Table of contents for August 2017 in Sunset

AND JUST LIKE THAT, here we are in the height of summer. From my office, I can smell the steaks grilling on our balcony, a scent more associated with lazy weekend afternoons than a meetingpacked Wednesday morning. A hanging tent, back from a test run, is propped in one corner; a dog-eared copy of my current library loan (The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs by Tristan Gooley) serves as worthy distraction from social media. Later in the day, a trayful of frozen treats— homemade strawberry popsicles, ice cream cookie sandwiches, and Sunset’s take on Choco Tacos (page 84)—will make an appearance on our Test Kitchen counter. This is the season to double down on guilty pleasures. So much to do, so little time: Living in the West dazzles you…

T he greatest surfer of all time answers the door wearing fuzzy slippers. Kelly Slater offers a big smile and a handshake at the entrance to his midcentury cottage in San Clemente, California, as his Chihuahua mix, Action, warily sniffs my feet. I’m ready for Slater’s squared jaw and piercing blue eyes but unprepared for all the searching questions about my tea preferences as he ticks off a full menu of loose leaves, nondairy milks, and natural sweeteners.A fewminutes later, Slater shuffles back into the living room with a couple of chocolate-ginger chais with coconut nectar. We’re sipping our brews just a few miles from Trestles Beach, where Slater captured his first pro contest, back in 1990. But his surfing story begins in his hometown of Cocoa Beach, Florida. There, the…

Even in a city full of candy-colored houses, artist Windy Chien’s San Francisco Victorian stands out. In the front, it features an ombré exterior that shifts from yellow to red; in the back, it morphs from yellow to green to bright blue. The design is as attention-grabbing as it is symbolic of her general outlook: “I believe in being superomnivorous,” says Chien, whose various callings have included 14 years as the owner of an independent music shop and a near-decade stint as a product manager at Apple. These days, she’s a full-time fiber artist and wood-carving teacher, an about-face she initiated four years ago. “I don’t think I want to ever do just one thing.” Inside, her home is “a patchwork of past lives,” says Chien, who shares the top…

AFTER MUCH SPIRITED DISCUSSION, countless days on the road, and plenty of nights sleeping around the West, we’re excited to share the hotels, landmarks, gear, and travel trends that have made our year. Use this highly subjective list to help plan your next getaway— and the next and the next. There’s plenty for the picking. GIRLS’ WEEKEND REI OUTESSA MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Maybe the outdoors is already your soul space. Maybe you just suspect it could be. Either way, REI Outessa retreats are a great way to get out there. These women-only nature retreats lead you through hiking, paddleboarding, yoga, and more, teaching outdoors skills minus the mansplaining. The threeday weekend in Mt. Hood, for example, includes all gear and instruction; lodging that ranges from camping to comfy resorts; generous meals;…

National Park Lodge From the outside, the Old Faithful Inn looms as shaggy and massive as the bison that roam in Yellowstone National Park. Inside, you’ll gape at the lobby anchored by a 500-ton stone fireplace: It’s the treehouse of your dreams, or maybe Hogwarts magically transported to the Wyoming frontier. From $119; yellowstonenationalpark lodges.com. Hotel Lobby Bar No stay shimmers with Old Hollywood glamour more than The Hollywood Roosevelt. As for the Library Bar, it’s everything you want in a hideaway, where you can design your own cocktails in a noirish setting made for plotting a movie deal or an affair. thehollywoodroosevelt.com. Coastal Resort A multimillion-dollar renovation gave the Timber Cove in Jenner, California, the mod elegance it had when it first opened in 1963. The A-frame lobby and…

ISRAELI STREET CORN SERVES 4 / 35 MINUTES We reimagined Mexican street corn with Israeli flavors, seasoning the grilled ears with tangy yogurt, salty feta, herbs, citrus, and a little heat. 1⁄3 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt or labneh (yogurt cheese)* 1 tbsp. chopped cilantro, plus cilantro sprigs 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1⁄4 tsp. each fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper Generous pinch of cayenne, plus more for serving Zest of 1 lime, divided, plus 1 lime cut into wedges 1 cup finely crumbled feta cheese 2 tbsp. zaatar* seasoning blend 4 ears corn, husks and silks removed 1. Heat a grill to high (450° to 550°). In a small bowl, stir together yogurt, chopped cilantro, oil, salt, pepper, pinch of cayenne, and half of lime zest. Set…

COST OF MAKING A BOTTLE OF ALIT PINOT 20.6% Price of the fruit Includes valuable vineyard land and farming. 7.8% Labor Alit’s winegrowing and winemaking team of five. 16.1% Fermentation & aging The winery itself, plus barrels and other equipment. 10.5% Sleek packaging Bottles, corks, labels, boxes… 45% Reasonable profit Critical to maintaining a sustainable business. ALIT WHY WE LOVE IT The wines are made from great vineyards (farmed organically) and allowed to ferment naturally—but for Alit, these traditionally expensive picks don’t result in hefty price tags. HOW THEY KEEP PRICES DOWN Willamette Valley legend Mark Tarlov takes the markups tied to middlemen (retailers, distributors) out of the picture to sell wines directly to consumers at a lower price. He’s transparent about his costs (see right), sticking to a fixed…

The midcentury modern–style leilani stone-top tulip table from cost plus world market ($430; world market.com) WIN A $1,500 MAKEOVER! Whether you’re sensing a sudden nip in the air or are still reveling in the throes of Indian summer, something about fall makes us want to snuggle in and prep our nests for colder weather. (Not to mention the holidays!) Which is why we’re partnering with Cost Plus World Market (worldmarket.com) to give away a $1,500 gift card toward a homedecor revamp, in anticipation of our makeover issue this September. For more info on this Instagram contest, visit sunset.com/ worldmarketcontest (Jul 13–Aug 14).…

Take dinner outside Set the scene for a splendid outdoor party—or just a casual backyard dinner for two—with our furniture and decor tips: sunset.com/ outdoordining. Back-to-school style Get a head start on fall with our favorite lunchboxes, backpack supplies, dorm-room decor, and more to help you ease back into the routine: sunset.com/backtoschool. Last-minute escapes Don’t let summer slip away! Our guide to great getaways that don’t take much planning includes where to find lodging in peak season, even on the shores of ultra-blue Lake Tahoe: sunset.com/summertripfixes.…

California The best long rides in SoCal (Malibu especially) are well loved for a reason, but they can get mobbed. Slater recommends the famed, and less crowded, Rincon Point surf spot about 20 miles east of Santa Barbara. “They call it the Queen of the Coast,” he says. “It’s a milelong point break that’s just perfect.” After surfing, head to the Padaro Beach Grill (padarobeachgrill.com) in Carpinteria for a GMO-free veggie burger and local craft beer. British Columbia When it comes to surfing up north, Slater likes Vancouver Island’s Long Beach, a vast stretch of sand in Tofino that offers spots for every ability level. “It’s easy to get off the beaten path up there. If you get really adventurous, you can take a boat ride to get to more…

PERFECT DAY The boardwalk may be the marquee attraction in Santa Cruz , especially since its recent $14 million revamp. But the truth is the city’s mix of surf and nostalgia extends beyond the saltwater taffy and Skee-Ball . About 2 miles inland, new businesses are popping up in largely untapped neighborhoods such as Midtown . Like the boardwalk, the strip in and around Soquel Avenue keeps things retromodern, with spots to have a drink, catch a show, or find a locally carved skateboard and call it a souvenir. Take the kids, or not—after all, adults deserve a day of oldfashioned fun too. GETTING HERE Santa Cruz is 33 miles southwest of San Jose. Midtown is off State 1, along Soquel Ave. 9 A.M. Start your day with a fresh…

GLAMPSITE Yellowstone National Park’s sleeping arrangements in Montana sure have gotten swankier. At Collective Yellowstone’s new luxe camp in Big Sky’s Moonlight Basin, tents come with kingsize beds and cozy woodstoves. Wake up to French press coffee and pastries delivered to your deck. From $500; collective retreats.com. BASE CAMP The peak-ringed town of Estes Park, Colorado, on the eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park, is ringing in its 100th anniversary. It’s an excellent excuse to pitch a tent in quiet Aspenglen, a 54- site campground, then hit up one of the birthday concerts in town. From $26 ; nps.gov/romo . CALL OF WINE Bunk in a vintage trailer and wake up amid the grapevines on the organic Alta Colina Vineyard in Paso Robles, California. The Trailer Pond campground also…

WINE PAIRING Wente 2015 Eric’s Small Lot Unoaked Chardonnay (Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay; $30) MONDAY NIGHT GRILLED VEGETABLE PLATTER SERVES 4 / 45 MINUTES This dish is an easy way to jump-start the week—and cook outside on a summer night. Prep everything the night before to make it come together even more quickly, and serve with warm, crusty bread. This also makes a great communal first course for a party. 12 oz. assorted whole or halved mini pattypan squash, or larger squash cut into quarters 12 oz. baby zucchini, halved lengthwise, or larger zucchini halved lengthwise, then cut into 4-in. pieces 1 each orange and yellow bell peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded 1 pint cherry tomatoes 5 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided 2 tbsp. each chopped thyme and oregano, divided,…

Succulents Inspiring, practical, and richly photographed, this comprehensive new book from Sunset offers creative ideas and DIY projects using beautiful low-maintenance, water-wise plants! Now available wherever books are sold or at amazon.com The Container Store’s Customer Favorites Sale Their best-selling products that customers love! On sale through August 6th. containerstore.com Cannery Row Cannery Row is the Central Coast's premier visitor destination. Home to Monterey's best ocean view hotels, restaurants, boutiques, galleries, spas, wine tasting, exciting nightlife, and recreation, the coastline of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is the backdrop for every Cannery Row experience. Plan your next oceanfront vacation at canneryrow.com Pure Country: Pure Heart Look for the digital movie. Ada and Piper never got to know their father. The girls go on a quest to discover who he…

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING THIS MONTH BEST VIEW As a refugee from Vietnam growing up in the States, “camping was a weird idea for my family,” photographer Binh Danh recalls. Still, he was drawn to images of national parks, even though he’d never seen them in person. He felt a similar fascination in college at Stanford when he encountered his first daguerreotype: “I fell in love with the aesthetics of the process and the fact that each work is one of a kind.” Now a professor at Arizona State University, Danh creates silver daguerrotypes of iconic landscapes, including Civil War battlefields and Yosemite’s El Capitan. The effect is both innovative and timeless, turning a 19thcentury photographic tradition—and historic American settings— into a meditation on the past with a contemporary immigrant’s perspective.…

An East Coast native, Sari Lehrer had a clear idea of what a backyard should be: “a flat expanse of lawn.” But when she and her husband, Eli, moved from Manhattan to Los Angeles, their new home challenged that notion. Instead of soft green grass, the yard featured steep slopes and concrete drop-offs—all the more unsettling because the couple had a 20-month-old daughter and another baby on the way. “You haven’t known fear until you’ve watched a toddler try to navigate concrete steps without a handrail,” Sari remembers. Over time, though, Sari let a different vision for her yard take shape, one that was inspired by the book Last Child in the Woods and its notion that unstructured outdoor play is good for kids’ development. With the help of landscape…

PLANT Sow seeds for beets, carrots, lettuce, and peas in outdoor beds. Choose crape myrtles while they’re in bloom. These small trees are drought- and heattolerant, with vibrant flowers. The varieties in the ‘Delta’ series from the Sunset Western Garden Collection grow 8 to 12 feet tall, and their foliage turns yellow, orange, or red in fall. To attract beneficial insects, put in blue-purple Aster x frikartii ‘Mönch’ and white-blooming ‘Calistoga’ yarrow, developed from California’s native yarrow. MAINTAIN Divide bearded irises every three to four years. Lift the rhizomes out of the ground and, with a sharp knife, cut out old and leafless parts from the centers. Save large pieces with healthy leaves, replanting them with plenty of organic matter. Continue pinching out basil flowers; shear oregano flowers to encourage…

HAPPY HOOFING Think of the San Francisco–based AllBirds as the unicorn of shoes. Made with natural resources like merino wool, they’re light but durable , breathable , odor-resistant , and moisture-wicking — which you’ll be especially grateful for after a day of sightseeing. $95 ; allbirds.com LANDING PAD The concourse at Long Beach Airport in Southern California looks more like a seaside resort than a commercial terminal, thanks to an $89 million facelift. Breezy security lines and nonstop flights to domestic destinations like Sacramento and Fort Lauderdale are nice perks, but the live music and food trucks may make you miss your flight. lgb.org . CITY CYCLE Ranked as one of the top mountain-biking towns in the country, Santa Fe boasts 230 trails —and growing— covering more than 145 miles.…

ORANGE VANILLA PUSH-UP POPS MAKES 8 (4 OZ.) POPS / ABOUT 2 HOURS There’s something immensely pleasing about the way a pushup pop emerges, bit by bit, from its container to be devoured. This version evokes the beloved Creamsicle. You’ll need 8 pushup pop molds (wilton.com). 2 cups Very Vanilla Ice Cream (recipe on page 91) or storebought vanilla ice cream*, slightly softened 21⁄2 cups Orange Sorbet, homemade (recipe on page 91) or store-bought 1.Working with one mold at a time, spoon in a few tbsp. ice cream. With bottom of a fathandled wooden spoon, pestle, or cocktail muddler, gently tamp ice cream even. Topwith a few spoonfuls of sorbet; tamp even. 2. Repeat layers, alternating ice cream and sorbet, until mold is filled. Top with lid and freeze. Repeat…

OUTDOOR STYLE Feelin’ the heat Yes, a wood-fired oven is an investment, but it pays off in decades of amazing outdoor parties. Our pick: the Forno Piombo, newly installed at our Cornerstone campus (cornerstonesonoma.com) . Handcrafted in American Canyon, California, the domes are made of fire bricks rather than cast concrete as some ovens are, so they hold heat longer and won’t crack. Ovens come with a lifetime guarantee. From $5,600; shown here, 42-in. copper tile with copper base, $8,400; fornopiombo.com. Roasted Mussels with Persillade SERVES 2 AS A MAIN DISH OR 4 AS A FIRST COURSE 25 MINUTES Christen your wood-fired oven with this recipe from Bobby Masullo of Masullo restaurant in Sacramento: mussels bathed in a French parsley-and-garlic sauce called persillade. A covered grill will work as well.…

AND OTHER GOOD STUFF FREE INFORMATION There are two easy ways to request information: VISIT sunsetgetaways.com MAIL the attached post-paid card TRAVEL ALASKA 101 Explore Fairbanks CALIFORNIA 102 Alpine County/California Alps 103 Black Oak Casino Resort 104 California Trail Heritage Alliance 105 Cannery Row Marketing 106 Fairfield—Gateway to the Napa Valley 107 Humboldt Redwood Coast 108 Hundred Acre Wine— Layer Cake Wines 109 Jelly Belly Visitors Center and Tours 110 Pacific Wine & Food Classic 111 Stockton Visitors Bureau 112 Trees of Mystery 113 Visit California CANADA 114 Marine Link Tours INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL 115 Far & Away Adventures NEW MEXICO 116 Silver City 117 OREGON 118 Cannon Beach History Center & Museum 119 Morrison’s Rogue Wilderness Adventures 120 Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center 121 Sea Lion Caves…

AUGUST 4-6, 2 0 1 7 BRUCE LIPTON The New Biology AUGUST 6-11, 2 0 1 7 ALBERT FLYNN DESILVER Writing as a Path to Awakening AUGUST 11-13, 2 0 1 7 ROB BELL Your Atomic Self AUGUST 11-13, 2 0 1 7 JENNIPHER WALTERS & KRISTEN SEYMOUR Fit Bottomed Girls’ Retreat AUGUST 13-18, 2 0 1 7 JEAN SHINODA BOLEN Your One Wild and Precious Life SEPTEMBER 1-3, 2 0 1 7 JASON CRANDELL Optimize Your Vinyasa Practice SEPTEMBER 8-10, 2 0 1 7 CLAUDE STEIN The Natural Singer SEPTEMBER 8-10, 2 0 1 7 BARBARA DE ANGELIS The Choice for Love SEPTEMBER 15-17, 2 0 1 7 RICHARD DAVIDSON & MYOSHIN KELLEY Calming the Mind and Opening the Heart…