by Dennis Richardson
As the holiday season approaches, it’s a little late to begin planning for the best family getaways in Southern California. However, it’s far from too late!
Of all the reasons to make that seasonal trip happen — whether it’s for the great weather, the local attractions, or the incredible cuisine that SoCal is known for, none of them top the unforgettable memories that so many have made in the region year-round. This holiday, there are two properties offering a whirlwind of immersion and adventure to get the entire family in the festive mood. Those properties, Park Hyatt Aviara and Grand Hyatt Indian Wells, are only a skip and hop away for many, but worth even a cross-country journey for others.
Very Merry Villas at Grand Hyatt Indian Wells
A couple hours south of Los Angeles, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells is a culmination of the best luxuries in life meeting the desert. After a $64 million renovation and upgrade last year, the property underwent a transformation that elevates every aspect of the guest experience. From two exquisite signature restaurants and a serene spa, to its spacious private villas and exciting waterpark-esque experience, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells will undoubtedly be one of the most desired holiday destinations of the year.
This holiday season, guests can celebrate the season in sun-drenched style with Grand Hyatt Indian Wells’ exclusive Very Merry Villa experience —where holiday magic meets desert luxury. Transform your private villa into a cozy Christmas retreat with:
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A beautifully appointed Christmas tree, complete with ornaments, twinkle lights, and a tree skirt for festive decoration
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One stocking per registered guest, ready to be filled with cheer
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Fresh-baked Christmas cookies with a letter from Santa
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A take-home stuffed animal for each child, making memories that last beyond the holidays
To sweeten the season, the resort will also be offering a limited time Stay and Sleigh holiday offer, providing a $100 daily resort credit to indulge in spa treatments, gourmet dining, or poolside cocktails.
Stocking Full of Christmas at Park Hyatt Aviara
Heading farther south, Park Hyatt Aviara graces the Carlsbad area and plans for a Christmas extravaganza!
Set in the heart of Park Hyatt Aviara, the award-winning coastal resort in Carlsbad, Stocking Full of Christmas invites locals and guests on
incredible indoor festive journey brought to life by acclaimed designer Alberto Fonseca. Accompanied by a Journey Elf, local SoCal residents and hotel guests will journey through five magical holiday worlds to stuff their stockings with themed gifts like candy, ice wands, and toys:
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Frozenland – Wander through a sparkling winter wonderland, complete with glistening snow, frosted décor and meet the Ice Queen.
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Mrs. Claus’ Confectionary – Step into Mrs. Claus’ cozy kitchen and decorate signature holiday cookies to enjoy and take home.
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Red + Gold Party – Enter a festive celebration adorned with twinkling lights, holiday décor and photo-worthy backdrops to capture the holiday cheer.
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Elves’ Toy Shop – Visit a whimsical emporium where little ones can bring their creativity to life by making their very own toy.
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Santa’s Room + Sleigh – Finish the experience with a visit to see Santa, complete with his sleigh.
Following the holiday experience, eventgoers can enjoy cocoa, food vendors, music and the glow of a SoCal Christmas night at Park Hyatt Aviara’s grand lawn. And for those seeking an extra-special celebration, the VIP package (up to 10 guests) allows for personalized stockings, access to a private lounge, and exclusive holiday surprises along the way.
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Dates: Stocking Full of Christmas runs from December 10, 2025, through the holiday season.
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Ticketing: $50 per person per time slot.
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Time slots: 5:00pm, 5:10pm, 5:20pm, 5:30pm, 6:00pm, 6:10pm, 6:20pm, and more. To see actual availability, please visit the official Stocking Full of Christmas website
here.
by Dennis Richardson
Just in time for Fall, Cesare Ristorante’s new incoming concept is launching: Cesare’s Pinsa Bar! Nestled in the heart of Beverly Grove, Cesare Ristorante has formally announced itself as a sophisticated yet welcoming dining destination, redefining the Italian fine dining experience in Los Angeles.
Founded by celebrated chef and restaurateur Cesare Vietina, along with his wife Pamela, Cesare Ristorante channels the couple’s deep love of Italian culture, hospitality, and cuisine. Born in Forte dei Marmi, Italy, Cesare’s culinary journey began early, working alongside his family in their coastal Michelin-starred restaurant. Having spent years influencing Los Angeles’ dining landscape, from opening Giorgio Baldi during college to co-owning the legendary Madeo for nearly three decades, Cesare now brings his unique vision to life in this charming space. And the next big step for the couple is set to begin on Monday, October 27th with Cesare’s Pinsa Bar.
“A Taste of Italy, Reimagined for LA”
The menu is dedicated to their signature super-light pinsa dough, which has a crispy exterior and cloud-like interior, made of 80% water, known as the “pizza for models” in Milan. After months of perfecting the recipe, owner and head chef Cesare Vietina has created the Pinsa Panini—the first of its kind in LA!
Guests can choose from 6 Pinsas and 8 Pinsa Paninis, some Italian (Cacio e Pepe, Salame & Fig) and some American (Ciccia Burger, Mio Philly), all with housemade sauces and premium meats and cheeses imported straight from Italy.
Chef Cesare Vietina is excited for the launch, expressing, “I couldn’t be more joyous to present the taste of Italy, reimagined for LA. There’s so much creativity behind our new Pinsa Panini — it reminds me of growing up in Forte dei Marmi, grabbing a great panino with friends after school or after a night of dancing. Now, as a father of two Italian-American boys, I find inspiration in blending our Italian traditions with beloved American classics. We even created our own twist on the Philly Cheesesteak!”
Italian and American favorites combining for the ultimate seasonal comfort food? It can’t get any better.
At “Cesare’s”, guests experience the taste of Italy and the feel of home, as they swirl traditional pastas and sip hand-selected wines over conversation. After a warm welcome at the door by the owners, guests can choose to sit in the intimate, dimly-lit dining room, on the open-air patio, or at the bar. Whether a romantic date night, a lively dinner with friends, or a quiet meal at the bar, the dedicated team at Cesare’s, a majority of whom have been with the Vietina family for years, will make the experience
special.
Since its quiet opening in July, Cesare Ristorante has already garnered a loyal following of diners, both regulars and new faces drawn by word of mouth. But this is not just another restaurant tied to Cesare’s celebrated history at star studded establishments — it is a true testament to his years of mastery, creativity, and passion for bringing the essence of Italy to every table. With impeccable attention to detail, an inviting atmosphere, and cuisine crafted with love, Cesare Ristorante is set to be one of LA’s best Italian restaurants.
Cesare’s Pinsa Bar is now open for a laid back cafe-style lunch service Monday-Friday, 11am-3pm, along with takeout and DoorDash. Fine-dining dinner service at Cesare Ristorante remains Monday-Saturday, 5:30-10:00pm. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made on OpenTable or by calling 310-273-3605.
Cesare Ristorante is located at 8636 W 3rd Ave, Los Angeles, and open for dinner Monday-Thursday from 5:30 PM-9:30 PM, and Friday & Saturday from 5:30 PM-10 PM, with the bar open late.
For more information, visit cesareristorante.com.
by Lucy Crivelli Frey
Every year during Hispanic Heritage Month, I reflect on the women who inspire me, the ones who carry our culture, our values, and our determination into spaces where representation is still too rare. This year, I am honored to highlight Lorena of S&P Landscape, whose story embodies what it means to build with corazón.
S&P Landscape is more than a business. It is a family legacy that began with Pablo, Lorena’s father-in-law. Years ago, Pablo planted the seeds of this company with his own hands, fueled by sacrifice and hard work. Like so many immigrant fathers, his dream was never about himself alone, it was about creating something his children and grandchildren could inherit, nurture, and grow into something greater even after he’s been gone.
Today, that dream lives on. Lorena and her husband, Sal, have taken Pablo’s vision and are carrying it into the next generation. While the work in the field continues, Lorena has stepped up to lead the branding, marketing, partnerships, and community-facing side of the business. She is pushing the family name forward, making sure that the sacrifices Pablo made become the fruits his family can finally enjoy.
Ese sacrificio no fue en vano.
What makes Lorena’s story even more powerful is the way she wears all her hats with pride; mother, wife, daughter, entrepreneur, and community leader in Inglewood. She pours into her family with the same commitment she pours into her business and her community. Her ability to balance those roles with grace and determination is a testament to her strength and vision as a Latina leader.
Her spirit of building community extends beyond landscaping. Through Urbano Wood, she created a way to connect with others during the pandemic through plants and plant care. Out of her backyard grew a movement. Neighbors, friends, and strangers finding peace, inspiration, and connection through greenery. What began as a small seed has now blossomed into pop-ups, events, and collaborations, with even more to come from S&P x Urbano Wood.
In our culture, the land has always been sacred. It feeds us, grounds us, and gathers us. Lorena carries that tradition forward, transforming yards and gardens into places where families can thrive and memories can take root. But what she’s truly planting is legacy; one that her children, and their children, will continue to grow.
This month, I want to honor Lorena not only for her work, but for her heart. Supporting her business means more than investing in landscaping, it means investing in a family, in a community, and in a future. When you support S&P Landscape, you’re also supporting her children, the next generation of S&P, and ensuring that Pablo’s dream continues to bear fruit.
To Lorena, thank you for reminding us that growth starts from within, and when we lead with culture and tradition we can transform not only the spaces around us, but the future for our community. Gracias.
by Lucy Crivelli Frey
Some people dream of the spotlight, while others carry it with them. Carolla Parmejano has been doing the latter for more than twenty years, not just on stage and on screen, but in the way she lives, the communities she uplifts, and the message she stands behind. Carolla has always chased purpose, not glamor. As a young girl, she dreamed of becoming a superhero. That dream never left. While her path led her to acting, to award-winning roles and international recognition, she never stopped asking herself the hard questions: Why do I want the microphone? What message do I want to leave behind when I have people’s attention?
Her answers came through lived experience, red carpets, long hours training in archery and wire work, late nights navigating industry expectations, and also through the simple act of thrift. When she could not afford a new designer dress for every premiere, she turned to secondhand shops. What began as survival became her statement. Repeating outfits, reworking vintage pieces, and co-founding Love for Upcycling, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainability, turned necessity into a movement. Carolla had found her way of saving the world, one dress, one message, one community at a time.
To describe Carolla as just an actress would be to miss the full picture. She is also an activist, an entrepreneur, a producer, a director, and above all, a bridge-builder. Her work with We the Latin , another non-profit she also co-founded, reflects that perfectly. A platform created to affirm Brazilian identity within the larger Latin community, offering a home for voices that too often have been left on the margins. She doesn’t shy away from how difficult it has been to balance these identities. Instead, she treats each with precision. “When I’m networking as an actress, that’s who I am. When I’m representing Love for Upcycling, I speak from that place. When it’s We the Latin, I open doors and listen to people’s stories.”
It’s this ability to compartmentalize with clarity, while still weaving everything into the larger fabric of her purpose, that makes her journey so rare.
Even in her latest project as an actress, the Lifetime/Amazon feature film, “Secrets of an Influencer,” Carolla leans into storytelling as a vehicle for impact. Playing Jacqueline, a complicated character making bold and dangerous choices for her family, she found herself tapping into darker emotions. At the core, she saw the work as a way to sound an alarm for parents navigating the digital age. “Even though I’m representing an evil character, I am giving a message,” she explained. That is the throughline of her career: to perform, yes, but always to serve.
When asked about legacy, Carolla doesn’t speak about accolades or awards. Instead, she points to alignment: doing what wakes you up in the morning, what resonates with your soul, even if it takes years to discover. “Don’t rush,” she advises anyone looking for their purpose or starting their career.
“You’re not going to find your why in a book or in a video. You’ll find it in your own time, in your own moment. And when it comes, that’s when you’ll know what you came here to do.”
Carolla’s story is not about being just one thing, it’s about being everything she loves, without apology. Actress, activist, entrepreneur, community-builder, Latina. All of these things together are what make Carolla Parmejano, and it’s that wholeness truly inspired me. And if the universe is listening, don’t be surprised if the next chapter has her in a cape, finally landing that superhero role she dreamed about as a little girl. After all, she’s been playing one in real life all along.
Follow Carolla’s journey: @carollaparmejanoofficial
by June Miller Richards
All Aboard for a Spooktacular Halloween Boat Ride at JW Marriott Desert Springs
This Halloween season, the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert is putting a spooky twist on its popular electric boat rides. The resort’s sleek vessels will be transformed into floating haunted scenes, complete with eerie lighting, cobweb-covered corners, haunting melodies and a costumed crew ready to set the mood.
Passengers will embark on a 25-minute “spirit voyage” through the scenic waterways of the hotel, enjoying a selection of sweet and savory treats along the way. Little ghosts and goblins under 12 years old who arrive in costume will receive a complimentary spooky drink to keep their Halloween spirits high.
Pricing starts at $140 per boat, which accommodates up to eight passengers. Rides are available on October 17, 18, 24, 25, and 31, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and are open to both hotel guests and local visitors alike.
Reservations are recommended and can be made through the hotel’s activity website
Spooktacular Boat Rides are BACK!
Hop aboard JW Marriott Desert Springs’ haunted boats for a Halloween cruise like no other. Enjoy eerie lights, haunting tunes, sweet & savory treats, and a costumed crew as you glide through the resort’s waterways.
Kids in costume (under 12) get a free spooky sip!
$140 per boat | Up to 8 passengers
Oct 17, 18, 24, 25 & 31 | 6–10 PM
Reserve your ride
https://jwdesertsprings.247activities.com/services/BoatTour/ (more…)
