TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL
Palm Springs / Palm Desert
The Living Desert Zoo andGardens is at the top of the list of must-sees in Palm Springs for the owners of J. Willott Gallery and MAD. KAT Gallery. Russ Tolman of MAD.KAT Gallery describes the attraction as “an excellentzoo andbotanicalgarden with stunning desert vistas and even hiking trails.”
For a bite to eat, Tolman recommends Paul Bar/ Food, saying, “enter into the blacked-out front in a sketchy east Palm Springsstrip mall and you are immediately transported toaclassic New York bar complete with white shirt and bow tie waiters and bartenders—and the food is excellent!” JoshWillott adds the Palm Springs Art Museum, Shields Date Garden, Salvation Mountain, and Pioneertown/Joshua Tree to the mix of other things to do in the area.
San Diego
If you find yourself in Arts District Liberty Station, there are endless options to explore. “First Friday openstudios offer hands-on interactive art experiences,” saysartist Peggy Fischbeck. “The park-like grounds encourage walksor plein air painting while the local hotel offers paddle boarding or canoeing. The Nautical History Gallery and Museum has life size mockups of naval shipsspanning twocenturies. Next door, at Solaré Ristorante, a Michelin Bib Gourmand Italian restaurant, artists have aspecial table where they share art ideas and Italian travel storiesover deliciousauthentic cuisine.”
San Francisco
San Francisco-based glass artist David Patchen recommends hiking near the Legion of Honor art museum; casual on-table cooking Korean barbecue at Brothers in the inner Richmond neighborhood; Richmond Draft House for its huge selection of craft beers and the one-day glassblowingworkshops that Patchen teaches at Public Glass.
If youfindyourself in Marin, just north over the Golden Gate Bridge, Patchen says the farmers’ market in San Rafael is the best in the area, and suggests The Junction in Mill Valley for pizza, andto hike around Mt. Tamalpais, Miur Woods andMarin Headlands for amazing views.