This holiday gingerbread car is a classic beach cruiser

Talk about a sweet ride.

The Island Hotel in Newport Beach unveiled its annual holiday gingerbread display Sunday, and in keeping with the coastal spirit, it’s topped by a surfboard-carrying woody car of the type seen at many a California beach in the 1950s and ‘60s.

The creation by pastry chef Andy de la Cruz and other members of the culinary team will decorate the lobby throughout the holidays at 690 Newport Center Drive.

The hotel was going to have a gingerbread lighthouse, but de la Cruz decided instead to make the woody to go with a collection of gingerbread gift boxes, according to Marla Malkin of the Irvine Co., the owner and operator of the property.

—Rob Vardon

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WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU GO:

Island Hotel’s gingerbread display

• 400 pounds of gingerbread

• 200 pounds of powdered sugar

• More than 100 pounds of candies

• 80 pounds of fondant

• 300 hours of work time

Source: Andy de la Cruz