Among Santa Barbara's culinary newcomers are the Rosewood Miramar Beach's AMA restaurant (which serves authentic Japanese sushi in a beautiful setting) and Augie's tequila bar and restaurant (which features the largest selection of tequilas and mezcals on the West Coast, including local agave spirits). The former Bellosguardo estate will open to the public for the first time later in 2023, while the Urban Wine Trail is welcoming numerous new tasting rooms, including La Lieff Wines and Frequency Wine Co. The area’s art and food scene is also buzzing. Set on nearly five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, this all-suite boutique hotel has a deep commitment to sustainability, from eliminating single-use plastics to using staff uniforms made of vegan materials. The Steward, a new Tribute Portfolio Marriott Hotel, is set to make its debut in May. In Santa Barbara-which is also known as America’s very own Riviera-the new tech-driven boutique hotel, Drift Santa Barbara, officially opened its doors in early 2023 in a restored 1920s building, offering contactless check-in, a third-wave coffee shop and eatery (Dawn) and a craft bar (Dusk) inspired by Mexican heritage. “Perhaps it’s the warmth of the community that welcomes you, or the abundance of open space to explore, or maybe it’s the freshness of the ingredients used in the local dining and drinks scene-you can feel yourself almost instantly relax and let go of your stresses.” “Something special just opens up inside of you when you're on the Central Coast,” says Molly O’Brien. Why: The Central Coast of California-stretching from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo-is undergoing a renaissance, with new and renovated hotels, expanded wine offerings and a burgeoning culinary scene, not to mention a unique vibe. Courtesy of Visit SLO CAL Where to Go: Central Coast, CaliforniaĬhosen By: Molly O’Brien is a freelance journalist. Talley Farms Vineyard in San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast of California. The drinks scene is also making global headlines, thanks to trend-defining spots like Platform 18 and UnderTow, which have established a new brand of cocktail theater. The Phoenix metropolitan area’s food and wine scene is also exploding, with exciting entries like Chic Chef 77 (Arizona’s first Black-owned wine bar from celebrity chef Nik Fields) and Chilte (Mexican street food at the Grand Avenue Arts District’s new Egyptian Motor Hotel). Meanwhile, JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa recently debuted an $80 million transformation and will soon be unveiling a reimagined AquaRidge Water Park, as well as a new Pan-Asian restaurant concept, Kembara. ![]() Look for two expansive swimming pools, bocce and tennis courts, as well as an enhanced golf club with 54 holes of championship golf including two courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. ![]() The Wigwam, an historic resort with luxury casitas and suites in the West Valley, will undergo a comprehensive renovation in 2023. Some iconic properties are also getting overhauled. Over the next year, Phoenix will see the opening of several major resorts, including Moxy Phoenix Downtown (set in a 1920’s Luhrs building), The Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley, The Palmeraie (overlooking Camelback Mountain) and the $1 billion VAI (complete with white-sand beaches, a 52,000-square-foot party island and the Mattel Adventure Park). “It’s the perfect home base to explore nearby trails and catch an amazing show or exhibition.” “Stay at WorldMark Phoenix - South Mountain Preserve,” says Santini. ![]() The city is in the midst of a $23 million redesign of South Mountain Park and Preserve-America’s biggest urban park-that will culminate with the park’s 100th anniversary in 2024. “The Valley of the Sun is known for sunny weather all year around, beautiful hikes and scenic landscapes,” says Lucee Santini, who is a big fan of spots like the Desert Botanical Garden, a 144-acre oasis in the middle of the desert. But there’s so much to experience in Greater Phoenix in 2023-one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S.-not to mention the natural beauty that made it a must-visit destination in the first place. Why: Phoenix made headlines recently as the host of Superbowl LVII, the kickoff location of Taylor Swift’s tour and the home of the MLB Spring Training.
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