Chilled Tomato Soup With Bacon Croutons >>

The talented hostess (and sometime adventurer) has all the right ingredients for a successful lunch-salon at her Santa Ynez Valley ranch. Today's speaker: choreographer Mark Morris. >>

Is there hope for renters and new arrivals who dream of buying a great little house and garden in pricey Southern California? >>

In Southern California homes, indoor and outdoor blur, the color and light of our gardens spilling into our interiors, the energy of kitchens and living rooms splashing onto patios. Our fabled setting inspires spaces designed to take full advantage of the long seasons when beautiful days slide into gentle, temperate nights. And this year, in particular, forces both interior and exterior are conspiring to put a new emphasis on the outdoor room. >>

If you're not interested in a traditional American burial, no problem. There are so many other ways to go. >>

In this posthumous primer on success, Cowan tells how he built his business by answering all those phone calls and writing everything down. >>

It's summer -- and time to visit baseball's best stadiums. >>

at film producer john melfi's sleek Venice home, some of the most inventive solutions to the question, "How do you squeeze the most from a compact floor plan?" are outside the walls. >>

The L.A. County Fire Department captain turns "Baywatch" wannabes into rescue heroes. >>

independent film producer Gail Katz longed for a place to sit outdoors by a fire--a comfortable retreat with a kitchen setup for easy meals and a small bar for blending smoothies for the kids and margaritas for her friends. But her backyard was the land that time forgot. >>

when los angeles architect Alla Kazovsky first laid eyes on the spot that would become her new home, she was struck by its immense front yard. The Nichols Canyon property was overgrown, and the house was a dilapidated 1934 ranch--but that "almost didn't matter," she says. "All I saw was the potential of this huge piece of land." >>

He's conquered TV and film. Now his stand-up comedy show arrives in L.A. >>

This San Diego County resort is part summer retreat, part dude ranch with horseback riding, mineral baths, swimming, crafts and a championship golf course. >>

Start at the Big Bear Discovery Center to explore this rustic outdoor playground in the San Bernardino Mountains that offers hiking, fishing and boating. >>

Enjoy the wide beaches and bike paths of this laid-back beach town off San Diego, home to the Hotel del Coronado. >>

For a quieter mountain getaway, Idyllwild offers cabins, outdoor cafes and miles of hiking trails through pine forests, not to mention Tahquitz Peak for rock climbing. >>

There’s a great introductory rate at the new Palazzo resort, so why not take the kids for a fancy dinner at Mario Batali’s Carnevino and a night on the Strip? >>

If you want thrills, go white-water rafting with an outfitter on this river near Kernville, or fish, swim and windsurf at Lake Isabella. >>

At Mammoth Lakes in summer, you can fish, rock climb and hike the Pacific Crest and John Muir trails. And don’t miss the Adventure Center shuttle to Devils Postpile. >>

This low-key coastal town, with a lovely harbor and an endearing Main Street, may be one of Southern California’s best-kept secrets. >>

Check out the sequoias at Grant Grove, but then keep driving to serene Cedar Grove, which has a roaring waterfall, hiking and horseback riding. >>