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EBB & FLOW
KEEPING CURRENT ON THE COAST
A private plane will whisk travelers from Newport to Colorado .
SEA TO SKI
Jet-setters will rejoice with Vea Newport Beach ’ s new winter escape package , the Sea to Ski experience , which offers guests a stay in Vea ’ s signature four-room Cosmopolitan Suite overlooking the Pacific Ocean followed by a stay at luxury ski-in , ski-out property The Ritz-Carlton , Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek , Colorado . Private transfers between the hotels are provided by Triumph Jets . This ultimate travel package also includes a personalized , private shopping experience at Fashion Island , which is just across the street from Vea , so that guests are well-equipped to enjoy both destinations . The shopping trip comes with a $ 1,000 credit , use of a private lounge and styling expertise from a fashion concierge . Also at Vea , guests receive Champagne upon arrival plus winter-inspired spa treatments at Spa Vea . Then , in Colorado , guests receive a welcome cocktail , accommodations in the 1,800-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Suite , which features a stone fireplace , butler ’ s pantry and a balcony with panoramic views of Beaver Creek Mountain , as well as two seasonallyinspired treatments at The Ritz-Carlton Spa , Bachelor Gulch . Both properties also provide a $ 250 daily food and beverage credit to use at their on-site restaurants and bars . Package pricing begins at $ 50,000 ; a minimum two-night stay at each hotel is required . ( Vea Newport Beach : 657-340-0257 ; marriott . com ) — Sharon Stello
COASTAL COTTAGES
After years of planning and fundraising , the first batch of restored North Beach cottages at Crystal Cove State Park were released for overnight rentals in November . These eight cottages are being offered during reservation windows every few weeks : The next opportunity to book them online at reservecalifornia . com will start Dec . 22 at about 8 a . m . with four weeks of rental dates available . Bookings will likely go quickly for this popular coastal lodging option . The completed cottages — which received finishing touches , including furniture and decor , by the end of October — were made available for rent after Crystal Cove Conservancy received the final tranche of funding to finish the North Beach cottage restoration project . This was possible due to an investment by Bank of America and the federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program ; this uses tax credits to encourage private sector investment in restoration efforts . With funding in hand , work continues on the final nine cottages , which are expected to be completed by early 2026 . To preserve these historic treasures , the cottages are being meticulously rebuilt brick by brick . The conservancy worked with state park historians to scour the archives and met with those who originally lived in the cottages to preserve each structure ’ s original quirks . Conservancy founder Laura Davick led the fundraising campaign , which involved community and corporate donations as well as assistance from political leaders . For example , state Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie- Norris helped the conservancy secure more than $ 30 million in state funding . By renting out the cottages , the organization raises funds for its science , engineering , technology and
One of the restored North Beach cottages at Crystal Cove State Park .
mathematics education programs as well as conservation efforts . The phased reservation system will continue until about March 1 , then will resume a regular schedule , with cottages typically opening for booking at 8 a . m . daily on a six-month rolling window . ( 949-376-6200 ; crystalcove . org ) — S . S .
TOP : COURTESY OF TRIUMPH JETS ; BOTTOM : COURTESY OF CRYSTAL COVE CONSERVANCY
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