Los Angeles - October 26, 2009

You Must Be Tripping

Road Trip to Relaxationville

You’ve been running on empty. Time to refuel and hit the road.

A Side of Ranch
Passing through the grapevines of the Temecula Valley should put you in the mood to wine and dine at luxe Borrego Ranch Resort & Spa. Wake up to the Mr. Clean smoothie at Morado Cafe, nosh the ceviche of the day at La Cantina and Fox Bar, then settle in for the five-course tasting menu at Cimarrón. Lazy? Order room service to your casita and breeze through Richard Rushfield’s Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost. Adventurous? See you on The Catwalk.

PS, I Love You
Put a little Palm Springs in your step. Check into the Riviera Resort & Spa and contemplate its $70 million renovations during your Javanese Royal treatment at SpaTerre. Or stay home, just not at yours: 2460 Playa is a modern private residence for hire. Though if you dream in denim, the new Levi’s Suite 501 at Ace Hotel will have your name on it come November (look out for a special pair on the bed).

Just Joshing
Keep the pedal to the metal and blow straight into Joshua Tree. First stop? Tea Cakes Bakery for a sticky bun with walnuts. Then make your way to vintage store/espresso bar/wine shop Ricochet. Give it a rest at Sacred Sands, the cushiest game in town. Points for outdoor tubs and napping areas — just don’t forget the sunscreen.

The Suite Life
Play Sleeping Beauty and lock yourself up in the Tower suites at the Hard Rock Hotel. Number one of two is now open, with the second luxury high-rise booking for December and the massive Reliquary spa not far behind. Get wild in a whole new way at Springs Preserve in the heart of the city or try to piece together (or forget) the night before on a hike through Red Rock Canyon.