Author Archives: Nicole Clausing

You’ll Never Cook Spaghetti the Same Way Again After Reading This Recipe

The Hatch margarita at Valentine in Phoenix is a metaphor for the new restaurant in a boot-shaped glass. St. George green chile vodka simultaneously… Read More

7 Essential Design Tips From Los Angeles’s Top House Flipper

I remember the first time I saw a home that was “flipped” by developer Steve Jones of bettershelter. I was taking my… Read More

Easy, Healthy Soul Food Recipes with a California Twist

Simply put, chef Tanya Holland is the queen of West Coast soul food. The accolades and honorifics are many: Michelin Bib Gourmands, frequent topper of… Read More

With This New Garden Trend, You Can Literally Make Your Yard Bigger

As a garden editor, I’m always looking for ways to improve a yard. So, recently, when a friend of mine turned her side yard into an… Read More

This Rare Spectacle Is Happening in Yosemite (But You Can Only See It for a Limited Time)

Yosemite National Park is full of breathtaking photo ops like Half Dome and El Capitan. And in February, if we’re lucky, one that might… Read More

The Weather in Palm Springs Is Peaking—the Resorts, Hotels, and Spas to Book Now

Not long ago, Palm Springs hotels came in two flavors: gracious Spanish revival and on-the-nose (if a bit campy) mid-century modern. But today a new era of… Read More

This Family of Four Lives in a 16-Foot-Wide House—Here’s How They Do It

When a family of four outgrew their adorable but tiny home in Phinney Ridge, Seattle, they knew they needed more space. The problem was… Read More

The Steakhouse Is the Most Iconic Way to Do Palm Springs—Here’s Where to Go

With its close proximity to Los Angeles and constant influx of top-tier talent, Palm Springs is always tapped into the culinary zeitgeist. But no matter how many… Read More

These Are the Spots Locals Love in Santa Fe, So Go There on Your Next Visit

Sunset’s Insider Guide series highlights seasonal diversions and secret travel tips from local experts. Follow along as we learn where to eat, drink, stay,… Read More

Don’t Make This Mistake When Decorating with Houseplants

So, you love houseplants. I totally get it—I do, too. But let’s be honest for a moment: The prevailing look on Instagram and TikTok would have… Read More

This Stunning Secret Flower Farm Grows Across 15 Apartment Rooftops

Apartment rooftops aren’t usually considered natural spaces. They often have air conditioners, vents, maybe a rooftop patio if you’re lucky. But Joanna Letz’s … Read More

Meet the Woman Who Wants to Make Camping as Inclusive as Possible

“This is out of my comfort zone,” Delane Sims says. “I don’t like bugs. And I’m afraid of the bogeyman.”  Okay, all you non-campers out there. Read More

These Are the Most Beautiful Vegan Dishes We’ve Ever Seen

Not long ago in Sonoma County, plant-based, meatless, and vegan food was relegated to the hippier corners of the county. It was always there, but… Read More

IKEA Makes the Most Beautiful Watering Can (And It’s Only $15)

When buying an indoor watering can, there are two important things to consider: One, will it be functional? And two, does it look as great… Read More

Yes, You Can Make Mochi in a Microwave—Plus, Other Crazy-Easy Asian Desserts

Picture This: You’re in a hurry to get to a gathering, maybe a backyard barbecue or wine night with friends, when you realize you’re… Read More

A Peek Inside Palm Springs’s Most Exclusive Architectural Community

Even the gatehouse at Desert Palisades is beautiful. With a dramatic cantilevered roof of patinated Corten Steel and surrounded by desert boulders, the… Read More

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

Yes, You Can Create a Super Bloom in Your Own Yard This Year—But Hurry Before It’s Too Late

Wondering how to see a super bloom this year like the one in California’s Anza-Borrego? Unfortunately, that could mean waiting in a long line… Read More

A Rare Green Comet Not Seen Since the Ice Age Is Swinging by Earth—Here’s How to View It Before It’s Gone

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) doesn’t have a glamorous name, but it does have an exotic pedigree and it’s the talk of the backyard astronomy world right now. Read More

More Homeowners Are Ditching Gas. It’s Time to Flip the Switch to an All-Electric House

The road to a cleaner, safer, healthier planet begins at your front door. Research shows that homeowners have a critical role to play in the… Read More

This Low-Water Garden in Sonoma Is Right on Trend for 2023

To declare that low-water gardening is a trend is an understatement. Despite the recent influx of atmospheric rivers, temperatures in the West are … Read More

7 Things You Need to Do in Your Vegetable Garden This Winter Before It’s Too Late

If there’s any time when I’m most likely to ignore my garden, it’s winter. Which is completely understandable, of course. The holidays take up time,… Read More

I’m a Garden Editor, and Here’s What I Always Do Before Buying a Houseplant

So, you’re wandering through your local Trader Joe’s or local nursery, and you think to yourself, Hey, I should get a houseplant. You grab the one that looks… Read More

This One-Pot Soup Is the Most Comforting Meal You’ll Make This Winter

Within months of opening in Seattle’s Central District, Communion became the must-get reservation for anyone looking for a fresh and… Read More