Luxury Travel Nightlife Restaurant Chef

Santa Monica is an unforgettable, seaside city in Southern California. Conveniently located a few miles from LAX, Santa Monica is a beach city full of culture, events and sights. It’s where all the celebs come to escape.

While you’re in Santa Monica journeyPod recommends you have dinner at Ocean and Vine at the Loews Santa Monica, The Dining Room at the new Shangri-La, or the new Blue Plate Oysterette.

journeyPod caught up with Loews Santa Monica Ocean Spa’s Director Christine Johnson and Shangri-La’s GM, Troy Pade for some inside scoop. And then check out the upbeat notes of Eli Smith from the Santa Monica record label So Sweet.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [7:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (63)

On Saturday, for the first time ever, the Sunset Strip was closed down for the Sunset Strip Music Festival. The line-up featured The Donnas, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Pepper, and Shiny Toy Guns (seen in photo).

In addition to the two stages at opposite ends of the Strip, the clubs along the blocks, including the Key Club, the Roxy, the Cat Club, the Whisky A-Go-Go and the Viper Room, hosted bands throughout the day. People jumped from club to stage and back all day.

One of the many after parties of the evening was at the host hotel, the Andaz. Formerly the, “Riot Hyatt”, the new Andaz played host to many of the rockers, groupies, and fans. Ozzy even dined at RH, the hotel’s restaurant, immediately following his performance. (Be on the look out for journeyPod’s exclusive interview with RH’s Chef Sebastien Archambault.)

journeyPod chatted with Torry Castellano the drummer from the popular girl band, The Donnas –who kicked off the SSMF. Torry gave us some inside scoop on what clubs artists prefer to play on the Sunset Strip and why! We listened to a rare acoustic set from Shiny Toy Guns at the Viper Room and then we got some inside scoop from Michel Morauw on what makes the new Andaz hotel so unique.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [7:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (157)

Just twenty miles from downtown Los Angeles and seven miles south of LAX, Redondo Beach is a hot spot! Located in an area of LA referred to as the South Bay….along with Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach lies right on the Pacific and embodies the quintessential Southern California lifestyle!

journeyPod scoped out some great dining in Redondo Beach. It’s no surprise seafood was a top choice! ChartHouse Restaurant, Captain Kidd’s Fish Market, Bluewater Grill, and Baleen. Be sure to check out our Chef’s Corner with Chef Daniel from Baleen.

And when it comes time for an overnight, your best bet is The Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club. It’s part of the Noble House & Resorts collection and has recently undergone a $11M renovation. It’s waterfront luxury at its best! journeyPod sat down and spoke with Jeannene Glenn, General Manager at The Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club, and got some inside scoop on this amazing property.

Get away to Redondo Beach, and enjoy the relaxing sounds of Sasha Evans–an up and coming artist from nearby Laguna Beach. You are sure to hear this young talent lady making waves soon! And you heard her first here on journeyPod.com.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [7:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (216)

journeypod was court side today in Hermosa Beach as Olympic gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers won their unprecedented fourth consecutive AVP Hermosa Beach Open.

Top-seeded Dalhausser and Rogers beat second-seeded John Hyden and Sean Scott, 18-21, 21-15, 15-9, in the final. 

After capturing the win in Hermosa Beach, Rogers is playing with Shaquille O’Neal against two-time gold medalists Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Sunday for a taping of “Shaq Vs.” If Shaq loses the match he promises to run down the beach in a pink Speedo!

journeyPod chatted with Todd and Phil and also with April Ross, who just returned from Norway where she won the World Championships.

Check out the biggest band in South Africa, Just Jinjer and their hit song, What He Means. You can expect to see big things from these guys in the States very soon! A very special shout out to Denholm Harding, bass player of Just Jinjer.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [6:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (177)

journeyPod was live and on the Red Carpet at the 10th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival. The Opening Night Film, “Lymelife,” featured Alec Baldwin, Jill Hennessey, Rory Caulkin and Kieran Caulkin.

On the Red Carpet, we chatted with filmmakers (who in many cases are the writers, directors, and producers), and actors and actresses.

journeyPod experienced first-class service at the festival’s host hotel, The Island Hotel. In between films, we managed to squeeze in some time at the spa with their two-hour Island Boreh Remedy. Chef Bill Bracken took care of our growling stomach with a fabulous dinner tasting. Be sure to read the Chef’s Corner with Chef Bill! After dinner, we experienced award -winning performer Jimmy Hopper. Check out his amazing voice in this podcast show.

If you’re visiting the festival and want more of a “beach feel”, journeyPod suggests you stay at The Balboa Inn—but be sure too request a “newer” room.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [9:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (190)

journeyPod was live on the track, in the pits, and at the paddocks for the 35th Annual Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix. We got up close with several racers including Butch Leitzinger, Patrick Long, Adrian Fernandez, and Hideki Mutoh.

While we didn’t get a chance to speak to the winner of the 35th Annual Long Beach Grand Prix, Dario Franchitti, we did briefly chat with his lovely wife, Ashley Judd, who was hanging out in the pits with us, celebrating her birthday!

Take a listen to what these international racers had to say about the Long Beach Grand Prix and the city of Long Beach.  Then get pumped up with the podsafe sounds of “Race Car A Go Go” by the group Pohgo.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [6:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (218)

Coronado is home to about 26,000 people. It is connected to San Diego by the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, with its distinctive curved span. Coronado is surrounded by water — the Pacific Ocean, Glorietta and San Diego Bay. Located about 20 minutes from San Diego International Airport, Coronado Bay is a must-see location!  And….contrary to popular myth, Coronado Bay is NOT part of San Diego. It is it’s own city.

Swim, surf, sail, fish, bike, skate, golf, or play tennis - Coronado is definitely the place to be if you love the outdoors. The city’s Central, North and Silver Strand beaches are ideal for whatever water-related activity you can think of — there’s even Dog Beach, where your pet can frolic with you.

And if you’re looking for a pet-friendly place to stay while visiting beautiful Coronado Bay, Loews Coronado Bay Resort & Spa is just the place! As part of its commitment to the environment, Loews Hotels encourages even its furriest guests to do their part in promoting responsible, sustainable consumption (literally).

journeyPod recently visited Coronado Bay (without our pets) and had the opportunity to experience the the wonderful cuisine (check out our Chef’s Corner with Chef Patrick) and the relaxing Sea Spa.  After our pampering at the spa–it was like tapas at the spa–a taste of everything– we sat and chatted with Spa Director, Krystal Mason, for some inside scoop!

For more luxury travel tips, follow us on twitter - twitter.com/journeyPod. Join the afterparty on our facebook and myspace pages. For your celebrity gossip fill for the week check out the coolest social network on the web at journeyPod.ning.com. Now let’s take a listen to relaxing podsafe song called The Bay by Karl Stephen Brunig.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (231)

About 130 miles from Los Angeles, Palm Springs is the perfect weekend get-away. It’s a jewel among desert cities and rightly so. Its village atmosphere has been preserved and embellished over the years. The downtown area with its quaint lampposts, benches and Mexican tile-paved enclaves invites strolling among the shops, galleries, eateries and coffeehouses. Rich in history and blessed with glorious weather, it is a prime destination of travelers from all over the world.

And for a place to lay your weary head, we suggest the Riviera Resort & Spa. Originally opening in 1959, the original Riviera Resort immediately became Palm Springs’ go-to hot spot for celebrities and cultural sophisticates around the world who wanted the ultimate “Palm Springs experience.” Today, it’s still a favorite for celebrities like Anne Hathaway and Mira Sorvino.

journeyPod sat down with GM, Brett Schoenfield, to get an inside scoop on this historic and famous property. Then sit back and listen to the soothing sounds of “Desert Song” by Jessie Kilguss.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (218)

Santa Barbara lies on the West Coast of the United States, 92 miles north of Los Angeles and 332 miles south of San Francisco. The area is famous for its beautiful beaches, most of which lie along a unique south-facing stretch of coastline that affords beach visitors sun all day long and greater shelter from winds and surf. But there’s far more here than beaches.

Be sure to check out: State Street, the Santa Barbara County Historic Courthouse, and the Santa Barbara Mission.

Santa Barbara is a very walkable city. You can get everywhere you need to go via foot, the trolley, or public transportation! journeyPod actually took the train—gotta love Amtrak—from Los Angeles. After two hours sipping a nice bottle of Pinot we brought along, the train stopped in the center of downtown Santa Barbara. We walked about seven minutes to our hotel—Hotel Oceana Santa Barbara. (If the name sounds familiar, it’s because journeyPod produced a show on the sister property—Hotel Oceana Santa Monica–last summer. Be sure to check out that podcast as well.)

journeyPod met up with Melissa Treue, the new General manager of this newly renovated beachfront property. Listen up to what she had to say, and then stay tuned for the unique sounds of The Front Street Project and their song, “Nighty Night.”

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [7:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (180)

San Diego, California. The name conjures up complete bliss: pristine beaches, sunny year round weather, the Zoo, shopping, and of course fine dining and luxurious hotels and resorts. journeyPod has had the opportunity over the past few yeas to cover a few select San Diego area properties such as the Ivy,

The Rancho Bernardo Inn, La Costa, Estancia, L’Auberge, and a few select others. (Be sure to check out our archives for these great podcast shows!) Well, my fellow jet-setters, it’s time to add a new favorite to the list: The Grand Del Mar. As the name suggests, it’s grand. Located in Northern San Diego, this property will make you think you’ve been magically transported to the Tuscan countryside. Really.

Add to the opulent atmosphere of this new destination resort the fact that it’s signature fine dining restaurant, Addison, has earned one of the most coveted awards of all: a Five Diamond rating from the Automobile Association of America (AAA). journeyPod definitely agrees. We had a private tasting with Chef William Bradley and Jesse Rodriguez, Sommelier, gave us the pleasure of a fabulous wine pairing. Let’s take a listen as Tom Voss, president of Manchester Grand Resorts, chats with journeyPod.

And I will leave you with the electronic sounds of amb26 and their song, “The Grand Prize.”

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (164)