We\u2019re big fans of iconic road trips, and when we think of California, we can\u2019t help but picture ourselves cruising along Highway One, seeing the sunset in the wing-mirror, humming along to The Beach Boys. Sound like a dream luxury vacation? Then read on. Our North America travel experts have created this soulful, all-encompassing Californian trip that will have you exploring like a local and experiencing landscapes so stunning your jaw will drop. Setting off from San Francisco, you\u2019ll sip wine in Napa Valley before experiencing the wilderness of Yosemite. Then, you\u2019ll cruise south on the iconic Highway One towards Santa Barbara and Los Angeles for a final few days exploring the City of Angels. We\u2019ll give you the inside scoop on the best roads to turn down for the best views, the must see pit-stops and hole you up in properties that will leave you wanting more. \u00a0And if you feel like shifting it up a gear, then why not go true American style and throttle down the coast on a Harley Chopper.<\/p>\n
With the downtown St Regis San Francisco as your first resting place before the open road calls, drop your bags and enjoy one of our favorite US cities for a day or two. \u00a0From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the lesser-known stores and restaurants in the heart of the city, relax and take in the San Francisco sights. We\u2019re on hand to help pick that perfect part of town for a bite or to share some of the hippest bars, galleries and secret viewpoints. For a city tour with a twist, we\u2019ll arrange for you to explore the sights by electric bike. Starting at Fisherman\u2019s Wharf you\u2019ll head along the waterfront to Fort Point where you\u2019ll then cross over the Golden Gate Bridge. A must when visiting San Francisco is getting lost in Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in North America. Here our guides will show you the best places to taste Dim Sum, moon cakes and other eastern fare.<\/p>\n
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A short hour and a half drive from San Francisco and you\u2019re at Auberge du Soleil, set in the heart of Napa Valley. Surrounded by rolling vines, you\u2019ll instantly feel at peace. After settling in and refreshing, head off on the Kunde tour, where you can sample some of the valley\u2019s finest wines and local cheese sitting on top of the hill watching the sunset. With a private tour guide, take a stroll through the vineyards and see how the wine goes from grape to bottle, before sitting back and embracing the northern California lifestyle. Head back to the Auberge to rest your head as you\u2019ve got an early start in the morning.<\/p>\n
A few hours before sunrise, you\u2019ll set off for a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Napa Valley. Watch as the rising sun glistens over the stunning pine laden valleys below, take a deep breath and you\u2019re sure to never forget this remarkable view.<\/p>\n
Next, set off on the four-hour journey to your base for the next two nights, the Majestic Yosemite Hotel. Formerly known as the Ahwahnee, this rustic but elegant lodge offers sweeping views and is in a perfect location for exploring this extraordinary National Park. Yosemite is the crown jewel when it comes to spectacular scenery, rich history and captivating terrain for as far as the eye can see. Located in the High Sierras, Yosemite is nature in all its shining glory. From the towering granite carved out by glaciers, to the ethereal and therapeutic silence, soak up your surroundings as you spend the next few days hiking alongside a Conservancy ranger by day and stargazing by night.<\/p>\n
Winding down the coast you\u2019ll have the Pacific Ocean crashing on the rocks to your right and stunning landscapes stretching afar on the left. After a four hour scenic coastal drive, you\u2019ll arrive at the Post Ranch Inn, a Black Tomato favorite. For the next few nights, you\u2019ll be staying overlooking the ocean \u2013 a perfect spot for a relaxing few days to explore the stunning surroundings or catching sight of migrating whales from a private zodiac in the company of a marine biologist.<\/p>\n
Head southbound on one of the most famous roads in the world, the Pacific Coast Highway. It takes you across some of North America\u2019s most amazing cliffs, rivers and bridges, so make sure your car roof is down to experience them in all their glory. \u00a0It\u2019s a mind-blowing five hours\u2019 drive to Santa Barbara and the beachfront luxury of Rosewood Miramar Beach in neighbouring Montecito. From here, you\u2019ll spend the next few days exploring the vineyards and charming surrounding villages before you embark on the last leg of your road trip.<\/p>\n
Hit the road, and in under a two-hour drive you\u2019ll be at the iconic Shutters on the Beach, directly on the sands of the Santa Monica Coast.\u00a0 For the last four nights of your trip, it\u2019s the perfect stop to combine casual beachside living with the glamour of LA. Start with a half-day tour through Hollywood and Beverly Hills in comfort and style. Walk the avenue of stars, see the famous Hollywood sign and Rodeo Drive and then head back to the iconic beaches where you can spend the rest of the day soaking up the sun or sipping on a cocktail looking out over the Santa Monica pier. Spend the last two days embracing the California lifestyle \u2013 a heady mix of shopping, surfing and sunshine.<\/p>\n
Return the keys here, but it\u2019s never too soon to start planning another journey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We\u2019re big fans of iconic road trips, and when we think of California, we can\u2019t help but picture ourselves cruising along Highway One, seeing the sunset in the wing-mirror, humming along to The Beach Boys. Sound like a dream luxury vacation? Then read on. Our North America travel experts have created this soulful, all-encompassing Californian […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":198849,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1456],"tags":[],"country":["The USA"],"class_list":["post-184203","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-us","country-usa","region-california","month-april","month-august","month-december","month-february","month-january","month-july","month-june","month-march","month-may","month-november","month-october","month-september","type-experience","need-to-indulge","need-to-discover","what-beach","who-couple"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n