When Elisha Babcock and H.L. Story built the hotel in 1888, they dreamed of building a seaside resort that would be “the talk of the Western world,” a phrase they coined that became a slogan of sorts in the early days. Seeing as it’s now 2024, and we’re still very much talking about their project, it’s safe to say mission (mostly) accomplished.
Photo Credit: Ollie Patterson | Lobby
When the renovation is complete in early 2025, it will have been a more than $550 million investment backed by Blackstone Real Estate. The full transformation will include opening a new location of the famous Nobu restaurant and a $160-million renovation of the resort’s oldest section, the Crown Room and Victorian Neighborhood (including the Coronet Room and Ocean Ballroom). The price tag, which started at $400 million in 2018, has now climbed into one of the most expensive hotel overhauls in San Diego history. But it seems to have all been worth it.
“From day one, it has been our goal to ensure that The Del provides guests and the community with a one-of-a-kind experience,” says Brian Kaufman, managing director at Blackstone. He adds that they’re “thrilled” to have “world-class” Nobu cap it off—an exciting landing for a long, painstaking renovation project.
Photo Credit: Ollie Patterson | Shore House
It’s no small feat renovating one of the region’s most iconic, if not the most iconic, landmarks. The comprehensive reno had to be approved by the City of Coronado and the California Coastal Commission, and be completed in accordance with guidelines for its national landmark status.
Plus, San Diegans have held weddings, birthdays, graduation brunches, vacations, and life events here, with pictures to document. Make it too different, and you will alienate generations of locals. Keep it too similar, and what’s the point of undertaking such an expensive renovation, anyway?
Even a quick perusal of Tripadvisor shows that most agreed it was time for a refresh.
Wimberly Interiors led the design in partnership with the California architecture studio from design firm Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. The focus was on ensuring that the public areas remained genuinely Victorian, with original finishes intact. Contemporary design features were added to bathrooms, furnishings, artwork, and updated technology to offer comfort and luxury upgrades to the previously dated property.
Photo Credit: Ollie Patterson | The Laundry Pub
David Marshall of Heritage Architecture & Planning leads the current Victorian guestroom redesign effort. His work was instrumental in his firm winning a “Preservation Project of The Year” honor from the Save Our Heritage Organisation and a “Preservation Design Award” from the California Preservation Foundation following their extensive reconstruction of the hotel’s front porch and lobby areas.
Among its current highlights is the recently completed Shore House—a newer build fashioned in Victorian style with red shingles mimicking the original Del buildings— that sits just to the south of the main property on the ocean. It opened in 2022 with 75 residential-style rooms, many suites or duplex-style with kitchens, modern finishes, and outdoor fireplaces. Most rooms have at least partial ocean views, and though some can be reserved as hotel rooms, others are owned as residences.
When Shore House opened, the for-sale units sold out in about 100 days, and cost anywhere from $1.3 million to $5.2 million for approximately 800 to 1,900-square-foot units. It’s a massive addition that created 130 new jobs for the resort and more-or-less operates as its own hotel ensconced within the larger Del universe.
Photo Credit: Ollie Patterson | Shore Houses’ Oceanfront Villa
Due to the renovation, many other amenities have opened in the last couple of years. The historic Windsor Cottage was updated while preserving historic elements, like the building’s structure, dating back to its 1905 construction. Called the Ocean Club now, it opened last summer and is a yacht club without boats and outfitted with cocktails, food, vibes, and scenic views.
Other renovations include the fitness center, spa, pool, the shops, and The Vista Terrace, which debuted with the new Sun Deck, Babcock & Story Bar, and ENO Market and Pizzeria in place of the former pool. The main pool was redone entirely and is heated year-round. It’s flanked by shaded chaise lounges, new premium cabanas, and cabanaettes for rent.
That project, which revamped the rooms and suites in The Cabana and The Views neighborhoods, redesigned and renovated 97 and 217 rooms, respectively. The Laundry Pub has also recently opened and is geared toward locals, with many community-focused events and shows on weeknights during low season. It has a long tap list, bar games, and top-notch pub grub.
Photo Credit: Ollie Patterson | Shore House zero-edge pool
But the renovation is not quite finished. Up next is yet another room project: The Beach Village at The Del, an enclave of beachfront cottages and villas, which is set to unveil a complete refresh by the end of this year. Nobu will also open next year, comprising more than 3,700 square feet of indoor and al fresco dining.
The older parts of the original main building are also closed off and being worked on. The Victorian, the oldest section of the hotel, is undergoing a more than $160 million revitalization, which will keep its original build while making necessary updates.
These renovations, along with others at the National Historic Landmark property, must be completed according to a strict code to preserve its landmark status. The upgrades include all Victorian guestrooms and suites, and the resort hopes it will be finished by next spring. Think of it like a facelift.
Jackie is a long-time freelance journalist covering cannabis, food/restaurants, travel, labor, wine, spirits, arts & culture, design, and other topics. Her work has been selected twice for Best American Travel Writing, and she has won a variety of national and local awards for her writing and reporting.
San Diego is just out here minding its own business. It’s long been cast as Los Angeles’s less ambitious sibling—the chill one, the one who shows up late for dinner reservations in flip-flops with a few provocative opinions. Architecturally it’s often cast the same: secondary, derivative, a footnote to California modernism that seems to begin and end with the Stahl House (Case Study House #22). LA has Pierre Koenig, Craig Ellwood, John Lautner. San Diego has the original fish taco.
But this version of the story is redacted, metaphorically speaking.
While the jazz hands of Hollywood and its hills cast a spell on historians and architecture buffs, San Diego had, and has, its own quiet evolution: It invented and reinvented itself through homegrown modernism, beginning with The Allen House (1907) in Bonita by Irving J. Gill.
“The biggest misconception is that San Diego was following Los Angeles,” says Keith York of Modern San Diego, one of the city’s top guides to modernist architecture. “Those who consider Rudolph Schindler and Richard Neutra as the fathers of Southern California Modernism often fail to recognize the outsize influence Gill and his buildings had on their work.”
Courtesy of Keith York
A new book, The Distinct Modernism of San Diego—written by Mark Hargreaves and Hallie Swenson, published by York—focuses on eight architects who were born, raised, or built their careers in San Diego. It illustrates how the city wasn’t hosting weekend warrior architects on side quests. It was a staging ground for a less look-at-me modernism from luminaries like Gill, Lilian J. Rice, Richard Requa, Lloyd Ruocco, Frederick Liebhardt, Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, Sim Bruce Richards, and Cliff May.
“Absent the backstabbing competition for projects, a collegial group of architectural peers collaborated and maintained lasting friendships with one another as they designed in response to the temperate climate and slower economy,” York says.
Largely unknown until the mid-1960s, Gill is a marquee name today. He arrived here from the East Coast at a moment when San Diego was still defining itself, which gave him the freedom to invent something new, experiment, rebel.
Instead of imposing the flourishes and frills of the time, he considered San Diego’s climate, light, landscape, history—the joie de vivre—and designed for this place. “[Architects of the west] must have the courage to fling aside every device that distracts the eye from structural beauty, must break through convention and get down to fundamental truths,” he once said, a sentiment that nails the un-ornate, total lack of pretension that’s defined San Diego people and culture.
And, lo, did Gill fling: His flat roofs, clean lines, and almost no ornamentation—though not necessarily modernism in the Eames or Eichler sense—foreshadowed what would later be called minimalism. Gill eventually became synonymous with the Los Angeles narrative, but broader architectural histories overlook the fact that his most progressive designs happened here.
Courtesy of Keith York
Another key to San Diego’s architectural movement was Lilian J. Rice, who often worked behind the scenes with little credit. She was one of only about 10 women in America licensed as architects at the time. Even though she died from cancer at 43, she somehow managed to complete an estimated 170 projects in the region, many in Rancho Santa Fe.
Born and raised in National City, Rice also wasn’t importing ideas. She shaped her own based on her understanding of this region and her commitment to protect the natural environment. Her work has been categorized as Spanish Colonial Revival, but she wasn’t reviving as much as she was refining a style suited to our border region—serene, mirroring nature, beautiful.
Like Sim Bruce Richards, who was his own way of life. While Gill stripped away ornamentation and Rice focused on the peace of open spaces, Richards came along several decades later and went full emo. By then, modernism had grown deep roots; its steel-and-glass structures took themselves very seriously. Richards came to party.
Photo Credit: Ollie Patterson
An eccentric, unpredictable man with half a face (part of his jaw was removed following a bone infection when he was a child), his life was a jalopy of adventures. He was opinionated and passionate about design, music, texture—and he created what he called a “sensuous environment.” He wanted his clients and their guests to feel the spaces as much as to be in them, appealing to the visual, tactile, nasal (“a cedar house smells good”), auditory (“acoustically superior”), even taste. “Though, I‘ve never had a client lick my houses,” he once wrote.
Organic, woodsy, textured, aromatic—if you ever find yourself in a Sim Bruce Richards house, a licking impulse might not seem so outrageous.
Gill, Rice, Richards and the other architects in Distinct Modernism built a legacy in San Diego that resonates nationally. And the work of these heavy hitters isn’t stuck in an inaccessible collectors realm: This October, homes by Kellogg and Liebhardt will open to the public as part of the La Jolla Modernism Home Tour—an opportunity to experience it not as a museum relic or magazine image (ahem), but as something alive.
Modernism in San Diego was never about glamour or an intention to be iconic. What transpired here is more nuanced, more ingrained with a less shouty aesthetic. A very San Diego aesthetic.
Craftsmans and Spanish Revivalists and mid-century modernists—why does San Diego have so many different architectural styles? What makes a home distinctly San Diego? What are the trends shaping the look of the city’s neighborhoods for years to come? We asked the experts: architects and designers honoring the past, crafting the present, and radically altering the future of San Diego living. They opened their portfolios, shared points of view, and treated us to snapshots of their latest work that speaks to the ideas they’re playing with. The result? Six trends, design choices, and a proposal to make local homes unique. Grab a lemonade and get a little inspo for your own place.
Outdoor comfort goes to 11 with climate-controlled architecture
“Clients are now reaching for comfortable outdoor spaces that can be controlled for subtle shifts in the environment—heated covered porches, or patios with controlled louvered ceilings with integrated fans, lighting, heaters, and adjustable light.” –Mark Morris, Oasis Architecture & Design
“I think outdoor spaces in San Diego can be as useful or even more useful than indoor spaces. Relating to the site, view, [and] neighborhood can bring so much value and richness to a home.” –Bill Bocken, Bill Bocken Architecture & Interior Design
Photo Credit: Lauren Taylor Creative
Trend 2: End of the Farmhouse Era, Finally
The death of Little House on the Coast and the rise of warmth and organic materials
“After years of modern farmhouses—black windows, white houses, and gray walls and floors—natural tones are coming back. We are seeing a return to organic textures and more saturated color. Homes feel layered rather than stark.” –Susan Wintersteen, Savvy Interiors
“There’s a move toward homes that feel like every element has a purpose. I see a strong desire for warmth and natural stone, wood, organic textures with softer transitions, and materials that age well.” –Jen Pinto, Jackson Design & Remodeling
Designers’ plea: Don’t ditch beautiful bones for trend whimsy
“I would like to see even more architectural integrity, fewer quick flips, and more thoughtful renovations that respect proportion, scale, and context. San Diego deserves homes that feel timeless, not transactional.” –Susan Wintersteen, Savvy Interiors
“We want to see people respecting the original character of their homes while re-imagining them for modern life, rather than erasing character in favor of quick transformations that look ‘cookie-cutter.’” –John Kavan, Jackson Design & Remodeling
Trend 4: We’re Designing to Stay Awhile
San Diego’s design market is maturing in place
“Homeowners are staying in their homes longer—some 15 or 20 years. That has shifted design away from trend-driven choices and toward architecturally driven spaces that are functional, cohesive, timeless, and designed to support daily life over decades.” –Jen Pinto, Jackson Design & Remodeling
Photo Credit: Brooke Brady
Trend 5: This Is Not Spicoli’s House
We probably don’t need a starfish next to our “Beach That Way” sign
“There’s a noticeable move away from literal ‘coastal themes’ and toward more layered, textural environments. San Diego homes today often feel cleaner, more architectural, and more personal.” –Julie Crosby, designer
“Today, the aesthetic is more refined but still rooted in ease. It is coastal without being cliché and modern without being cold. The throughline is light, air, and a relaxed sophistication that reflects how people actually live here.” –Susan Wintersteen, Savvy Interiors
Trend 6: The House Outside Your House
Outdoor square footage as equally valuable as interior space
“When you can live outdoors most of the year, architecture and interiors must support that. Large format doors, layered patios, durable materials, and seamless flooring transitions all stem from lifestyle.” –Susan Wintersteen, Savvy Interiors
“Nearly everyone wants to take advantage of the constant sunshine, so we see a huge desire for indoor-outdoor living, light and airy fabrics, organic materials that bring the feeling of nature into the home, and a desire to incorporate a relaxed, coastal lifestyle into everyday living.” –Lilli Fish, LS Design Studio
Lili Kim is a content coordinator and writer for San Diego Magazine, with experience highlighting local businesses and communities. When not writing or shooting film, she is likely brewing her seventh cup of tea of the day or strolling along Sunset Cliffs.
Your bedroom is your sanctuary—a haven for your favorite shoes (the ones you never actually wear but love to admire), the place where your best thoughts sneak in before you drift off, the safe space that’s seen you through anxious nights and joyful secret dance parties.
With a little guidance and intention, this space can feel just as dreamy as that one nap you never want to end, anchored by warm burl wood, smooth (and sustainable) upholstery, and stone nightstands that read as art. And we’re not talking about the overly staged look-at-me rooms you see on HGTV. Great design prioritizes feeling just as much as form. We’ve handpicked upscale, quietly chic finds from local home stores to bring your ultimate bedroom vision to life.
Mary had a little…chair? Wrapped in camel-hued wool, the Allora Chair proves that one standout spot for lounging is often all a bedroom needs to feel like the penthouse suite at a fancy-schmancy hotel.
Courtesy of Room & Board
Sitara Rug
$2,399, available at Room & Board
Room & Board sources the Sitara Rug from India, where skilled craftspeople hand-knot every inch of this soft wool carpet. Tiny flecks of gold silk add a subtle shimmer. Just try not to drop any earring backs on it.
Courtesy of Arhaus
Faux Calla Lily in Round Vase
$950, available at Arhaus
Everyone loves flowers, but real lilies lose points for fading fast—and being dangerous for pets! Sub in these hand-painted faux calla stems suspended in crystal-clear “water” for a fresh bouquet that never withers.
Courtesy of Arhaus
Morley Canopy Bed
$7,600, available at Arhaus
Who said canopy beds had an age limit? Add a little whimsy to your sleep schedule with this walnut burl frame. Arhaus’ Morley Collection is artisan-crafted, meaning no two beds are exactly alike, so your room is as unique as you are. Go ahead, sleep like royalty.
Wrapped in a pale mint (Moonstone) velvet, the Berlin Bench delivers a soft pop of color. Equal parts functional and beautiful, it’s made for collecting discarded shirts during an outfit-planning sesh and supporting dramatic swoons.
Courtesy of Arhaus
Amelie Floor Mirror
$1,600, available at Arhaus
Bonjour, bedroom—meet your new obsession. Inspired by traditional French design, this mirror’s iron-and-resin frame features delicate floral-and-vine detailing. Your reflection just got a vacation in Nice.
Courtesy of Arhaus
Christie Floor Lamp
$5,900, available at Arhaus
If the Pixar lamp got a glow-up, it’d look a lot like the Christie Floor Lamp. Thanks to a curving brass post, milk glass globe, and coralle stone base, it’s a killer source of mood lighting, but it’s also a whole mood in itself.
Courtesy of ReModern Living
Erika Chandelier by Eichholtz
$2,495, available at ReModern Living
Whoever said recessed lighting was enough clearly hasn’t met this chandelier. Finished in antique brass with three layered tiers of glass that gently diffuse light, the fixture resembles a soft cascade of feathers. Showgirl glam or one with nature? Why not a little bit of both?
Courtesy of Arhaus
Polanco Six-Drawer Dresser
$6,600, available at Arhaus
This dresser has a backstory: Mexican artisans collect ash trees felled by storms; cut them into cross-sections that show off their natural rings, cracks, and watermarks; and piece them together into a patchwork that has bits of sustainably-farmed European ash burl.
Courtesy of Roam Homeware
Shell Collector Painting
$1,800, available at Roam Homeware
It’s okay—you can finally let go of the beige canvas you panic-bought for above your bed. Roam Homeware’s Shell Collector feels perfectly SoCal with soothing neutrals, interesting abstract patterns, and recognizable shapes (but no faces to scare you during a 3 a.m. bathroom trip).
Courtesy of Arhaus
Clementine Reeded Stone Nightstand
$2,600, available at Arhaus
Furniture made from rocks can lean a little Flintstones. Not here, though. The scalloped curves and shiny finish of this charming little nightstand coax an unexpected softness and romance out of natural stone.
Courtesy of Roam Homeware
Iron Candle Holder
$80, available at Roam Homeware
Candles in a glass jar are so last season. Instead, pop some beeswax tapers into these sculptural sand-cast iron holders. Set them on a shelf, and you’ve got a touch of vintage charm without the fussy fragility of antique pieces.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
Stake Chophouse & Bar isn’t your average steakhouse. Blue Bridge Hospitality’s Coronado outpost is a modern interpretation of a big-city steakhouse nestled in the heart of the small coastal community. The team at Stake has reimagined the whole steakhouse experience. By prioritizing a seasonal farm-to-table sourcing philosophy, a personalized guest experience, and unique service touches, like a formal steak presentation and a bespoke knife selection process, Stake distinguishes itself in a sea of steakhouses.
Exceptional steaks, including Wagyu from Japan, Australia, and the U.S., and fresh seafood flown in daily form the core of Stake’s culinary identity. The menu features a five-course omakase-style steak experience highlighting house favorites, plus an array of cuts, and classic steakhouse staples—think a wedge salad, baked potato, or pasta carbonara—refined for a contemporary palate without losing their traditional appeal. Stake focuses on seasonal sourcing from the region’s best family farms and specialty purveyors, and incorporates intentionally unexpected touches to create something truly unique.
“I challenge our chefs and myself to take it a step further in sourcing,” says Chef Ronnie Schwandt. “It’s important to us to highlight different farms, unique one-off farms—whether it’s cattle, strawberries, a local fisherman or from anywhere in the United States, we’re always trying to find that niche.”
Beyond the menu, Stake emphasizes outstanding service, says Vinny Spatafore, Director of Hospitality Operations. Staff maintains detailed notes, allowing them to remember guests by name, recall previous orders such as a favorite martini (also memorable for the customer since it’s served in an extra tall, distinctly-shaped glass), and celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
“When you have those points of topic that you remember about a guest, they appreciate that,” he says. “Our servers are really good with that—we have a couple servers who have been here since the beginning and they’ll remember somebody from years ago, their name, their kids’ names, where they live. I’m really thankful to have a great front of house staff.”
Award-winning wines, rare whiskeys, special events, and a complementary black car service that provides transportation for guests throughout Coronado add to Stake’s appeal.
Schwandt stresses that Stake offers more than a meal; they aim to give patrons something unforgettable.
“It starts when you walk up the stairs and are greeted by the hostess—that sets the tone for the night. Then you’re greeted by a server, who may know you by name, and can guide you through the menu and curate as they get to know you,” says Schwandt. “Most people leave kind of blown away; they leave feeling like they just had an experience. That’s the goal, right? Whether you’re serving smash burgers or high-end steak, you want somebody to leave thinking, Wow, that was awesome.”
San Diego Magazine’s annual Home + Design Awards returned for its third year with nearly 200 nominations from innovative architects, developers, designers, and other industry pros across the country. To select the top projects from a broad range of categories—including interior and exterior residential design, commercial design, overall home design, and student submissions—we tapped a panel of expert judges.
Daniela Deutsch works as dean of the School of Architecture at the NewSchool of Architecture & Design, Megan Groth is an architect and urbanist and the author of the civic-minded local guidebook Places We Love: San Diego Tijuana, Jeff Walker sells SoCal’s historic and unique homes as the founder and broker of Agents of Architecture, Inc., and entrepreneur Kristy Kropat serves as the President-Elect of the SD Chapter of the American Society of Interior Design.
Our readers weighed in, too, voting on the spaces and designs that wow’ed them. Take a moment to explore the awardees here and marvel at San Diego’s outstanding design community.
Strewn among the rolling hills of northern Escondido are granite boulders so huge they look like something from Jurassic Park. Snuggled among them, a new home is so closely connected with nature that it brings one massive rock inside as a major design element—and that’s only one example of how this fantastic place is fused to the land.
Designed by Drew Hubbell for Joi Lin Blake and dubbed “The Serenity Project: Under the Oaks,” it’s a subtle and energy-efficient sanctuary that demonstrates how “green design” need not mean clunky rooftop solar panels. Sustainable elements—such as concrete floors that retain heat from low winter sun and a roof of insulated panels that stabilize interior temperatures year-round—are integral to the architecture and help it achieve “net zero,” meaning the home produces all the energy it needs, drawing none from the grid.
Building a house came naturally to Blake, who managed construction projects as president of Palomar College. After she retired in 2020, she set out to create a home that would raise the bar for earth-friendly architecture.
“In my research on building sustainably, a friend recommended I connect with Drew Hubbell as a pioneer in green design,” she says. “I also chose him because his values aligned with the philosophy that guided the project, as far as the land, its history, and collaboration with the construction team.”
Drew Hubbell earned his degree in architecture from the University of Arizona and has traveled through the US and abroad surveying materials and building techniques. Much of what he knows about design comes from his father James Hubbell, who died in 2024, leaving a legacy of what he called “the architecture of jubilation,” celebrating kindness, understanding, and nature’s bounties.
He designed several San Diego houses with these guiding principles, and many of us have experienced them in projects such as his Pacific Rim Park on San Diego Bay, Sea Ranch Chapel in Northern California, and the Hubbell Home & Studios and Ilan-Lael Foundation in Santa Ysabel near Julian. Then there was the quirky and beloved Triton restaurant in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, a cozy seaside grotto of organic shapes and stained glass. It closed in 2014 and is being remodeled into a new eatery. Ilan-Lael salvaged some of James’ work on the structure, including one of the large stained-glass windows that were his hallmark.
Drew grew up immersed in sustainable design—his father’s work was energy-efficient and prioritized materials that can be obtained with the least impact on the environment. Hubbell & Hubbell Architects, now headed by Drew, has blazed a green building trail for more than 25 years, combining elements, often sourced onsite, that range from adobe and straw bales to natural plasters, recycled steel, and insulated concrete.
James Hubbell was known for thoughtful partnerships with artisans, carpenters, and clients. That collaborative spirit continues here. Blake and Drew visited several sites together before settling on this one, secluded on a rocky hilltop covered with native plants such as coast live oaks, manzanita, and sage. This remarkable vantage provides 360-degree views, from the ocean to Palomar Mountain.
“A friend and I sat on top of a boulder one evening and said, ‘Let’s see what the land says to us,’” Blake recalls. “The house is rounded like the land. I set out with the intention of creating an experience that embraces humanity’s oneness with nature, moments of peace, moments of reflection, moments of serenity under the oaks. Every line and every detail gives a sense of movement like one gets from the terrain, the boulders, the wind, the natural landscape.”
As did his dad, Drew encourages creative teamwork. He was a perfect fit with Blake, an energetic, hands-on client who spent many days onsite during construction. She made several suggestions that were incorporated into the design, including a roof curved like surrounding boulders, spotlights that showcase those commanding rocks, and a freestanding tiled wall that wraps around a cozy shower in the primary suite.
Wood-and-stained-glass front doors lead into a relatively modest home—three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, 2,492 square feet—that feels much larger thanks to tall ceilings; open interiors; and expansive, unobstructed views. Stunning entry doors are Hubbell & Hubbell’s signature, and many of them, including these, were crafted by Dan Thoner, a longtime Ilan-Lael artisan whose career has also included illustrations for Wrangler, Taylor Guitars, and Miller Brewing; logos for San Diego State University and Adventure 16; and graphic designs for countless clients. He met James Hubbell in 2007 and remains a vital part of the Ilan-Lael universe.
Near the entry, a house-size boulder juts into the double-height main living space as part of the front wall. Steps rise along the boulder’s edge to a loft that rests on top of it, serving as a guest bedroom, office, or place to relax with a good book and great views. The open central space below encompasses living, dining, and kitchen areas, with bedrooms along one edge. It’s capacious enough for large gatherings, yet perfectly intimate for quiet days and nights.
As an experiment in green design, the Serenity house is a harmonious marriage of beauty and sustainability. A couple years ago, Blake and Drew presented it to the San Diego Green Building Council as a case study in green design, and last year, the County Board of Supervisors proclaimed June 3 as Serenity Project Day.
It’s the opposite of nearby sites where owners cut down mature oaks and manzanita, broke up ancient boulders and hauled away the pieces, and bulldozed the landscape into flat pads. By contrast, Blake’s home-sweet-home is a living part of a landscape occupied for millenia by the Kumeyaay, who built their lives around nature. It’s exactly what James Hubbell meant by jubilant architecture.
Dirk Sutro has written about architecture and design for a variety of publications. He is the author of architectural guidebooks to San Diego and UC San Diego and contributes a monthly column called CityScape to Times of San Diego online.
Visit Tuolumne County to Find the Unmistakable Spirit of Fall and Winter
Take a refreshing trip to Tuolumne County, where your senses will get their fill and your wallet will stay full with off-peak accommodation prices
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It’s that time when all of your senses are awakened by the unmistakable feel, sights, tastes, smells, and sounds of fall and winter. Experience them all in Tuolumne County in Northern California! Discover a different side of Yosemite National Park in the quieter and less crowded destinations. Watch as history comes to life with local tales and vibrant colors in Gold Country. Temperatures are dropping, but cooler adventures are found on the trails and slopes of the High Sierra and at unique events throughout the County.
Take a refreshing trip to Tuolumne County, where your senses will get their fill and your wallet will stay full with off-peak accommodation prices.
Find Serenity in Less-Crowded Yosemite National Park and Surrounding Area
Yosemite
Yosemite has quieted down, and now’s the time for national park adventures and new explorations. Find yourself in awe as you take in the sights among the giant sequoias backdropped by colors of maples and dogwoods and maybe some glistening snow in the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. Or, hike around stunning Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.
Wander in Groveland, outside of Yosemite, and enjoy a warming pumpkin spice latte or a one-of-a-kind seasonal brew. Feel like shopping? Pop into some of the unique shops in town to find gifts and seasonal decor to bring home.
Discover an Era Past in Gold Country
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Explore Gold Country starting with the nooks of Columbia State Historic Park, and let your eyes and nose lead you into candle, candy, and provisional shops where their seasonal creations will warm your heart. Listen for clanging from the blacksmith shop or clinking of the authentic stagecoach as it enters town.
In nearby Jamestown, become immersed by the smells, sounds, and sights of Wild West railroad culture at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, and stroll down Main Street where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and inns housed in picturesque historic buildings.
In Downtown Sonora, you’ll find many shops and restaurants located in historic buildings; as you step inside, you’ll see some interiors are left to show the architecture of 150 years ago. Also, take in a show at the Gold Country’s premier theater company, Sierra Repertory Theatre.
Reach the Mountain Tops in the High Sierra
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High Sierra adventures await where brisk mountain breezes are the perfect excuse for a cozy sweater. Take a hike along the Pinecrest Lake Loop Trail, and catch unreal views of changing leaves set against rugged granite mountains. Feel the invigorating wind in your face as you ski, snowboard, or snow tube down glorious mountain sides.
Visit the nostalgic mountain town of Twain Harte and enjoy a relaxing stroll to find some fun fall fashions or handy cooking gadgets to help with upcoming holiday cooking or gift giving.
Stir Up Your Seasonal Cheer
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Seasonal cheer is found in every town throughout Tuolumne County. Events include Fall Fest at Indigeny Reserve in Sonora and Harvest Festifall in Columbia State Historic Park in October. The night-time Sonora Christmas Parade, the night after Thanksgiving, and the sights and activities of Christmas Town Sonora delight all ages. The Polar Express departs Railtown 1897 State Historic Park for the North Pole on weekends following Thanksgiving.
Plan Your Trip to Tuolumne County
Rush Creek Lodge
You’ll need a place to stay during your visit. Pick from mountain resorts, historic inns, cozy vacation cabins (perfect for gathering the family), distinctive B&Bs, and full-service RV parks.
Start planning your vacation with the help of travel inspiration and information delivered directly to your mailbox. Request your FREE Tuolumne County Travel Guide at VisitTuolumne.com today. Or, call the Visit Tuolumne County team at 209-533-4420.
