Our goal is to drum up as much excitement as possible for the Fountain Valley hotel, and the energy was palpable, especially from Ric, who has a long history of building hotels all over the country for a wide variety of brands. We are lucky enough to have him on board for this project and he led us through the maze of wood and nails with great expertise. It was my first experience on a construction site so much of it was so absolutely interesting. (Side notes – 1. For future visits to sites I will remember that heels are an absolute NO for this sort of venue. 2. Hard hats do not in any way make a good addition to ANYONE’S outfit.) Ric compared the building of a hotel with giving birth to a child. I know, I know, not quite as painful, but he described it as a long process giving life to “this beautiful thing.” I think that qualifies as spot on!

Check out the awesome pics below. We are just jittery with excitement for the October opening!

A lovely collage of the day’s events. Check out that porte cochere!

What we sure will be chic looking hallways (eventually)!

Ric Marko shows Danny Hitt (producer) the breakfast/seating area.

Check out the lobby rendering, There may be some decor changes but WOW!

A beautiful rendering of the exterior.

We smell spring break right around the corner! And with it comes the tradition of shedding warm winter clothes in favor of trunks and itsy bitsy bikinis at the beach. Southern California is renowned for its numerous beautiful beaches and, since all of our hotels are in Southern California, we definitely have a spring break beach for you. Without further ado, here are our picks for the top 5 spring break beaches (in no particular order and based on a combination of beach beauty and surrounding activities).

1. Laguna Beach

If you’re looking to make your Spring Break fashionable, look no further than Laguna Beach. This beach is punctuated by an artist’s community that features art galleries, museums, restaurants, shops, and a host of events all year round. This Spring Break at Laguna Beach offers wine tastings, whale watching, reggae concerts and more. Check it out here.  Everyone headed to SoCal should have a chance to check out this famous beach. Even Michael Jordan has been known to stop by and play a few hoops at the Main Beach. Now how can you resist?

Closest Ayres Hotel: Ayres Hotel Laguna Woods

2. Newport Beach

In Newport Beach, you will find people from every walk and way of life, from hardcore surfer    dudes all the way to the ritzy and glamorously primped and plucked! Mansions dot the beautiful coastline and a shopping district attracts just about everyone (we are looking at you Fashion  Island!) And let’s not forget the beach – that gorgeous stretch of smooth, warm sand punctuated by the white cap that crashes to the shore. The waves are also impressive and quite legendary. Newport Beach is home of The Wedge, where waves can get up to 30 feet high! Even those uninterested in spring break at the beach itself will find that the nightlife and surrounding           activities are worth the journey (Balboa Island, etc.). You can find out more here.

Closest Hotel: Ayres Hotel & Suites Costa Mesa/Newport Beach

3. Venice Beach

This beach is home to the party animals and a very interesting, eclectic set. The picture speaks for itself. Need I say more?

Closest Hotel: Ayres Hotel Manhattan Beach

4. Santa Monica

The Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade help give this beach a little something special. Amusement park rides and candied confections welcome visitors as do the shops and stunning sunsets. Plan your Spring Break at the beach here and you are always just a few short minutes (ok – we are talking LA traffic so let’s agree on 30 minutes) away from the crazy nightlife of Los Angeles. We know you want more info. Take a gander here.

Closest Hotel: Ayres Hotel Manhattan Beach

5. Manhattan Beach

Perhaps the least known of all of these beaches offers some of your best spots for killer cuisine. Downtown Manhattan Beach offers a slew of Zagat rated fine dining as well as small specialty shops for the discerning shopper. Those looking for live music and a unique getaway this Spring Break will find it here. Side note: Many don’t know that Manhattan Beach was also once simply sand dunes, so the sand itself is completely smooth and perfect for digging your toes into.

Closest Hotel: Ayres Hotel Manhattan Beach

Whether you are visiting Southern California’s beautiful beaches for Spring Break , or taking the family to Disneyland over the holiday, or even just need a place to crash the night of St. Patrick’s Day (we know how that holiday goes and want you to be safe!), we have 1 night, 2 night, and 3+ night options for you at Ayres Hotels. Over the next few weeks, we will also be bringing you the BEST spring retreats in Southern California so stay tuned!

Book Now by Clicking the Photo

Note that some blackout dates may apply and this promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts, group reservations or on previously booked reservations. We look forward to welcoming you this Spring!

The first Art Walk of 2013 drew large crowds of people, eager to see original art and live entertainment, to the SoBeCa district in Costa Mesa last night.  The Art Walk was held from 6-10 pm, and many came for the local artists’ displays, musical performances, in-store exhibits, giveaways and more.

The Art Walk is scheduled to take place on the last Tuesday of each month in 2013, which is good news if you missed last night’s walk.  Among the participating venues were the LAB, the CAMP, the Artery, Artkiteks Hair Studio and Memphis.

Many of the restaurants at the LAB and the CAMP also participated in the Art Walk by offering specials.  Old Vine Café gave $3 off all glasses of wine on their patio, Taco Asylum offered $1 off all tacos and discounted beers and Ritual Juicebox gave Art Walk patrons $2 off all 16 oz. juices.  Some eateries, like Blackmarket Bakery extended its hours.  Others, like the Wine Lab offered guests respite from the chilly weather with a warm interior, glass of wine and a small bite.

SEED People’s Market featured many artists including live bands and spoken word performances while all of the corridors and walkways of the LAB and the CAMP were filled with artists who featured their works.

Everything ranging from oil paintings, photography and jewelry was on display.  Some painted and posed for pictures while other gave hands-on lessons of how they create their craft.

No Art Walk would be complete without an after party.  While the dozens of different artists and performers provided a variety of work and entertainment, Mesa and Memphis offered Art Walk guests differing options for an after party.  Both locations hosted events that featured exhibits, live music and of course, drinks.

The Art Walk may have just ended, but we are already looking forward to February.  With so many talented people, the Art Walk is an ideal place to view up-and-coming artists or to find the inspiration to create your own work.  Whatever you’re looking for, there is a good chance you’ll find it at the next SoBeCa district Art Walk.  The Art Walk is just one of many reasons why Costa Mesa is the City of the Arts.

Be sure to check out the Travel Costa Mesa Flickr stream for more Art Walk photos.  For more information, be sure to follow the LAB and the CAMP on Facebook or follow Travel Costa Mesa on Twitter for updates on events.

Nathan Wheadon
Costa Mesa Conference and Visitor Bureau

Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa is a world-renowned performance venue that is normally reserved for some of Broadway’s most popular shows, classically trained musicians and legendary dance troupes.  The Off Center Festival allowSCFTA to open its doors to a completely new audience and a diverse collection of artists where guests can enjoy amazing talent at this breathtaking venue for as little as $10 a ticket.

 Tickets are still available for many of the performances.  For the price of the ticket, the opportunity to visit SCFTA and the quality of the performers, it’s hard to find a better value than the Off  Center Festival.  Select performances also allow guests to mingle with the artists after the show at the Off Center Lounge at Leatherby’s Café Rouge.

Robert Jon and the Wreck, an unsigned five-piece band with lead and rhythm guitar, bass, drums and keyboard, opened the night with a blues-heavy set.  Although the band is not even a year old, they have already gained a solid following with their classic-rock/blues and country influenced sound.  The Wreck brought energy, enthusiasm and a dynamic stage presence along with their catchy tunes.  Check out the band’s Facebook page for shows and updates.  They also plan to record another album early in 2013.

The headlining act was the Rival Sons, a blues-rock band from Long Beach.  With three albums to their credit and multiple international tours, Rival Sons have gained a loyal following.  The band recently signed with a UK based label and has a growing fan base both domestically and abroad.  As it became time for them to play at SCFTA, the crowded Samueli Theater was buzzing with anticipation. Rival Sons have been hailed as one of the best new bands and one of the most exciting new bands to see perform live.  They lived up to their praise with an awesome display of musicianship and showmanship.  Rival Sons were true to their self-proclaimed Facebook description of “groove, soul and swagger.” For more information on Rival Sons, visit their website, and if you get an opportunity to see them live, make sure you do because their live performances are energetic, fun and full of classic-rock riffs that will have you moving.

Nathan Wheadon

Costa Mesa Conference & Visitors Bureau

 Yeah, that!

Cruise Newport Beach’s Valentine’s Day Cruises Include:

- 1 ½ Hour Cruise

- Complimentary Beverage (includes Champagne, Beer, Wine, or Non-Alcoholic)

- Full Service Cash Bar and Light Snacks Available

- Amazing Views of Newport Bay and Newport Beach Coastline

- Upper Deck with Amazing Views, Large Indoor Salon Seating, and Other Amenities

- Relaxing Music during Cruise. (Requests Welcome!)

- Light Narration on History of Bay Front Homes

At only $35 per person and with multiple departure dates and times between February 11^th – February 19^th, the opportunities for this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration are absolutely endless. You can even make it an overnight affair as Ayres Hotel & Suites Costa Mesa is nearby and is also currently promoting a Valentine’s Day special (surprise!) offering 15% off your stay that also includes a bottle of sparkling wine. Book Now!

You can book your Newport Beach cruise here: http://www.cruisenewportbeach.com/email_valentines_day_cruise.html

Happy Valentine’s Day and may the romance be ever in your favor! (I will just let that sink in all you Hunger Games fans…)

See that sign behind the goalie there? Yep, that’s us! Proud sponsors of the Ontario Reign as always. And how could we not be with hockey talent like this? As one commenter stated on YouTube, he’s become spoiled by the Ontario Reign games because of all the action he sees on the ice.

With the NHL lockout looking like it will continue into next year, the Ontario Reign is definitely the team you need to follow if you are a Los Angeles Kings or Anaheim Ducks fan. Ayres Hotel & Suites Ontario Convention center even offers 2 Ontario Reign packages (starting at $89) that include shuttle service to and from the game. Whether you visit us or not, keep an eye on this team and specifically Yellow Horn for more highlight worthy action!

This year we even had special guest! Santa himself who, oddly enough, decided a little roast of two of our Executive Management team, Jim Roos (President) and Bruce Ayres (Principal) was in order. They must have been naughty this year.

Raffle prizes, good food, Santa, and good people. What better do you need for the holidays? Check out some of the pics for yourself below.

Don Ayres III, Santa, and Quality Assurance Administrative Assistant Carissa Hinshaw

Next Generation of Ayres: Chase Ayres and Don Ayres IV

The Delicious Spread at the Christmas Party

Janet Ayres Picking the Next Raffle Prize Winner

Superintendent Ric Marko Wins the IPAD 3!