Brad A. Johnson
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Brad A. Johnson

Food & Travel

Brad A Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Restaurant Photography
    • Hotel & Resort Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact

California Hotels

37 posts

Hotel Review: Azure Sky, Palm Springs

  • June 27, 2022
  • Brad A. Johnson
The team at ACME Hospitality (a group that operates some of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara) has ventured into the desert and opened a charming 14-room micro hotel in the heart of old Palm Springs. Bring your bathing suit.
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Closer Look: Del Rey at Villa Royale, Palm Springs

  • June 4, 2022
  • Brad A. Johnson
Del Rey is a sexy little speakeasy and tapas bar tucked inside the beautiful estate of Villa Royale in the heart of Palm Springs. Both the drinks and food are very good.
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Hotel Review: Villa Royale, Palm Springs

  • May 30, 2022
  • Brad A. Johnson
Villa Royale originally opened in 1947 in the heart of Palm Springs and became a magnet for Hollywood stars of the era. New owners brought it back to life in 2018. Although not exactly 5-star quality, it is rather fabulous.
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Review: AutoCamp Joshua Tree

  • May 22, 2022
  • Brad A. Johnson
AutoCamp redefined the American campground several years ago with its Airstream "hotel" campsites. Opened in 2021, AutoCamp’s third location was this roadside trailer park five miles from the West Entrance of California’s Joshua Tree National Park, 40 miles northeast of Palm Springs. 
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Quick Look: Pendry, San Diego

  • May 14, 2022
  • Brad A. Johnson
Pendry is the less-expensive, next-gen offshoot of ultra-luxe Montage Hotels & Resorts, and this location in San Diego's Gaslamp District is where the brand debuted in 2017.
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Motel Review: White Water, Cambria CA

  • February 6, 2022
  • Brad A. Johnson
The central coast village of Cambria is a popular overnight pitstop on California’s fabled Highway 1. The priciest (thus presumably the nicest) place to stay here is White Water, which debuted anew in October 2020 following a major renovation that included the annexation of a neighboring property. 
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Motel Review: Cuyama Buckhorn, New Cuyama, CA

  • December 27, 2021
  • Brad A. Johnson
The 21-room Cuyama Buckhorn is a mid-century motel redux in the boondocks of California’s high desert, midway between San Luis Obispo and Maricopa. Nobody travels to this remote hideout by accident. You really must make an effort to get here.
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Quick Look: Hotel Cerro & Brasserie SLO, San Luis Obispo

  • December 26, 2021
  • Brad A. Johnson
Although its debut was inauspiciously timed (coinciding with the beginning of the pandemic), the 65-room Hotel Cerro and its beautiful Brasserie SLO have breathed new life into downtown San Luis Obispo on California's Central Coast.
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Closer Look: Stonehouse Restaurant at San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito

  • December 18, 2021
  • Brad A. Johnson
I don’t believe there’s a better restaurant in Santa Barbara than Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch. The food is truly outstanding. The service, impeccable. The wine list, world-class. And the…
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Hotel Review: San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito

  • December 17, 2021
  • Brad A. Johnson
San Ysidro Ranch is a world unto itself. It’s that unique place on the outskirts of Santa Barbara where Southern California merges with the European countryside. It’s where John and Jaqueline Kennedy honeymooned...
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Hey, OC. FYI in case you missed it, @ryegoods has opened a new location on Red Hill in Tustin, just down the street from Flight/Mess Hall. Same incredible breads and pastries as the original on the peninsula. No lines here, plus a huge seating area. #sourdough #pastries #coffee #orangecounty 322 9
One more post from our lovely stay at @fstokyo. Delicious lunch at @maisonmarunouchi, the casual sibling to @sezannetokyo. Excellent all around. And clearly popular with Tokyo's ladies who lunch: the clientele during our visit, almost entirely women. Quite the see-and-be-seen crowd. 57 1
I’m not sure which I liked better about the @fstokyo, the valet greeter and escort from the train station, the view of the trains from our room, or the super comfy pajamas. Excellent service all around. #Tokyo #Japan #hoteljunkie 79 3
I think @sezannetokyo ⁠has a #footfetish, and I’m ok with that. Truly fantastic lunch. Impeccable service. ⁠ 63 1
We had a really fun "Lost in Translation" moment at @meatman_roppongi. Google Translate failed hilariously. Delicious meat/fat overload anyway. Great staff, charming hospitality. Lots of sake. Thank you, @fstokyo for securing the reservation! #Tokyo #Roppongi #sake 76 1
Well, that was interesting.  A toast to 2022. And looking forward to ‘23. Cheers, and safe travels to all. 81 1
Brad A. Johnson
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Writer. Photographer. Traveler. Restaurant Critic.

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