, one atop another, supplemented by maps, prints, diagrams, photographs, and cutouts of smaller drawings, is well suited to a subject that reflects how “place is experienced both currently and historically, how identity is tied to place, and how politics influence the systems that structure our lives.”

During a visit to the farm where her grandparents lived, Diener—a fourth-generation descendant of a California farming family—was struck by how much the landscape had changed since she was a child. This alteration was embodied in rows of suburban tract housing and strip malls or, in the remaining fields, enormous greenhouses churning out produce from genetically and scientifically engineered seeds.

Diener was inspired by writer and journalist Mark Arax’s The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California, a book about California’s water and soil. Arax traveled the state to explore its unprecedented and ambitious waterdistribution system, a complex juggernaut built in the middle of the last century that has fueled California’s relentless growth. The state is straining to keep pace with its role as one of society’s most prodigious food providers.

Diener’s projects focus on the fertile San

Diener’s studio has light and a huge main wall that allows her to work on large-scale projects.

OPPOSITE: Precarious Terrain, 2023, graphite, colored pencil, ink, and cut paper and Yupo on paper, 120 x 52.5 in.

Labor’s Gold (detail), 2023, oil paint, silk scarves, and beads on canvas, 120 x 52.5 in. OPPOSITE, FROM TOP: California Water Projects , 2022, acrylic ink and beads on printed map, 8.5 x 11 in.

Greenhouse , 2024/2023, wood with metal, acrylic elements, and beads, 14 x 10 x 12 ft.

Joaquin Valley, home to agriculture that produces a large portion of the world’s food supply. She chose the area because it epitomizes both “the good and the bad” of our modern agribusiness approach to farming. Diener describes the place as “a land of stark social, racial, and economic inequalities,” where giant industrial and agricultural operations leave gaping land scars and exert control over water tables to the detriment of smaller family-owned farms. In her latest work she seeks to embody this inequality visually and to “illustrate the chasm between the few who control the capital and resources and the low-income families, peripatetic immigrant labor, and small farmers.”

California being devoured and bulldozed by a symbol of abundance.

The heart of Diener’s new installation is Greenhouse, 2023, a chapel-like sculpture adorned with dangling clear and white acrylic leaves and beaded copper-colored wire branches representing almond trees. Dancing outside the structure’s natural wood beams are more lyrical line drawings. The sculpture was created in collaboration with D+ Workshop, the fabrication arm of Donaldson’s architectural studio.

“The paramount issue of California agriculture is water,” Diener states in the catalog essay accompanying the exhibition. “The adaptation of industrial agriculture to a changing climate represents a metaphor for climate change on a larger level. It creates a parable of the need to respond to environmental shifts to continue to produce food for a growing human population.”

Feature - Ann Diener

This insight suggests that although technology and change are wrapped up in science and advancement, they need not forget the history of the place we come from. And that is the land, which as Arak points out in his contribution to the catalog, sustained a 10,000-year-old native culture that was erased in the name of white American settlement and progress and was subsequently transformed by what Diener poignantly centers in her recent work—one of the most dramatic alterations of earth’s natural terrain in human history. ●

The resulting tapestries, drawings, maps, and sculpture are on view this summer in an installation at the Lancaster Museum of Art and History (LANCASTERMOAH.COM ) titled The Invented Land. Diener’s drawings typically feature beautifully orchestrated gestural compositional lines, symbols, and forms that move fluidly between representation and abstraction. In Liquid Gold, a large-scale graphite, ink, and coloredpencil drawing on paper, a series of compact repeated circular forms ebb and flow, suggesting both the fruit of vineyards and droplets of water. The vertiginous space created by dynamic swooping lines suggests rhizomatic root systems and conveys the literal and dramatic steep drop in land heights when aquifers are drained.

In Agricultural Product Map–San Joaquin Valley, Diener uses the power of graphics to project a colorful cornucopia over an antique map, showing the orderly fields and hills of central

The Magic of ZACA LAKE

A place once thought to be a portal still has the power to transport

WRITTEN

BY

ANNA FERGUSON-SPARKS

PHOTOGRAPHS BY

BLAKE BRONSTAD AND MAIA HINTON

Zaca Lake is the

lake in Santa Barbara County.

Zaca Lake (ZACALAKE.COM ) lures guests with its mysticism, its otherworldly energy, and its varied natural history. Once rumored to be bottomless, the emerald-toned body of water— which is the only naturally occurring spring-fed lake in Santa Barbara County—was formed approximately 10,000 years ago by a landslide that caused a fissure in the earth. Chumash legend held that Zaca Lake could essentially siphon swimmers to other regions of the Santa Ynez Valley and beyond. Today the lake is the centerpiece of a 320-acre resort that remains secluded, spiritual, and stylish.

Feature - Zaca Lake

1940s shade those cabins, and pines blanket the mountain range on the far side of the lake, at an altitude of about 2,400 feet above sea level. It is hard to remember that this spot is less than an hour from Santa Barbara and just 10 minutes from downtown Los Olivos, in Santa Ynez Valley’s wine country.

Early one spring morning, we bounced along the nearly seven-mile drive from Foxen Canyon Road to the lake. After working our way uphill, through a final series of corkscrew turns, and then back down, we were rewarded by the sight of a bald eagle taking flight over a marshy pool of water, Zaca Lake’s seasonal overflow. One of several eagles that have been spotted on the property, the creature seemed symbolic of the rarity of this body of water and the land we were about to explore.

We would see the bird again from the dock that juts out in front of the 16 restored and redesigned cabins that line the lake’s northern shore. Towering redwoods planted in the late

Zaca Lake is being preserved as a hidden natural oasis functioning as a bespoke group guest ranch, a role it has played for more than 100 years. The property was in sore need of repair and maintenance when it was acquired by the current partners, whose goal is to protect, preserve, and respect the history of the land and the lake. Water used for the property is pulled from its springs; solar panels supply electricity. The new stewards aim to maintain the land’s natural resources while they also share it with locals and visitors through customizable, rustic, elevated experiences that highlight the place’s magic.

The original wood cabins, which were built in the 1940s and have been restored in the camp vernacular, are available for private events and as part of property buyouts. There are fireplaces in the sleeping areas, and the furnishings are designed with luxe fabrics that play well with rough-edge limestone vanity tops, glass-enclosed showers, and flagstone bath and patio floors. Wooden trusses crisscross the cabin ceilings, and the floor is done in white oak.

Zaca Lake’s 1940s cabins have been luxuriously restored.

OPPOSITE: The guest cabins situated along the lake’s northern shore are camouflaged by towering redwoods.

The legendary lake sits at an altitude of about 2,400 feet above sea level.

Zaca Lake’s pristine waters reflect the surrounding wilderness. OPPOSITE: A

fireplace and luxe textiles in one of the thoughtfully restored guest cabins.

Feature - Zaca Lake

Historical images of Zaca Lake’s past lives, culled from a 1994 book on the subject, History of Zaca Lake. OPPOSITE: A 1928 map illustrates the lake and its surrounding land, serving as an animated snapshot from that time.

The Dome at Zaca Lake. OPPOSITE, FROM TOP: A silent tea ceremony inside the Dome with Morgann Francesca, a highlight during PALMA Colectiva’s Nature Within retreat at Zaca Lake. Grief coach Amar Atma, one of PALMA Colectiva’s featured practitioners.

MAIA HINTON

Between the cabins and a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house, the property can sleep as many as 42 guests, plus staff. The Barn, also an original structure, serves as a gathering place for guests, with its grand fireplace and billiard table, and an expansive deck that looks out toward the horse corral. The view also takes in The Dome, a focal point for a new series of events hosted by Santa Barbara–based PALMA Colectiva (PALMACOLECTIVA.COM ). Husband-and-wife founders Daniel Pozas and Meredith Markworth-Pollack had been searching for the right spot in the Santa Ynez region to hold retreats, and in April they started the Nature Within at Zaca Lake.

artist and healer Micah Sheiner, who also opened the weekend with a land-and-water blessing that honored the history of the land and its people.

Feature - Zaca Lake

Inside Zaca Lake’s acoustically unique Dome, which was staged with custom EmmaRose Floral arrangements, guests attended a yoga flow session with Krista Fleming, followed by a silent tea ceremony with Morgann Francesca. Reiki and intuitive bodywork by Markworth-Pollack and Pozas complemented the meals curated by

“When we first visited Zaca Lake, we sat with the spirit of the land,” says Markworth-Pollack. “We were inspired by the story of the property, beginning with the Chumash and having many iterations over the years of spiritual and well-being uses. We felt connected to the design and new aesthetics of the restored property and how the inherent beauty and grace of the land has been revitalized in an organic and respectful manner. We’re utilizing the retreat space and bringing healing and wellness for the community back to its most authentic use.”

Explaining the name of the retreat, Markworth-Pollack notes, “You feel so isolated here, with all of the elements of nature— wildness, beauty, extremes…they all reflect the nature within ourselves.”

PALMA Colectiva’s first three-day, two-night retreat included workshops and activations such as a cacao-and-sound ceremony with vibrational

chef Natacha Stojanovic’s MIDI Foods, and a zero-proof beverage program sponsored by nonalcoholic Tilden Cocktails. To close the weekend, grief coach Amar Atma led retreat attendees in a “Funeral for Self,” effectively leading guests to decide which parts of themselves they could let go as they cycle through life.

Zaca

Lake

is being preserved as a hidden natural oasis functioning as a bespoke group guest ranch.

Feature - Zaca Lake

Outdoors enthusiasts will revel in the range of activities available for guests at Zaca Lake, such as swimming, fishing, paddling, and rowing. Equestrian outfitters are on call for guided trail rides into the Santa Barbara backcountry, hiking and mountain biking trails line the ridges that ring the lake, and culinary adventurers can forage for edible gems like chanterelles. ●

PALMA Colectiva is planning a similar Zaca Lake retreat in November—expanded to four days and three nights, with attendees limited to 26 overnight guests—and will also host single-day social well-being retreats open to a greater number of people.

Zaca Lake’s intimate commercial kitchen is used by chefs and catering crews brought in for retreats, private events, weddings, and corporate affairs. The original lakeside lodge, which has a larger kitchen facility, was damaged in a fire in 2015 but is being rebuilt.

One of the most fabled elements of the property is its original outdoor kitchen and stone-paved barbecue area, the Alamo, which has “1939” carved into one of its keystones. Featuring two barbecue pits, a rotisserie, a massive fireplace, and a live-edge wooden bar, the structure is said to have been built for the storied Rancheros Visitadores, who used Zaca Lake as an encampment during their spring retreat.

Healer Micah Sheiner opened PALMA Colectiva’s Nature Within retreat with a land-and-water blessing ceremony. OPPOSITE, FROM TOP: PALMA Colectiva’s husband-and-wife founders, Daniel Pozas and Meredith Markworth-Pollack. Zaca Lake has an idyllic setting for exploring the San Rafael Mountains and the Santa Barbara backcountry.

WE LIVE IN PARADISE

Marking a century of civic celebrations, this year’s Fiesta opens with an evening of music and dance at the Old Mission and continues with the oldest equestrian parade in the country, a children’s parade, performances, and confetti-lined streets. SBFIESTA.ORG. J.T.

Holli Harmon pays tribute to the cultures that shaped Santa Barbara with her 100th Anniversary poster.

¡ Viva la!