Savor summer’s splendor by experiencing Orange County’s latest offerings.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF MONTAGE INTERNATIONAL
THRILL-SEEKERS Outdoor excursions await at Montage Laguna Beach thanks to the property’s new partnership with Adventure IO. Glide across the water on an electric hydrofoil board under the guidance of professional instructor Chuck Glynn; learn to surf and skimboard from Blair Conklin, one of the world’s top wave riders; or let Lululemon ambassador and SoulCycle instructor Remi Sullivan help you navigate Laguna Beach’s best hiking trails with professional camera gear in tow to capture all the fun. Further, hit the high seas and head to Santa Catalina Island aboard the Shambhala, a 100-foot luxury yacht equipped with a private chef, water sport equipment and more for up to 12 guests. Feeling nauti, indeed. montagehotels.com/lagunabeach
BY RON DE ANGELIS
UNDER THE SEA Chef-owners Florent and Amelia Marneau continue to wow guests at Crystal Cove’s Marché Moderne with the debut of their new Le Grand Plateau de Crustacé, three tiers of decadent seafood cuisine available on Fridays and Saturdays only for a cool $335 (or $399 if you opt to add caviar). The decadent experience includes Beausoleil and Shigoku oysters, grilled Monterey Bay calamari, steamed Salt Spring mussels, Maine lobster, a selection of sashimi, Santa Barbara sea urchin, plus housemade and lightly smoked tarama with toast—just like the Parisians would have it—and much more. Go ahead, dive in. marchemoderne.net
COURTESY OF VEGANIC NAIL SPA
NAILED IT Elevate your mani-pedi experience sans harsh chemicals at Costa Mesa’s Veganic Nail Spa. The new beauty destination teams technology with herbal, vegan and organic treatments to keep your tips and toes in top shape by customizing an organic herbal soak, mask and scrub for each of its guests. Sip warm herbal tea, wine or Champagne as you indulge in one of nine unique formulations—from the Total Detox, which aims to release toxic energies, to True Relaxation, which relaxes the mind, to the Night Out, which eases anxiety and stress. Let the pampering begin! veganicnailspa.com
PunkMeTender, “190” (2021, acrylic on stretched canvas, aluminum butterfly and diamond dust), 36 inches by 36 inches PHOTO COURTESY OF: JOANNE ARTMAN GALLERY
TAKE FLIGHT The works of artist PunkMeTender are now available for purchase at Laguna Beach’s JoAnne Artman Gallery. A protégé of street artist Mr. Brainwash, the elusive creative collaborated with his mentor for over a decade, covering billboards and walls throughout Los Angeles with vibrant depictions. Now, the artist—whose name is a mashup of electronic music duo Daft Punk and Elvis Presley’s hit “Love Me Tender”—has since spread his wings to the world of fine art, focusing on three-dimensional canvases and murals of bold butterflies. How’s that for a transformation? joanneartmangallery.com
BEYOND EXHIBITIONS
READY, SET, GOGH It’s ironic that the legacy left behind by Vincent Van Gogh, a man so violently tortured by his demons that he took his own life, would bring such joy to others. In letters to his brother Theo, the post-impressionist artist revealed that he expressed his sadness through his paintings and found solace in the brushstrokes that would eventually give us masterpieces such as “The Starry Night,” “Sunflowers” and “Cafe Terrace at Night.” Beyond Van Gogh: An Immersive Experience, now on display at Anaheim Convention Center through Sept. 5, brings those paintings and about 300 others to life with a narrative that touches on Van Gogh’s words, thoughts and dreams. Conceived by Montreal’s Normal Studio, Beyond allows visitors to enter a Van Gogh universe and move through it as the master’s works swirl and dance on walls and floors before refocusing into the flowers, settings, portraits and landscapes we know so well. beyondvangoghoc.com
Two new iterations of TAG Heuer’s Aquaracer Professional 300 PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
ON WATCH Located on level two in the Carousel Court, Swiss luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer has opened its first California boutique at South Coast Plaza. Aiming to reflect its locale, the new space boasts a beach-chic aesthetic complete with surfboards and beadboards in soft blue and the brand’s signature racing red, plus portraits of global brand ambassador and world-famous surfer Kai Lenny. “We’re continuing to build on our strong momentum in the U.S. market and are thrilled to announce the expansion of our retail footprint,” shares Benjamin Beaufils, president of TAG Heuer North America. “We are excited to deliver a rich and memorable brand experience while welcoming both new and loyal customers.” tagheuer.com; southcoastplaza.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
UP IN SMOKE Indulge your burning desires at Santa Ana’s new Planet 13, which now stands as the largest dispensary in California. Modeled after its Las Vegas counterpart—the world’s largest dispensary—the superstore seeks to provide an interactive experience for its shoppers. A colossal digital wave greets patrons as they walk across a sandy shoreline toward an 80-foot digital waterfall in the store’s grand entrance. From there, dozens of vibrant umbrellas dot the ceiling as dry ice swirls around them and a massive octopus sculpture. Snap a photo in a classic Volkswagen van before browsing Planet 13’s award-winning recreational cannabis, extracts and infused products. planet13dispensaries.com
“The Formal Dining Room” installation at Sherman Library & Gardens’ greenHOUSE exhibit PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
GREEN WITH ENVY Explore the lush foliage at Corona del Mar’s Sherman Library & Gardens during its greenHOUSE exhibit, now on display through Sept. 10. Make a date night out of the event on Thursdays and Fridays when the gardens remain open until 7PM. “Evenings in the gardens are my favorite, but a visit during the day is equally enchanting,” says Executive Director Scott LaFleur. “With our new Cultivar restaurant, there is plenty to experience.” Enjoy a meal from new executive chef Jessica Roy, then take in vignettes featuring a sod-covered sofa, a wingback succulent armchair, a moss-covered piano and a porcelain basin nestled among fresh blooms. thesherman.org
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