February/March 2015 79 COURTESY OF LA QUINTA RESORT & SPA (2); OPPOSITE: KODIAK GREENWOOD inn features an award-winning, floor-to-ceiling glass restaurant, the Sierra Mar. It’s known for its billion-dollar views of variegated jade waters, plus a rotating menu with the freshest ingredients in season. Run by executive chef John Cox, this fine dining experience brims with gourmet dishes inspired by the Big Sur coast. If you really want to run with the bulls, try the $175 nine-course Taste of Big Sur tasting menu with an optional wine pairing. The Taste of Big Sur highlights the flavors of white sturgeon roe, black mussels, Monterey red abalone and venison tenderloin with wild Big Sur berries. Be sure to have a drink here before dark. If you are very lucky, you may see a pod of whales passing by. RELAX Explore the town of Big Sur, and you’ll uncover some unique gems. If you love reading, visit the Henry Miller Library, which houses the works of the famous writer. Down the road about a mile, the Hawthorne Gallery showcases the works of local artists plus those of the local Hawthorne family, for whom the space is named. Not far, the Coast Gallery sells more DESTINATION: DESERT OASIS LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB 49499 EISENHOWER DRIVE, LA QUINTA; 855/884-9315. WWW.LAQUINTARESORT.COM A 45-acre wonderland that basks in the sun-soaked residential community of La Quinta near Palm Springs, this desert resort is a lovers’ dream getaway. Uncork a bottle of pinot and toast each other in one of the starlight rooftop guest rooms, where you get a private outdoor living area with gas fireplace to cuddle up and observe the constellations. At La Quinta, you’ll walk in the footsteps of the rich and famous— Clark Gable, Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn and other legendary stars escaped here, away from the Hollywood spotlight during their busy careers. Built in 1926, the resort has just com- than 3,000 works from the American Craft movement and is one of the largest vendors of its kind. RECREATE Stroll Pfeiffer Beach, where, at last visit, it features a rock archway and mysterious sea caves. Hike through Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where you can tackle easy-to-difficult trails with gorgeous scenic vistas. As a hotel guest, you can also go on a complimentary guided hike and get a garden tour at the Post Ranch Inn. REFRESH Casual Big Sur Roadhouse is fun for New American cuisine as well as for Cajun and Creole dishes. Also on Highway 1 is Deetjen’s Restaurant, another romantic dinner haunt, ideal for hearty fare such as seafood paella and rack of lamb. Meanwhile, The Restaurant at Ventana is known for its incredibly comfortable and beautiful outdoor patio that parks you in front of the Pacific Ocean panorama. REKINDLE Stargaze from your deck and capture a constellation using the resort’s special Meade telescope. Or borrow a hybrid Lexus from the inn and drive off together into the sunset, cruising the gorgeous Pacific coastline. pleted a multimillion-dollar upgrade, refreshing its rooms, pools and landscaping. Under the Waldorf Astoria hotel brand, La Quinta exudes quiet elegance and class. Service is superb, with golf cart drivers everywhere willing to whisk you to your room. Posh interiors feature shutters and white linens, indoor fireplaces, flat screen TVs and small refrigerators that have their own icemakers so you don’t have to snoop around for an ice machine. With a contemporary turquoise, cream and orange color scheme in its rooms, the resort puts a fresh face on a lovely and graceful historic building. If you really want to impress your sweetheart, book the El Presidente, a stand-alone, gated villa with its own swimming pool and hot tub, separate living room, dining room and bedroom. Up close views of the Santa Rosa Mountains are everywhere from the resort’s vantage point. When you pull up to the front Tranquility reigns at Spa La Quinta with its 38 treatment rooms. La Quinta guests luxuriate in a private garden tub, enhanced by a choice of aromatherapy blends.
South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2015
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