Each month we share five unmissable things to see and do in the Golden State. You heard it here first.
Words by CATHERINE BIGELOW, DAVID NASH, and ELIZABETH VARNELL
MAMMOTH LAKES
This Mountain Hotel Is Powered by Mother Nature
Bringing comfort and purposeful design across 149 guest rooms — including 25 suites and 15 private residences — to the Eastern Sierra, LIMELIGHT MAMMOTH is more than an adventurer’s destination; it’s a sustainability-forward retreat just steps from the Village Gondola in Mammoth Lakes. With views of the Sherwin mountain range, the latest venture from hospitality brand Aspen One offers an alpine aesthetic that “brings our signature warmth, sophistication, and community-driven spirit to the Sierra Nevada,” says general manager Evan Thomas. Developed as an all-electric hotel, efficiently powered by heat pumps, the building will naturally green itself over time; in addition, native landscaping, reclaimed materials, and expansive windows connect the structure with its surroundings. Central to the hotel, the Limelight Lounge is an all-day gathering spot offering breakfast, après ski, and dinner, as well as Limelight Live, a music program to anchor the entertainment. Additionally, the hotel and residences have introduced Mammoth Lakes Mountain Club, a new members-only ski and social club touting unmatched mountain access. 132 Lake Mary Rd., Mammoth Lakes, 844-207-8887; limelighthotels.com/mammoth. D.N.
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MONTECITO
A Provençal Staple Arrives on the American Riviera
Simon Porte Jacquemus, born and raised in the South of France, is opening a sun-drenched seasonal boutique for his eponymous label, JACQUEMUS, in coastal Montecito. Drawing from a palette steeped in the golden tones of the Mediterranean coast, his second California shop stocks bags including the new Valérie top-handle, Rond Carré clutches, Bambola carryalls, and Bisou shoulder bags, plus ready-to-wear and surrealist shoes ideal for an evening out or trainers for strolling along Santa Barbara’s beachside cliffs. A collection of enveloping wool scarves for the morning marine layer is here, alongside airy fitting rooms with billowing drapes evoking poolside cabanas paired with herringbone-patterned terra-cotta brick floors. Provence stripes appear on chairs and patio furniture, and crashing waves in the distance are transportive. Neighboring shops from Chanel to Bottega Veneta, Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli, and more round out the new spot’s oceanfront allure. 1759 S. Jameson Ln., Montecito, Rosewood Miramar Beach, 805-961-2360; jacquemus.com. E.V.
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WESTWOOD
Rare Works on Paper by Hockney, Baldessari, and Ruscha at The Hammer
In 1956 — just 15 years after fleeing Nazi persecution in Europe for Los Angeles, where he started a successful garment business — German-born businessman and art collector Fred Grunwald donated his collection to UCLA with the hope it would become a resource for learning at the university. Seven decades later, the HAMMER MUSEUM presents Five Centuries of Works on Paper: The Gunwald Center at 70, a two-part exhibition celebrating the collection’s platinum jubilee. Including more than 45,000 prints, drawings, photographs, and artist’s books, the Grunwald Center’s treasure trove of works on paper is one of the country’s most important, from the Renaissance to present day, and counts works by California artists like Ruth Asawa, John Baldessari, Mark Bradford, Francesca Gabbiani, David Hockney, Ed Ruscha, and Analia Saban among some of its most prized. “Promoting critical thinking, visual literacy, and cross-disciplinary engagement, the center serves as both a repository of cultural history and a forum for contemporary artistic practice,” says director and chief curator Naoko Takahatake. Part I: Dec. 20, 2025–May 17, 2026; Part II: Jun–Oct. 25, 2026. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 310-443-7000; hammer.ucla.edu. D.N.
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SAN DIEGO
A Chef’s Kiss to French Cuisine Lands in the Gaslamp Quarter
Originally conceived in 1970 as a reproduction of the Palace of Versailles in France, with 222 guest rooms, The Westgate Hotel in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter remains European ambiance incarnate — filled with antiques like an 18th-century marble fireplace, the fifth-ever produced Steinway piano, Baccarat crystal chandeliers, and an actual desk from the palace. Now the luxurious property has another feather in its cap with the introduction of BONNE VIE BRASSERIE & BAR, a refined but approachable dining experience that combines French culinary tradition with California coastal spirit. Michelin-pedigreed executive chef Fabrice Hardel brings more than 30 years of experience rooted in time-honored technique to the kitchen, with signature offerings like Burgundy escargot in garlic parsley butter, braised short rib with roasted parsnip mousseline, and a banh mi–style fried chicken sandwich with kimchi and sweet chili aioli. The dining destination’s interiors, designed by Jacoi Mann, pair subtle European influence with contemporary ease in shades of gold, blue, beige, and earth-toned textiles. Other elements, like the custom Sapele tables topped with marble and granite and offset by satin brass accents, help make the atmosphere as memorable as the cuisine. 1055 Second Ave., San Diego, 619-238-1818; westgatehotel.com. D.N.
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SAN FRANCISCO
A Tech-Friendly Flagship Opens With a Bang
Following the celebration of its 100th anniversary this past November, best-in-class Danish audio brand BANG & OLUFSEN debuted its 5,100-square-foot store — the largest ever — in San Francisco’s revitalized Union Square shopping district. The two-floor flagship includes home-inspired vignettes, a customization lab where guests can personalize headphones and speakers with laser-engraved messaging, and a tiled coffee bar where visitors can create bespoke sound systems of their very own. With a design emphasizing its Scandinavian roots, the massive outpost is outfitted with native wood, aluminum finishes, and art by muralist James Goldcrown. The opening also serves as the global reveal of the heritage maker’s hand-crafted limited-release Anniversary Edition Phantom and Mirage speakers. “Investing here reflects our confidence in the city and the enduring importance of physical retail experiences and the human connection they foster,” says Jean Maraine-Jin, the brand’s West Coast director. Weekly programming includes live performances, vinyl listening nights, film screenings, and a speaker series. 146 Geary St., S.F.; bang-olufsen.com. D.N.
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AND DON’T MISS
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SAN FRANCISCO
Cultural Leaders and International Galleries Gather at this Sprawling Showcase
Contemporary collectors and connoisseurs will be dazzled as the 12th edition of FOG DESIGN + ART FAIR unfurls amid a glamorous preview gala on January 21 at Fort Mason Center. The event is led by honorary cochairs Tabitha Soren and Michael Lewis, best-selling author spouses, with Lady Heather Ive and her husband, Apple design guru Sir Jonny Ive, and it benefits SFMOMA. This cultural confab is also bracketed by San Francisco Art Week, a sprawling showcase of gallery openings, museum exhibitions, and artful pop-ups celebrating the city’s vibrant creative community for a global coterie of dealers, patrons, and cultural leaders. FOG 2026 features 60 international gallerists (including AGO Projects, Berggruen, David Zwirner, Hostler Burrows, Ippodo) and highlights emerging galleries (Blunk Space, Frankie Rossi, Marta, re.riddle, Jasko Begovic) in the FOG Focus pavilion. The acclaimed FOG Talks, presented by autonomous vehicle innovator ZOOX, platforms cutting-edge designers and thinkers in conversation on art and AI. FOG MRKT fanfares editioned works by local makers like Hugomento, Small Works Projects, Quince & Co., and CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts. The four-day fete stars delectable Jane pastries, Rye On The Road cocktails, and bayfront Italian dining by A16, and heralded design tomes are hawked from a classic 1970 VW Transporter — home of the William Stout Architectural Bookmobile, stewarded by the storied Eames Institute. Jan. 21–25, 2026. Piers 2 & 3, Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, S.F.; fogfair.com. C.B.
January 2026
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