Each month we share five unmissable things to see and do in the Golden State. You heard it here first.
Words by DAVID NASH and ELIZABETH VARNELL
LOS ANGELES
A Cult Brand Beloved by the Style Set Moves in to Melrose Place
NYC fashion brand KHAITE, favored by the likes of Chloe Sevigny and Margot Robbie, has finally brought its razor-sharp silhouettes and coveted leather bags to Los Angeles. Taking over the ivy-covered boutique at the triangular 
corner of Melrose Avenue and Melrose Place, the steel-and-concrete flagship has been transformed by the founder Catherine Holstein’s architect husband, Griffin Frazen. The two-time CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year recipient is known for its denim and coveted knitwear, and joining them in monolithic linear displays are clutches, flat sandals, mules and shades created in collaboration with Oliver Peoples. Fall/Winter 2025 designs including leather jackets and organza dresses, influenced by the idea of David Lynch directing an Ismail Merchant and James Ivory period film, comprise the ready-to-wear moodily lit by large-scale windows and narrow ceiling slots. Shelves with contrasting illumination and opacity spotlight Ona ankle boots and the soon to be everywhere Western-style over-the-knee Clive. 8409 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323-854-4160; khaite.com. E.V.
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SAN FRANCISCO
Japan Meets Italy at a ’70s-Inspired Restaurant and (Secret) Club
Multiyear James Beard Award finalist Brad Kilgore’s latest venture is AMA BY BRAD KILGORE, an evolutionary expression of itameshi, the blend of Italian soul and Japanese technique. Set within the Transamerica Pyramid Center’s Redwood Park in Jackson Square, the alluringly maximalist 24-seat dining room (six at the copper-wrapped bar serving rare Japanese whiskeys and Italian aperitifs) evokes 1970s glamour and with warm shou sugi ban wood and deep red ceramic tiles. The menu is equally stimulating, with deliciously theatrical dishes including a tableside-finished Lobster Lumache Diavolo, The Meatball (an enormous wagyu meatball served in the center of the table), and a “Tira-Miso” with butterscotch miso and espresso cream. A seasonal tasting menu ($110) features handmade pastas and koji-aged meats. Hidden behind the dining room is AMA SOCIAL CLUB, a retro-inspired, low-lit lounge with vintage pinball machines and a schedule for live entertainment that will soon offer memberships. 545 Sansome St., S.F., 415-829-5420; amabybradkilgore.com. D.N.
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JOSHUA TREE
Desert Artists Open Their Studios in This Annual Art Tour
HWY 62 OPEN STUDIO ART TOURS, the annual multidisciplinary desert-wide event in which artists of the Joshua Tree National Park region invite visitors into their inner sanctums, is back. Held the first three weekends in October, this edition features 225 artists across 133 studios throughout Wonder Valley, Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Landers, and the Morongo Basin. If it seems overwhelmingly expansive, don’t worry — the event website includes a catalog and a map to help you plan your visit based on your aesthetic and energy levels (there’s also an app). Must-sees include woodworker Aleksandra Zee, painter Teresa Watson, mixed-media artist Colleena Hake, John Henson nail art, and ceramicist John Flores. Activities continue after the sun goes down with Art Tours After Dark, a series of more than 40 performances across the three weekends at watering holes like Joshua Tree Saloon, Red Dog Saloon, and The Palms Restaurant. Oct. 4–5, 11–12, and 18–19. hwy62arttours.org. D.N.
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MONTECITO
Maison Miramar Debuts With a Weekend of Events and Runway Previews
A curated weekend of gatherings and events steeped in style is in store at Rosewood Miramar Beach this month. The inaugural MAISON MIRAMAR will give guests a look at fresh-from-the-runways designs from Italian houses including Bottega Veneta, Zegna, Brunello Cucinelli, and Loro Piana as well as David Webb’s baubles, The Webster’s fall offerings, and Goop’s latest launches and wellness hacks. The immersive experience also includes an editor’s panel marking the debut of C Magazine’s 20th anniversary book, California Dream State, an image-rich compilation of desert retreats, vineyard estates, and lush residences across the Golden State. The resort’s private residence, 60 Miramar, serves as a hub for the previews, designer meet-and-greets, and private appointments throughout the celebration of creativity taking place steps from the sea. Oct. 17–19. 1759 S. Jameson Ln., Montecito, 805-900-8388; rosewoodhotels.com. E.V.
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SONOMA COAST
Unwind at a Tranquil Retreat on the Russian River’s Edge
Eighty miles north of San Francisco, MADEIRA HOUSE is an idyllic 11-room waterfront hotel in the west Sonoma town of Jenner. After starting life as an early 20th-century fisherman’s cabin, it expanded into its previous incarnation as the Jenner Inn, and is now a dreamy retreat offering tranquil views of the Russian River. Divided into three distinct houses — the eponymous Madeira House, with five suites; Boat House, with three suites; and River House, inclusive of three more — each king or queen room is rustically charming but full of modern amenities (Keetsa mattresses, heated bathroom floors and rain showers). Conceived by co-owners Arthur Moretti, Ryan Shore, Jeffrey Yamashiroya, and Moksa Studio founder Jacqueline Gonçalves, it’s a perfect base to explore the nearby Jenner Headlands, kayak to Penny Island, play a 9-hole round at Northwood Gold Club, or pedal over to the nearby village of Duncan Mills for some antiquing. From $300 per night. 10625 Hwy. 1, Jenner; themadeirahouse.com. D.N.
October 2025
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