Sunset Outdoor Living 2024

TAKE IT

OUTSIDE!

AL FRESCO DINNERS

SURF HOTELS

TINY HOUSEBOAT LIVING

SICHUAN ON THE GRILL

COCKTAILS BY THE SEA

THE NEW RANCH HOUSE

YELLOWSTONE STYLE

Dinner among the trees at The Orchard at Apple Lane

Heading into the surf outside Hotel del Coronado.

Ice cream with global flair; outdoor pizza oven primer; a new ABV bevvy.

Home & Garden

Water Babies

A bright and homey Sausalito houseboat is a snug love nest for a Bay Area designer and her infant daughter. 22 Reimagining the Western Ranch House

A historical Cliff May home in Coronado gives new life to a family of six while holding true to its original design philosophies.

32 The Giving Trees

The Orchard at Apple Lane in Auburn, California, is a revitalized local landmark with a must-stop farmstand and mature “u-pick” trees. It's the perfect backdrop for a late summer feast. 44 Checklist

What to do in your garden now no matter where you are in the West. Plus: container garden tips and fresh farmer’s market gear.

Food & Drink 51 Sichuan on the Grill

Sichuan flavors punch up this easy grilling menu from the culinary entrepreneurs behind L.A.’s hottest graband-go market.

cooking and it couldn’t be more relevant today.

66 Drinking in the View

To visit the revitalized Sea Ranch Lodge is to partake in the coastal California dream. Join us in a toast to this modernist architectural gem.

LIVING 2024

Jess Damuck’s cookbook is a love letter to the golden era of ‘70s California

Travel & Escapes

75 Catch the Stoke New programs at hotels in the West give surfers of all

skill levels a chance to learn.

86 Insider Guides

Tokeland, Washington; El Segundo, California; Boise, Idaho.

Voices of the West

Yellowstone costume designer Johnetta Boone on cowboy fashion.

OUTDOOR

ON THE COVER Dinner at The Orchard at Apple Lane.

Photograph by THOMAS J. STORY

On Savoring Summer

A cozy houseboat on a placid bay, a shaded ranch house with a pool surrounded with lush native plantings, a charming farmstand next to an orchard with pick-your-own fruit, a utopian seaside community perched between cliffs above the roiling Pacific and towering redwoods, coastal hotels where you can learn to surf by day and sip cocktails by the firepit at night, a Sichuan-spiced grilled feast for a weekend party. These are the summer dreams that are a reality in the West, and just some of the stories we’ve gathered in this issue dedicated to the pleasures of outdoor living.

If you haven’t maximized your summer yet, consider this your guide to doing it right. Now is the time to light that grill midweek for a smoke-tinged meal, take an evening run in the golden glow of the waning day, leave work early on Friday and head off on a last-minute road trip. For those with that mid-summer wanderlust, may I point you to one of my favorite features in the magazine? It’s the Insider Guides at the back of the magazine, which we’ve been compiling for years that feature local experts throughout the West giving tips on how to curate a perfect trip to their hometowns. This month we’ve got the inside scoop from an Inn-fluencer (that’s someone who documents cool new hotels) on the coastal gem of Tokeland, Washington, where you can whale-watch, kayak, feast on fresh local seafood, soak up that sea air, and book into a cute new hotel. If you’ve been eyeing Boise, a local chef will steer you right on all things food and beverage and more. And L.A.’s El Segundo continues to evolve as a destination full of culinary and cultural delights, and we’ve got a chef with a Michelin pedigree to set you straight on your foodie explorations.

As for that grand Western dream, we profile people and places that embody it in this issue, too. As a calming counterpoint to her glamorous life as a hairstylist to the stars in L.A., Ashley Streicher joined forces with a group of women to revive an orchard and farmstand in Northern California. And they made it one of the cutest darned spots to visit on your way to Tahoe. Designer Blythe Friedmann restored a tiny houseboat in Sausalito and turned it into a chic kid-friendly retreat for her and her new baby. The newly restored Sea Ranch Lodge is an exquisite example of ecologically-minded architecture and continues to express the utopian vision of the pioneering developers who established the iconic seaside community in the 1960s. In the culinary world, Jing Gao of Sichuan condiment powerhouse Fly By Jing and Stephanie Hjelmeseth have opened a charming superette in L.A. called Súa. Here they cook up a grilled feast featuring their excellent products. So take inspiration, get outside, and soak up these blissfully long days readymade for living your best life in the West.

—Hugh Garvey, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CHAIRMAN & PUBLISHER

Michael A. Reinstein

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Hugh Garvey

DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Sarah Yang

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Brian Walker

PHOTO EDITOR

Christine Bobbish

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Thomas J. Story

TRAVEL EDITOR

Krista Simmons

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Kristin Guy

CONTRIBUTING HOME & DESIGN EDITOR

Christine Lennon

VICE PRESIDENT, DIGITAL INITIATIVES

Matt Gross

DIGITAL PRODUCER/NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Nicole Clausing SENIOR DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION

Jamie Elliott

EDITORIAL INTERN

Kara Peeler

Sales & Marketing

SVP, MEDIA SOLUTIONS

Mort Greenberg VP, SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Brittany Brombach VP, PARTNERSHIPS

Kathleen Craven

HEAD OF TRAVEL

Pamela Coffey

HEAD OF OUTDOOR

Kristi Rummel SVP, REVENUE OPERATIONS

Kelly Facer

DIRECTOR OF AD OPERATIONS

Mindy Morgan

HEAD OF CUSTOM EVENTS

Tracy Seng

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Megan Giordano

Sunset Media International Corporation

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Tom Griffiths Graydon Sheinberg

Savoring summer among the trees at The Orchard at Apple Lane in Auburn, California.

Central Coast

Fisk Paints fiskpaints.com

King’s Paint 831-462-1824

East Bay Centrihouse centrihouse.com

Creative Paint creativepaint.com

East Bay Paint Center eastbaypaintcenter.com

Eco Paint Center ecopaintcenter.com

Mark’s Paint Mart markspaintmart.com

Moyers Paint moyerspaint.com

Professional Paint Center professionalpaintcenter.com

North Bay

Marin Color Service marincolorservice.com

The Paint Works 707-963-9551

Peterson’s Paint petersonspaint.net

Plaza Paint & Supplies plazapaint.com

Sonoma Paint Center sonomapaintcenters.com

Tamalpais Paint & Color tamalpaispaint.com

Peninsula

California Paint Company californiapaint.com

Gray’s Paint Stores grayspaints.com

Hassett ACE Hardware hassetthardware.com

House of Color Daly City, 650-994-4270

House of Color houseofcolorsouthsf.com

Sacramento

All Seasons Paint allseasonspaint.com

San Francisco

Creative Paint creativepaint.com

South Bay Paints southbaypaints.com Find your

House of Color houseofcolorsanfrancisco.com

San Francisco Paint Source sfpaintsource.com

South Bay Centrihouse centrihouse.com

Creative Paint creativepaint.com

The Paint & Décor Center 408-612-8617

insure your journey

Peace of mind on the road

PROTECTING YOUR TRAVEL TRAILER ADVENTURES

Embarking on the open road with your travel trailer is an exciting experience, lled with adventure and the promise of new discoveries. However, ensuring that your journey remains carefree involves more than just planning the perfect route and destination. It involves protecting your travel trailer with insurance customized for you. Here are a few reasons why having insurance for your travel trailer is not just a wise decision, but an essential one.

Traveling comes with its share of uncertainties, and having insurance for your travel trailer provides you with the peace of mind that you deserve. Whether you’re cruising down the highway or parked at a scenic campsite, knowing that your investment is protected can make your travels even more enjoyable.

Protection against the unexpected Damage to your travel trailer can happen when you least expect it. Comprehensive and collision travel trailer insurance can cover you in case of events that are out of your control, like a tree limb falling on your trailer. Optional Pest Damage ProtectionSM provides coverage for damage from pests such as rats, mice, insects, birds, or other nondomesticated animals.

Coverage for personal belongings

Your travel trailer is not just a mode of transportation; it’s your home on wheels. Optional personal effects coverage can help cover the cost of personal belongings inside the trailer, providing nancial assistance in case of theft or damage.

When auto insurance isn’t enough

Auto insurance generally provides coverage for your travel trailer only when it is connected to your vehicle and may assist in cases where your trailer causes damage to another vehicle. However, it typically does not provide standalone coverage for repairing or replacing your trailer if it sustains damage or is totaled.

You can choose travel trailer insurance options that help cover those expenses and may even offer the bene t of total loss replacement coverage.

When homeowners insurance isn’t enough

Homeowners insurance may provide some coverage for your belongings, but often has limitations when the trailer is off your property. A customized travel trailer insurance policy can ensure that your trailer and belongings are adequately covered.

Liability protection

Accidents involving your travel trailer can also lead to liability issues. Insurance can provide protection against third-party claims, covering medical expenses or property damage that may arise from an incident involving your trailer.

Insuring your travel trailer is not just a precaution; it’s a commitment to a worry-free travel experience. Safeguard your investment, enjoy the journey, and make every moment on the road a memory worth cherishing. Start your adventure with the con dence that comes from knowing your travel trailer is protected against life’s unexpected twists and turns.

Scan to get a quote in as little as 4 minutes

BEST OF THE WEST

The new Wanderlust cookbook takes readers on a delicious tour of the flavors and cultures of the West and beyond.

Of all the creative ice cream brands to hit the scene in the past decade, Wanderlust might be the most globally wide-ranging when it comes to flavors. Serving inventive varieties like Abuelita Malted Crunch, Sticky Rice & Mango, Palo Santo Mint Chip, and kalamansi mignonette sorbet (a nod to co-founder Adrienne Borlongan’s Filipino heritage), the L.A.-based brand is a sweet celebration of the immigrant culinary traditions that make up the West. For home cooks wanting to recreate these deliciously diverse flavors at home, Borlongan’s new book Wanderlust Creamery Presents: The World of Ice Cream (Abrams; $29.99) is a foundational guide packed with technique and sourcing intel, dozens of inspiring custards, sorbets, and ideas for infusing flavors into your creations. It’s a true masterclass in the art of frozen dessert artistry.

Thai Candy Corn

Nanaimo Bars

Sticky Rice & Mango

Adrienne Borlongan scoops the popular Ube Malted Crunch at L.A.’s Wanderlust Creamery.

BORLONGAN: LINDY LIN; REMAINING IMAGES: © 2024 MAX MILLA

Tide Spotting

There are few beach activities as enchanting as gazing into a tidepool, each one a compact microcosm of marine life, a liminal space where ocean meets land. Between the Tides in Washington and Oregon: Exploring Beaches and Tidepools by Ryan P. Kelly, Terrie Klinger and John J. Meyer (University of Washington Press; $24.95) is an essential beachside companion for denizens of the Pacific Northwest. It charmingly and expertly invites readers to become amateur ecologists and breaks down the geology of the coast and gives tips on how to read and understand the forces that support the abundant and varied sea life that thrives from the Southern Oregon Coast to Washington’s Salish Sea.

Golf and a tall cold one are great in theory, but blazing heat and a bit too much alcohol can mess with even the most seasoned pro’s swing. Enter California-born Hazard’s Hop Water, a zero-ABV canned beverage made with the same hops that make beer crisp and pleasantly bitter—plus, they’re purported to have a calming effect. With flavors such as grapefruit and tea and lemonade balancing the zippy hops, it’s your new favorite summer sip. Hazardshopwater.com

Fired Up

SUMMER IS OUTDOOR PIZZA PARTY SEASON. HERE ARE THE TOP OVENS TO FIT ANY SPACE AND STYLE.

STYLISH SUPERSTAR

The Alfa Forni Moderno 2 Pizze is a high-performance, highdesign oven that can become the focal point of your outdoor dining room or kitchen and allow you to play pro pizzaiolo all summer long. Alfaforni. com; $2,999

DOUBLE DUTY

The Ooni Koda 2 Max is essentially a double-wide version of the original Koda, with the ability to make one big pizza to feed a crowd or cook pizza on one side and meat or vegetables on the other. Ooni.com; $999

COMPACT AND COOL

Mod and just big enough, the gas-powered Roccbox is small enough to easily stow when you need more room on your patio. Us.gozney.com; $499

DOOR HARDWARE MADE EASY

Emtek’s extensive line of knobs and pulls is infinitely customizable and the smart choice for homeowners of every taste who are looking to get a handle on their home needs. Their new easy-to-use online visualizer will help you bring your vision to life.

Whether you’re building a modernist house from the ground up, upgrading a traditional home, or hoping to make that pocket door as sleek, elegant, and functional as possible, Emtek is your go-to source for knobs and pulls. With literally hundreds of thousands of material, color, and style combinations—and a uniquely accessible and inviting customer experience—Emtek empowers homeowners to arrive at a decision that’s perfect for their project. For our 2025 Palm Springs Idea House, an indoor-outdoor dream home designed by modernist architects Donald Wexler and Lance O’Donnell, the homeowner chose Emtek’s Select Knurled Knobs to match the clean lines and semi-industrial aesthetic of the doors. How did the homeowner arrive at the perfect personalized handle set? He started his journey with the company’s new MyEmtek Product Visualizer, which allowed him to virtually design multiple versions of his ideal handle, and order a custom made sample that he had in hand in mere days. To go from infinite choice to the right choice is at the heart of the Emtek customer experience. Here’s how you can work with Emtek to see how hardware can become easyware for your dream home project.

PERUSE THE POSSIBILITIES

Over the past 40 years, Emtek has established itself as the category leader in product design and the breadth of choice is truly stunning. The impressive breadth of hardware offerings

oil-rubbed bronze, satin brass, brushed stainless steel, or beyond. And their easy-to-use website allows you to filter by design theme, material, finish, and can lead you to, for example, the perfect Arts & Crafts mortise lock or modern keypad entry set in polished chrome.

EXPRESS YOUR VISION

Homeowners looking for truly custom products can dream big with the new MyEmtek Product Visualizer, an online tool that allows users to design products exactly how they want them. If you can’t find exactly what you want in Emtek’s already massive library of options, the Product Visualizer empowers you to create a bespoke product with your specific combination of finish, knob, pull, rosette style, and those beautiful finishes. The Visualizer will then produce a custom picture of your creation. The combination of possible finishes and styles totals a mind boggling 763,000 options!

HARDWARE IN HAND

With your dream dialed in, the Emtek team will produce a sample by hand right here in Southern California and within two to three days you’ll be able to pick up your sample at one of Emtek’s local dealers in the L.A. area or have it shipped to wherever you are!

includes smart locks, barn doors, sliding doors, pocket doors, knobs, levers, pulls, cabinet latches, pulls, knobs, and more. The variety of materials, colors, and finishes is equally impressive, whether you’re looking for

To start your Emtek journey to find the perfect handles, knobs, and pulls for your project, simply scan this QR code and visualize your dreams.

Hercules Knurled Monolithic Mortise Entry Set in Satin Nickel.

Select Conical Knurled Knob with Square Rosette in Satin Brass.

Select L-Square Hammered Lever with Wilshire Rosette in Polished Chrome.

THE NEW WESTERN SUSTAINABLE HOME

With state of the art electric systems, smart home management, and an easy to use app, Schneider Home is at the heart of the evolution of the sustainable Western house.

The Western home has always been at the forefront of energy efficiency, from the thick insulating walls of Southwestern adobes to the cooling shaded patios of California ranch houses. Today, in the evolving world of home energy management, the shift from analog to digital is radically transforming how we power our homes, with the all-electric house as the biggest paradigm shift we’ve ever seen. Homes equipped with solar power, tankless water heaters, heat pumps, automated smart home systems, and electric car chargers have set a high bar for affordability, sustainability, and ease. At the forefront of this revolution is Schneider Electric, which already helps manage the electricity in 40 percent of homes in the U.S. under their brand, Square D. For homeowners looking to join this revolution, the company's Schneider Home system provides the hardware, smart technology, and user-friendly simplicity that will match your lifestyle—whether you’re looking to convert your craftsman into an all-electric haven or are building from the ground up. Integration of Schneider Home will help make your home smarter, safer, more affordable to power, more energy-efficient, and resilient in

response to a sometimes unreliable power grid. Here are five reasons to shift to the future with Schneider Home:

IT’S SIMPLE Schneider Home consolidates control of your home's energy resources with a single app, rather than the 4 to 6 apps you need today. It simplifies management and enhances efficiency. Whether optimizing solar usage, managing backup power, or integrating new appliances, Schneider Home puts everything at your fingertips in one simple app.

IT’S COST-EFFECTIVE Schneider Home can seamlessly manage time-of-use pricing and your batteries by automating energy savings and providing robust backup power. Schneider Home can accelerate the payback of going solar and investing in battery backup, in some areas by as much as 1 to 3 years faster. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act and local utility and government rebates, the cost of going electric is drastically reduced, by thousands of dollars in many cases, making sustainable living both accessible and affordable.

IT’S ENERGY-EFFICIENT The transition to a home powered by smart energy and Schneider Home not only enhances your living environment but can also help achieve greater sustainability and resilience. By optimizing energy use and reducing reliance on traditional power grids, homes equipped with Schneider Home can contribute to a reduction in overall carbon emissions, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

IT PROVIDES PEACE OF MIND The resilience offered by improved backup power control ensures that your home remains operational even during outages, for longer than with some other battery systems, providing peace of mind in an era of increasing weather-related disruptions.

IT’S READY FOR THE FUTURE And as anybody who’s ever upgraded their home systems knows, you need to balance the code requirements of today with an eye to the future, and Schneider Home systems are designed to be adaptable and expandable to meet a homeowners’ changing needs. Solutions like Schneider Home are flexible enough to deliver on code requirements and homeowner needs today while setting up the homeowner for the ever-growing digitization and electrification of the home of the future.

This charming California bungalow has gone electric with solar panels, backup batteries, a smart panel, and an electric car charging station.

HOME & GARDEN

Water Babies

A bright and homey Sausalito houseboat is a snug love nest for a Bay Area designer and her infant daughter.

Story by CHRISTINE LENNON

Photographs by THOMAS J. STORY

This page: A Bertazzoni stove and Zellige tile add unexpected sophistication to the small galley kitchen. Vintage Moroccan ceramics mingle with Heath plates and bowls on the open shelves. Opposite page, clockwise from upper left: Terracotta pots filled with succulents from Green Jeans on the multi-leveled, tiled light well. Friedmann sanded the existing interlocked pine IKEA deck and re-painted the exterior Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore. Woven leather headboard, Saffron + Poe. Coyuchi linens in Bleached White. Peruvian Frazada blanket from The Perish Trust. Oak nightstand, vintage. Custom shelving in the lower guest bedroom holds Friedmann’s many books and collected treasures.

hen Blythe Friedmann made the decision to move out of her stately Edwardian home in San Francisco’s eclectic Mission neighborhood, she had only one serious criterion: It had to be the opposite of the house she’d lived in for 15 years. That meant no tall, walnut wainscoting, dimly lit rooms, or closets full of memories. The interior designer and art therapist was preparing for her life as a new mother. And she wanted the proximity of suburban living without any of its inherent blandness.

“I got rid of almost everything except for art and a few beloved collectibles, and it felt so good.”

“I was thinking and thinking, and then I just woke up one morning, and it was this intuitive knowing. I wanted to try to buy a houseboat,” she says.

Friedmann hadn’t thought much about the famous floating communities that fill the snug harbors around Sausalito since she visited a friend from graduate school who lived in one over two decades ago. But when she saw a listing for a dated floating home in a quirky neighborhood on the Bay, she knew instantly that she’d found her place.

“The boat where Shel Silverstein lived, the Evil Eye, is just two slips away,” she says. “This is literally Where the Sidewalk Ends. It’s a very tight-knit group of people of all ages, from their 20s to their 80s. I was really drawn to the bohemian, slightly weird community. ”

Transitioning from a traditional, somewhat masculine house that she’d always occupied with a partner or a roommate to a four-level, 1400-square-

foot boat with her little girl, Goldie, required a comprehensive purge, both of bulky furniture and old ideas.

“I got rid of almost everything except for art and a few beloved collectibles, and it felt so good,” she says.

“When I design things for my clients, I think about where they’re coming from and where they’re going to. For me, I wanted to come into the light in a bright, feminine, soft space.”

Friedmann christened the boat Moonstone and began anew, with a light neutral palette and inviting textures. She chose Moroccan rugs and blankets, a cream colored Malm wood stove, a vintage George Nelson lantern, and a mid-century rocking chair for Goldie’s room that she can re-sell when she outgrows it. She’s particularly proud of the nursery, which is outfitted primarily in consignment store finds and collected textiles with pops of primary colors.

“Vintage isn’t for everyone, but I love how it allows me to live with

A rare vintage George Nelson pendant hangs over Friedmann’s grandmother’s marble table. The wall hanging is by Rhiannon Griego. The vintage Eames chairs were an eBay find, and the custom door was made from teak salvaged from a WWII ship.

A cream, vintage Malm stove anchors the sitting area. Dreamer Couch by Pop and Scott. Bauer studios vintage coffee table.

The open-concept living area means the multi-level boat lives like a floating city apartment. The interior is painted in two shades of Benjamin Moore white: Chantilly Lace on the walls and Simply White on the ceilings. Knotty Bubbles blown glass pendant in the entry, The Future Perfect; earthenware triangle wall hanging, Heather Levine; vintage 1930s tool chest, Chairish.

pieces for a period of time and sell them when I’m ready to switch it out. It’s better for the wallet and the landfill,” she says.

The

The very specific challenges of remodeling and furnishing a boat can intimidate less intrepid designers. For starters, there’s very little storage—no garden shed, garage, or basement. And there are weight and balance considerations that require extra attention. The heaviest elements, like a Zellige tile bathroom wall, need to be in the center of the space. Weighty furniture, like the vintage marble table Friedmann inherited from her grandmother that was the inspiration for pale, earth

just a tiny rectangle with popcorn walls, and I built a daybed with deep drawers and floor-to-ceiling storage, wrapped with bookshelves. My niece calls it the mermaid cave,” she says. “Built-ins always make it feel so lovely, especially in a small space.”

Friedmann completed the renovation in 2022, and Goldie was born a little less than a year later. The little family has been embraced by the hardy characters that choose to live right alongside the elements. With seals barking off the stern, “strange clanking noises against the hull” at night, a dampness that can seep into towels and sheets, and fierce storms whipping around wind and rain, Friedmann acknowledges that the lifestyle can be surprisingly rugged, and not the most obvious choice for a single mom.

“It’s an adventure to be on the water. There are times where there will be a storm overnight and I’ll see my neighbors in the parking lot and you can tell that no one’s had any sleep. We’ve gotten hurricane-force winds. The power goes out. It definitely feels like you’re at sea,” she says. “But I love being impacted by the elements and not just tucked away in a neat little box.”

tones throughout, could easily tip the boat to one side if it wasn’t positioned correctly. The oddly shaped rooms also required creative thinking. Friedmann, who grew up in apartments in Brooklyn, understands the secrets to smaller-space living are smart built-ins and careful editing.

“We’re all just trying to be the best version of ourselves, and I think of living spaces in the same way. Maximize what you have. Everything in it should be beautiful and functional,” she says. And, she advises, invest in custom built-ins to make the most of tight quarters.

“The downstairs guest room was

She perceives the changing tides and seasons differently in her new home, and the connection she feels to nature, especially when she takes out her secondhand kayak for a paddle, supersedes any inconveniences. In the process, Goldie has won plenty of dockside admirers who love watching her grow and delight in the wonders of life in and around the water. And Friedmann has proven to herself that if she can baby-proof a boat, she can do anything.

“I’ve done a few different jobs on boats since I moved in, helping pick out floor tile for one and doing some light redecorating for another. I found that a lot of the trades don’t want to work on houseboats, so I know people who are willing to do that now, which helps,” she says of her new-found expertise.

“It can be intimidating. It’s intense, both the beauty and the experience,” she says. “And you have to just accept that everything is going to get a little salty.”

The boat’s heaviest elements, like this large vintage sink in the primary bathroom, are centered to keep the boat balanced. The shiplap walls are a nod to the nautical life.

1930s brass faucet and ptrap were eBay finds. Friedmann swears by Coyuchi air-dry towels.

Top: Clever, custom built-ins in the guest room provide much-needed storage.

Bottom: The houseboat community in Sausalito is eclectic and colorful.

SPONSORED

ECO-ELEGANCE: COMPOSITE DECKING REDEFINES OUTDOOR STYLE

Trex proves how providing homeowners with endless creativity and customization doesn't mean sacrificing quality for your build or for the planet.

Creating inspiring outdoor spaces at home is woven into the fabric of the Western lifestyle, from the rugged cliffs of the Pacific Northwest to the golden beaches of Southern California. And when it comes to building the ultimate backyard escape, Trex ® stands out as a versatile building material that offers a blend of style, durability, and sustainability. Whether it’s for a cozy coastal retreat or a sprawling backyard paradise, composite decking effortlessly marries form and function, ensuring that your outdoor space is as stunning as the landscapes that surround it. Here’s why Trex is the prime choice for homeowners looking to make an impact on their personal surroundings and the world around them.

GREEN IS IN THEIR DNA

Trex not only invented the composite decking category but continued to innovate over the years with outdoor railings, deck lighting, furniture, and more. The brand’s dedication to low-maintenance, high-performance, and ecofriendly products has fundamentally changed the way we live and interact with the outdoors. One of the largest plastic film recyclers in North America, Trex has a commitment to offsetting waste by creating products that are made from up to 95% reclaimed and recycled materials. The brand partners with corporations, retail

Trex Signature® Decking in Whidbey with Trex Signature® Glass Railing in Bronze.

Trex Transcend® Lineage™ Decking in Biscayne with Trex Signature® Glass Railing in Charcoal Black.

stores, and consumers to source unwanted scrap plastic film and reclaimed wood and turns it into beautiful decking. Since its inception, Trex has diverted more than 5 billion pounds of recyclable waste slated for landfills.

NATURE THAT NURTURES

Practicing what they preach, Trex goes above and beyond when giving back to the community and inspiring a next generation of land stewards. They partnered with REI Co-op to build elevated tent platforms from recycled plastic film waste at REI's Signature Camp

in Bryce Canyon, proving how repurposing materials can be implemented in profound, naturalistic ways. Also a driving force behind the growing biophilic design movement, Trex offers continuing education for industry professionals such as architects, designers, and enthusiasts interested in understanding the importance of connectivity to the natural environment through the use of space and material selections.

INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS

Just as easy to build with and cut as traditional wood, Trex products don’t splinter, stain, or fade. Plus there’s the added bonus of heat-mitigating technology in their new Transcend® Lineage™ decking collection. The boards are easy to clean, have an unparalleled durable beauty, and feature grain patterns that look like real wood. With a style for every budget, including more than 20 colors, and endless creative applications such as bendable boards, customized railing and lighting, Trex is the ultimate choice for those who cherish both the beauty of nature and the sophistication of modern design.

ECO-FRIENDLY ELEGANCE

At Sunset’s Palm Springs Idea House, Trex is the foundational material for a one-of-a-kind ultimate outdoor room and patio. In this setting where the boundaries between comfort and nature blur seamlessly, Trex will provide additional seating and entertaining hubs, while withstanding the elements at this remarkable property. Looking for inspiration for your own outdoor oasis? Composite decking can offer any kind of outdoor refuge including backyard kitchens, pool-side varandas, elevated al fresco rooms, and even pergola-shaded garden retreats. Your sustainable sanctuary awaits.

Trex Signature® Decking in Ocracoke.

The choice for frameless glass rail has never been clearer.

With its modern and streamlined design, Trex Signature® X-Series™ Frameless Glass Rail adds sophistication to any outdoor space. Anchored by the innovative X-Series post, this specialty line of railing delivers impeccably clean sight lines. Discover how it’s the picture-perfect partner for Trex Signature® decking at trex.com .

Featuring Trex Signature® Composite Decking in Whidbey and Trex Signature® X-Series™ Railing in Charcoal Black with Glass Infill

A GARDEN IN EVERY ROOM

REIMAGINING THE WESTERN RANCH HOUSE

A HISTORICAL CLIFF MAY HOUSE IN CORONADO IS REIMAGINED FOR A FAMILY OF 6 WHILE HOLDING TRUE TO ITS ORIGINAL DESIGN PHILOSOPHIES.

Story by KRISTIN GUY

Photograph by THOMAS J. STORY

If you’re a fan of the quintessential indoor-outdoor Western lifestyle that comes along with expansive floor-toceiling glass, a warm wash of natural light, breezeways that maximize airflow, and surrounding serene landscape, you can thank famed architect Cliff May. Regarded as the founding father of the iconic California ranch house, May’s work has been repeatedly published in Sunset since the 1930s. What made his work stand out at the time was how he designed homes not so much based on architecture but on the way people wanted to live in them. Making the most of the Western climate, his goal was to provide a closer relationship with nature through

garden courtyards and blur the line between how we use interior and exterior spaces. May in turn created private sanctuaries where families could relax and enjoy a lifestyle of informal outdoor living. He invented the way most people want to live in the West, and his influence is felt throughout the region some 90 years later.

When it came to revitalizing this 1936 historic Cliff May home in Coronado, California, homeowners Johnathan and Mandy McCauley knew they landed on something special. They brought on Christian Rice Architects and landscape architecture firm ORCA Living to update and reimagine the interior and exterior space in a way

that a modern family could enjoy while sticking true to the original ranch home thesis. While reconfiguration and structural additions have created a modernized flow for a busy family of six, the surrounding gardens provide a remarkable case study on how vignettes and botanical moments threaded throughout an exterior space can successfully express the Cliff May vision in new, exciting ways.

The team at design studio ORCA Living, whose philosophy hews closely to May’s core ethos, focused on the use of plants and natural materials in its

The McCauley family relaxes near the new pool and guest house additions that were each carefully planned to maximize space for entertaining, yet sticking to Cliff May’s original ranch house design sensibilities.

The front yard’s unique trellis-inspired fence design is also influenced by Cliff May, who often used square grid details in his work for windows and garages. ORCA carries this theme throughout the landscape with an original sensibility and its own creative spin.

A unique combination of organic materials are woven throughout the landscape. Here, the use of stone, clay, and rough-sawn lumber are echoed throughout the garden design, much like the hacienda-style homes in May’s earliest work.

rawest forms to reconnect people with the earth. When heading into this project, founder Molly Sedlacek and her team were specifically influenced by May’s persistent connection of interior rooms to the exteriors and in turn created a picture frame of the garden from not only every interior space but from the outdoor rooms as well.

EDITED ADDITIONS

The McCauley family originally lived across the street when this Cliff May property came on the market. The previous owners had lived there for over 50 years, and it was in need of

some major TLC, but the McCauleys saw the potential in the large lot and wanted to commit to honoring the work of May when undertaking any renovations. The McCauleys worked with local architect Christian Rice and ORCA on a number of very intentional updates, which included leveling the sloped front yard to make it usable and separated from the street, adding the pool, reconfiguring the main house kitchen, and converting the back rental property to a pool house.

The team at Christian Rice Architects decided early on that the new

guest house would be representative of May’s later work and decided upon a more modern mid-century structure that would not compete, but rather complement the historical home. Purposely built from a different era than the front, the back house became a nod and testament to how May’s own style evolved throughout his career. The interplay between old and new that occurs throughout the primary courtyard spaces became an intriguing design challenge for this project. However, the new structure’s intentional use of floor-to-ceiling windows and several rough-hewn wooden

structural beams explore how color, texture, and the handmade nature of various design elements can interact seamlessly with the neighboring historical home when an intentional landscape threads the narrative between spaces.

PATIO PLAY

With the newly constructed guest house designed by Christian Rice Architects in place, ORCA stepped back in to create rooms separated by flora and pathway material transitions. The use of natural cedar wood, rammed earth tile, and boulder stepping stones

Top: A firepit is surrounded by custom ORCA furniture. Bottom: ORCA added a hidden horticultural hideaway to infuse Johnathan’s love for cultivating unusual plant specimens into the new landscaping narrative.

framed a playful patchwork of organic materials that made for visual interest and function for an active family.

Prioritizing courtyards as individual moments of rest and entertainment became the puzzle pieces for this project. The team created dynamic color and textural combos of plants that soften the hardscape and structural lines between the home and pool house. With a self-described vision of “cool cast harmony of wild native and specimen flora, paired with a playful scale of earth’s elements: wood and stone,” ORCA has changed the way we think of a backyard patio and how it can become more of a fluid space filled with life.

Pathways and patios are the backbone of this garden, with a loop created for the family and guests to circulate between different outdoor rooms. An informal porch was added off the kitchen, which steps down into a more formal sunken dining area, further bridging the living space into the outdoors. Four towering olive trees, a Cliff May staple, create a shaded canopy over a 16-foot gathering table custom designed by ORCA and made of 5-inchthick cedar wood that seats 25 and seems astonishingly airy considering its size. Here, a juxtaposition of volume and depth mirrors May’s first rule of ranch design where, ground-hugging silhouettes lend to a divine cohesiveness with the surrounding landscape.

NURTURED BY NATURE

With the shared ideology of Cliff May’s desire to offer garden views from any vantage point inside the home, ORCA filled in ground beds with Feltleaf Kalanchoes and Blue Star Ferns against the home’s floor-length windows to initiate the first connection to nature. These distinctive sage colors and leaf silhouettes offer a pleasant starting point for the eye to gaze upon from indoors, which then lead into a broader view of more complex botanical groupings and discoveries further out into the property.

ORCA’s dedication to incorporating localized plant materials thrive in this oceanside setting. Coastal natives such as Salvias ‘Sages,’ Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘California Buckwheat,’ Muhlenbergia rigens ‘California Deergrass,’

Prioritizing courtyards as individual moments of rest and entertainment became the puzzle pieces for this project.

A pair of ORCA designed Adirondack Chairs add warmth and natural texture to the cooler toned hardscape palette around the pool which was intentionally selected to echo the silvery tones of the surrounding flora.

and Baccharis pilularis ‘Coyote Bush’ provide dense coverage while a layering of Australian specimens, such as Moonlight ‘Grevillea,’ Acacia Iteaphylla ‘Willow Wattle,’ and Acacia cultriformis ‘Knife-leaf Acacia’ provide a finer lacy leaf texture and variegated foliage while providing dynamic architectural bloom shapes, adding additional depth to the landscape.

Homeowner Jonathan McCauley also had influence on a few choice plantings. As a horticultural hobbyist, botanical collector, and plant propagation enthusiast, he managed to get permission from ORCA to add a few personal statement plantings such as Aloe ‘Hercules,’ Aloe bainesii, and Aloe marlothii, which each stand proudly in the front entry. If you sneak around to the backside of the pool house, you might even get a glimpse of his horticultural hideout where he tinkers away, doting on plants with expert care, taking ref-

uge in a calming retreat.

EYE FOR ELEMENTS

ORCA is no stranger to weaving a unique combination of organic materials into their designs, and for this project, the team plays elegantly into the philosophies of Cliff May and his dedication to using natural materials that reflect the presence of a human hand and imperfectly perfect textures. Here, the use of stone, clay, and rough-sawn lumber are echoed throughout the garden design, much like the haciendastyle homes in May’s earliest work. The team made an intentional shift with the hardscape palette to cooler cast, which echoes the silvery tones of the flora. They opted for a sandy gray trim that is more neutral than many of May’s homes, yet allows for the plant material and pool plaster to pop as the bluest element in the outdoors. To break up the hardscape along the pool, additional 18-inch Red Gum

Eucalyptus beams from Angel City Lumber were used to create a rustic edge and laid into the landscape to reflect the feeling of a fallen tree. Even the front yard’s unique fence, with its trellis-inspired design, is influenced by May, as he often used a detail of a square grid for windows and garages.

ORCA carries this theme from front gate to back alley with each detail infused with an original sensibility and its own creative spin.

While Cliff May’s work ebbed and flowed into new directions and experiments over time, ORCA carries on the narrative with its own design philosophy and intentions of embracing growth, change, wear, and natural patina. Not only have they left a dynamic design footprint entwined into this historical site, they’re keeping the conversation open to future interpretation and evolution with their own design mantra: When a landscape is complete, it is simply beginning.

RAD RANCHO

Weave in a bit of raw yet refined ranch styling into your own abode with these products designed by ORCA. Seamlessly integrated into this Coronado historical home, the mixture of brass hardware, handmade clay pavers, and rustic wooden accents make for a one-ofa-kind outdoor oasis we know Cliff May would have approved of.

All products available at orcaliving.com

Concentric Fire Pit, $4,200

Adirondack Chair, $1,700

Gate Latch Passage Set, $1,395

Pressed Paver, Driftwood, $12–14

Birdhouse No. 1, $295

Copper/Brass Outdoor Shower, $1,700

The Giving Trees

Thanks to one close family’s efforts, The Orchard at Apple Lane in Auburn, California is a revitalized local landmark with a must-stop farmstand and mature “u-pick” trees, and the perfect backdrop for a late summer feast.

Story by CHRISTINE LE NNON

nyone who grew up road-tripping to Truckee from San Francisco, or exploring the hiking and cycling trails that cut through the rolling foothills outside of Sacramento, is likely to have memories of The Orchard at Apple Lane off Highway 80 in Auburn. It was pretty as a picture, if a bit neglected in recent years, and a beloved century-old relic from the small farming heyday of the region, with rows of apple, pear, fig, plum, and peach trees, an old farmhouse, three cottages, and a farmstand selling seasonal pies.

“This property held a special place in my heart,” says Laura Carter who, along with her mother Sue Dossa, aunt Jan Morel, and sister-inlaw Ashley Streicher, owns and operates the 27acre property and its now thriving farmstand.

“My brother Clay and I both came here on field trips when we were kids. When we heard it was

for sale, we rallied as a family and decided to buy it. It’s such a beautiful place, and knowing that it could have been destroyed and developed and become another slab of concrete was too big of a pill to swallow.”

As it turns out, the extended family was uniquely equipped to take on the challenge, and everyone lends a hand. Clay is an arborist, who was eager to dive in and restore the ailing trees to full health, with help from the farmhands who have worked the property for years and local experts. Laura has a background in human resources. Their mom Jan and aunt Sue are investors and managers. And Ashley Streicher honed her marketing, branding, and PR skills as the co-owner of the STRIIIKE salon in Beverly Hills with her two sisters, all beauty influencers with sizable social media presences. She and Clay were high school sweethearts who reconnected during the pan-

Ashley Streicher, Jan Moriel, Sue Dossa, and Laura Carter (in dresses by Mille) make The Orchard at Apple Lane a family affair.

The vintage windmill is an Auburn landmark. An orchard dinner celebrates their first u-pick season. The famous hand pies. Seasonal flowers and fruit decorate the simple table.

demic, when the salon closed temporarily and Streicher moved back to her hometown. She’d always dreamed of moving back to Northern California, buying a house on a few acres, and embracing a slower life. One week a month, she’s back in L.A. seeing clients like actors Mandy Moore and Kiernan Shipka. Back home in nearby Meadow Vista with their young son, Ansel, life had become a little too slow.

“I was like, ‘Come on, universe, there has to be something I can do here,’” says Streicher. “When I saw the orchard was for sale, I knew that was the something I could do.”

They started with a redesign, painting the exterior of the farm buildings a deep chocolate brown. A cute logo and new signage helped to refresh the image. The other structures on the property, including the farmhouse and a handful of small cottages, were remodeled and rented to tenants, with hopes of turning them into Airbnb rentals one day. Streicher re-imagined the farmstand, stocking it with new provisions like local cheeses and meats, bagged candy, dried fruit, and chic seasonal gifts, mainly from women-owned and California-based small businesses. For the orchard’s first-ever apple-picking season opener last fall, they hosted a day-long party with live music, food, and shopping.

And Sunset was invited to join in an intimate friends-and-family orchard dinner catered by Jennifer Millsap of Shef Madres in Sacramento, with hard cider pairings from Ponderosa Cider Co. produced with fruit from the orchard, Wavy Wines, and apple hand pies baked by Norma, who’s been making fruit pies for the farmstand for 30 years.

“We love working with local farmers. The bounty is literally here in our backyard,” says Millsap. “And some caterers won’t do these orchard or farm dinners, but I love it. It’s such a gorgeous setting, and it makes the connection for people with their food source, where the ingredients came from, and how people worked hard to grow it.”

On the menu were sweet and

Top: Ashley and her sister, Jen Streicher, in a quiet moment among the trees. Bottom: The farmstand now stocks gift items, bagged candy and snacks for roadtripping, plus local cheese and charcuterie.

THOMAS J. STORY; JENNA JONES

Streicher’s partner, Clay, on a vintage tractor.

Family and friends gathered to celebrate at

the first of many orchard dinners at Apple Lane.

“Harvesting apples from a tree that lives for 50 years is much more sustainable than planting grains for beer every year.”

savory apple pie gougeres, a fall salad with sliced crisp and tart Arkansas Blacks and hearty greens, beef filet from a local ranch, and a perfect chilled, vegan corn soup with finely diced apple garnish (recipe included here). Wavy Wines from Sonoma poured their Sunshine white blend. And another new duo of Auburn heroes, Ashlee and Jon Hoag of Ponderosa Cider Co., paired their surprisingly crisp and nuanced ciders with co-fermented apples, peaches, and strawberries. Jon, a former firefighter, and Ashlee, a food chemist by training, had similar instincts to create an environmentally conscious business that celebrated their beloved community and the growers in the region, and turned their passion for homebrewing into something bigger.

“Harvesting apples from a tree that lives for 50 years is much more sustainable than planting grains for beer every year,” Jon says. The Hoags share a love for the community with the new team at Apple Lane, and they’re working to breathe new life into a growing community that was founded in the 1930s.

“Auburn is known for its great trail system, amazing views, proximity to Tahoe, and great orchards. But a lot of the orchard practices took a back seat in recent years. A lot of the land has been developed, and there was no motivation to keep it going” he says. “We’re trying to keep that motivation alive and make a product we believe in. Last season we pressed almost 5,000 gallons of juice from The Orchard at Apple Lane. We have an entire

Shef Madres of Sacramento catered the meal, which included local sliced filet of beef on a bed of green beans and cherry tomatoes. Bright, citrusy Wavy Wines paired well with the early fall meal. Apples were the stars of the show.

Chilled Corn Soup

This chilled corn soup from Jennifer Milsap of Sacramento-based Shef Madres is the essence of late summer cooking. It’s all about taking the greatest care with the sweetest peak-season corn.

SERVES 6

6 large ears of sweet corn

1 bunch thyme, rinsed

Olive oil or canola blend for cooking

Salt to taste

Chile oil for garnish

Popcorn shoots for garnish

1. Slice the corn off of the cob and save the cobs. Place the cobs in a large stock pot and cover with 4 quarts water, or more, if needed. Bring to boil and then reduce to simmer for up to 4 hours, for stronger corn flavor, adding water as necessary, to equal 4 quarts. This is going to create a “corn stock.”

2. While the stock is simmering, heat a large sauté pan on medium heat with just enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the corn to the pan with 1 bunch of thyme and sprinkle with salt. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, until thyme leaves start to fall from the stems. Add a small amount of corn stock and simmer until the thyme leaves have almost completely fallen off the stems. Using tongs or kitchen tweezers, remove bare thyme stems from mixture.

3. Taste your corn stock for flavor. You may reduce further for more corn flavor, as desired. When you are finished simmering the stock, remove the cobs and strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer. Place the sautéed corn mixture with thyme leaves into a Vitamix blender. Using just enough corn stock to get the blender to spin, blend the corn on high speed. Add corn stock in small increments, as needed, to thin the corn purée to a soup consistency that coats the back of a spoon; also called nappe.

4. Taste the soup and adjust with salt. Chill the soup until very cold. Taste once completely chilled and adjust salt if necessary. Cold foods need more salt to bring out their flavor. Serve chilled soup in small shot glasses and garnish with a few drops of chile oil and popcorn shoots. Enjoy!

can line where we use just their juice.”

These photos can attest that The Orchard has been brought back to glorious life, and Streicher has sprinkled her aesthetic magic dust over the whole operation.

“What a perk to have a family business to pass on to our kids, and they can pass it to their kids,” adds Carter.

The farmstand has become more than a road trip pit stop for pies. It’s a favorite local spot for friends to meet for great coffee, to let the kids run and play, and a place to celebrate sea-

sonal harvests in style.

“We’re at 101 Apple Lane, right off of Highway 80 at the Bowman exit,” says Streicher, who’s eager to welcome road trippers who are looking for a crisp fall day in the country.

“We took out part of the parking lot to make room for more outdoor seating, and there’s a large section of the orchard open to the public to sit among the trees and hang out.”

Field trips from local schools have resumed, and their hope is, decades from now, the legacy will live on.

Norma, their beloved baker, has been making pies with the orchard’s fruit for 30 years. Streicher, who has embraced her return home to the Sacramento area, in her element.

The celebration lasted well after sundown, and guests left with a goodie bag stocked with hand pies and gift shop treats.

THOMAS J. STORY

Ashley’s Local Favorites

WHERE TO STAY: Holbrooke Hotel or The National Exchange Hotel, both renovated Victorian properties, in Grass Valley. For larger groups, families, or a longer stay, there’s Stone’s Throw Cottage or Skog-Dom available via Airbnb.

WHERE TO EAT: Streicher’s Auburn favorites include Restaurant Josephine for farm-to-table French, Pizzeria Luba (“the best pizza I’ve ever had”), and the Wings Grill and Espresso Bar at the local municipal airport.

WHERE TO DRINK: Sample dry hard cider at the Ponderosa Cider Co. tasting room, or craft brews at Knee Deep, Moonraker, or Crooked Lane. Stop for coffee at The Pour Choice.

WHAT TO DO: The Pennyweight hiking trail to the American River is short, sweet, and scenic. Streicher grew up swimming and fishing at the South Yuba River State Park, known for its historic bridges and picture-perfect waterfalls. Or, wander around the shops in downtown Grass Valley.

Restaurant Josephine

South Yuba River State Park

The National Exchange Hotel

The Pour Choice

Holbrooke Hotel

GARDEN CHECKLIST LATE SUMMER YOUR

Gardens are abuzz and harvest baskets are full. Here’s how to soak up the last of the season while prepping for the next.

Story by KRISTIN GUY

PLANT

It might feel too early, but it’s time to jump-start planting for the cooler seasons ahead. Begin direct sowing transplantsensitive plants, such as onions and leeks, while starting brassicas in individual cell trays. Try heat-tolerant varieties like Chinese garlic chives and Autumn Star Kalettes, which need the warm days for germination but won’t bolt on you before fall.

It’s bulb-buying season. This year, try Western natives, such as Mariposa lily and wild hyacinth, to add some localized interest to flower beds. Interested in growing saffron? Order Crocus Sativus corms now for early fall planting, as they tend to sell out quickly.

HARVEST

The garden is at an all-time abundance and needs a consistent comb-through for plants and flowers to continue producing. Pay special attention to runner beans, herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash—sometimes checking twice in a day as they can ripen quickly. Don’t forget to snip zinnias, cone flowers, cosmos, and salvias for gorgeous kitchen

arrangements and ongoing blooms through fall.

Lavender is at its peak! Cut stems just before the flowers are fully bloomed. Harvesting on warm days is crucial for high oil content and maximum fragrance. Try your hand at crafting lavender wands, a 17th-century French technique in which freshly cut flowers are folded and woven together with beautiful ribbons, enclosing the fragrant lavender blossoms inside.

MAINTAIN

Keep an eye on fruit trees. Continue a deep watering schedule, being especially diligent during heat spells. Prop up any overladen branches to prevent limb breakage and use mesh bags to cover ripening fruit to protect from grabby squirrels and birds.

Give melons and pumpkins a lift! Developing fruit and gourds need relief from damp soil to prevent rot and discoloration as they continue to grow. While there are specialty garden cradles available, any colander or woven bowl will do—just make sure there’s enough airflow to keep every-

one happy and healthy.

PROTECT

Spider mites thrive this time of year, and it’s best to stay ahead of these destructive pests who particularly like cucumbers and nightshades. Small infestations can be remedied with a jet of water or insecticidal soap. A homemade spray using 70% isopropyl alcohol can take down larger invasions. Always refrain from spraying any soaps or oils when temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid leaf burn and cellular damage.

Despite hot temps and dry conditions, established California natives are currently dormant and do not need supplemental watering. Chaparral plants such as Ceanothus, Mountain Mahogany, or Toyon won’t be too bothered by a little moisture. However, Manzanita, Woolly Blue Curls, or Flannel Bush are extremely sensitive—if near a drip line, it’s best to turn off until fall. Instead, apply a fresh layer of mulch to help slow moisture loss, always keeping a one-two inch clearance around trunks and stems to avoid any moisture damage.

When designing a holistic garden inspired by its natural surroundings, the team at Benner Landscape Design takes structure, sustainability, and serenity into account to formulate a harmonious and healing outdoor oasis.

The Holistic Habitat

How The Benner Landscape Design Team Dreams Up Wellness-Minded Wonderscapes.

When it comes to designing landscapes with a mindset for holistic healing, finding a way to enhance all the senses throughout the garden is key. For the team at Benner Landscape Design, a garden must also work as an extension of the surrounding landscape and existing architecture, and, of course, serve those who will be experiencing it. In this plant-packed urban oasis located in Brentwood, California, the team addressed smell through

fragrant flowers, sound through the gurgle of water fountains, sight through a cheerful flower garden, and taste with the variety of fruits and vegetables in an adjacent edible garden. While this garden clearly checks all the sensory boxes, our favorite design feature is how native plants are also incorporated into the mix, proving that restorative plantings can be incorporated in a more stylistic and formal way. Read on for Patricia Benner’s tips to inspire a little healing horticulture of your own.

Even a formal garden design can include a diverse and localized plant palette. Here, the Benner team balances the client’s requests for vegetable beds and roses with plantings that support pollinators and are naturally drought-tolerant.

ARCHITECTURALLY INSPIRED

The basics of holistic design boil down to the ideology of “complete system thinking,” where the practice of integrating rather than segregating elements within the garden creates a balanced ecosystem. Here,

the Benner team began the process by harmonizing the landscape style with the architecture of the house and then started to fold in inspiration from the surroundings. The team wanted this home to evoke the nostalgia of summers spent in New England and integrated a unique plant palette in white blooms such as Abutilon ‘Alpha Centauri,’ Kimono May Snow Azalea, Lagerstroemia ‘Acoma,’ and Camellia japonica ‘Purity,’ which offer a rolling wave of blooms throughout the season— proving the summer perennial gardens of Nantucket and Maine can be reimagined here in the West with just as much romance and the additive benefits of intermixing sustainable practices and plantings.

BENEFICIAL BEAUTY

The Benner team is known for following regenerative and sustainable gardening practices in every project by using a diverse and local plant palette that not only supports pollinators but also is naturally drought-tolerant. While the homeowners wanted an abundant flower garden, there is also a dedication to rewilding the surrounding area using native plants. California Sycamores, Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point,’ and Coffeeberry grace a wooded slope, while a variety of fruit trees on the back slope and raised planter boxes in the organic vegetable garden entice plenty of pollinators for a healthy, robust garden.

ZEN ZONES

Outdoor garden rooms transition smoothly from one to another while providing very different experiences. When dividing a space with a holistic approach, one must look at the full picture and connect plants and features with how the areas will be enjoyed. The Benner team achieves this gracefully in the upper gardens, which allow for relaxation, as well as the visual enjoyment of colorful flowers and visiting wildlife. In the fire pit area, olive trees were planted around the seating area to evoke the feel of an al fresco gathering spot. Peppermint Geranium and Star Jasmine bring fragrances at different times of the day. A meandering walking path sweeps seamlessly down the slope, allowing for active immersion in nature. Even steps leading down from the pool are filled in with fragrant creeping thyme that releases scent underfoot, providing a restorative interaction with the garden down at the smallest level.

Blueprint for Botanicals

Lana Williams shares foolproof recipes for potting up the perfect container garden.

Lana Williams, owner of Oakland, California-based plant shop and design company The Tender Gardener, is known for her gorgeous step-by-step plant recipes for creating lush outdoor planters. In Lana’s latest book release, The Container Garden Recipe Book , she’s revealing fabulous floral and frond combos that will have you making plant and pot pairings like a pro. Here she shares a few seasonally appropriate tips on the types of statement plants and containers to use as we transition from late summer into fall.

1

KNOW YOUR NUMBER

Lana goes by a loose rule of sticking with odd numbers when selecting plant combinations. To start, try to mix three different plants in one container, each with a contrasting color and texture. When building a larger container that fits six plants, try using one strong focal plant, two wispy textured plants, and three of the same trailing plants for cohesive flow and interest. Keep in mind that arrangements that are not perfectly symmetrical or balanced often make more interesting and dynamic creations.

2

SEASONALLY STUNNING

When it comes to selecting plants that transition well from late summer into fall, Lana leans into grasses as they transform from a supporting role in a container to being the star. Depending on the variety, grasses can have dramatic feathery and colorful plumes. For flower lovers, try coreopsis or rudbeckia, which are profuse bloomers and have cheerful yellow, orange hues, and deep red flowers with distinctive centers. Pumpkins and gourds also make surprisingly chic containers when reaching for more heirloom varieties. Select plants to coordinate with the color of the pumpkin, such as a sage green squash mixed with plants that have both similar silvery foliage and contrasting shades of deep burgundy. Color choice is the deciding factor when it comes to festive versus refined for any fall arrangement.

Textured Ceramic

SEASONS: All

LIGHT: Full sun to partial sun

WATER: Low

PLANTS

One 6-inch (15 cm) old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis)

One 3-inch (8 cm) panda plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

Two 3-inch (8 cm) variegated lavender scallops (Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi ‘Variegata’)

One 4-inch (10 cm) “Blue Pearl” sedum (Hylotelephium)

CONTAINER & MATERIALS

12-inch (30 cm) hand-built ceramic glazed bowl

Succulent and cactus potting mix

1. Wear leather gloves for this recipe, as you’ll be dealing with a cactus. Fill the container three-quarters of the way with potting mix and place the old man cactus at the back left. Add more soil to hold the cactus in place.

2. Place the panda plant at the front right edge of the container.

3. Place one of the lavender scallops at the front left ledge and the other behind the panda plant. Place the sedum at the front center edge. Fill the gaps with soil and water in the plants.

In Lana’s book, she customizes the ultimate pot and plant pairings, but we especially love this one where she also created the textured ceramic pot with drippy glaze to intentionally play off the botanicals. Here the velvety leaves of Kalanchoe tomentosa pop off the white fuzzy hairs of Cephalocereus senilis. These different textures, shapes, and softness contrast playfully with the shiny surface of the bowl. We hope this recipe will inspire many new container combinations of your own!

VESSEL VIBES

Lana hits up antique markets and estate sales for her unique planters and has collected everything from vintage urns to copper water dispensers when styling up her signature creations. In her book, she encourages you to reconsider traditional pots and expand your imagination on what could potentially hold soil. The first step is to consider the scale and the space you intend to fill with plants, then decide whether you want a statement stand-alone plant or a collection of complementary containers. Pots don’t always have to be the star, either. If you wish to showcase a bounty of botanicals without distraction, aim for a more neutral palette and shapes, which will allow the planter to disappear while your arrangement shines. What Lana loves most about working within containers is their ability to change. By rearranging, moving, and reconfiguring them, she hopes to inspire the ease with which plants and pots can be swapped out, and in turn, embrace change as one of many lessons plants can teach us.

3

TRANSITIONAL TIP

Spring-planted containers might be looking tired and leggy by late summer—Lana suggests keeping containers looking fresh by regularly deadheading any flowers that have wilted, which will also encourage new blooms. Be sure to check the foliage and soil around the base of the plants, removing any dead and yellow leaves or debris that have collected on the top of the soil. This little bit of mindful maintenance will keep the containers looking tidy while preventing pests and disease. While some plants might benefit from pruning and grooming, many annuals who have finished their flower display should be swapped out for new seasonal blooms. Think of this as the perfect opportunity to shift the color palette for the changing season ahead.

4

The Container Garden Recipe Book, by Lana Williams, $30, Artisan Books

Multi-Purpose Market Gear

It’s peak produce season, and this graband-go gear is so good, you’ll want to take them out more than just once a week. These hip hauls aren’t just for the farmers market either: Beach adventures, camping, and picnics are all fair game.

CLAX CART

A brilliant utilitarian multi-purpose cart that is simple to collapse and expand with just one hand. Especially perfect for those who like to shop with a cooler or crate, which stack easily on multitiered flats. claxcart-usa.com $270

BUSINESS AND PLEASURE TOTE

Maybe the most stylish cooler tote, this retro ric-rac number will be going with us on all errands and afternoon pool excursions while keeping everything from market hauls, beverages, and snacks cool. businessandpleasureco.com $109

ROLSER BIG POLAR 2 WHEEL FOLDABLE SHOPPING TROLLEY

Easy to navigate with solid wheel control, this foldable trolly is both lightweight and hardworking. A perfect choice for going straight from the market to a park picnic. rolser.us $146

VEER ALL-TERRAIN CRUISER

COTOPAXI HIELO 24L COOLER BACKPACK

The most comfortable and colorful cooler backpack that boasts the biggest personality. Lightweight but spacious, it’ll make you the life of the party wherever you take it. cotopaxi. com $200

Awesome all-terrain wagon that can truly handle off-roading while toting everything along with your kids and pets. A musthave for those wanting to go from farmers market to botanical garden, and then off the trail if need be. goveer.com $700

RUX 70L TOTE

The coolest multi-use tote we’ve seen. This fully collapsible and modular organizing system stores flat and can be customized with a number of accessories. From market to mountain, it can handle delicately ripe fruit and heavyweight gear alike. rux.life $298

Members

Sichuan on the Grill FOOD & DRINK

Sichuan flavors punch up this easy grilling menu from the culinary entrepreneurs behind L.A.’s hottest graband-go market.

Story by JING GAO

Photographs by THOMAS J. STORY

When my business partner

Stephanie Hjelmeseth and I began dreaming up Suá Superette,

we immediately gravitated towards fast and flavorful foods for our busy schedules. We eventually landed on what you may know as Suá Superette today, a grab-and-go concept in L.A.’s Larchmont Village, with organic, healthy, and flavorful bites—what I describe as a Pret a Manger meets premium Sichuan flavors. Without a doubt, summer is one of our favorite seasons at Suá Superette. It’s a time to showcase the bounty of California’s seasonal produce, highlight the smoky and intense flavors from the grill, and picnic outside with all our friends.

In that spirit, the culinary team at Suá has created a medley of dishes perfect for those hot days out in the summer sun that you can easily make at home. These recipes are not only the best of what California has to offer— delicious, healthy, and organic—but they also highlight local producers and farmers we’ve fallen in love with. If possible, try to find local, organic produce at a farmer’s market or grocery store. My company Fly By Jing creates shortcut sauces for these dishes so you don’t have to find 10-year aged black vinegar or make your own chili crisp; we did all the flavor balancing for you.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit us in Larchmont Village in the heart of Los Angeles, I’d recommend heading in as soon as you can. Once the summer weather hits, you’ll want to run to Suá and pick up our signature cucumber salad, broccoli crunch salad, cold sesame soba noodles, Kung Pao chicken kebabs, forbidden rice salad, grilled Chinese eggplant steaks with Sweet & Spicy Zhong Sauce, and a Jing Palmer, a delicious concoction of black tea with Meyer lemon! The best part? Everything’s organic!

Stephanie Hjelmeseth and Jing Gao in Los Angeles.

Cold Cucumber Salad

Slightly spicy, deeply flavored, and extremely refreshing, this super simple cucumber salad is one of those welcome summer dishes that’s greater than the sum of its parts. SERVES 6

2 pounds Persian cucumbers

3 Tbsp. sesame oil

½ cup rice wine vinegar

2 Tbsp. minced garlic

2 tsp. tamari Kosher salt

1 Tbsp. white sesame seeds

1 ½ tsp. diced Fresno chili

1. Slice cucumber in quarter-inch rounds. Sprinkle lightly with salt and leave them to sit in a colander for an hour. Drain the excess liquid.

2. In a large bowl, combine sesame oil, red wine vinegar, and garlic. Whisk to combine. Add cucumber and toss well to coat with marinade. Add tamari and mix again. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired. Garnish with sesame seeds and diced Fresno chili and serve.

Broccoli Crunch Salad

Raw broccoli chopped into tiny pieces is combined with aromatic vegetables and edamame, then generously dressed with an aioli spiked with Fly By Jing’s now legendary chili crisp. SERVES 6

1 pound broccoli (or enough to make 5 cups florets)

1 cup blanched edamame

1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced

1 cup shredded carrot

1 cup thinly shaved celery

CHILI CRISP AIOLI:

1 ½ cup Vegenaise

1 Tbsp. Fly by Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp

2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar

1. Cut broccoli into small florets and roughly chop. In a large bowl, combine broccoli, edamame, scallions, carrot, and celery.

2. Make the chili crisp aioli: In a small bowl, place Vegenaise, chili crisp, and rice wine vinegar. Whisk to combine.

3. Drizzle the broccoli mixture with half the chili crisp aioli. Toss to combine. Taste and add more aioli if desired.

Cold Sesame Soba Noodles

Crisp vegetables, a spicy sweet dressing, and soba noodles combine to make a perfect, picnic-ready side dish. SERVES 6

SESAME DRESSING:

1 cup tahini

½ cup SunButter

¼ cup sesame oil

½ cup tamari

1 ½ Tbsp. honey

1 ½ Tbsp. minced ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 small shallot, minced

½ cup avocado oil

¼ cup rice wine vinegar

1 cup water

COLD SOBA NOODLES:

6 cups shaved Napa cabbage

½ cup crushed peanuts

3 cups shaved purple cabbage

1 cup julienned cucumber

1 cup julienned carrot

½ cup thinly sliced scallions

8 cups cooked soba noodles

Fly by Jing Sichuan Gold chili oil to taste

1. Prepare sesame dressing: To a medium bowl, add tahini, sunbutter, sesame oil, tamari, honey, garlic, ginger, shallot, avocado oil, rice wine vinegar, and water. Whisk to thoroughly combine.

2. Bring a medium-sized pot of water to a boil. Add soba noodles and cook for two and a half minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. In a mixing bowl, add noodles, cabbages, carrots, and sesame dressing. Garnish with julienned cucumber, scallions, peanuts, and a drizzle of FBJ Sichuan Gold.

Forbidden Rice Salad

Earthy and nearly black forbidden rice is a dramatic foundation for this hearty but vibrant rice salad loaded with creamy edamame, vegan shiitake bacon, and crunchy vegetables. Erjingtiao chili adds fragrant, mild heat. SERVES 6

4 cups thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms

2 Tbsp. agave syrup

1 tsp. granulated garlic

1 tsp. chopped erjnitiao chili

1 tsp. black pepper

3 Tbsp. avocado oil

1 tsp. Kosher salt

2 ½ cups cooked forbidden rice

1 ½ cups blanched edamame

1 ½ cups diced carrot

1 cup sautéed leeks or white onion

2 Tbsp. sesame oil

Kosher salt

1. Preheat oven to 350. Slice shiitake 1/8 -inch thick. In a bowl, combine mushrooms, agave syrup, granulated garlic, erjnitiao chili, black pepper, avocado oil, Kosher salt, and stir to coat. Lay out mushrooms evenly on a sheet tray and bake for 12 minutes or until golden and crispy.

2. In large bowl, combine cooked rice, edamame, carrot, leeks, and shiitake bacon. Season with a pinch of salt and sesame oil. Stir to combine and serve.

Mala Margarita

From The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp by Jing Gao, published by Ten Speed Press.

SERVES 6

Fly By Jing Mala Spice Mix for rimming the glass

6 to 12 oz. mezcal or tequila

6 oz. orange liqueur

6 oz. lime juice

6 oz. Mala Simple Syrup Lime wedge for garnish

1. Coat the rim of a tall glass with the spice mix. Fill the glass with ice and set aside.

2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the mezcal, orange liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, and a couple ice cubes. Shake well for about 10 seconds. Strain the margarita through a fine-mesh sieve into the prepared glass and enjoy!

Mala Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. whole Sichuan pepper

2 or 3 pieces dried chiles

1. In a medium pot over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the sugar, stirring to dissolve. Lower the heat, add the Sichuan pepper and chiles, and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the syrup cool.

2. Strain the syrup through a finemesh sieve into a glass jar to remove the spices. You can use the syrup immediately or store the jar in the refrigerator for up to several weeks.

Jing Gao, Stephanie Hjelmeseth, chef Oren Giladi, and Suá business partner Mike Kassar.

Grilled Chinese Eggplant Steaks with Zhong Sauce

Umami-packed Zhong sauce is the sweet and spicy secret to this luxurious grilled eggplant dish that gets just the right amount of char from a hot grill.

SERVES 6

2 ½ pounds Japanese eggplant, approximately 8 eggplants

2 Tbsp. Fly by Jing Zhong sauce

3 Tbsp. white miso

2 Tbsp. sesame oil

2 tsp. chopped garlic

2 tsp. chopped ginger

¼ cup soy sauce

1 Tbsp. black vinegar

½ cup thinly sliced scallions

2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds

1. Cut eggplants in half length wise. Cut into 4 inch long steaks on a bias.

2. Make the Zhong Stir Fry Sauce: In a large bowl, combine Zhong sauce, white miso, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and black vinegar.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine eggplant with half of the Zhong Stir Fry Sauce and toss to coat.

4. Heat a grill to medium high heat. Grill eggplants for 5-7 minutes on one side. Flip eggplant steaks over and cook for another 5-7 minutes until tender and cooked through. Garnish with scallion and toasted sesame.

Kung Pao Chicken Kebabs

These chicken kebabs are marinated in crowd-pleasing Kung Pao flavors (don’t skip the fermented bean paste doubanjiang for the full effect).

A garnish of basil and puffed rice provides a vivid finish and pleasing textural contrast.

SERVES 6

KUNG PAO MARINADE:

½ cup tamari

3 Tbsp. agave syrup

2 Tbsp. chopped garlic

2 Tbsp. chopped gInger

½ cup diced shallots

2 Tbsp. doubanjiang

1 tsp. chopped erjingtiao chili

1 Tbsp. black vinegar

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 red bell peppers

4 cups Puffed Black Rice

¼ cup Kung Pao Marinde

1 bunch basil

Sesame seeds for garnish

6 wooden skewers

1. Prepare Kung Pao Marinade: Combine tamari, agave syrup, garlic, gInger, shallots, doubanjiang, erjingtiao, and black vinegar in a blender and process until smooth.

2. Cook skewers: Heat grill to medium high. Cut chicken breast into 1-inch cubes. Cut bell peppers into 1-inch squares. Add pepper to kebab skewer and alternate with chicken cubes and peppers until kebab is full but there’s a half inch of skewer still exposed. Brush with half the Kung Pao Marinade and place on the grill. Flip kebabs after 5 minutes and apply more marinade. Rotate after another 5 minutes. Rotate again and cook for 5 more minutes. Garnish with puffed rice, chopped scallion and basil.

For more delicious recipes, pick up a copy of Health Nut: A Feel-Good Cookbook by Jess Damuck. Abrams; $35; store. abramsbooks.com

When I was a kid growing up in the ’70s,

I hated my parents for ruining every sandwich with alfalfa sprouts, trying to convince me carob was as good as chocolate, and passing off falafel as meat. In the intervening, years I changed my tune and now thank them for introducing me to a plant-forward way of eating free of processed foods that endures to this day (though I still abhor alfalfa sprouts and am known to indulge in a well-marbled ribeye now and again). Jess Damuck was schooled in similarly crunchy, hippie ways and then some, working a juice bar in Shelter Island, eating macrobiotic at progressive schools, eventually attending the French Culinary Institute, and serving the high priestess of local and organic cooking Martha Stewart for nearly a decade as a junior editor whose first job was to make the lifestyle icon her daily lunch. Today she’s known in food circles in Los Angeles and beyond for her easy way with mostly vegetarian food on social media, throwing rollicking dinner parties with foodie super producer/songwriter Benny Blanco, her book Salad Freak, and now Health Nut: A Feel-Good Cookbook. With its fetishization of all that is organic, local, legume-y, leafy, nut-milky, grain-abundant, and, yes, hippie, Health Nut is in the tradition of great ‘70s tomes like Moosewood and Kripalu Kitchen, but with clever cultural mashups, trending preparations, and flavor flourishes. Think chai-spiced overnight oats, beet-cured salmon and jammy egg toasts, and turmeric tonics. It’s a bright and sunny culinary snapshot of this moment in healthy eating in L.A., a homespun antidote to the excesses of Erewhon (and TBH would go over very well with the Erewhon crowd), and a new sort of Bible for elevated healthy cooking. It’s also a prose poem to a city that continues to be a beacon and inspiration for people who want food to be as sexy as it is healthy. As Damuck writes of L.A.: “ t he lushness, the freshness, is persistent. The overwhelming scent of jasmine blooming, the agave busting from the sidewalk, the view of snow capped mountains in the distance opposite the city. The sprouts and almonds and avocados, so many different kinds of avocados. Coming home and driving under the lemon tree and walking under cacti to the long table in the garden.” Join us in savoring a few recipes from Health Nut and cooking up those dreamy vibes in your own kitchen.

Charred Cabbage with Mushroom Butter

SERVES 4 TO 6 AS A

SIDE

Charring vegetables is a magic trick. It pulls all the sweetness to the top and adds the richest, deepest smoky flavor, transforming the humble cabbage into something so special. Mushroom powder brings this cabbage into another dimension—swirled with a little butter, it becomes a tender, melt-inyour-mouth savory side, or, with a little rice and a crispy egg, it’s satisfying enough to enjoy as a main course.

PRODUCE

1 medium green cabbage

DAIRY

6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, plus more if needed

PANTRY

1 Tbsp. neutral oil, such as sunflower or avocado

1 Tbsp. mushroom powder Brown rice vinegar

Flaky salt

1. Prep the cabbage: Remove the outer leaves of 1 green cabbage and cut it into quarters.

2. Cook the cabbage: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon neutral oil and the 4 wedges of cabbage. Cook the cabbage undisturbed until very dark on one side, darker than you think is normal or right, about 10 minutes.

3. Assemble the cabbage: Next, you will be doing a very cheffy thing here, called butter basting. Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the butter to the pan with the cabbage. Once it starts getting a little foamy, tilt the pan toward you a bit, and use a spoon to baste the butter over each cabbage wedge at its thickest part. Do this for about 30 seconds to a minute, then take a little break, and do it again a few more times. If the butter starts to get too dark, add another little knob. It’s a little bit hard to test the cabbage for doneness with certainty, but a skewer should be able to be inserted deep into the cabbage fairly easily. Add 1 tablespoon mushroom powder to the butter, swirl it all around, and baste the cabbage wedges one more time.

4. Serve the cabbage: Carefully remove the cabbage from the pan, cut it into smaller pieces if desired, and drench with any butter left in the pan. Shake a little vinegar over the top and sprinkle with flaky salt.

Melon Salad with Honey, Pistachio Yogurt, and Mint

SERVES 2 TO 4

Melon is usually just a little side dish for breakfast, but in the summer months when it’s bright and sunny and hot and sticky, ripe melons are so incredibly sweet and juicy, they are really all I want.

Swirling deep green pistachio butter into rich yogurt sweetened with honey makes a simple fruit salad feel luxurious.

PRODUCE

1 ripe cantaloupe

Handful fresh mint leaves

1 lime

DAIRY

1 cup plain unsweetened Greek yogurt

PANTRY

2 Tbsp. Nut Butter (preferably pistachio; see recipe below)

1 Tbsp. honey

Extra-virgin olive oil

Flaky salt, for serving

Crushed pistachios, for serving

1. Prep: Cut both ends off the melon so it can stand up straight. Move the knife around the curve of the melon to cut off the white rind. Cut the melon in half, remove the seeds, and thinly slice.

2. Stir together 1 cup yogurt, 2 tablespoons nut butter, and 1 tablespoon honey.

3. Assemble and serve: Spread the yogurt mixture on the bottom of the plate and arrange the sliced melon over the top. Squeeze a bit of lime juice and finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with flaky salt, crushed pistachios, and fresh mint leaves.

Jess Damuck, Health Nut

Nut Butter

MAKES 1 CUP

Pistachio is a favorite, but pecan or almond with a little bit of maple syrup is pretty amazing, too. This is a really fun place to get creative and make up your own favorites. I love doing a mix of nuts and stirring some seeds in at the end to make an everything crunchy butter.

3 cups raw pistachios or your preferred nut or a combination

2 to 4 Tbsp. maple syrup, agave, or your preferred sweetener (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Spread out 3 cups nuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven. Be careful not to burn them—set a timer, starting at 8 minutes, but keep checking as soon as they are slightly browned and fragrant. It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes, depending on what nuts you are using.

2. Add the toasted nuts to a food processor and process until smooth. This will be very loud, and it will take longer than you think, about 10 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed and add about ½ tsp. salt and taste for seasoning. Add sweetener of choice, if using, plus any other mix-ins to taste. I like to store mine in the fridge, but it’s not necessary. Just keep in an airtight container and use within about 3 weeks.

Chopped Cucumber and Feta Salad

SERVES 4 AS A SIDE

Make this to go alongside your favorite protein, sandwich, burger, pasta, or truly anything. Throw in leftovers, canned tuna, or some crispy chickpeas. Everything gets tossed together—crunchy, herbaceous, fresh, salty, and bright.

PRODUCE

4 Persian cucumbers

3 heads little gem lettuce or 1 romaine heart

1 cup (250 g) green olives, such as Cerignola

4 green onions

Big handful fresh dill

Big handful fresh mint leaves

Big handful fresh parsley leaves

1 lemon

DAIRY

½ cup feta cheese

PANTRY

Extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Prep the veggies: Finely dice 4 Persian cucumbers and add them to a big bowl. Chop 3 heads little gem lettuce and add to the bowl. Remove the pits from 1 cup green olives and chop them, then add to the bowl. Thinly slice the white and green parts of 4 green onions, chop the big handfuls of dill, mint, and parsley, and add them all to the bowl.

2. Assemble and serve: Crumble ½ cup feta into the salad bowl. Give everything a good toss. Add the juice of 1 lemon and a heavy glug of olive oil with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss everything again and taste for seasoning.

Drinking in the View

To visit the new Sea Ranch Lodge is to partake in an increasingly rare California dream. Join us on a tour of the pinnacle of mindful modernist development, and toast this architectural gem.

Story by HUGH GARVEY

Photographs by THOMAS J. STORY

It’s a misty Saturday afternoon on the Northern California coast,

and a man stands on a bluff peering through the viewfinder of a large format camera on a wooden tripod, head draped with black cloth, lens trained on the rocky cliffs and the waves colliding with them as they have for millenia. This particularly photogenic outcropping of the far Western edge of the continent is at Sea Ranch, the groundbreaking residential experiment built in the mid-sixties that set the high bar for mindful land development. He’s been there for hours as the century-plus old camera technology requires, documenting the ancient process of the push and pull of the waves, as if nobody has ever done such a thing, despite the dozen people up the hill shooting the exact same view with their smartphones. Sea Ranch will do that to you: make you see old things with new eyes.

100 yards inland is the Sea Ranch Lodge, the newly renovated hotel and restaurant and community space that serves visitors and residents of Sea Ranch. The parking lot is filled with Teslas and Range Rovers and funky Tacomas. The guest rooms have been exquisitely refreshed by Bay Area designer Nicole Hollis, with a soothing aesthetic that picks up pieces of mid-century design, natural forms, arts and crafts, Japanese and Scandinavian minimalism, and sets you right: graphic pillows, a Malm fireplace to make things cozy, paper lanterns, smart woodworking, and a timeless rustic California cool vibe. Outside, landscaping by design firm Terremoto subtly incorporates reclaimed local timber and native plantings into the common spaces, creating serene nooks for gazing out at the ocean, across the meadows, or up at the stars.

If you’re not familiar with the Sea Ranch, here’s the capsule history: Above the rocky bluffs of northernmost coastal Sonoma County on gently sloping meadows that butt up against redwood groves is this 3500 acre utopian housing experiment. Originally built in the 1960s by a group of forward-thinking architects commissioned

have inspired architects ever since they were built in the 1960s. Native plant landscaping by

supports the naturalist vision of the development.

The iconic woodclad, shed-roof buildings at Sea Ranch

Terremoto elegantly

The restaurant at Sea Ranch Lodge is recessive and minimalist, thereby letting the landscape and view just outside provide maximum impact.

by developer Al Boeke, Sea Ranch remains one of the most iconic residential developments in the history of modernist architecture. The mandate was to design a community that was graceful and serene and offered restorative immersion in nature while also respecting the nature on which it was nestled. The master planner was Lawrence Halprin, legendary landscape architect who was also responsible for such iconic Western projects at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, and the approach to Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park. Sea Ranch anticipated many design and architectural modes we take for granted these days: angled shed roofs, the exterior wood cladding that cycles and reemerges as a “trend” every 7 years, clerestory windows placed perfectly to grab light and frame views while preserving privacy. Helvetica as a

Sorcerer Wood

Smoky mezcal and an herby, fruity shrub make for a bracing and refreshing cocktail.

1 oz. mezcal

1 oz. blanco tequila

2 oz. cranberryrosemary shrub, see right ½ oz. lime juice

Combine all ingredients and shake well with ice.

Strain into rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with rosemary sprig & lime wheel.

CranberryRosemary Shrub

A tangy concoction that you can use in cocktails or mix with soda.

12 oz. whole cranberries

3 Sprigs of Rosemary

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

1 Tbsp. black peppercorns

1 cup (or more) vinegar (such as red wine, apple cider, or unseasoned rice)

1 cinnamon stick

In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the fruit, sugar, vinegar, rosemary, and black peppercorn. Bring it to a boil over medium heat. Add the cinnamon stick. Lower the heat and let simmer for 5 minutes. Strain and cool.

Del Mar

This drink gets its backbone from aromatic gin and a zippy grapefruit shrub.

2 oz. gin

2 oz. grapefruit-honey and thyme shrub, see below

½ oz. lemon juice

2 dashes orange bitters

Combine all ingredients and shake well with ice.

Strain into a Nick & Nora glass. Garnish with orange twist.

GrapefruitHoney and Thyme Shrub

Herby and tangy. Play with different vinegars to subtly adjust the acidity and flavor profile.

12 oz. grapefruit juice

3 sprigs of thyme

1 ½ cups honey

1 cup (or more) vinegar (such as red wine, apple cider, or unseasoned rice)

In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the fruit, honey, vinegar, and thyme. Bring it to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat and let simmer for 5 minutes. Strain and cool.

North Star Close

Spirit-forward and deeply spiced, this cocktail nods toward the coming of autumn.

2 oz. bourbon

1 oz. Amaro Nonino

1 oz. spiced apple shrub, see below

½ oz. lemon juice

2 dashes old fashioned

Combine ingredients and shake well with ice.

Strain over a large ice cube into a bucket glass. Garnish with luxardo cherry.

Spiced Apple Shrub

Apple and cinnamon is a classic combination in this autumnal shrub.

12 oz. apple juice

1 Cinnamon Stick

1 Piece of grated ginger Peel of One Large Orange

1 ½ cups brown sugar

1 cup (or more) vinegar (such as red wine, apple cider, or unseasoned rice)

In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the fruit, brown sugar, vinegar, and ginger. Bring it to a boil over medium heat.

Add Orange Peel. Lower the heat and let simmer for 5 minutes. Strain and cool.

go-to font for its unpretentious, functional, and handsome clarity. Oversized colorful supergraphic logos to add color and visual interest when needed before Instagram-worthy was a concept. There were condos but mostly homes built in clusters around vast meadows planted with native flora, pine hedgerows to separate each mini community, a lodge where residents could pick up their mail, an airstrip, and a 9-hole golf course at the northern end. Today there are some 1800 houses at Sea Ranch, but given the scale and design of the development, you’d never know. “To live lightly on the land,” was the stated ethos, and it remains to this day.

There are architectural gems you can tour from the outside and admire theoretically, but the best are immersive almost living spaces that envelop you with their purpose: the sweeping titanium curves of Disney Hall’s roof visually expressing the swell of the music within, for example. With the revival of the Lodge, the Sea Ranch is one such grand work of art you can inhabit, if only for a weekend. But what a weekend it will be: mornings of sipping coffee on the deck, watching the waves crash on the rocks below and sheep grazing the meadows, long ambles on the 40 miles of trails where you’ll pass seal rookeries, piney hedgerows bent by the winds, hawks whorling overhead, redwood forests in the distance, and a community with simple but striking wooden homes patinated by sun, sea, and time. It’s an immersive architectural experience that every design lover should add to their bucket list.

It must be said it takes a pioneer to know one: Sunset and Sea Ranch go way back: From the ‘60s onward, dozens of advertisements promised Westerners the peace of a stay at the Lodge. Over the decades, we honored various homes for their forwardthinking ingenuity: living roofs that cooled the home; decks that smartly blocked the wind while perfectly framing views. And now today we re-invite our readers to partake in the magic of the place. There’s a feeling you get at Sea Ranch. Or is it a sense memory? A collection of things heard,

The organic modernism of the guest rooms at Sea Ranch Lodge feels fresh yet timeless.

seen, smelled, and remembered. It’s salty, misty, the roar of the waves. It’s green, rocky, slicked with moss, mottled with barnacles, smelling of rot and promise. It’s the California

dream without a surfboard or a soundtrack. It’s primitive and organic and just a coastal drive away. And if you can get away immediately, take a tour with us on the following pages

and mix up one of these lovely cocktails they serve to Sea Ranchers and architecturally-minded seekers who find their way to the bar at the Sea Ranch Lodge.

Unbox the West

Every three months, you’ll get a box full of home, design, food, and garden products from the West and beyond curated by Sunset editors. Our next box will be themed around fall food and cooking. Expect products to help you make the most of the season while you’re spending time in the kitchen. It’s the easiest way to live the Sunset lifestyle! The Sunset Subscription Box delivers the Best of the West straight to your door!

TRAVEL & ESCAPES Catch the Stoke

New programming at hotels in the West give surfers of all skill levels a chance to learn.

Story by KRISTA SIMMONS

Photographs by THOMAS J. STORY

Cruising

on my longboard,

I gaze up at the iconic red turrets of the Hotel del Coronado as gulls glide overhead. There was a pep in my pop-up, as it’d been a few months since I’d been out, and all it took was a couple rides to get back in the groove. Stoked and smiling at the end of a long ride, I dismount, and suddenly excruciating pain zings up my heel, like stepping on a giant nail. “It’s fine, let’s keep going,” I tell my instructor Tomo, not wanting to relinquish my session to a stingray. “Nah, we need to get you into some hot water, stat,” he says. If the human version of the stoked sea turtle in Finding Nemo says it’s time to go in, you go in.

For about an hour, I’m in the most intense pain

of my life. They say being stung by a stingray is as painful as giving birth. And as the venom makes its way up my leg, I think my choice to prioritize a career over starting a family may indeed have been a wise one. Submerging my foot in a bucket of scalding hot water to draw the poison out, the adrenaline wears off and doubt creeps in. This is definitely not the bikini-babe-noseriding served by my Instagram algorithm. I’m too old for this.

Dreams of a Blue Crush summer squashed, the pain subsides, and I greet the surf school’s eponymous owner, legendary Pipeline pro Jamie O’Brien, and his wife Tina Cohen. It’s hard to imagine looking any more kooky than shaking hands with your foot in a bucket, but O’Brien’s energy is contagious. “We still on for tomorrow?” he asks. Without hesitation, I blurt out an emphatic yes. The sting still smarts, but there’s zero chance I’m missing the opportunity to paddle out and get psyched with one of the greats. It’s safe to say I’ve caught the stoke—that addictive, incomparable high that comes from riding a wave and being one with the ocean. Of course, it’s all made significantly easier being based at Shore House, the new suite-only hotel housed inside the historic Hotel del Coronado. There’s no excuse not to be in the water at a location like this, a sentiment only solidified when watching the Navy SEALs doing Hell Week training on the beach in front of the property. This is the freedom they are fighting for, after all.

Shore House is part of an onslaught of new hotels offering this distinct barefoot luxury for the surfset. Guests have access to all the furnishings of the recently revamped Del, originally built in 1888: the kitschy fish taco trucks, the gussied-up seafood restaurant at Serea, and an incredible spa where you can get facials utilizing elements of the sea. But there’s a homey feel to the newly built residences, making it a great home base to hang your wet suit when participating in the new 3- and 5-day clinics available at the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience in Coronado.

“With our new multi-day options, we’ve created a curriculum that is built to take a first-time surfer to actually catching their own waves by the

The author and North Shore surfing legend Jamie O’Brien get ready to catch some waves.

The historic

has undergone a massive renovation, which includes the addition of the

and ex-

Hotel del Coronado

new Shore House

tended clinics with Jamie O’Brien’s surf school. Guests can enjoy tacos from the truck on the shore after a session.

Necessary Drop-In

Get a 360 of surf history at Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum.

While it’s true one can find countless museums in coastal California towns from San Clemente to Santa Cruz, the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum is well worth a stop. The current exhibit entitled “Duke’s Dream” focuses its lens on the sport’s global trajectory since Hawaiian icon and gold medalist swimmer Duke Kahanamoku walked on water right in front of the Huntington Beach Pier over 100 years ago.

The collection contains some truly unique pieces, including a 1920s cedar plank board similar to what Duke rode in one of his famous exhibitions in Atlantic City, as well as a 1930s Hawaiian paipo made from balsa wood, which Waikiki’s beach boys used to loan to tourists in front of the Royal Hawaiian and Moana Hotels.

It was a pipe dream of The Duke to see surfers compete in the Olympic Games, and the legend’s goal has since been realized, with its first appearance in the Olympics in 2021. This summer, the Games will host the competition at Teahupo'o in Tahiti.

end of the clinic,” says O’Brien.

“Our normal surf lessons still aim to improve your surfing, but the difference is that they are focused on making it as easy as possible for you to ride a ton of quality waves, and that usually entails our instructors doing a lot of the hard stuff for you, like paddling, wave selection, and pushing in, versus learning how to do those things yourself.”

This isn’t the first time I’ve taken a lesson, but it’s by far the best. My first outing was bought on a Groupon with a local grom, who took my friend and me for a group lesson at El Porto in Manhattan Beach. The waves were incredibly heavy, and we very quickly learned the meaning of the term “washing machine.” It was discouraging to say the least. With O’Brien, at the end of day three, I was indeed

doing what he’d aimed for me to do— selecting, paddling into, and catching my own waves consistently—despite the stingray’s best efforts.

Anyone who’s spent a decent amount of time in the water will tell you, the ocean is our greatest teacher. After some reflection on my stingray shuffle kerfuffle, I was reminded that we are just gentle guests in nature’s home. Learning to surf has also taught me that self-confidence and commitment are equally as important as a strong paddle and core stability. It’s about being present and having fun. Sometimes, a great session is defined by an epic ride; others, it’s about finding a perfect sand dollar on the shore, or watching dolphins playfully indulge in the waves, just like us.

I’ll be the first to admit that learning what’s undoubtedly one of the world’s most challenging sports as I approach the big 4-0 is a pretty wild, and some would say foolish, idea. But mounting scientific data points to the fact that acquiring a new skill outdoors can be one of the best things for the brain and body as you age. Studies have shown that lifelong learning results in increased neuron generation, positively affecting memory, attention, thinking, and reasoning skills. Physical activities like surfing that require problem-solving and critical thinking have the capacity to amp up plasticity, too, if done regularly.

Throughout my journey, I’ve found myself acquiring a new sense of proprioception and a deeper connection with the water. Would this venture have been a lot easier if I’d learned as a teenager? Sure. Am I sore in places I didn’t know existed? Absolutely. But it’s actually fun to be terrible at something, building up skills brick by brick. In the real world, failure is embarrassing, but on the water, it allows me space to laugh at my mistakes. It’s tempting to get lost in the comparison game, especially as I dive deep into SurfTok. But shredding at Nazaré truly isn’t even the goal. While my youngers may dream of sponsorships and world tours, my goal is simply to catch a party wave with friends by the end of the summer.

Opposite: Laguna Surf Lodge offers easy access to the ocean. This page: cabanas at Hotel del Coronado; a cocktail by the sea; vintage vibes at Laguna Surf Lodge.

Anyone who’s spent a decent amount of time in the water will tell you, the ocean is our greatest teacher.

As Dan Buettner states

in his popular book-turned-Netflix-series The Blue Zones, community, lifestyle, and spirituality are tied to living a longer, healthier life. Surfing is inextricably tied to a community of early birds, which is what led me to Laguna Surf Lodge.

Perched atop Thalia Street’s gentle yet consistent break, the newly revamped hotel makes rising for its signature Dawn Patrol experience a whole lot easier with calming essential oil diffusers, cozy Avocado mattresses, and nature’s ultimate sound machine—waves caressing the shore below.

Our group of morning warriors loads into the lodge’s vintage Land Rover to head south to SoCal’s vibiest surf spot, San Onofre, for a guided session at a break appropriately called Old Man’s with none other than San Clemente surf pro Izzi Gomez as my guide. The morning begins with freshly roasted cowboy coffee and a meditation, the latter of which I really need because the lineup is absolutely stacked and I’m totally intimidated. I don’t want to get in anyone’s way, but inevitably I will. It’s part of learning.

“You don’t need to be anyone other than yourself, right here, right now,” says the Laguna Surf Lodge co-owner Pam Cruse as she closes the meditation.

“What I feel the need to be is a few inches shorter,” I think to myself. In an

Top: Guests can watch skimboarders from the deck of Laguna Surf Lodge. Bottom: cute rooms at the Lodge.

WAX ON

YEW! is a maker of high-performing sustainable surf wax that’ll keep both you and the environment stoked. It’s made of beeswax instead of the petro-chemicals often found in deck grip, and they make a version for soft tops, which do indeed need to be waxed.

RASH DECISIONS

Carlsbad-based prAna launched its splashy Baja Bound line of rash guards featuring fun retro colorways and an Ultraviolet Protection Factor rating of 50, giving great protection from the harsh sun reflecting off the water.

SLIP, SLOP, SLAP

Sun protection is key yearround, especially on the water. And it’s ultra important to make sure to use reef-safe mineral sunscreen, protecting the ocean that we revel in. B.Cbased FORAH makes excellent everyday SPF, as well as cleansing oil and serum that rehydrate the skin after a session.

Gear Up

Earth-friendly essentials to support the start of your surf journey.

DRY TIME

GO BIG ISLE’s 8’ Coronado is a buoyant, lightweight homage to the brand’s San Diego beginnings. Another swell option is Catch Surf’s 9’ log, which pros like Jamie O’Brien still keep in their quiver.

Sand Cloud Turkish towels stash easily, dry quickly, and are incredibly versatile. Use them as a towel or blanket, or wear as a sarong or protective headscarf. Ten percent of each purchase goes toward marine restoration.

SAY NO TO NEOPRENE Wetsuits are one of the most environmentally destructive pieces of gear out there, which may come as a surprise, considering how surfing is such a salt of the earth sport. Patagonia’s Yulex wetsuits replace the non-biodegradable neoprene while still keeping you ultra warm for hours in water.

abundance of confidence, Gomez brought along a much, much smaller board than this six-foot-tall gal is used to. I feel like a baby giraffe trying to find my balance on the thing, and on my first couple waves, I fully wipe out on my pop-up. The negative self-talk comes creeping back in. But I shake it off as Gomez and I chat between sets about everything from the best reef-safe sunscreens to the tribulations of being a female pro in a maledominated sport.

When we agree on “one or two more,” I think back to Gomez telling me as we paddled out, “We’re going to get you the best wave of your life today.” I don’t want to let her down. I don’t want to let me down. As I take off, I repeat her words. I visualize, I commit, I send it and ride that wave all the way into shore.

Perma-grin firmly in place, Gomez and I make our way up to the Laguna Surf Lodge crew, who greet us with a warm RinseKit shower and freshly made farmers market frittata cooked in a cast iron over the firepit. Noshing on what’s surely the fanciest post-surf grind ever plated, I see a statuesque gray-haired woman with the most beautiful smile lines walk her board down the shore—a powerful reminder that the ocean is for everyone.

Left: Laguna Surf Lodge prepares a fireside meal for the Dawn Patrol participants. Right: Daily surf reports are posted at Laguna Surf Lodge.

WAYFINDER WAIKIKI

Brutalist architecture

Swell Stays

Catch the Stoke (And a Great Night’s Sleep) at 8 More Surf Hotels

accented by retro natural fiber furniture and native botanicals give a groovy island vibe to this new Honolulu hotel. Watch outriggers glide down the Ala Wai from your breezy rooftop lanai while sipping a cup of Kona coffee, then walk to Waikiki Beach to fetch a log and a lesson from the local beach boys. These longstanding stewards of boardriding have graciously taught tourists the sport—whose Polynesian roots were popularized after being brought to Hawaii—following in the footsteps of the “ambassador of aloha,” Duke Kahanamoku. After a session, pop into Redfish for a proper bowl of poke; the restaurant is the second outpost from the iconic Hawaiian grocer Foodland.

KIMPTON SHOREBREAK

Opt for an overnight in Surf City, where you can stroll the Surfing Walk of Fame on Main Street and explore the sport’s heritage at the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum. If you’re planning on investing in a board, this is the town to do it. HB is home to Shaper’s Alley, where some of the world’s greatest craftsmen have historically set up shop. The Shorebreak is within walking distance to the superb swells that host over 50 annual competitions, including the U.S. Open of Surfing, and it is a quick jaunt down to watch big waves at The Wedge.

SURFRIDER MALIBU

The Surfrider sits snugly amidst the steep hills of Malibu and is a postcard of the California dream. From the guests’ only roof deck, you get unparalleled intimate views of Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Pier, where you can take complimentary stand-up paddle boards and surfboards out for a session. Even if you don’t want to get in the water, it’s a great spot to watch, ideally with a coconut margarita in hand. Longboarders come from far and wide to witness the world-famous Malibu Wall at First Point, made internationally recognizable by the Gidget movies that were filmed here.

THE PIERSIDE SANTA MONICA

New to the Santa Monica scene is this set of sunlit suites that comes complete with a board shop and an al fresco restaurant called The Surfing Fox. Warm woods and beach-inspired artwork nod to the ‘70s Dogtown days, which helped popularize skateboarding and surfing to the masses. Don’t forget to take a gander at the western-facing mural by distinguished street artist and founder of SoCal streetwear brand OBEY, Shepard Fairey.

TURTLE BAY RESORT

The North Shore is known for its world-class competitions at Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach—no doubt incredible feats to spectate, but downright dangerous, even for seasoned pros. But that’s not to say a newbie is totally out of luck, especially at this spectacularly redone property, home to one of three of Jamie O’Brien’s surf schools. There’s a soft spot in front of the hotel for beginners to learn. And perfect Mai Tais to sip during golden hour at Off the Lip. There’s plenty to do aside from

catching waves, too. Think snorkeling at Shark’s Cove, hiking at Waimea Valley Trail, and shopping and dining in historic Hale’iwa Town.

THE CAPE, A THOMPSON HOTEL

The 161-room Cape boasts a prime location fronting Monuments Beach, home to a bucket-list worthy left-hand break. There’s also a restaurant from Mexico’s star chef Enrique Olvera, a serious smallbatch tequila collection, and a buzzy rooftop bar with live music. If you want to splurge with your buddies, book the twostory, three-bedroom Surfer Villa. Set a dozen steps from the ocean, the home features a private barbecue, plunge pool, sauna, and a screening room for surf flicks. Plus, your stay comes with two surfboard rentals.

SURF LODGE STINSON BEACH

Surf Lodge is walking distance to the white sands of the Pacific and located right in the middle of Stinson Beach, known for great hiking and lazy days within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Start the day by strolling through the surrounding trails of Muir Woods, then relax in the rooms inspired by modern California surf culture. Think vaulted ceilings and boho decor that throw back to the heyday of surfing in the ’60s. There are rentals at Live Water Surf Shop next door for all your water-based needs.

ALILA MAREA BEACH RESORT

Encinitas is practically synonymous with California surf culture, so it’s only fitting that there’s a board butler on staff to provide updates on swell and conditions, as well as providing a bevy of waxes and reef-safe sunscreens. Beginners can book in for a lesson with Fulcrum Surf, then enjoy a sundowner while looking over picturesque Ponto Beach. Be sure to peruse the collection of works from local photographer Aaron Chang after a Baja Med dinner at VAGA.

Turtle Bay

Surf Lodge Stinson Beach

The Cape, a Thompson Hotel

Insider

Seasonal diversions and secret travel tips from local experts.

PACIFIC NORTHWE ST

This month:

Tokeland, WA

The insider: Kelsey Bumsted, Photographer

STAY

Tokeland Hotel is great for beach walks, reading, hot-tubbing, and board games. It also has a sweet farm animal area where you can pet goats, pigs, and chickens. It’s both dog- and kid-friendly, with a fire pit for roasting s’mores! And LOGE Westport serves as a convenient basecamp for the world-class waves and offers rentals of all the gear you’d need, including wetsuits, boards, kayaks, and bikes. At the end of the day, you can grill your catch on the camp’s communal Traegers. If you’re into the #vanlife, Peace Vans is a Seattlebased rental service that is a wonderful way to explore.

EAT

Seattle-based photographer Kelsey Bumsted is far more than just a sharp shooter. The travel and outdoor enthusiast has a real passion for showcasing some of the West’s most incredible boutique properties, giving life to their organic charm through her generous lens and beautiful Instagram page, where she has earned the nickname of “inn-fluencer.” Her current obsession is the Tokeland Hotel, nearby the wayfaring town of Westport. She shares her tips for the perfect weekend in and around Tokeland on the Washington coast. DO

The Wandering Goose at the Tokeland Hotel serves three square farm-to-table meals a day, all made using the local farmland’s bounty nearby. Nelson Crab Inc. is a historic business with handpicked crab and also serves seafood from the Willapa Bay and the Pacific Northwest, along with sides with an Asian flare. There’s also a small shop with fine foods and handmade crafts. Betzy’s Tienda Mexicana is a really casual Mexican restaurant, and everyone in the area raves about its quesadilla. Being a fishing town, you’ll definitely want to pick up some tinned fish at Shoalwater Seafood , where you’ll find some of the best oysters and crab from right off the bay.

Visit the gallery of Jeffro Uitto who makes stunning coastal driftwood sculptures. In the summer, you can go razor clamming , deep-sea fishing , or crabbing by organizing a tour through the Tokeland Hotel . Visit the Willapa Valley Lavender Farm , or if you’re a water baby, the area is also known for being one of the best spots for surfing, so grab a board at The Surf Shop. Go whale watching on part of the Whale Trail at Westport Light State Park . Also worth visiting is the Westport Boardwalk , or climbing the stairs at Grays Harbor Lighthouse, the tallest in Washington. Or visit Northwest Carriage Museum for the best collection of horse-drawn vehicles in the country.

LOGE Westport

The Wandering Goose

Willapa Valley Lavender Farm

Northwest Carriage Museum

Westport Light State Park

Jeffro Uitto Sculpture

LOGE Westport

PACIFIC NORTHWE ST

Boise is a city that takes its beer seriously, and there’s no better place to start a pub crawl than 10 Barrel Brewing Co., where chef Keith Moreno is whipping up dishes like crispy brussels sprouts, wood-fired pizzas, and his award-winning Idaho potato nachos loaded with smoked pub cheese and all the fixings. Moreno whipped up meals for the 10 Barrel team of professional skiers and snowboarders in McCall, where he served the athletes smoked meats from a Big Green Egg for après, proving his chops both out in the field and in the commercial kitchen. Here, Moreno shares some of the high-low hits that this charming, rapidly growing city has to offer.

that’s over 100 years old, and used to be owned by Senator Frank Church. The Modern Hotel is the second place that I recommend. The Avery is super central and has a restaurant helmed by a Michelin-starred chef.

EAT

This month: Boise, ID

The insider: Keith Moreno, Head Chef, 10 Barrel Brewing Co.

STAY

A place that I love to stay in Boise for my staycations is Boise Heritage House, my local secret. It’s a beautiful house

10 Barrel Brewing Co. for sure. When it comes to downtown for food, beer, and cocktails with swagger, we are the spot. Next, I love my neighborhood food truck, El Chavo Taqueria . And I can’t forget Tarbush Kitchen for Middle Eastern food like falafel, Egyptian beans, and kebab. They are so good.

DRINK

This one is hard. Besides my backyard, I’d say the Matador Boise downtown. They have the best selection of cactus juice, also known as tequila, and made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine. Little Dutch Garden , or as we call it LDG, is a neighborhood watering hole that can’t be missed.

10 Barrel Brewing Co.

Tarbush Kitchen Boise River

DO

In the summertime, the list of things to do outdoors in Boise is endless. Grab some friends, a raft, snacks, and some drinks and float the Boise River

Next I love to go out to the Owyhee Mountains and off-road with a UTV. Another great thing to do is to catch one of the live music shows at the Knitting Factory or Neurolux

SHOP

Mixed Greens in downtown is a great place for shopping for my odds and ends, and then for kitchenwares and home goods, it has to be the Mixing Bowl

The Avery

SOUTHERN CALI FORNIA

You may recognize Jackson Kalb from his recent stint on the popular culinary competition show “Top Chef,” but the toque is far from a newcomer to the Westside dining scene. Kalb began his first apprenticeship at the two Michelin-starred Mélisse in Santa Monica at the age of 13, working at some of the world’s leading fine dining restaurants before setting up shop in El Segundo. Here, he shares his haunts around the under-the-radar beach city in the South Bay.

STAY

Being next to the airport, there is no shortage of great hotels. We stayed at the AC Hotel L.A. South Bay for a few days when it first opened. It’s wonderfully modern, clean, and sleek. It also has a lovely rooftop bar. Hotel June West L.A. is another Sunset favorite, with a groovy poolside vibe and a playful mid-century-meetsBaja California design.

DRINK

This is a shameless plug, but I have to put it out there. We opened John Thomas Bar as an extension of Jame last year.

It took me over a year of R&D to nail down the drinks. It is phenomenal, timeless, and slightly seedy in the best way. All of our cocktails are named after local chefs who have inspired me. The Genet Agonafer (of Meals by Genet in Little Ethiopia) is a drink and a show. A large pile of house-made cotton candy fills the coupe and dissolves into a raspberry cordial as the server pours the drink tableside. For a far less arrogant recommendation, try the Purple Orchid

EAT

Kagura is an excellent

This month: El Segundo, CA

The insider: Jackson Kalb, Chef, Jame

Japanese restaurant. It has wonderful “teishoku,” or set meals, similar to bento that are rare to come by outside of Japan. For incredible pizza by the slice or giant pies for sharing, you can’t beat The Slice & Pint . Its initial menu was developed in part by Noel Brohner, or as I like to call him, the dough whisperer. It’s owned by El Segundo

Brewing , so the incredible selection of beers on tap makes it a great spot to watch sports as well.

DO

Aside from all the oceanbound fun to be had, the Toyota Sports Performance Center has yearround ice skating available to the public, which isn’t well-known. It also has Kings Cove, a low-key

cafe overlooking the Kings practice ice and is open to the public. A Sunset mustdo is going for a round at Topgolf, visiting the Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum , and perusing the El Segundo Farmers Market , which takes place every Thursday evening and is a much less crowded alternative to other markets surrounding the Santa Monica Bay.

Hotel June West L.A.

John Thomas Bar

AC Hotel L.A. South Bay

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Explore the incredible food and wine–including six Michelin-rated restaurants and the creators behind it–of California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Four days. Six towns. Signature events, tastings, demonstrations, activities, and more, at the annual Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley. tastesyv.com

Explore Laguna Surf Lodge by SCP

Discover the essence of coastal charm and surf culture infused into every element of your stay, from the casual bohemian vibe to steadfast sustainability practices. View SCP Hotels' current offers and plan your Laguna Beach retreat today. scphotel.com/laguna/offers/

The Living Story of Wine in the West

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Explore Fairbanks, Alaska

Be inspired by the light of the Aurora Borealis. Renew your energy under the Midnight Sun. Experience the warmth of Fairbanks – the basecamp to Denali, Interior and Arctic Alaska. Start planning your Alaskan vacation with a Fairbanks Visitors Guide. explorefairbanks.com

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There’s no arguing that country fashion is having a moment, and who better to speak to it than Johnetta Boone, a 30- year veteran costume designer for the hit show Yellowstone, whose final season will air later this fall. Boone grew up horsing and recently was a speaker at the modern SoCal rodeo called IRON. Here, she shares her insights on the next wave of the iconic style that has serious staying power.

Some people are “all hat, no cattle” and dress up in fastfashion Western wear but don’t understand the ranching lifestyle. How important are history and mindful sourcing? If you are buying online from the massive souvenir sources, you don’t get to interact with the craftspeople. It’s part of their livelihood, the culture of their family, and the history of their inheritance. But while the authenticity of the cowboys and ranchers is missing, the trend can help bring back culture itself. The quantity of cowboy boots and hats has more than tripled as a result of the trend moving in that direction. And I know that a lot of artisans are very grateful because their businesses have almost shut down. You don’t find as many working ranches these days, so they’ve got to get a stream of income from someplace.

How does that come into play with the show?

I go to the source directly. I’m going to the saddlemakers, and the artisans who make the leggings, which most

“ W HEN YOU’RE ON RANCHES, THERE’S NO CELLPHONE SERVICE. YOU ARE ONE WITH NATURE AND THAT HORSE, AND IT’S A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE.”

What are some heritage makers that you find yourself returning to for the show?

New West

Interview

by KRISTA SIMMONS

people know as chaps. I go to hatmakers that are small because it’s important to keep those alive. So, I’m doing my part to give vitality to a culture that’s otherwise taking a nap because they don’t have any more time or space to continue in their craft because you have to have money in order to produce.

Why do you think this idea of being a cowboy is so appealing right now, specifically?

Taylor [Sheridan] has this line in the show, “People are going to forget where food comes from,” and people have forgotten where food comes from. They don’t realize that cowboys, they’re the ones that are herding the cattle, roping the steer, and gathering what otherwise is known as the meat for the table. People really are looking to spend time with themselves, uninterrupted. When you’re on ranches, there’s no cellphone service. You are one with nature and that horse, and it’s a beautiful experience.

I specifically adhere to the original brands. Levi’s is the first company that made dungarees. They’re the first people that made denim. Cowboys have been wearing Levi’s since the 1800s. Ariat and Lucchese, for instance, most people don’t realize that they’ve been around for as long as they have. And I love Larry Mahan, that’s where my boots are from.

Any favorite flea markets you’ve found in your travels?

I love the Out West Market in Ventura. There’s Pickwick Vintage, they do popups in L.A. quite often. In Montana, I love The Creamery Antique Mall in Stevensville. And then, there’s quite a few vintage stores in Missoula that I would also find myself hitting. There’s a wonderful antique mall called Montana Antique Mall that’s four stories high.

What are unexpected ways to give a New West feel to a more basic outfit?

Absolutely! Pull out those bandanas, otherwise known as wild rags, which cowboys wear to keep the dust off their faces. And instead of using a scarf holder, you can use that beautiful sterling ring that you absolutely love but is too small for your fingers.

If you were to recommend one film to watch to learn the style of the Old West, what would it be?

Everybody loves a Clint Eastwood movie, but Ken Burns’ The West is a great documentary. If you’re watching a Western, it’s been designed by another costume designer. They’re using their artistic license to render images that replicate the Western culture. But if you are looking at documentaries, you’re going to get real people in the real world of cowboying.

Yellowstone costume designer Johnetta Boone on the past and future of Western wear.