Coastal cabins and boutique lodgings to soak up some off-season California sun
Words by MARTHA HAYES and DAVID NASH
NAPA county | st. helena
Le Petit Pali St. Helena
Palisociety has finally put down roots in Napa Valley with the arrival of LE PETIT PALI ST. HELENA, the fifth bed-and-breakfast-style outpost blending its irreverent attitude with the wine country’s classic, laid-back aesthetic. Situated on nearly three picturesque acres — with 24 guest rooms and five independent cottages — the property melds seamlessly into the natural landscape with its signature dark green and cream exterior and lush landscaping. After pulling up the tree-lined drive, guests are welcomed in the cozy Main House, which serves as the hotel’s reception and lounge area, complete with two dining rooms for enjoying the region’s bounties.
Ranging in size from 285 to 730 square feet, the warm, preppy-accented guest rooms are split among the Main House, Cascade House, and nearby Flora House Courtyard. Each larger separate cottage includes a fireplace and stunning vineyard views, and some come with a clawfoot soaking tub. Amenities like Diptyque bath products, locally sourced provisions, A guest-exclusive pool and spa deck overlooking nearby vineyards and rolling foothills, as well as pathways and a garden bar, further set the stage for a truly restorative retreat. lepetitpali.com. D.N.
Each cottage includes a fireplace and stunning vineyard views.
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sonoma county | jenner
Madeira House
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. “We wanted to preserve the spirit of Jenner’s coastal cabins while reimagining them for today’s traveler,” Moretti says. “This has always been a place where people come to exhale — to watch the fog roll over the river, to hear the ocean in the distance, to feel time move a little slower.” themadeirahouse.com. D.N.
A one-time fisherman’s cabin has been transformed into a dreamy retreat offering tranquil views of the Russian River.
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Sonoma county | sea ranch
Sea Ranch Lodge
The iconic SEA RANCH LODGE was built in 1968 and stylishly reimagined in July 2023 to inspire guests craving a quiet, coastal escape to live “lightly on the land,” according to the ethos of its community. It’s hard to imagine how sea worshipers could be made to feel any more at home. But with the addition of four new properties crafted by acclaimed architects to its Sea Ranch Living Program — Shanti House, Third Rock, Cedar + Skye, and Compass Close — the 53-acre site in Sonoma County, 100 miles north of San Francisco, is offering its most immersive home-away-from-home experience yet.
According to general manager Kristina Jetton, the additions encompass “the best of Sea Ranch in a residential setting.” And we’re not just referring to the thoughtfully curated interiors, indoor-outdoor living, or chef’s kitchens. Think customized pre-arrival groceries, in-room spa treatments, and an attention to detail that includes everything from Brooklinen linens to board games and sketching supplies.
How to choose which property is right for you? Opt for Third Rock, designed by the acclaimed Obie Bowman FAIA, if you want panoramic views; Shanti House for serene star-gazing; Cedar + Skye for cozy-cabin-in-the-woods vibes; and the hill-perched Compass Close if you’re looking for something more spacious. No matter which one you opt for, you won’t want to leave. thesearanchlodge.com. M.H.
Four new properties have been added to Sea Ranch Living.
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ORANGE COUNTY | NEWPORT beach
Bay Shores Peninsula
A 1960s seaside motel in Newport Beach has found new life as the reimagined BAY SHORES PENINSULA HOTEL, which owner Blake Marriott describes as “a love letter to Newport.” Now a 25-room retreat overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the former surf lodge offers a nod to midcentury styling with a fresh, contemporary feel thanks to Southern California designers Courtney and Christian Peña of CPD Studio. Each guest room incorporates a mix of modern coastal textures, striped wallcoverings, gingham upholstery, custom furnishings, hand-crafted lighting by Robert Gordon, and local photography from Mariah Bink. Bathrooms feature brass-accented marble vanities, Bellino Italian linens, luxurious Simone Fan robes, and Kiehl’s bath products.
The hotel’s sleek all-day café serves Coffee Manufactory espresso drinks, Crema Artisan Bakery pastries, Mediterranean-inspired salads and sandwiches, and other tasty seasonal items. If you need activity ideas, the Beach Concierge can curate experiences, including a beach setup with chairs, umbrella, and stocked Stanley cooler; bicycle rides past Balboa pier; and shopping trips along Marine Avenue. bayshoreshotel.com. D.N.
A former 1960s seaside motel is now a love letter to Newport Beach.
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sonoma county | HEALDSBURG
A Foodie-First Resort Cultivates the Best of Sonoma
Leave it to Michelin-starred chef Charlie Palmer and Christopher Hunsberger, the former North American president of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, to conceive APPELLATION HEALDSBURG, a culinary-first, 108-key boutique resort from the pair’s newly formed hotel brand, Appellation. The “where town meets the vineyard” destination is a reflection of Sonoma County’s rich culture of food and wine that includes two signature dining concepts: Folia Bar & Kitchen and Andys Beeline Rooftop (complete with panoramic valley views).
Spread across two distinct areas, the agrarian-style resort was designed in collaboration with architect John Hill and EDG Design. Each room or suite, with its earthy green and golden-hued interiors, includes a balcony that overlooks vineyards or one of two pools: the adults-only Serenity Pool or the Foss Pool. Woven together by meandering paths dotted with mature native trees and lush culinary gardens, the eight-and-a-half-acre property is also home to the Terroir Spa, which offers bespoke wellness treatments and a state-of-the-art fitness center. 101 Dovetail Ln., Healdsburg, 707-723-2000; appellationhotels.com. D.N.
Spread across two distinct areas, the agrarian-style resort was designed in collaboration with architect John Hill and EDG Design.
Feature image: A bedroom at Cedar + Skye, designed by Ralph Matheson and nestled in the forest. PHOTO: The Sea Ranch Lodge.
Portions of this story originally appeared in the Winter 2025 issue of C Magazine.
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