“Star Trek Beyond” director Justin Lin has announced a first-ever fan event to take place on May 20 in celebration of the series’ milestone 50th Anniversary this year and the film’s release this summer.
The one-time only special event, taking place at the historic Paramount Pictures studio lot, will include the premiere of the newest “Star Trek Beyond” trailer, an exclusive first-look of never before seen footage from the upcoming film, a Q&A with Lin and the cast and crew, special guests appearances, and other surprises. The Q&A will be streamed via Facebook Live.
SNEAK PREVIEW EVENT WILL INCLUDE A PREMIERE OF THE FINAL TRAILER, EXCLUSIVE FIRST-LOOKS OF FOOTAGE, SPECIAL GUESTS APPEARANCES AND OTHER SURPRISES
LIN TO ANNOUNCE SHORTLY HOW FANS CAN WIN A CHANCE TO BE THERE IN-PERSON AT PARAMOUNT’S HISTORIC STUDIO LOT
Said Justin Lin, “As a lifelong fan of Trek, we wanted to do something special for the fans and we couldn’t think of a better way to do that than creating an event dedicated to them in the year that we also come together to celebrate the series’ amazing 50th year.”
Opening July 22, 2016 from Paramount Pictures and Skydance, “Star Trek Beyond” is a Bad Robot, Sneaky Shark, Perfect Storm Entertainment production. The film stars John Cho, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoë Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin and Idris Elba. Directed by Lin, the third film in the franchise series is produced by J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci, Lindsey Weber, and Lin; and executive produced by Jeffrey Chernov, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Tommy Harper. Based upon “Star Trek” created by Gene Roddenberry, the screenplay is written by Pegg & Doug Jung.
There is nothing like traveling with the proper gear. Whether it’s comfortable walking boots, a sturdy, wide brimmed sun hat, a cool safari shirt, or a luxurious, yet practical backpack, the sights and sounds of a new destination are easier to absorb when one is prepared.
This is why I love Orvis. Ever since I began to travel seriously, I have relied on this online store for not only the right clothing and adventure gear, but also for new ideas and unique travel inspirations.
Founded in 1856 by Charles F. Orvis, the company is America’s oldest mail-order outfitter and longest continually-operating fly-fishing business. Privately owned by the Perkins family since 1965, Orvis is today an international retailer with roughly 1,700 employees. In addition to being a world leader in fly fishing, the company offers a wide assortment of men’s and women’s sportswear, luggage and travel accessories, as well as fine shotguns, gear, and technical apparel for wingshooting and sporting clays.
Orvis sporting services also include fishing and shooting schools, an international sporting and eco-travel agency, and an Orvis-endorsed network of lodges, outfitters and guides.
Besides travel clothing and gear, Orvis offers fly-fishing trips, outdoor schools and adventure vacations
My latest acquisition from Orvis is the Coronado Bison Leather Backpack. A masterpiece of workmanship, the bag is 100% designed and crafted in California by the Coronado Leather Company and is sold through Orvis. Thick, substantial, and shrunken to beautifully accentuate the beautiful, brown grain detail of bison leather, the bag oozes adventure and travel.
Measuring 16″ high, 13″ wide and 4½” deep, the bag can easily carry your mobile office or enough clothes and gear for a weekend getaway. And with its sleek, rugged and luxurious design, it looks at home on the trail or in the lobby of a fine hotel, which happen to be two of my favorite places! Detailed with latigo leather on the shoulder straps, the backpack is fully lined with a heavy duty red, tartan plaid lining, and features two exterior slip pockets, a laptop or tablet slip pocket, and with two smaller pockets for loose items.
The Bison Leather Backpack is a rugged, yet luxurious piece of travel gear
The bison backpack, which is literally built to last a lifetime, goes great with two of my other recent Orvis purchases: the Bush Shirt and the Sombriolet Sun Hat.
The authentic safari Bush Shirt is another of my favorite, go-to travel pieces. Made of Bush Poplin, the shirt breathes well and wicks dust and moisture to keep you dry and cool while walking or hiking. Made for the outdoors, poplin has been standard issue in expedition and safari clothing for nearly a century, and was used widely in the field during WWII.
The Bush Shirt is perfect for walking through town or the outback
Bush Poplin is a light and soft natural microcanvas fabric able to withstand years of wear and washings, yet remains crisp and neat. Each yarn of the fabric is composed of several fibers twisted tightly together, resulting in a fabric that is abrasion- resistant, yet feels cool and relatively weightless on the body. Cotton poplin was the preferred fabric used by British colonists when on safari and the Orvis collection offers the timeless and classic style of this traditional attire.
The UPF 50+ sun protection Sombriolet Hat is another item always stashed in my backpack. This lightweight, breathable hat is perfect for sunny days at the beach, on the water, or on the trail. Strategically placed vents, mesh lining, and wicking fabric in the crown is designed to keep you and your head cool and dry when things heat up. And a foam-reinforced brim is built to float. The nylon/polyester hat also features an external draw cord and is washable.
Orvis is America’s oldest mail-order outfitter and longest continually-operating fly-fishing business
The Orvis website offers more than 5,000 products and the company has 69 retail stores and 10 outlets in the US. For more information on Orvis products, fly fishing trips and other vacations and outdoor schools and services offered by Orvis, visit: www.orvis.com
“The Jungle Book” is an all-new, live-action epic adventure about Mowgli, a man-cub raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli find he is no long welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan, who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a journey of self-discovery, guided by panther mentor Bagheera, and the free-spirited bear Baloo. Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa, a python whose seduction voice and gaze hypnotizes him and the smooth talking King Louie who tires to trick Mowgli into giving up the secret of the deadly red flower (fire).
“The Jungle Book” is based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, with an approach all its own. “We embrace the mythic qualities of Kipling in the more intense tonal aspects of the film,” says director Jon Favreau, “but we left room for what we remember from the 1967 film, and sought to maintain those charming Disneyesque aspects.”
Filmmakers employed up-to-the-minute technology to tell the story in a contemporary and immersive way, blending live-action performances with stunning CG environments and extraordinary photo-real animal characters that artists stylized to elevate the storytelling. “‘The Jungle Book’ is a universal coming-of-age story that everyone can relate to,” says producer Brigham Taylor. “Walt told the story through traditional cell animation and now we have the technology to actually bring these characters to life, make them photo-real and put a real kid into the environment in a seamless, believable way. The opportunity to be able to show that with today’s technology was irresistible.”
According to Favreau, story is king. “I think films have to offer an emotional experience for the audience,” says the director. “The spectacle won’t mean anything if they’re not engaged emotionally with the characters. Every story needs humanity, emotion and character development, as well as humor—presented in a way that doesn’t betray the stakes of the film. There are white-knuckle moments in the movie when you wonder, ‘What’s going to happen to this kid?’”
During a recent press conference we had the opportunity to hear from the Cast and Director on what made this movie so special. Watch our 3-part Video below.
The Jungle Book Press Conference Part 1:
The all-star cast includes Bill Murray (“Lost in Translation”) as the voice of Baloo, Ben Kingsley (“Learning to Drive,” “The Walk”) as Bagheera, Idris Elba (“Star Trek Beyond”) as Shere Khan, and Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years a Slave,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) as the voice of mother wolf Raksha. Scarlett Johansson (“Avengers: Age of Ultron”) gives life to Kaa, Giancarlo Esposito (“Breaking Bad”) provides the voice of alpha-male wolf Akela, and Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter”) lends his iconic voice to King Louie. Newcomer Neel Sethi stars as the film’s only human character, Mowgli.
The Jungle Book Press Conference Part 2:
Favreau (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2,” “Chef”) directs “The Jungle Book” from a screenplay by Justin Marks (“Top Gun 2,” TV’s “Rewind”) that was based on the books by Rudyard Kipling. The producers are Favreau and Taylor (EP “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” “Tomorrowland”). Peter Tobyansen (“Alice in Wonderland”), Molly Allen (“Chef”) and Karen Gilchrist (“Chef”) executive produce.
Bill Pope (“The Matrix,” “Spider-Man 2”) is director of photography, Christopher Glass (“Arthur Newman”) serves as the production designer, Mark Livolsi (“Saving Mr. Banks,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “The Blind Side”) is editor, and Laura Jean Shannon (“Chef,” “Iron Man,” “Elf”) is costume designer.
The Jungle Book Press Conference Part 3:
The award-winning teams of artists tapped to bring India’s jungle and animals to life were headed by Oscar®-winning visual effects supervisor Rob Legato (“Avatar,” “Hugo,” “Titanic,” “Apollo 13”), Moving Picture Company’s visual effects supervisor Adam Valdez (“Maleficent,” “World War Z,” “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”) and WETA’s visual effects supervisor Dan Lemmon (“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”). The visual effects producer is Joyce Cox (“The Great Gatsby,” “Men in Black 3”) and the film’s animation supervisor is Oscar® winner Andrew R. Jones (“Avatar,” World War Z,” and “I, Robot”).
With a score composed by Emmy® winner and Oscar-, BAFTA- and Annie Award- nominee John Debney (“Elf,” “Iron Man 2”), “The Jungle Book” is now playing in theaters in 3D.
Lucasfilm’s Rogue One, which takes place before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope, tells the story of unlikely heroes who have united to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star.
The cast includes Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, and Forest Whitaker.
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“Rogue One” is directed by Gareth Edwards, produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur, and Simon Emanuel, executive produced by John Knoll and Jason McGatlin, and co-produced by John Swartz and Kiri Hart.
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” opens in theaters December 16, 2016!
On April 7, 2016, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” will open at Universal Studios Hollywood, marking the highly-anticipated West Coast arrival of this authentic entertainment experience, inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films.
More than five years in the making, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is being masterfully recreated with impeccable detail as a real-world interpretation at Universal Studios Hollywood. The land will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.
When this exciting immersive land opens in Hollywood for the first time, visitors from across the United States and around the globe will have the opportunity to experience “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” where magical spells and magical creatures meet dark villains and daring heroes and where guests of all ages can explore their inner-wizard.
During the VIP Premiere Event on April 5, John Williams Conducted the LA Philharmonic Orchestra to a spectacular fireworks show over Hogwarts Castle. (see video below).
From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will transport guests of all ages to the very places they read about in the stories or watched on the silver screen.
Once inside the land, Hogsmeade will bustle to life with the same vitality of a quaint local village as the majestic sounds from the movies bring to life the magic of Harry Potter. The Hogwarts Express steam locomotive that travels from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters at Kings Cross station to Hogsmeade is appropriately stationed at the entry where the Hogwarts Express conductor welcomes new arrivals to the land.
Just beyond the stationary Hogwarts Express, guests will encounter an engaging Hogwarts Express interactive photo opportunity where they can partake in memorable scenes from the Harry Potter films as part of a collectible keepsake. Unique to “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” in the U.S., this photo opportunity will invite guests to step into the Hogwarts Express station and climb inside a cabin where they can choose from three scenic backdrops. Guests will be able to purchase their framed mementos. Each of the images will be equally intriguing and complement the immersive guest experience, whether they choose just one or opt to capture all three adventures, which include, braving the darkness to face the Dementor’s kiss, witnessing the flight of the Weasley’s Ford Anglia or glimpsing a spectacular view of the iconic Hogwarts castle. Each commemorative photo will be framed within a collectible folder emblazoned with the Hogwarts Express train and the classic Hogwarts Railways crest.
The Owlery, an open air, covered barn, where majestic Great Horned and tiny Scops owls perch high above the heads of visiting guests. With cleverly articulated movement, the lifelike owls hoot and click, turn their heads, ruffle and flutter their feathers as they rest lazily between postal deliveries. Below, guests can enjoy the scenery while seated at benches within the shaded enclave where they can gaze up at the owls resting in the timber rafters.
The iconic and picturesque Hogwarts castle sits at the heart of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” with the entrance guarded by two towering winged boars, providing access to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the land’s signature 3D-HD ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.”
The imposing structure is also an attraction unto itself, housing narrow stone passageways, classrooms, dormitories and a treasure trove of props and décor both original to the film and recreated to adorn its impressive rooms and halls.
Also check-out some of the photos from the VIP Premiere Event and keep checking on Socalthrills.com for updates!
The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The BFG” to life. Directed by Spielberg, Disney’s “The BFG” tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. “I think it was kind of genius of Roald Dahl to be able to empower the children. It was very, very brave of him to introduce that combination of darkness and light which was so much Disney’s original signature in a lot of their earlier works like in ‘Dumbo,’ ‘Fantasia,’ ‘Snow White’ and ‘Cinderella,’ and being able to do scary, but also be redemptive at the same time and teach a lesson, an enduring lesson, to everyone, it was a wonderful thing for Dahl to have done, and it was one of the things that attracted me to want to direct this Dahl book,” says Spielberg.
The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle. Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions. The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams.
Roald Dahl’s “The BFG” (Big Friendly Giant) was first published in 1982 and has been enchanting readers of all ages ever since. To date, the book has been published in 41 languages. Dahl’s books, which also include “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach” and “Matilda,” have sold over 200 million copies worldwide. Originally created as a bedtime story, “The BFG” was Dahl’s own favorite of all his stories. “It was very important for us to be loyal to the language,” says Spielberg, “and the great writer Melissa Mathison, who also wrote ‘E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,’ wrote ‘The BFG.’”
“The BFG” opens in U.S. theaters on July 1, 2016, the year that marks the 100th anniversary of Dahl’s birth.
Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” filmmakers have revealed that Hank, the film’s cantankerous octopus with camouflaging capabilities, has appeared in every one of their feature films since 1995’s “Toy Story.” “Finding Dory,” featuring the voice of Ed O’Neill as Hank, opens in theaters nationwide on June 17, 2016.
“Every Pixar fan knows that we love Easter Eggs,” said director Andrew Stanton, who also directed the 2003 Oscar®-winning film “Finding Nemo.” “And until now, Hank has been our most closely guarded secret. There are even people internally at Pixar who don’t know about this.”
Pixar is known for the hidden gems that appear in its feature films, including the Luxo Ball, the Pizza Planet Truck and A113, which is a nod to the animation classroom at CalArts, where several filmmakers attended. But the octopus—who’s actually a “septopus,” as he’s missing a tentacle—has remained a secret for two decades. “Hank started off as a bit of an inside joke between those of us who were here at Pixar in the very beginning,“ said Stanton. “But since then, finding a place for him in our films has become part of our culture, and I’m glad we finally get to introduce him properly to fans.”
The studio has released a short video (see below) featuring Stanton and O’Neill, showcasing several of Hank’s cameos throughout the years and even providing a new glimpse of the character in action in “Finding Dory.”
Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” reveals its full roster of characters, as well as the voice talent tapped to help bring each character to life. Directed by Andrew Stanton, who helmed the Oscar®-winning films “Finding Nemo” and “WALL•E,” “Finding Dory” revisits everyone’s favorite blue tang Dory as she embarks on a life-changing adventure to find her family.
“It really is a whole new chapter this time,” said Stanton. “We’re introducing new characters—each with his or her own unique voice. Everyone has something special to offer, which makes it fun and elevates the whole story. ‘Finding Nemo’ was a great calling card when it came to casting this movie. I don’t take that for granted.”
“Finding Dory,” which opens in theaters nationwide on June 17, 2016, features the following lineup.
· Ellen DeGeneres returns to the sea as Dory, the bright blue tang with a sunny personality. She suffers from short-term memory loss, which normally doesn’t upset her upbeat attitude—until she realizes she’s forgotten something big: her family. Dory’s found a new family in Marlin and Nemo, but she’s haunted by the belief that someone out there is looking for her. She may have trouble recalling exactly what—or who—she’s searching for, but she won’t give up until she uncovers her past and discovers something else along the way: self-acceptance.
· Albert Brooks dives in again to help bring Marlin to life. He may have traveled across the ocean once, but that doesn’t mean Marlin wants to do it again. So he doesn’t exactly jump at the opportunity to accompany Dory on a mission to the California coast to track down her family. Marlin, of course, knows how it feels to lose family, and it was Dory who helped him find Nemo not so long ago. The clownfish may not be funny, but he’s loyal—he realizes he has no choice but to pack up his nervous energy and skepticism and embark on yet another adventure, this time to help his friend.
· Hayden Rolence was called on to voice Nemo. One year after his big overseas adventure,Nemo is back to being a normal kid: going to school and living on the coral reef with his dad and their blue tang neighbor, Dory. His harrowing adventure abroad doesn’t seem to have sapped his spirit. In fact, when Dory remembers pieces of her past and longs to take off on an ambitious ocean trek to find her family, Nemo is the first to offer his help. He may be a young clownfish with a lucky fin, but Nemo wholeheartedly believes in Dory. After all, he understands what it’s like to be different.
· Ed O’Neill lends his iconic voice to Hank, whois an octopus. Actually, he’s a “septopus”: he lost a tentacle—along with his sense of humor—somewhere along the way. But Hank is just as competent as his eight-armed peers. An accomplished escape artist with camouflaging capabilities to boot, Hank is the first to greet Dory when she finds herself in the Marine Life Institute. But make no mistake: he’s not looking for a friend. Hank is after one thing—a ticket on a transport truck to a cozy Cleveland facility where he’ll be able to enjoy a peaceful life of solitude.
· Kaitlin Olson provides the voice of a whale shark named Destiny, who is a clumsy swimmer with a big heart. Destiny has a big everything, actually—whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea. Destiny resides in the Marine Life Institute, where one day an oddly familiar blue tang named Dory falls into her pool. Destiny is admittedly embarrassed by her obvious lack of grace, a product of poor eyesight, but Dory thinks she swims beautifully. And Dory is delighted to learn that her supersized friend speaks whale, too.
· Ty Burrell was tapped to give voice to Bailey, the Marine Life Institute’s resident beluga whale, who is convinced his biological sonar skills are on the fritz. The good news—or bad news, depending on who you ask—is that doctors at the MLI can’t seem to find anything wrong with him. Bailey’s flair for the dramatic never ceases to push his neighbor’s buttons: whale shark Destiny can’t seem to get through to him, no matter how hard she tries. Maybe he’ll listen to new friend Dory, who seems to be full of crazy ideas.
· Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy were recruited to voice Dory’s parents. Jenny and Charlie would do anything for their only child. They celebrate and protect Dory, striving to arm her with the skills she’ll need to navigate the world with a faulty memory. Jenny may appear cheerful and a little flighty—but she’s a protective mother and a smart role model. Charlie likes to joke around, but nothing is more important to him than teaching his memory-challenged daughter how to survive.
· Idris Elba and Dominic West team up as the voices of Fluke and Rudder, a pair of lazy sea lions who were rehabilitated at the Marine Life Institute. Marlin and Nemo find them snoozing on a warm—and highly coveted—rock just outside the center. These sea lions really enjoy their down time and would rather not be bothered mid nap—but their bark is far worse than their bite.
· Bob Peterson is back as the memorable voice of Mr. Ray, the tune-loving teacher from the reef, who takes Nemo’s education—and that of his fellow undersea students—very seriously. Nobody enjoys Mr. Ray’s class more than Dory, who serves as his cheerful, albeit unnecessary, teacher’s assistant during their illuminating field trips.
· Torbin Bullock voices Becky, an offbeat, kooky loon who takes a liking to Marlin. Although she inspires little confidence—especially from a certain, skeptical clownfish—Becky might be smarter than she looks.
· Andrew Stanton and Bennett Dammann lend their voices to the ocean’s coolest turtles Crush and his son Squirt. They’re always happy to lend a flipper to a fish in need. Cruising the ocean for more than a hundred years definitely has its advantages.
· Bill Hader and Kate McKinnon make a cameo appearance as a fish couple that Dory briefly encounters along the way.
The LEGO Group has announced its 18th collection of LEGO®Minifigures starring some of The Walt Disney Company’s most beloved characters inspired by stories from across the entire Disney universe. Eighteen new minifigures bring to life in LEGO form for the first time the playful personalities of some of the most iconic characters from Disney classics such as Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland to Disney•Pixar favorites like The Incredibles and Toy Story.
“For more than 16 years, fans have been recreating their most beloved Disney stories through LEGO play,” said Jill Wilfert, vice president of licensing and entertainment for The LEGO Group. “This year, we’re excited to give them a diverse collection of Disney characters from classic storylines, to never-before-seen LEGO likenesses of Disney icons in order to further the creative play possibilities for Disney and LEGO fans alike.”
This collectible series of LEGO Minifigures will be widely available for purchase in all major toy retailers, as well as at shop.LEGO.com and in LEGO Stores nationwide in May, with a suggested retail price of $3.99 (USD) each.
Disney Animated Classics Characters
From Disney’s collection of timeless animated characters, the LEGO Group introduces minifigure versions of the beloved Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse characters, their temperamental friend Donald Duck, and his leading lady, Daisy Duck. Enthusiasts of 1950s Disney stories will appreciate the inclusion of Alice and the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Captain Hook from Peter Pan, and the evil witch Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. Disney fans will also love minifigure versions of Ariel and Ursula from The Little Mermaid and the belovedGenie and Aladdin from the fictional city of Agrabah featured in Aladdin, plus the ultimate alien friend, Stitch, from Lilo & Stitch.
Disney•Pixar-Inspired Heroes and Villains
Two Disney•Pixar characters never-before-seen in the LEGO world become minifigures – Mr. Incredible and archenemy Syndrome from Disney•Pixar’s The Incredibles. Additionally, fans can collect minifigure versions of two icons from the beloved Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story – Buzz Lightyear and the squeak-toy Alien from Pizza Planet.
California’s Central Coast is littered with lost beaches, craggy rock formations, forgotten coves and rolling hills. Hidden amongst these natural wonders is the small town of Cayucos, where time has slowed and a classic 1960s beach village vibe permeates the air like fog through an historic pier.
A friend and I discovered Cayucos last week when we booked a stay at the Shoreline Inn (www.cayucosshorelineinn.com), a charming, family-owned motel that sits on the sand, mere steps from the beach. Here we checked into a ocean-front room, with incredible views of the town’s historic pier to the north and the giant, iconic Morro Bay rock about four nautical miles to the south.
The Shoreline Inn sits on the sand, mere steps from the beach
After unpacking we opened the glass door to our patio and found a sitting area overlooking a large green lawn and an uncrowded beach about 30 feet away. This was an invite we couldn’t resist, so we quickly took off our shoes and hit the sand. The first thing we noticed -besides the obvious natural beauty surrounding us – was an abundance of playful dogs and their owners, along with treasure seekers scanning the beach for sea glass.
Because of unique geography, many beaches along California’s Central Coast are rewarded with sea glass. These colorful gems come from fragments of glass bottles that make their way into the ocean, where they are tumbled through sand and waves for years until turned into smooth pieces of ocean-made jewelry and showcased on the beach by Mother Nature. Cayucos sea glass is so notable that the city hosts an annual festival each March honoring it with hand-made jewelry, music, food and more.
Cayucos Beach is known for beautiful sea glass and dog-lovers
After hunting for sea glass, we walked along the sand toward the historic Cayucos Pier, which was originally built in 1872 and was restored last year. Along the way, we were lured by the aroma of fresh smoked fish to Ruddell’s Smokehouse (www.smokerjim.com). Located in a tiny shack, Ruddell’s has been serving locals and out-of-towners since 1980. For our lunch, we devoured a couple smoked albacore and shrimp tacos on flour tortillas, with a subtle gourmet sauce, tomatoes, and a mix of red leaf lettuce, apples, celery, carrots, and green onion. The food was so good, I bought a package of smoked salmon for the road.
Ruddell’s is a great place for fresh smoked fish in Cayucos
After lunch we continued our walk and followed Ocean Ave, the town’s main street, to the end of town, until the road winded between a black, rocky coastline and lush green hills dotted with goats, cattle and yellow and orange wildflowers. It was here we found Estero Bluffs State Park and hiked through a majestic preserve, dedicated to protecting the diverse local area of the Pacific Coast, with its wetlands, low bluffs and coastal terraces punctuated by a number of perennial and intermittent streams.
Cayucos is has a laid back, classic California beach town feel
For dinner we found Duckies Chowder House (www.duckieschowder.com), located next to the pier and the town’s signature dolphin statue. Our meal included a delicious bowl of clam chowder and a tasty plate of fried fish, shrimp, oysters, calamari and clam strips with French fries and a cold beer.
Back at Shoreline Inn, we sat on our patio and watched the sun set behind the pier, as playful pooches chased seagulls into the surf. In the morning, we enjoyed the inn’s complimentary continental breakfast, with cereals, toast, eggs, fresh pastries, juice, coffee, and that gorgeous, ever-present view of the ocean and pier.
After breakfast we strolled through town to the Cayucos Visitor’s Center and History Museum, where we met Laila Kollmann, owner of the Shoreline Inn and one of the town’s friendliest and most knowledgeable ambassadors. While at the museum, Kollmann walked us through some of the current exhibits and told us about the town’s rich history.
Cayucos gets its name from the Chumash plank canoe, called “tomolor cayuco”
Originally inhabited by the Chumash Indians, the town gets its name from the Chumash plank canoe, called tomolor cayuco. Cayucos were small fishing boats similar to those used by the Aleuts during sea otter hunts along. The town of Cayucos was founded by Captain James Cass, who built the town’s original pier in 1872, along with its first store and warehouse, which provided commerce throughout the coastal communities. A current exhibit at the museum is dedicated to Cass.
In celebration of National Grilled Cheese Month in April, Provisions Market and OC Baking Company will once again join forces to host The Big Cheese, Orange County’s grilled cheese festival and competition. Event Co-Founder Chef Greg Daniels and his fellow OC Chefs will compete for the title of “The Big Cheese” in this 3rd annual event to be held on Tuesday, April 19th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Provisions Market (143 N. Glassell Street, Orange, CA 92866).
OC Baking Company Master Baker Dean Kim will supply locally produced freshly baked bread to the competing chefs, while the farmer-owned dairy cooperative Tillamook will offer a selection of its award-winning cheeses and butter for use at the festival. Participating chefs will present their own spin on the classic grilled cheese sandwich that festival attendees will sample and then vote.
This year’s event will feature one ProAm competitor who will be selected by event organizers in an Instagram contest to join the professional chefs at The Big Cheese 2016. To enter, the public must create and present an original grilled cheese creation on Instagram and use the hashtag #thebigcheese2016 by Thursday, April 14th. The winning entry will be announced Friday, April 15th and the ProAm contender for “The Big Cheese” will participate in the festival on Tuesday, April 19th.
“Now in our third year, this event has served to unite our local chefs and engage them in a lighthearted competition,” commented Chef Greg Daniels, who oversees the kitchens at Provisions Market and Haven Gastropub. “This year, we are taking something as simple as Grilled Cheese and using it to raise funds for our local culinary community through the Golden Rule Charity, which supports those in need within the industry.”
Tickets for the event must be purchased for $60 in advance (will include limited tasters of select craft beer) through Universe at http://www.universe.com/bigcheese2016. This event will be limited to 100 guests (tickets will be sold at the door, if capacity permits).
Stereophonic, the highest Tony-nominated play of all time, has finally opened in Los Angeles. I went into this one entirely blind, only having heard...
