Breakfast and Story Time with Bergie the Elf
Santa is getting ready to make his yearly visit. Bergie, L’Auberge Del Mar’s famous Christmas Elf, will be at this breakfast to tell stories about Santa as well as other favorite Christmas tales. Enjoy a pre-Christmas breakfast and then snuggle down by the fireplace to listen to Bergie’s stories. You are encouraged to bring an unwrapped new toy to share with children in need. Reservations recommended. Saturday, 9:30 am, story telling: 10:30 am; L’Auberge Del Mar, 1540 Camino Del Mar; Del Mar, CA 92014; 858.259.1515
Movie Night in the Amphitheater
‘Twas the night before the night before Christmas and everyone is getting excited about the Big Man’s visit! They gather the kids both big and small, a blanket to sit on and their holiday cheer as L’Auberge Del Mar presents Movie Night in the Amphitheater. There will be special treats and beverages to purchase, or you can enjoy dinner and snacks in the resort’s restaurants after the movie. Free; Sunday, 5:30 pm; L’Auberge Del Mar, 1540 Camino Del Mar; Del Mar, CA 92014; 858.259.1515
“It’s a Wonderful Life”
Watch Jimmy Stewart’s life be saved by divine intervention in Frank Capra’s inspiring holiday classic courtesy of American Cinematheque at both of their venues. $12; Saturday 7:30 pm, Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA; Sunday 4 pm and 7:30 pm, Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA; 323.466.3456
WP24 “Kitchen Brunch”
This holiday season, WP24 by Wolfgang Puck invites you into the kitchen for a unique twist on the traditional Sunday brunch. The WP24 “Kitchen Brunch” takes you on a personalized journey through the kitchen as the culinary team shares techniques and best practices for preparing some of the restaurant’s most celebrated Asian dishes along with traditional breakfast favorites. You get unlimited access to multiple culinary stations in the dining room as well as within the restaurant’s working kitchen with a menu that includes items such as house-made dim sum, wok fried vegetables, hand-rolled sushi, eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles topped with maple and cinnamon, mixed salads and freshly-baked seasonal pastries. Playful iterations of festive cocktails will be found among the traditional beverage selection. This weekend, the North Pole comes to WP24 with a special Kitchen Brunch with Santa featuring a visit from Santa Clause along with kid-friendly stations. Children can sip hot cocoa, decorate holiday cookies, and meet Santa himself. $75, $25/children 12 years and under; Sunday, seatings: 11 am and 1 pm; The Ritz-Carlton, 900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213.743.8800
DIFF Drive to Make a DIFFerence
Designer sunglass maker DIFF will be hosting a drive to give back to the local community for the holidays. Bring 2+ items to donate. Items include canned food, baby formula, toiletries, clothing, school supplies and pet supplies. In return, you’ll receive a free pair of DIFF sunglasses. Donations are going to Project NEEDS, which provides food and supplies to the homeless and partners with Pets of the Homeless to offer pet food, supplies, and services to the animal companions of the homeless in the community. Friday, 7 am – 3 pm; 15606 Broadway Center St, Gardena, CA
The Waterfront Beach Resort Unveils New Coastal Spa, Drift
The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, announces the opening of Drift Spa, the latest addition to the renovated oceanfront resort and newest spa in world-famous Surf City. Drift is an 8,000 sq. foot full-service coastal spa that features an exclusive sensory experience designed to leave guests feeling calm and carefree. In addition to nine spa treatment rooms and an extensive treatment menu that offers organic and natural products, Drift features separate lounge and spa facilities for men and women that has spacious locker rooms, luxurious whirlpools, and eucalyptus and lavender infused steam rooms. Other amenities include a vitality bar with tea elixirs, a juice bar, and an enchanting spa garden with an outdoor fireplace and seasonal herb wall. Every element of Drift was thoughtfully designed to create a coastal sanctuary that engages all five senses for the ultimate spa experience. Signature treatments at the new Drift Spa include the Drift for Two couples massage with a Coastal Foot Bath, Himalayan Salt Stone Massage and the Vitamin Sea Brightening Facial. Professional treatment lines used at the spa include Naturopathica, Elemis, emerginC Scientific Organics, and Spa Ritual. 21100 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648; 714.845.8000
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa Launches T&T Innovation Kitchen
T&T Innovation Kitchen – a new culinary concept helmed by Executive Chef Peter Smith – is now open at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. The experimental culinary outlet is a place for creativity through a daily-changing menu inspired by the time and temperature of the day (hence T&T) and celebrates the talent of both new and longstanding chefs to contribute a unique recipe during menu development each day. There is also an unconventional entrance to the tucked away restaurant, which leads you through the Rockwood Grill resort kitchen and in through the back of the restaurant. The restaurant is seen as the first of three phases of the new experience at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. By the end of 2019, the resort expects to unveil 884 newly renovated guest rooms including 50 new suites and a comprehensive lobby renovation. T&T Innovation Kitchen is open for reservations on Friday and Saturdays. Private group reservations are available seven days a week.74-855 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260; advanced reservations are required: 760.341.1813
