McCall’s Motorworks Revival Celebrates its 26th-year

McCall begins their preparations for the most marvelous Motorworks Revival in its 26-year history, which is set to take place at the Monterey Jet Center during the world renowned Monterey Car Week.  The grand gala invites a total of 3,000 fellow auto-moto-aero enthusiasts, while this year’s event spares no expense in offering the finest culinary and wine presentations of the evening.

McCall has combined aviation and automotive experiences together for yet another experimental celebration of the century alongside an array of delicious food and wine.  Local chefs Jerome Viel, from Jerome’s Carmel Valley Market, and Tim Wood, from the Valley Kitchen at Carmel Valley Ranch, will both join in the event and present guests bespoke composed plates paired with four highly exclusive, limited-production, “member only” boutique wines from Carmel Valley & Napa Valley, including award winning offerings from Bernardus Winery served by owner Ben Pon.  In addition, California Caviar is the opening entrée for the evening along with other epicurean morsels in the main Center Stage Pavilion.  Affina Food & Wine from Carmel will also be at the event to compliment the evening as the festivities come to a close and guests begin to take their leave.

“With so many events now on the Monterey Peninsula, our Wednesday night party seems to push all the buttons for several of our motorsports legend guests,” McCall says. “They get to see all of their friends here and can relax and enjoy the scenery without the crowds.” McCall’s VIP Red Carpet guests will once again enjoy an early arrival with valet parking and very little traffic. “We started this special ticket three years ago and the interest has grown substantially,” McCall reports. “We’re pleased to entertain people for an extra hour and give them the opportunity to take in more of the sights. It’s become a coveted party within the party. This year’s Red Carpet Club will be in the mezzanine of the main hangar, which will have its own bar and give the Red Carpet guests the bird’s-eye view over the hangar and tarmac display. The Red Carpet tickets have sold out since we started the special ticket, and are sure to sell out again this year.”

Some of the best aviation and automotive companies in the world will be represented at McCall’s 26th annual anniversary, allowing guests who happen to be dedicated auto-moto-aero aficionados an unforgettable evening.  The diverse group of prominent names from the aero industry such as Gulfstream, Textron Aviation, Bombardier, Pilatus, and Cirrus as well as the big names from the auto industry like Toyota, Rimac, Genesis, and more, will all be featured at McCall’s Motorworks Revival celebration.

Luxury Swiss watch manufacturer Baume & Mercier has prepared a special timepiece to be a prize in a raffle, which will also include several other high-end luxury item prizes as well as a hand crafted Amalgam 1:18 scale Ferrari model.  Baume & Mercier returns to support the California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation with a special watch donated for the evening’s charity raffle, while various corporate sponsors such as Barrett Jackson, Hagerty Insurance, The Thermal Club, HRE Performance, Weathertech, and Quail Rally engage in entertaining their VIP guests throughout the thrilling evening.

Amongst the numerous cutting-edge aero and auto displays are a line-up of privately owned vintage aircrafts as well as sports & race cars presented by McCall’s international group of friends.  This world-class event has upheld the same tradition of hosting the biggest names in the motorsports industry through the years, which even has several of McCall’s friends traveling from all around the globe for just this one-night celebration that is frequently known for being one of the most exclusive and sensational soirees of the year.

Save the Date for the 26th Anniversary of McCall’s Motorworks Revival: Wednesday, August 16, 2017

VIP tickets are available from $395 and Red Carpet Tickets from $550, for more information please visit:  McCallEvents.com/2017-tickets

Follow McCall Events on Instagram: @McCallEventsIncFollow

Rolls Royce’s New Phantom VIII: The Best car in the world

Every new Rolls-Royce Phantom series has upheld the same title as ‘The Best Car in the World’ ever since the day Co-Founder Sir Henry Royce first introduced the Rolls-Royce Phantom in 1925.  From then on, Rolls-Royce has never once left anyone thinking this title was undeserving as each Phantom model is an embodiment of pure perfection, visionary engineering, inventive ingenuity, and goes through a profound realization of what the world’s leading luxury should be.  And today yet another new Phantom – the eighth generation of this great nameplate – makes its debut with the title of ‘The Best Car in the World’ as it represents the next chapter for the timeless and iconic Rolls-Royce Phantom series.

“The global introduction of a new Rolls-Royce is always a very special moment within the BMW Group”, said Chairman of Rolls-Royce and Member of the Board of the BMW Group Peter Schwarzenbauer. “This particular occasion is all the more special because we are introducing an all-new Phantom, the flagship of the Rolls-Royce brand and the world’s foremost luxury product. New Phantom is a powerful statement of design, engineering and Bespoke expertise and I am delighted with the response we have received from our many highly discerning customers worldwide. The BMW Group remains fully committed to the future of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and is proud of the many achievements made by the brand since its acquisition.”

The new Rolls-Royce Phantom is equipped with the power of a V12 engine.  Although, unlike other Rolls-Royces, this new model (in addition to harboring a completely silent engine) features a cutting-edge 6.75-litre V12 powertrain that has been engineered for New Phantom in place of the former V12 engine.  The new V12 Phantom engine utilizes two turbochargers that provides a low-end torque output of 900Nm at a reduced 1,700rpm while transferring 563bhp or 420kW of power, which results in an impassive surge of power for rapid acceleration and calm low speed progress related to state occasions.  The extension of Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT), alongside a ZF 8-Speed gearbox is also a great assurance to help keep the driver prepared for whatever obstacle he may encounter while on the road.

New Phantom is 30% more rigid than the spaceframe architecture on which sat Phantom VII, the new architecture of the Phantom VIII demonstrates the next generation of the Rolls-Royce in terms of ride comfort, acoustic comfort, seat comfort, exterior presence and interior space.  In pursuit of creating ‘the most silent car in the world’, the Phantom includes 6mm two-layer glazing all around the car, more than 130kg of sound insulation, the largest ever cast aluminium joints in a body-in-white for superior sound insulation, and use of high absorption materials.  Acoustic insulation has been reinforced with the employment of double skin alloy on areas within the floor and bulkhead of the spaceframe.  Furthermore, high absorption layers within the headliner, in the doors, and in the boot cavity have added additional insulation and lessened reverberation.  Rolls-Royce even extended much of their time and effort to work closely with its tyre supplier in constructing the ‘Silent-Seal’ tires, which was created using a specific foam layer inside the tyre to remove tyre cavity noise whilst reducing overall noise by 9db.  Providing a smooth drive, the largest high-value alloy wheel ever employed on a Rolls-Royce (22-inch Rolls-Royce’s Seal Technology Tyres) has been equipped to New Phantom.

The operation systems within New Phantom connects and controls all of the advanced intelligence systems, making the vehicle the most technologically advanced luxury motor car available.  Assistance systems on-board New Phantom include, but are not limited to: Alertness Assistant, a 4-camera system with Panoramic View, all-round visibility including helicopter view, Night Vision and Vision Assist, Active Cruise Control, collision warning, pedestrian warning, cross-traffic warning, lane departure and lane change warning, an industry leading 7×3 high-resolution head-up display, WiFi hotspot, and of course the latest navigation and entertainment systems.

Undergoing a spectacular, new approach with the Pantheon grille as the core of New Phantom’s design; the grille is heightened to a far greater extent than that of Phantom VII, subsequently elevating the position of the Spirit of Ecstasy roughly a half inch higher.  It also relates to the futuristic design on the grille of VISION NEXT 100 – a brilliant Rolls-Royce concept that was codenamed 103EX last year.  Emanating from the upper tips of the grill is polished stainless steel strips that curve along the upper edges of the bonnet and around the windscreen.

High gloss tactile wood paneling, which can be commissioned for the door interiors, dashboard, centre consoles, and picnic tables, envelops the passengers within elegant and genuine materials.  The armrests aboard the car were inspired by the J-Class yacht, and the tension & ‘hull’ of the armrests are directly referenced from these same large sailing yachts.

The seats have been hand-crafted with a strong horizontal aspect through the top of the seat, which convey amplitude, comfort, and presence that also imparts a vertical apprehension of the seat ‘bullet’ previously seen in Wraith and Dawn.  Buyers will be able to commission different seating choices that better suit their own personal preferences such as the lounge seat configuration, individual seats with occasional armrest, individual seats with fixed centre console, and the newly introduced sleeping seat.

Throughout the interior, heating functions can be found in the front door armrests, front centre console lid, lower C-Pillar, rear side armrests with all individual seats, and rear centre armrest.  The stretch of wood paneling that run across the back of the front seats are influenced by the famous Eames Lounge Chair of 1956.  Hidden behind the wood panelling on the rear of the front seats are the Rear Picnic tables and Rear Theatre Monitors – capable of being electrically opened and closed with a simple touch of a button.

The rear centre console features an improved upgrade that incorporates a drink cabinet with whisky glasses and decanter as well as champagne flutes and coolbox.  In addition, the rear seats within the car can be effortlessly rearranged to face the other seat, whilst granting occupants the possibility to strike up a conversation face-to-face with one another.

The New Rolls-Royce Phantom has not only become a milestone for the luxury car manufacturer as ‘the Best Car in the World’, but it is also the world’s leading luxury item.  This recently issued eighth-generation Phantom brings in a new era for Rolls-Royce; whereas New Phantom paves the way to the future of the global luxury industry, as it combines high living and comfort while still on the road.

For more information visit:  Rolls-RoyceMotorcars.com

The Biggest Names in the NYC Culinary Scene at the Moment

They have set the culinary world on fire, some figuratively, some literally, with ingenuity and flair neatly wrapped up into a single delicious package. One succulent taste at a time, these chefs have a menu for every appetite, simply waiting to inspire your inner gourmet.

Without further ado, meet the masterminds behind some of New York’s most coveted recipes today, the pièce de résistance of the fine-dining scene that will let you travel the world without ever leaving your seat.

1.     Jeong Kwan’s food for the soul

The international food scene has certainly spread its wings, but the cuisine of Jeong Kwan is as transcendental as is her very presence. She is a Korean Buddhist monk, and she is loyal to her roots, the kitchen of a Baekyangsa Temple south of Seoul, yet she has found her way to the urban jungle of the West and generously offered her vegan dishes in Eric Ripert’s Le Bernardin.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience lead to her own episode of “Chef’s Table”, and she has become the humblest star of authentic Korean cooking – she has shared her wisdom on using seasonal, locally grown food and the intricacies of their traditional techniques such as fermenting and seasoning. What many high-end establishments are attempting to replicate comes naturally to her. Perhaps she will pay Manhattan another visit in the future for more than a handful of lucky guests.

Image source: guide.michelin.sg

2.     The true tastes of Italy by Silvia Barban

Her genuine smile is as captivating as her grandmother’s recipes that bring the very soul of Italy with every mouthful of her handmade pasta, roasted potatoes and a selection of cheeses. Fresh batches prepared every day, Silvia Barban goes above and beyond for every visitor of her restaurant, LaRina, nestled in the Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn.

The dinner menu boasts a realm of seafood flavors of octopus and calamari to immerse yourself in the aroma of the Mediterranean, or you can try her rabbit cacciatore with olives grown on the northwest coast of Italy. As you fall in love with the ambiance and the chef’s mastery, you will discover the exotic influences of other cultures she encountered during her appearance on “Top Chef”, which only helped her further perfect her existing menu.

Image source: missbish.com

3.     Igor Zukowiec’s bohemia with a modern twist

Timeless in essence, yet profoundly fresh, the cocktail aromas that are born out of Igor’s imagination and vast experience dominate and dazzle with simplicity. This mixology magician started his journey from a nature-embraced village in Poland never knowing he would one day become the leading name of high-end catering in NYC. Today, Igor and his team deliver a luxurious selection of bites along with his avant-garde liquor blends.

Highly sought after among brands such as Hakkasan NY and Ultimat Vodka for his recipe-creation, he now runs the show of Alchemiq Catering, taking over the world by storm one sip at a time. He is famous for his Grapefruit & Fire signature cocktail with caramelized brown sugar in a grapefruit peel mixed with light rum, Maraschino and Lime, and enriched with Champagne. Still, innovation remains his forte, leading him to versatile new tastes every time he picks up a mixing cup.

Image source: thirstymag.com

4.     The quintessence of French by Christian Schienle

There is almost a tangible warmth and familiarity from the moment you step into the charming ambiance of Sel et Poivre as you are greeted by the owner and executive chef of Austrian origin, Christian Schienle. Both the menu and the atmosphere exude a real French Bistro feel, so despite the address reading Lexington Avenue, you will immediately visit Europe’s culinary capital.

Among the customers’ favorites is the skate fish immersed in lemon and served with basmati, but he personally recommends his escargots, and true foodies can end their meal with crepes, fresh strawberries and macadamia nut with a rich, pungent punch.

Image source: theepochtimes.com

5.     Meir Adoni’s feast for the senses

Already a melting pot of a culinary experience, Israeli cuisine has gained a new dimension through the visionary lens of Meir Adoni and his newly-opened restaurant Nur, the first one away from his homeland. He entwines his traditional heritage of flavors with the world-wide hues from his education in Sydney and training in Paris – giving Middle-Eastern dishes a taste of novelty.

Drawing inspiration from his Jewish roots, the menu is brimming with savory and creamy mixtures, starting from the traditional honey and garlic challah, all the way to baharat spiced lamb. In the spirit of Israel, the dishes are designed for sharing, and the relaxed but upscale vibe of the restaurant invites you to revel in some of the world’s finest tastes served in the very heart of Manhattan.

Meet Louis Wright

Meet luxury food blogger Louis Wright who has followed his passion for food and nutrition to the point of creating his own blog “IAMLWRIGHT” in 2017, which centralizes on healthy, nutritious meals for students attending universities and colleges.  Having studied at a boarding school in Deradun, India for an extended period of time and later travelling to the Northern part of Spain to study at a college located in the city of Salamanca, Wright has not only travelled across the globe sampling various nutritive, culinary masterpieces, but has also featured similar nutritious recipes on his blog.

Wright joined a conservation team in 2016 from the Cape Eleuthera Institute in the Bahamas with the mission to save Green Sea Turtles and Coral Reefs off the coast of the main islands.  Wright has gained numerous opportunities to see first-hand how the inner workings of large companies operate, such as his experiences at Sainsbury’s head office (Nutrition department) and McLaren Automotive (Racing).  In addition, he also shares a deep interest for various leading-edge programs, ideas, and designs; this includes the new innovations being performed at Loughborough University & MTC Coventry (3D Printing and Polymer Technology), Newcastle University (Marine Technology).  Please read on for our interview with Louis Wright as he talks to us about what first ignited his passion for a life in epicure, his involvement in Ocean Conservation, and his adventurous & healthy recipes he lists on his blog “IAMLWRIGHT“.

What are you currently inspired by?

“Colonel (Harland) Sanders has always been an inspiring character for me, he started serving, his now famous chicken pieces, to gas station customers from his house that was attached to the gas station. A very simple recipe was perfected and is now worth millions of pounds!”

How did your blog “IAMLWRIGHT” originally come to be?

“I saw a few friends posting about passions they have on Instagram and using the caption to write their own lengthy viewpoint. This was where the original idea to create a place full of important things related to my passions came from. Since then the blog has grown and developed to be a main base for all important news in the food industry and includes many recipes all designed and modified to the needs for a healthy lifestyle.”

When was your passion for cooking and epicure born?

“My passion for epicure originally started when I was around fifteen years of age. I became quite fussy and interested about where the food I was eating came from. Was it organic? Free range? Healthy?”

Where do you get your inspiration for the recipes on your blog?

“Most of the recipes are inspired from food I have eaten with my own personal twist or change to make the product slightly healthier. Some are also healthier variations on well know dishes. I encourage people to tell me if they have an interesting idea for a dish which I can try out and experiment with.”

What is the most unique or adventurous dish you have ever tried? 

“The most unique dish I have ever tried is a dish I still do not know the name of. During my time in India I tried a variety of different dishes, some were very pleasant others were remarkably hot! The most unique dish I have ever eaten was bought from a small stall on the side of the road. It had a very minty flavour and tasted amazing with a smooth almost ice cream like texture.”

Take us through a day in the life of Louis Wright.

“Normally I wake up at around 6 O’clock, I shower and eat, generally getting ready for the day. I jump onto my blog and normally upload a recipe at 8. I will then share that on all of my social media and respond to messages from my fan pages and Instagram. For lunch I will then cook a recipe I am trying out and upload an Instagram picture while I am eating, read all of the news stories and possibly edit some photos or share some funny tweets. I enjoy watching documentaries on the environment and new diet fads in my downtime. David Attenborough’s short movies are definitely my favourite.”

What initially got you interested in Ocean Conservation?

“I was initially interested when reading some papers on the current status of animal populations in the sea. Especially the decline in sea turtles, I researched it more specifically around the green sea turtle. I found an institute in the Bahamas which offered volunteer opportunities to help conserve and research into the sea turtles behaviours. It was an amazing experience and I hope to do further projects in the future.”

What do you believe is one initiative everyone should take to help conserve our ocean and the life within them?

“Limiting the amount of non reusable plastics we use is very important, and is the easiest initiative you can take to make a difference. Plastic stays around for hundreds of years can be a hazard to wildlife and leaches toxins into the environment. Instead of using carrier bags when you do the weekly shop, chose to use reusable bags which are going to last an awful lot longer. The UK and other countries have initiated a scheme which will reduce the amount of plastic bags we use, each plastic bag now has a 5 pence charge. It is an effective inventive which I believe will make a significant difference in our general plastic waste.”

Being a frequent traveler what have been some of your favorite destinations?

“One of my favourite destinations I have visited is Salamanca in the north of Spain. It is a very quiet and quaint city which is well known for having the first university in Spain. The language is very traditional and cafes in the beautiful plaza mayor serve all the dishes you would expect to see on a menu in Spain. I had a local guide at the time who showed me a “secret underground restaurant”  for the locals and the food hasn’t changed since the original recipe and you cannot beat it!”

What is one luxury you could not live without?

“As many would probably agree it has to be my access to the internet. I believe keeping in touch with friends on almost a daily basis is very important, as most of my friends live abroad in many different cities it would be very difficult to speak to them without access to the internet.”

Where to next?

“I am off to Tenerife in a few days, the main reason for the journey is to try and taste new dishes and variations that have been made to the standard and traditional Spanish dishes. This includes a selection of paellas and some inspiring fish dishes.”

Where can we follow you?

You can find my blog here blog.iamlwright.co.uk

Follow my journey on Instagram: iamlwright

Facebook: facebook.com/iamlwright

Marco Ferrari’s F65 Superyacht Concept

Marco Ferrari’s extraordinary new F65 superyacht concept will be the perfect yacht for anyone who appreciates being immersed in radiant sunlight and enjoys watching unobstructed views of the tranquil ocean current.  The 65-metre displacement yacht was designed with the full intention of flawlessly alternating between the indoors and open-air areas to intensify its grand 360-degree views of the open sea.

The layout of the outdoor amenities aboard F65 include a bar & lounge area, a seaside dining area, an infinity pool, and a beach club.  In addition, the yacht concept also features a helipad on the upper deck, which can transition into a sunbathing station.  As for those who would rather stay indoors to exercise or relax in leisure, they can enter the sundeck’s encircled gym and massage room.  The main saloon presents adjustable balconies that can fold or unfold to offer uninterrupted water views along with alfresco dining spaces.

The interior of the yacht boasts six extended cabins that can accommodate up to 12 guests.  A spacious VIP suite as well as two guest cabins can be found on the main deck.  Another VIP suite is located on the upper level, and a guest cabin positioned on the lower deck has the potential to be remodeled into a movie theater.  While the owner’s apartment on the main deck features a full-beam master suite that includes a dressing room, an en-suite bathroom, a lounge area, and a balcony offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the ocean.  Marco Ferrari’s new F65 superyacht concept will be able to achieve a cruising speed of 15 knot and also harbors an extensive tender garage that can shelter two tenders, four jet skis, and diving gear equipment.

NBA Superstar Stephen Curry is The New Face of INFINITI

Often known by countless basketball players and analysts as “the greatest shooter in NBA history”, Stephen Curry makes an epic appearance in the filming of INFINITI’s new Q50 commercial campaign.  The new INFINITI campaign video features Stephen Curry’s astounding basketball shooting prowess, which left crew members during the filming engrossed in awe.

While he was on set of the new Q50 Sports Sedan advert, which will be launched this Summer, Stephen Curry once again demonstrated his extraordinary mastery of long-distance shots as it went through the sunroof and brilliantly landed into the front seat of the car.  Curry has also just been recently declared the new Global Ambassador for INFINITI, as his phenomenal accomplishments and own personal aspirations in NBA has reached an outstanding level that passionately symbolizes the lofty spirit of INFINITI.

15th annual The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering

The Quail announced their selection of 2017 sponsors for the 15th annual The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, which is slated to take place at the Quail Lodge & Golf Course in Carmel, California on Friday, August 18, 2017.  The list of sponsors for this luxury automotive event, that will be presenting new as well as returning names, includes Burgess Yachts, Rolex Watch USA, Sentient Jet, Louis Roederer, Walter Leather Company, Cultures by Toni P. Ltd., and many other renowned luxury labels.

The Quail has wholly supported their partnership with the prominent automotive brands and luxury labels ever since the classic car event was first established in 2003.  And to this day, with the 15th annual The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering just around the corner, the relationship between The Quail and its sponsors only continues to further strengthen and flourish through the years.  For this year’s bolstered selection of partnerships, which includes additional travel, spirits, and fashion accessory sponsors, the luxury elements brought to the annual event and to the guests in attendance will not be anything shy of extraordinary.  The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering has become an increasingly popular event to attend in the recent years, with its growing presence in the luxury industry as well as its influence in the automotive sector, the sponsorships spare no effort in gathering together the best of the motorsport and luxury lifestyle worlds to converge in one spectacular event.

The following lists the previously mentioned luxury fashion and lifestyle sponsors for The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering:

• Burgess Yachts – founded in 1975 by famed sailor Nigel Burgess, the global superyacht industry leader offers everything from charters and new yacht construction to yacht management for luxury yachts over 30 meters (1oo feet). In 2001, Burgess Yachts was the first yacht brokerage firm (being the world’s number one superyacht brokerage house) to be presented the esteemed Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
• Rolex Watch USA – has long been the Official Timepiece of The Quail since 2005 and has since then been the name behind the prestigious Rolex Circle of Champions, which also serves as the stage for the ‘Best in Show’ winners after being awarded with The Quail trophy for represented classes.
• Sentient Jet – an elite private aviation enterprise, offers on-demand jet charters and is the industry leader in providing superior service, safety and style.
• Louis Roederer – an exquisite producer of champagne based in Reims, France, and also remains one of the only independent, family-operated maisons de champagne.
• Walter Leather Company – a premier leather garment designer, also known for making the highest quality handmade leather products and uniquely-inspired pieces for over 20 years.
• Cultures by Toni P. Ltd. – a fine jewelry line with designs inspired by exotic cultures and travel destinations, primarily represents Asian countries in its design inspiration. Toni Patrizio (the company’s founder) personally explored these countries and cultures to reflect on her own collection that combines Asian artifacts with a New Age contemporary twist.

Ticketed guests for the event are given the chance to experience gourmet dishes in four pavilions themed after signature Peninsula Properties around the world, ranging from Carmel Valley, Beverly Hills, Paris, and China.  For this year’s The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, a new fifth culinary pavilion was added as an Italian tent sponsored by Pirelli along with a menu inspired by their limited-edition cookbook: Miles and Meals.  The event will take place with a garden-party setting, offering guests an unrivaled ambiance for satiating their palate in award-winning wines & spirits, specialty cocktails, and an oyster & caviar bar, while also granting them a magnificent display of rare collectable cars from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.

All General Admission Tickets for The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering have already been sold out via a lottery system in February.  Though, available tickets for the event are still obtainable such as the Charitable Patron Ticket for $2,500 and limited for only 150 guests as well as The Quail Helicopter Ticket for $6,000 inclusive of two tickets with just 9 pairs available.  For any additional information on purchasing available tickets, please contact The Peninsula Signature Events at (831) 620-8879.

Follow The Quail: @TheQuailEvents.

For more information visit:  SignatureEvents.Peninsula.com.

Guide to Exploring California’s Coast: Garrapata

Located just south of Carmel Highlands, the all-embracing Garrapata State Park is Big Sur’s northernmost park and has been acclaimed as a simply spectacular spot for nature enthusiasts, sightseers, and many others who seek out adventure to gather.  Garrapata was designated as the foggiest spot on Big Sur’s coastline; even at times when the other four Big Sur State Parks experienced clear weather, the skies over Garrapata often remained hidden behind a mystical fog.  Nevertheless, whether it be the foggy summer days enshrouding the mountain tops and curtaining the edges of the ocean in a shadowy blanket, or the few times with clear skies offering you an unhindered outlook over the breathtaking water views, all the while feeling the rays of sunlight rain down as you explore the far-reaching nature reserve, Garrapata remains a phenomenal destination to explore.

Garrapata is arguably the Big Sur jewel of State Parks as the large nature reserve allows visitors an array of activities to choose from, ranging from hiking trails to whale watching, or even taking a smooth drive through the park.  One of the most incredible aspects of the park is its high chaparral-covered hills that steeply ascends over a rocky coastline.  This climb let’s you stand above the clouds upon reaching the peak, though, even when the day shows clear skies it still offers a breathtaking, panoramic view that is well worth the strenuous journey.

On the west-side of Highway One, some of the park’s most popular trails lead through overgrown vegetation as well as poison oak-infested chaparral en route towards coves and rocky beaches.  Although Poison Oak can be troublesome when hiking, it is easy to keep your distance from, while following on the trails.  Additionally, the areas with higher elevation do not have any Poison Oak in the vicinity, giving hikers a worry-free climb.  To the east of Highway One is a lone trail loop that features ocean views, abrupt inclines, and a Redwood grove.  Besides the information board at the trailhead and a signpost at the first intersection, there are no other signs on any of the trails.  To keep the parks with an untouched feel, nineteen numbered turnout markers were placed discreetly along Highway One, taking you along to some of Big Sur’s leading hiking trails, a few of them being located throughout Garrapata.

• Rocky Ridge Trail: Across the highway from gate sign 7. Seven miles round trip. The trail climbs quickly 1,200 feet up Rocky Ridge and then descends, linking to the Soberanes Canyon Trail.  The Rocky Ridge Trail also features, at the tip of the hill, an outstanding overlook with a bench.
• Soberanes Canyon Trail: Across the highway from gate sign 8. Journey up Soberanes Creek through Redwoods and ferns.
• Soberanes Point Trail: Gates 8, 9, or 10. The trail loops around Soberanes Point. A side trail leads you to the apex of Whale Peak.
• Scenic Overlook: Pullout and bench at gate 17
• Garrapata Beach access trails: Gates 18 or 19.

Garrapata is the perfect destination to observe wildlife and sea creatures, migrating whales can even be spotted passing by the park’s shoreline during their winter migrations.  Occasionally on the weekends in January the Garrapata park staff lead whale watching tours.  Off the Lobos Rocks shoreline you can also observe sea lions converging at the water’s edge.  Sea otters are seen in their kelp beds frequently, and brown pelicans can be found roosting on high-up rocks, in fact a total of 110 species of birds have made the coastal woodlands their habitat.

Aside from just watching the flora and fauna, Garrapata is a perfect scene for photography as well as taking bike rides on the Rocky Ridge hiking trail.  Many of Garrapata State Park’s trails lead up lofty mountains, past redwoods, and border the rocky coast.  At the southern end of the park is a sublime sandy beach that allows you many fun beach activities, but excludes surfing because the harsh waves makes it nigh impossible to safely surf.  Each of the park’s trails are a simply unforgettable hiking experience, especially so if you go hiking with your friends or family.

If you plan to thoroughly explore Garrapata, park at turnouts 7-10, each of these spots grant close access to the Soberanes Point hiking trails.  For close coastal access to the beach, stop at turnouts 18-19, both are great points for those who are looking for some beach time fun.  These two parking areas off Highway One offer extensive parking space.  The center positioned parking lot (gate 18) is nearby several trails that lead down to the beach.  The southern parking lot (gate 19) is a good starting point, the left-side leads you down the stairs to the beach and the right-side trail continues to lead you along the bluff.

Click the following link to check out the trailhead location in Google Maps

For more information visit:  Garrapata State Park

Photography by: Marli Allard

The Redesigned 63-metre Superyacht 11.11

When the original owner of Benetti hull FB265 abandoned the project 10 months before completion, a new owner stepped up and remodeled it to his liking.  The 63-metre superyacht “11.11”, named in honor of the owner’s daughter’s birthday as well as referenced as the “master number”, transitioned from an unfinished yacht in the making into a true gem of the sea.   When the current owner purchased 11.11 it was already two-thirds finished, all what was left was the interior design process; where the owner and his design team completely revised the interior layout to perfectly harmonize with both the yacht’s infrastructure and outer presence.

As a result of the transom garage harboring a custom Benetti limo tender, which is the first ever built by Benetti, as well as an RIB in place of a beach club, the yacht’s top deck has become a place of unmitigated relaxation and leisure.  The living spaces throughout 11.11 were designed with a mindset towards comfort; the idea the owner wanted to express was to make 11.11 his home on the water, allowing for his family to enjoy themselves without any worry and relax in luxury.

The art collection aboard has made an excellent addition to the overall atmosphere of 11.11, one such piece is a Tracey Emin neon with the words “Move Me” occupying a spot behind the bar in the upper saloon.  In addition, many other unique pieces are seen throughout the yacht, ranging from works by lighting effects artist Hans Kotter, “prolific” fashion photographer Helmut Newton, and wildlife photographer David Yarrow (who was famous for a method where he coated his camera casing in many scents to draw-in dangerous animals towards his camera lens).

11.11‘s pool was originally intended to be located  forward where a seating area currently resides, though, when the current owner purchased 11.11 he requested it to be closer towards the stern, encircled by sunpads.  The project manager says, “The deck was completely redesigned, destroyed and rebuilt.”  Besides the pool, seating areas were added along with an Italian stone-clad bar and a gym was swapped out for another seating area with kitchenette.  The second spa/pool on 11.11 functions as a private area out of view from the bridge above, making it one of the most peaceful spots on board.  Although, the second spa/pool is located farther forward on the yacht, leaving the area feeling somewhat exposed, it still remains rather sheltered situated forward of the owner’s suite on the upper deck.

Limited Edition Aston Martin x Hogan Sneaker Collection

For all who are sporting the latest sneakers and are devoted fans of high-quality racing shoes, check out this new pair of super stylish sneakers.  Announced as one of the many collaborations at Men’s Fashion Week in London, this footwear project has been marked as the most eagerly expected and awaited collaboration between luxury designer brands and world-famous labels.  Presenting an extraordinary approach to street-wear style along with a superlative design only a luxury car can provide, the new limited edition Aston Martin x Hogan sneaker comes sweeping in this fall.

“Hogan’s attention to detail and passion for beautiful products, and Aston Martin’s beautiful craftsmanship made this project a natural fit,” said Sergio Azzolari, General Manager from Hogan. “It was a pleasure for us to collaborate on a shoe that reflects the attention to detailing in Aston Martin sports cars.”

Hogan with their master craftsmanship and expert knowledge on all things footwear alongside luxury sports car manufacturer Aston Martin with an aesthetic sense for speed and contemporary design, makes this new pair of sneakers a phenomenal piece of high-grade running shoes.  The new Aston Martin x Hogan sneaker was inspired by Hogan’s iconic ‘Olympia’ sneaker, additionally fashioned with full leather and nylon mesh to achieve a smart yet polished look.  Aston Martin’s artisan leather craftsmanship finely detailed the shoes, giving the same sort of elegance that an Aston Martin sports car would offer.  These sleek new sneakers portray the Aston Martin wings insignia on the tongue, which is made up of Aston Martin’s classic kestrel tan leather, greatly resembles the way a genuine Aston Martin sports car would look, well if that sports car somehow turned into a shoe.

“Collaborating with brands that share our views on quality, style and elegance is important to us,” states Marek Reichman, EVP & Chief Creative Officer at Aston Martin. “Working with creative teams outside of the automotive industry helps to broaden our designers’ minds, and this is always a positive experience for both myself and my team at Gaydon. We take inspiration from all walks of life and our work with Hogan will help to shape and inspire many aspects of our future creations”.

Each limited edition Aston Martin x Hogan sneaker is forged with the very same craftsmanship seen in Aston Martin’s British sports cars and in the Italian master’s typical pair of luxury shoes.  In addition, the sneaker is presented in four seasonal shades, offering you flexibility in an extended variety of options to choose from. The Aston Martin x Hogan Autumn Winter 2017/18 sneaker collection will be limited to just 3,000 pairs and available at Hogan flagship stores worldwide or at the Aston Martin Dover Street brand centre starting at the end of June.

For more information visit:  Hogan.com or AstonMartin.com