Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
San Francisco - Big Sur - Waikiki Beach (Oahu) - Hilo (Big Island) - Volcano (Big Island) - Kohala Coast (Big Island)
100% customisable for you
Your romantic Pacific getaway begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy a glass of bubbly in the airport lounge before boarding your 11-hour flight to San Francisco. A private driver will be waiting for you on arrival to whisk you off to your home for the next three nights: a beautiful hotel at the foot of Nob Hill and just west of Union Square.
Once you’ve settled in and freshened up, we recommend heading out to savour the first evening of your holiday with dinner in one of the many restaurants nearby. Turn to our Dossier for a list of our favourite tried-and-tested eateries, or simply stroll around and find something to your taste.
The next two days are yours to spend soaking in the scenic and cultural delights of San Francisco. The best way to get to grips with the city? A walking tour with a clued-up local. Follow the footsteps of San Francisco’s legendary ‘Summer of Love’ (a fitting experience for your romantic escape) as you wander around the iconic streets of Haight-Ashbury and Alamo Square. Other places worth checking out include Union Square for shopping, Ocean Beach for leisurely walks and the districts of Castro and Mission for bar hopping.
The rest of your time in San Fran is free for you to spend as you please. Our suggestions? Head out to Alcatraz to tour the former prison, spend an evening strolling through the trendy SoMA district, walk up the winding Lombard Street or rent bikes and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, a charming neighbourhood filled with seafood restaurants and local galleries.
Your grand Pacific adventure continues today with a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Big Sur, a rugged stretch of coastline home to some of California’s most enchanting beaches. As you drive south along Route One, keep your eyes peeled for Spanish Missions (old religious outposts) and bustling fishing ports. Fancy stretching your legs along the way? Moss Landing, the Elkhorn Slough Reserve and Monterey are superb stops for a spot of sightseeing. There’s also Carmel-by-the-Sea, a beautiful Hispanic town on the Monterey Peninsula.
On arrival in Big Sur, check in for two nights in a chic contemporary hotel and round off today with a beach sunset (cocktail in hand, of course).
Today is dedicated to soaking in the wild natural landscapes of Big Sur, a beautiful slice of coastal California. Sun-seekers can lose track of time while hopping from beach to beach, while avid hikers can set their sights on the surrounding mountain range. Their tall cliffs plunge directly into the Pacific Ocean, offering incredible vistas (the perfect distraction from aching legs).
Tonight marks your final evening in California, so celebrate with a meal in one of our favourite Big Sur restaurants – simply ask your Concierge for their local recommendations.
It’s time to bid farewell to California and hop across the ocean to the heavenly Hawaiian archipelago. After breakfast, drive two-and-a-half hours back to the airport in San Francisco and then catch a five-and-a-half-hour direct flight to Honolulu, on the island of Oahu. After landing, you’ll be privately transferred to a luxurious hotel on the shores of Waikiki Beach for the next two nights.
The rest of today is yours to play with. Head out for a romantic sunset walk on the beach, or simply sink into your super-soft bed and dream of your upcoming Hawaiian adventure.
We hope you’re not afraid of heights, because today, we’ve arranged a sensational helicopter ride over Oahu. Buckle up and soar over the tropical forests, lush valleys, cliffs, volcanoes, coral reefs and turquoise waters that make up this picture-perfect paradise.
If you fancy a little more adrenaline, you can also climb to the top of Diamond Head to admire (even more) views across the island. Or, turn things down a notch with a visit Haleiwa for a traditional show at the Polynesian Cultural Center or a trip to Pearl Harbor to see the historic sights of the Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri.
Your journey across the Pacific Coast continues today with a one-hour flight across the archipelago to Hilo, a charming town on the neighbouring Big Island. On arrival, collect your next rental car and drive an hour to the small village of Volcano. Here you’ll check in for two nights in a cosy colonial lodge perfect for some R&R in the heart of nature.
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast this morning – another day of adventure awaits. Today you’ll be heading into the seriously impressive Volcanoes National Park alongside a knowledgeable guide. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this park is made up of two of the most active volcanoes in the world: Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Learn about the peculiarities of the park’s landscapes and terrain, which change with volcanic eruptions and lava flows. There are also rare birds, endemic species and forests of giant ferns to ogle over.
If you still have some steam left in the tank this afternoon, our team will be happy to arrange a helicopter flight over Big Island, so you can soak in a bird’s-eye view of the landscapes you saw today.
Today, you’ll be heading to your final destination on this romantic Pacific getaway: a luxurious hotel on Big Island’s paradisiacal Kohala Coast. The drive is just under two hours and offers delightful views of volcanic landscapes and coastal panoramas.
Spend the rest of today relaxing in your new coastal home. Head to the spa for a relaxing massage, read your book by the pool or enjoy a picturesque sunset stroll along the beach.
You have two full days here to kick back, relax and savour the deliciously slow-paced lifestyle of this coastline. When you’re ready to peel yourself away from the beach or the pool, there’s plenty to see and do: learn to surf in the gentle waves; snorkel over beautiful reefs; admire seahorses at the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm; stroll around pristine coffee plantations; and head out to Kailua-Kona, a small town home to several royal residences of the old kings of Hawaii.
We’ve also arranged for you and your special someone to enjoy a guided after-dark diving session with manta rays, which come to the surface at night to feed on plankton. Despite their whopping 15ft wingspan, these elegant creatures are totally harmless and magical to watch.
Sadly, the time has come to bid farewell to Hawaii. After one last dip in the sea, head to Kona airport to begin your journey back home. It will take around 23 hours, including a stopover in a major American airport, so you’ll spend tonight on board and touchdown on home turf the day after tomorrow (due to the time difference).
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
