Big birthday for La Casa

The historic La Casa del Camino is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year with renovations, a history book — and a big party kicked it all into high gear May 1 with a Roaring ’20s style bash in honor of its opening in 1929.

Chris Keller, owner of the hotel, said 300 partygoers donned Zoot suits, flapper dresses, fedoras, boas and pearls to enjoy cocktails, finger foods, and swing to Sugah Daddy’s jazz, blues, pop and swing music. A Dixieland band also jazzed on the rooftop bar, while a pianist entertained crowds in the courtyard.

“This was a great event that brought the community together to once again celebrate this amazing hotel,” he said.

Guests were greeted on the red carpet by “Groucho Marx,” had old-time sepia photos taken with classic cars, watched old black-and-white movies on the rooftop, enjoyed palm readings, and had their picture drawn by a caricature artist.

The seaside hotel, originally owned by William Riddell, was built as a retreat for Hollywood movie stars and named La Casa del Camino, or the House by the Road.

The modernization of the landmark’s Mediterranean-style “old-world” charm can be seen in the revised edition of “The History of La Casa del Camino,” co-written by Keller and Laguna architect and history buff, Anders Lasater, which will be available in June.

The book, originally put together to help “Save the Rooftop” bar/restaurant about a year ago, is a compilation of historic photos and information from 1929 to present day, pulled from locals and South Coast news.

“We were only able to get information through the 1940s for the first edition,” Keller said, “so we wanted to complete it for the 80th-year celebration.”

The book also illustrates renovations to the hotel’s restaurant, K’ya, which were made in January 2008.

The wine room — a private spot near the courtyard that not many people know about — also underwent a facelift, and “special” design renovations for 10 guest rooms are currently in the works.

La Casa del Camino is at 1289 S. Coast Hwy. For more information, call (888) 367-5232 or visit www.casacamino.com.