Author Archives: Nicole Clausing

Drink the Issue: Sunset Wine Club’s Perfect Pairings from the 2023 Travel Issue

The wines of the West are an integral part of the lifestyle that we celebrate in our pages—and the Sunset Wine Club is the essence of… Read More

This Is What I Wish I’d Known Before Tearing out My Lawn 

I write this as I look out my kitchen window toward the area of my backyard that once was my lawn and is now… turning… Read More

This House Survived a Wildfire Because of Its Smart Design. Here’s How.

Kyle Pinjuv walked down the narrow road near his cabin in Nuns Canyon, just outside Glen Ellen, California, and stood at the edge of the… Read More

If You’re Using Regular Ice in Your Cocktails, You’re Ruining Your Drink. Here’s How to Make Perfect Ice at Home.

The world’s best bartenders are as meticulous about their ice as they are their spirits: They invest thousands of dollars in… Read More

This Is the Last Hose You’ll Ever Buy

When it comes to reviewing hoses, I consider myself an expert. Armed with just one 100-foot hose, I exclusively hand-water 12 raised beds, a… Read More

Level up Your Road Trip Lodging at These Retro Motels

Every year the Sunset Travel Awards honor the best in travel in the West. This year we had over 600 entries across all categories (a… Read More

Book a Bucket List Stay at These Seriously Luxurious Resorts

Every year the Sunset Travel Awards honor the best in travel in the West. This year we had over 600 entries across all categories (a… Read More

These Are the Best Hotels to Book When Wine Tasting in the West

Every year the Sunset Travel Awards honor the best in travel in the West. This year we had over 600 entries across all categories (a… Read More

Old West Meets Luxury at These Epic Western Ranch Retreats

Every year the Sunset Travel Awards honor the best in travel in the West. This year we had over 600 entries across all categories (a… Read More

Tasting Flights Are the Easiest Way to Find Your Next Favorite Drink. These Are the Best Spots for Sipping.

Every year the Sunset Travel Awards honor the best in travel in the West. This year we had over 600 entries across all categories (a… Read More

These Are the Best Restaurants to Book When You’re in Wine Country

Every year the Sunset Travel Awards honor the best in travel in the West. This year we had over 600 entries across all categories (a… Read More

These Are the Most Epic Western Destinations You Need to Visit Now

Every year the Sunset Travel Awards honor the best in travel in the West. This year we had over 600 entries across all categories (a… Read More

4 Epic Nature Experiences to Book This Year

Every year the Sunset Travel Awards honor the best in travel in the West. This year we had over 600 entries across all categories (a… Read More

Adventure Seekers, We Found Your Next Greatest Vacation

Every year the Sunset Travel Awards honor the best in travel in the West. This year we had over 600 entries across all categories (a… Read More

The Journey Is the Destination with These Top Tours, Cruises, and Transportation Services

Every year the Sunset Travel Awards honor the best in travel in the West. This year we had over 600 entries across all categories (a… Read More

Is This the Best Cocktail Bar in the Country? Try the Recipes to See for Yourself.

The coastal region around Santa Barbara has long been called California’s Riviera for good reason: The palm tree-lined beaches are spectacular, the red-roofed buildings… Read More

You Can Craft Your Own Tea from Your Backyard—Here’s How

As we move into a new season and plan for the year ahead, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about new ways to tap… Read More

This Might Be the Best New Thai Restaurant in the Country. And We’ve Got Their Recipes.

The aroma of rambutan-wood charcoal envelops you the moment you walk into Phuket Cafe. It’s a sensory experience that’s immediately… Read More

This Water Ski-Obsessed Couple Built a Stunning Modern House Just for Their Favorite Sport

When Cavin Costello made his first hour-long trek from Phoenix to see the remote lot where his potential new clients, D.C. and Liz Wright, wanted to build… Read More

These Hearty Salads Are the Perfect One-Dish Dinner

Decades before Sweetgreen supersized the concept of the salad bar, California was the spiritual home of the entrée salad: The green goddess, the … Read More

My Gardening Hot Take: Just Say No to Tomato Cages

When it comes to garden gear, there is a clear divide among growers: Those who love tomato cages, and those who consider them an absolute… Read More

You’ve Never Seen Hawaiian Leis as Stunning as These

Growing up in Hawai‘i, Meleana Estes was immersed in the traditions of lei making, thanks to her tūtū, or grandmother, a seamstress and costume designer… Read More

Going to See the Barbie Movie? Make These Pink Dishes First

What would Barbie cook for Ken? If all we have to go on is Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster movie version, we may never know, because… Read More

Here’s Exactly How to Prevent Your Plants from Dying When You’re on Vacation

Just because our attention is focused on keeping things steady (ahem, alive) in the garden this deep into the summer, it doesn’t mean we should… Read More