Cielo is a magical place. Set on the cliffs of Highway 1 within the Ventana Inn, this restaurant affords breathtaking mountain views and heart-stopping peeks at the white-capped, deep-blue ocean below. With nature’s bounty on such magnificent display, outdoor dining on the wide, rustic, elegant patio is the way to go. Market umbrellas, sturdy redwood tables, teak chairs, and votive candles give this enchanted spot even more ambience. If you can’t sit outside, though, don’t fret. The dining room is warm and cozy, with tall windows, a large stone fireplace, wood-beamed ceilings, and a bird’s-eye view of the sparkling exhibition kitchen, where you’ll witness pristine--and mostly organic--California ingredients being transformed into sumptuous plates of Mediterranean fare. Nature does its part to make dining at Cielo an unforgettable experience, and the kitchen does its best to compete with the view.

Cielo Information:

• Mediterranean menu. Lunch, dinner. Bar. Casual attire. Reservations recommended. Outdoor seating.