The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

Even though I moved back to San Diego over twenty-five years ago, I had still never been to Rancho Santa Fe. All I knew about the area was that my dad and his second wife had once owned property there, and the long back-story to it was not pretty. A brunch gathering a few weeks ago changed all that. The first thing that greeted me as I pulled into the village was this bronze statue of architect Lilian Rice by Nina de Burgh.



Credited as the person creating the master plan for Rancho Santa Fe, the document in her hand shows her sketch for the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Her focus was LOW DENSITY HOUSING. If only today’s planners followed suit.



The walk up to the Inn at was lovely; the perfect southern California weather didn’t hurt, either.



I do love succulents, and the property had these and a number of other native plants that added to its natural beauty.



From the Inn’s website, here’s a bit of background info:

In 1924, the Santa Fe Land Company built a guest house called ‘La Morada’ for potential homebuyers. It was later purchased and renamed ‘The Inn’ in 1941. The Inn’s rich history (including visits from icons like Bing Crosby, Charlie Chaplin, and Mary Pickford) is thoughtfully preserved and celebrated throughout the property. Design details remain, such as the original wood-beamed ceilings that still grace the lobby today.



Early 2023, The Inn underwent a full reimagination of its 11-acre property. After reopening in the fall of 2023, The Inn now boasts unparalleled vintage luxury, rich history, and timeless tradition throughout every inch of the property and guest experience. Inspired by the history and timeless glamour of its Silver Screen heritage, each accommodation offers a unique experience devoted to lavish comfort, carefully researched, and curated with one-of-a-kind vintage pieces from around the world, layering design with detail to create a sense of elegance and respite.



The spaces were light where then needed to be and very warm and welcoming.



The art pieces were appropriate to the location and tastefully placed.



The restaurant is appropriately named Lilian’s (only one “L,” just like its namesake!) and the bar (Bing’s) pays tribute to its namesake and longtime guest, Bing Crosby. The trellised design look like it had been inspired by the Titanic’s Veranda Café and Palm Court.









The food was good, the atmosphere lovely, the service…well, there were plenty of servers, but it felt a bit like Disney’s attempt at high-end dining. While they all tried their best, they gave off the vibe that they had just been hired and were not quite up to par yet.



I loved all the different nooks for relaxing and enjoying the scenery.



I will definitely be back to explore the surrounding village. Stay tuned!
 
See more Rancho Santa Fe photos at my main website.

More from the Hollywood Canteen

About 15 years ago, I did a post on the Hollywood Canteen. With a few new photos added to my collection, it seemed like a good time to do an update! The photo above shows Shirley Temple arriving for her appearance at the Hollywood Canteen, July 14, 1943. How do I know the date? Thanks to Shirley expert supreme, the Rita Dubas, who not only gave me the date that was written on the back of a photo from her collection, but shared the photo itself/ Not sure who the guy next to Shirley is, but the guy behind her looks a bit like Ray Bolger!



Rita also sent me a link to a FANTASTIC site filled with photos and background info about the Canteen. Edited from the Historic Hollywood Photographs website:

Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, actress Bette Davis approached fellow actor John Garfield and Dr. Jules Stein about starting a canteen for servicemen in Hollywood, similar to the Stage Door Canteen in New York. The three approached all the entertainment unions, guilds, movie studios and radio stations for support. They found a dilapidated barn located at 1451 N. Cahuenga Blvd and leased it for $100 a month for the duration of the war. Hollywood's motion picture craftsmen volunteered their services to do the renovation and transformed the place.

Below, from 1942 (L to R) Forrest Cooper, Jules Stein, Al Ybarra, Bette Davis & John Garfield planning the construction of the Hollywood Canteen



It was unanimously agreed that the Hollywood Canteen would be exclusively for enlisted servicemen, no officers allowed. The servicemen's uniform was his admission ticket. The only people allowed to volunteer were those who worked in some facet of the entertainment business. The Canteen had its grand opening on October 3rd, 1942 with Eddie Cantor as MC. The forecourt was filled with thousands of servicemen, dignitaries and civic leaders. All food, beverages, and cigarettes were free. Each night, two bands played to packed dance floors. Entertainers included Red Skelton, Spencer Tracy, Rosemary Clooney, Bob Hope, and Bing Crosby. Hostesses included Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich, Paulette Goddard and Joan Crawford. When the war ended in 1945, fewer servicemen visited and the canteen closed by November. Over the course of its 3 year existence, the Hollywood Canteen had over 3 million servicemen come through its doors. It was truly Hollywood's finest home-front contribution to the war.

Below is a shot from opening night on October 3, 1942, with comedians Abbott and Costello at the microphone:



The medley below shows just how special the Canteen was, especially in light of today, this would NEVER occur. Top Hollywood celebrities like Hedy Lamarr, Marlene Dietrich, Betty Grable (with Sergeant Carl Bell, the millionth serviceman to visit), and Linda Darnell all served, danced, and socialized with the soldiers without pay or bodyguards. Let that sink in. Oh…and no social media.



Shirley puts her apron on to get down to business. The stars didn’t just show up — they WORKED!



From the How to Eat LA website comes an additional shot of Shirley from the same night, serving snacks to the servicemen:



And in case you think these celebrities were one-and-dones, no way; here’s Shirley performing again at the Canteen on a different night.



Rita informed me that the backdrop behind the band was styled after an 1890s vaudeville stage—the circular plaque above Shirley reads “Ennola Colber Hosiery Underwear.” Below is a detailed view of Shirley:



These previously posted images were from a collection I purchased, showing the exterior of the Canteen:





From the same batch, the soldier captured this view of Hollywood Boulevard featuring the NBC building:



Zooming in, you can also see the Palladium and the CBS building. The Palladium still stands.



This soldier relaxes at the cross streets of Sunset & Vine, just a few blocks from the Canteen:



The same soldier at Hollywood and Vine. You can see the Brown Derby sign in the background:



A detailed view of the United Nations War Relief ad:



The former site of the Canteen at Sunset and Cahueanga is now a parking garage and the CNN building. No plaque, no nothing to commemorate this historic location.



What are the sayings? They paved over paradise…time marches on…nothing lasts forever…well, you get the drift. Especially in Hollywood.

See more Hollywood photos at my main website.

Vintage Balboa Park in San Diego

These two July 1956 images show the flags that lined the path into San Diego’s Balboa Park for the inaugural Fiesta del Pacifico. According to the SD Union-Tribune, it began on July 18, 1956, and was a

Spanish-flavored summertime promotion built around an outdoor pageant in Balboa Stadium called, “The California Story.” The pageant featured 1,300 performers in a retelling of California history in two acts, with music by Meredith Willson.



In the first photo, you’ll notice the little A-Frame promoting Robin Hood, which was being performed at the Starlight Theater in Balboa Park for the 1956 Summer Season:



This 1950s image shows the San Diego Museum of Art and a number of vintage autos:



The below shot shows the Home Economy Building from the 1915 Exposition that once stood to the right of the Museum:



It was torn down in 1963 and replaced by the Timken Museum of Art (shown below). I’m not sure why they chose this contemporary design which stands out like a sore thumb from the rest of the Exposition structures, but I would guess that someone from the Frank L. Hope and Associates architectural firm wanted to put their personal stamp on it. And they sure did. At least the art inside is stellar.



See more Balboa Park in San Diego photos at my main website.