Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Napa & Sonoma Valleys - San Francisco - San Diego
100% customisable for you
Begin your classic California road trip in San Francisco. Head to the airport, breeze through security and board your roughly 11-hour flight from the UK. On arrival, hop in a taxi and travel half an hour to your centrally located hotel.
Check in, unpack and put your feet up; this will be your home for the next two nights. But before you become too relaxed, combat any potential jet lag by exploring your new surroundings and adapting to the new time zone (no naps allowed). As luck would have it, Frisco is a frisky sort of town with nightlife tempting enough to keep you up. Not sure where to kick things off? Check out our detailed Dossier for the best restaurants, bars and clubs.
After breakfast, collect your hire car and explore San Francisco’s close-knit neighbourhoods. First stop: Haight-Ashbury, a hippy hangout where fashion and social attitudes are frozen in time. Then head to the hipster Mission District, before visiting Mid-Market, where the tech gazillionaires congregate.
This afternoon, stroll around the city, embark on a credit card-busting shopping spree, or enjoy a guided bike tour. This route skips the crowds, with stops at the infamous Alcatraz (entry tickets included), the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sausalito bike trail and the sea lions at Pier 39. Wrap up your tour at the Swan Oyster Depot for a shellfish blowout.
As evening approaches, refer to our Dossier to plan your night out. Sip craft beers in Haight-Ashbury's microbreweries or tuck into a delicious dinner in a superb Chinatown restaurant.
Let the road trip begin. Hop in your hire car, wave goodbye to San Fran and drive an hour to Sonoma, where you’ll be racking up 43 miles and journeying across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Take a break in Sausalito, famous for its colourful floating houses. As you near Sonoma, verdant vineyards will begin rolling into view. Check into your cosy hotel and kick back and relax; this is your home for the next two nights.
What better way to explore this California winemaking region than on a guided bike tour? Cycle past the top sites and landmarks at the heart of Sonoma, stopping for refreshments and wine tastings en route. We can also organise a wine blending class, where you’ll create your own signature bottle – the ideal activity for couples
Rise and shine, this morning you’re heading west back across the Central Valley on a three-hour drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Home to long sandy beaches, a gallery-filled town centre and Mission San Carlos de Borromeo – one of the oldest Spanish colonial missions on the west coast – there’s plenty to see. But, above all, Carmel is known for its swoon-worthy sunsets, making it a must-visit.
On your second day here, head to Monterey waterfront for a half-day whale-watching boat trip. Keep your camera on hand to capture splashing tails and graceful breaches. In summer, the waters off the west coast come alive with an array of species, and depending on the time of year, you could spot anything from gray, humpback and blue whales to northern right whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins and Risso dolphins. Keep an eye out for rare orca sightings too, especially between April and May.
Another day, another drive. Your two-and-a-half-hour journey to San Luis Obispo promises picture-perfect views as you hug the coastline, passing small coastal villages and lounging sea lions.
You only have one night here, so make the most of it. Stroll along the vast beaches, wander up the surrounding hills or sip your way through the famous vineyards (where Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and aromatic whites take centre stage). For your culture fix, admire the Art Deco facade of the Fremont Theatre (opened in 1942) or visit Hearst Castle, whose owner inspired the character of Citizen Kane.
Wake up bright and early for the next leg of your road trip to Santa Barbara. Weave (temporarily) away from the Pacific Coast roads and sprawling vineyards on this two-hour journey past the small town of Los Olivos, and possibly Solvang (a city famous for its Danish-style architecture). Watch as towering palm trees spring up, signalling your arrival in the ‘American Riviera’.
Spend two nights in this coastal Californian haven. The Old Santa Barbara Mission (built in 1812 to resemble an ancient Latin temple in pre-Christian Rome) is worth a visit for any self-confessed history buffs, while the Museum of Fine Arts and the galleries of El Paseo will likely inspire your creative side. Relax and recharge, hike the Cold Spring trail or surf the waves at Rincon beach. Reward yourself afterwards with a food tour of the city’s most mouth-watering spots.
The film capital of the world is calling. Hit the road early for the two-hour drive to Los Angeles. Whether you’re after the beachfront vibe of Santa Monica or the city slicker scene in Beverly Hills, we'll find the perfect hotel for you.
LA is one of those cities that induces déjà vu because you've seen it so much on TV, but nothing beats being there in person. Clock the muscle Marys on Venice Beach, spot a Google gazillionaire outside the Frank Gehry-designed Binoculars Building and graze at Gjelina's, the healthy restaurant behind the latest food trends.
This afternoon, wander around one of Santa Monica’s 70-plus museums and galleries or nab the perfect sunbathing spot for some beachside bliss. Then, come evening, choose from the ever-growing roster of hip restaurants in town before grabbing some well-deserved shut-eye.
Why not indulge your inner kidult on your second day in LA on a Hollywood studio tour? Visit the Warner Bros. Studio, or enjoy a Universal Studios VIP experience where a private guide will give you the run-down on the studio's heritage during a back-lot tour and – perhaps more importantly – bring you to the front of the line for the epic rides. Then there's Disneyland, which is not exclusively for families – kidults rejoice.
Ready for some retail therapy? You’re in the right place. Make your way to Melrose Avenue and Rodeo Drive, before snapping a couple’s selfie by the Hollywood sign and Walk of Fame. We recommend adding a visit to Griffith Park to your agenda for sweeping city views (ideally at sunset) with the Griffith Observatory in the foreground. Wrap up your final evening in LA with a delicious dinner at one of our recommended restaurants.
Bid farewell to LA as you hop back in your hire car and drive two hours to San Diego. On arrival, check into your charming hotel, your home for the next two nights.
Keen to stretch your legs? Head to Balboa Park, where lush green spaces meet cultural attractions. Characterised by Hispanic colonial architecture, sprawling gardens and an eclectic mix of museums, there’s plenty to see. Pop into the San Diego Museum of Art (home to over 20,000 objects from across the globe), sit by the Botanical Building and Lily Pond or crane your neck to appreciate the California Tower. We can even arrange entry tickets to the iconic San Diego Zoo.
Evenings in the city are all about good food and even better music. Visit the vibrant Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego for bustling bars, tasty restaurants and live music that continues well into the night.
Sadly, the time has come to head home. Squeeze the last drop out of San Diego before heading to the airport for your ten-and-a-half-hour overnight flight to the UK.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
