BigSur

Cocktail Hour at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits

Some people get car sick when they drive up California's curving highway 1 on the Big Sur coast, but I'm of a hearty constitution and just got tired of not being able to properly take in all of that ridiculously beautiful view.

The decision was made: a stop at Post Ranch Inn was in order.

It's really not a resort that welcomes the road weary unless you're planning to check in. There's a guard station which monitors the road up the hill to the property, and the gentleman on duty was ready for my usual ploy "Can I just pop up, I'd like to pick up a brochure," I said, and when he smoothly handed over one, I was left flummoxed. He said something about calling ahead if we wanted to take a look around. "Is there a place we can get a drink," my travel companion wisely asked.

The truth. Why hadn't I considered that? The gates opened.

The view -- plunging cliffs, blue sky, turquoise sea -- is oft described as "drop dead", but I advise raising a toast to it instead. The view from the patio is what you see above. (Imagine it from the guest rooms on the cliff!) The cocktail menu is creative: I was tempted by the "Black Rose", which is Johnnie Walker Black, jasmine liqueur and vermouth; although I'm actually far more of a gin girl, and so the "Soul Flour", with DH Krahn gin, elderberry liqueur, grapefruit juice and absinthe was also tempting.

But there were more miles to cover before I rested, so I went with a glass of wine -- from California, of course. My pour was more generous than my friend's, since I was finishing the bottle. The bartender advised me to sip down the difference before my friend returned from the restroom, so that we might maintain cordial relations for the rest of our trip. That's the kind of barkeep I'll raise my glass to any day.

Gallery: Cocktail Hour at Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur

It's Not a Bad View, Really. (Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur)

Entrance to the Post Ranch Inn Restaurant

Post Ranch Inn Restaurant, as Seen from the Patio

Tags: bartenders, BigSur, BigSurCoastline, california, cocktails, PostRanchInn

Turtle House, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

The Turtle House a unique house in the Enchanted Forest of Big Sur is a beautiful, if small, home. The name comes from the design, a hexagonal center with four arms that stretch out into the forest next to a creek and a head that has a hot tub. Despite the sylvan location this home is wired with the latest technology including wi-fi, a security system, a home theater and a Lutron lighting system. There is also a hydraulic lift in the garage that holds four cars. The home has a warm floor heating system and uses a propane furnace. Water comes from a gravity, spring-fed water system. The home is just 1600 square feet and is furnished with pieces that were custom designed and built for the home by Morris Sheppard/Sheppard Design. The living room includes a wood stove on a granite hearth and the study/library has two desks back to back with views and a fax machine. The gourmet kitchen has a Wolf stove, All-Clad cookware, a microwave, dishwasher, and granite counters and the dining room is cantilevered over the creek. No need to bring your own bed, the master bedroom has a platform queen bed meant to match perfectly with the skylight above. It is listed at $8 million.

[via Blue Mountain Peak Ranch]

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Tags: big sur, BigSur, california real estate, CaliforniaRealEstate, estate of the day, turtle house

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