Rustic Pleasures - Smoke Tree Ranch, Palm Springs

Another great thing about LA? Our secret hideaways! You don't have to travel very far - a couple hours by car - in order to travel back in time. Smoke Tree Ranch is a 20 acre enclave sheltered in the shadows of the San Jacinto Mountain Range. 

Cottage

Habitual hideaway to a number of "Colonists" (residents who own homes), and guests who rent cottages, Smoke Tree offers immediate relaxation the moment you enter the gates. We instantly felt at home here. It was the perfect balance of unfussy elegance and rustic simplicity.

Ranch House - the social axis of the community

Given Smoke Tree's proximity to LA it isn't surprising to learn about its glamorous past. Founded in  1936, Hollywood luminaries and affluent families came here to unwind. Walt Disney built three cottages here which he sold in order to help fund a retreat of his own - Disneyland! But even Disneyland couldn't offer the escape Smoke Tree provided. In 1957 he built another home. His homes remain here today. Smoke Tree has changed very little, and many of the guests and Colonists have been coming here since childhood. In a transient town like LA, it's comforting to know tradition still exists in her crevices. 

Bowling Green (One of Walt's favorite activities was lawn bowling)

Our stay was balanced with equal parts activity and relaxation. You can hike in the mountains, ride horses, swim in the pool etc but mostly we ate!

The Ranch House Restaurant ensured we never went hungry. The hikes and kicking around in the pool ensured we worked off the extra calories! They really know how to throw a good party too - it was the perfect setting in which to ring in the New Year (although counting down at east coast time when you're celebrating on the west coast was a total flub!)

Martini bar and hors d'oeuvres in keeping with the "New York State of Mind" theme

vintage velvet was quite apropos 

My favorite fearless sartorialist whose philosophy is:

"You're not here for a long time, you're here for a good time"

our velvet shoes

the ambience

the main course: Petite Filet and Lobster

cactus garden at night...

... and the following day.

It was the perfect way to end the old year and begin the new. To see another side of leisure in Palm Springs check out this post!  

I know it is a little delayed but Happy New Year!

Thank you for visiting me from time to time... you have no idea what it means to me. I have received emails from people around the world who are planning a trip requesting recommendations on things to do and see here in LA - I must be doing something right!

I love my city, I enjoy dispelling some of the myths... And I hope to continue to introduce you to some of LA's lesser-known places of interest in 2012!