OFF THE GRID
Coastal Living|Fall 2023
A California designer transformed a rustic beach house in remote East Cape Baja into the chicest surf spot on the Sea of Cortez
OFF THE GRID

THE ENTRANCE

"The houses down here [in Baja California's East Cape region] don't have addresses," says homeowner/designer Raili Clasen. "They have names. Let's just say we named this La Caja because it means box or cash register in Spanish. And it was fitting, because the house really is a box, and it was also a bit of a money pit." The entrance to the house features a stone box for foot-washing and a gravel courtyard. "I love the two wild trees that flank the front gate," says Raili. "There is no interior stairwell, so you have to use the outside stairwell to go from one floor to the next. It's true indoor-outdoor living." The house runs on solar power, and every month a truck delivers water to the home's well.

THE WHALE-WATCHING ZONE

The great room-which is on the upstairs level of the home-boasts some of the best views in the house. Raili chose a charcoal gray canvas sectional to optimize seating in one corner. "We call this the whale-watching space, because you can sit here and get totally lost watching the whales passing by."

Some people travel to Baja California's remote East Cape region in search of the perfect wave. Designer Raili Clasen ended up finding the perfect beach house. "It wasn't that the house itself was perfect. It was far from it, to be honest," says the designer, who is based in Newport Beach, California.

"But its location couldn't be better." Raili's husband, Ryan, had been popping back and forth to Baja with his three best surfing buddies for eight years, staying in a humble surf shack every time. "It is so remote-as in, no electricity or water services, no infrastructure at all," she says. "You take dirt roads to get here. But this beach has been a secret surf spot for years, attracting some of the best surfers in the world. No one comes here for the amenities. They come for the waves."

Bu hikaye Coastal Living dergisinin Fall 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Coastal Living dergisinin Fall 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

COASTAL LIVING DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
CAPE CODDER
Coastal Living

CAPE CODDER

With its ruby red cranberry hue, this sublimely simple cocktail joins the holiday fun in winter as nimbly as it reigns as summer's happy hour essential for New Englanders from Maine to Massachusetts.

time-read
1 min  |
Winter 2024
MIZNER & ME
Coastal Living

MIZNER & ME

What better way to explore Palm Beach than with the ultimate guide and bon vivant? JANCEE DUNN locks arms with the resort's visionary architect, Addison Mizner, to explore the enclave's legendary sites

time-read
6 dak  |
Winter 2024
Tropical Obsession
Coastal Living

Tropical Obsession

BRING THE BEACH TO ANY HOLIDAY WITH AN ICEBOX PIE THAT'S A PIÑA COLADA ON A PLATE

time-read
3 dak  |
Winter 2024
BAHAMIAN BASE CAMP
Coastal Living

BAHAMIAN BASE CAMP

A magical compound in Nassau's historic Old Fort community is a relaxed gathering place for a large, London-based family

time-read
5 dak  |
Winter 2024
old soul
Coastal Living

old soul

A restrained, rustic getaway off South Africa's Western Cape bows to the regal landscape

time-read
3 dak  |
Winter 2024
Caribbean Queens
Coastal Living

Caribbean Queens

Meet the six islands—and their showstopping stays that should be at the top of your winter escape vacation list

time-read
5 dak  |
Winter 2024
elements of surprise
Coastal Living

elements of surprise

A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FAMILY REIMAGINED THEIR MEDITERRANEAN HOME AS A MODERN OASIS WHERE EVERY SPACE AND DESIGN DETAIL UNFOLDS LIKE A SECRET

time-read
6 dak  |
Winter 2024
ST. ELSE WHERE
Coastal Living

ST. ELSE WHERE

Part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is often overlooked compared to her sister islands of St. Thomas and St. John to the north. But a visit to this lesser-known gem reveals a place rich in gifts from deep culture and history to fantastic food, beautiful beaches, and a soulful style that may have you yearning to stay

time-read
6 dak  |
Winter 2024
Character-Driven
Coastal Living

Character-Driven

On Florida's Siesta Key, a family built their forever house from the ground up, fashioning a home that could fool even a local into believing it had been there all along

time-read
6 dak  |
Winter 2024
ELEUTHERA'S CULTURED CLUB
Coastal Living

ELEUTHERA'S CULTURED CLUB

Are you actually staying here? You'll quickly get used to this question if you're lucky enough to occupy one of just 11 cottages, suites, and villas at The Potlatch Club, Eleuthera's dreamy, intimate new boutique resort.

time-read
1 min  |
Winter 2024