THE ITINERARY

Arrive San Francisco and head straight to a chic members only club that doubles as a hotel. Once you’ve dropped off your bags and settled in, stroll down to the ferry building for sustainably raised oysters paired with a glass of crisp Californian wine. Head back to your room to recharge and freshen up before a prix-fixe dinner with seasonal ingredients from local farmers, ranchers and fishermen.  If you’ve still got some energy, sink into the club’s cozy courtyard with a tipple from the bar. Sleep in before running down to Mama’s for classic breakfast offerings. From the iconic Golden City to digging into neighborhood haunts - take in the De Young, walk the Presidio, shop the Grocery Store or pause at the Haines Gallery. Walk off lunch in the eclectic Mission District and keep your eyes peeled for vibrant murals and the Bi-Rite to pick up snacks for the road trip. Venture back to Hayes Valley for a champagne aperitif followed by dinner of dim-sum style plates, carted around the dining room, ready for the taking. 

Your chosen car is delivered early in the morning. First, a visit over to the Tartine Manufactory where bread is made in-house daily—the perfect fuel for your long drive—and your route continues. Handpicked stops and vistas immerse you in Monterey’s harbor views and the charm of Carmel-by-the-Sea. After lunch at the favored bistro, your dream Big Sur stay allures you down the road. Set on massive cliffs plunging into the Pacific, this stretch of Highway 1 is an adrenaline rush for the most seasoned drivers. Sunlight streaks through patches of the remaining fog to reveal waves ravaging the shores below. It’s the America that warrants a longer stay; an experience that can assuage any doubt that California is king. Cross over Bixby Bridge and set eyes on Point Sur, a large volcanic rock with a lighthouse perched on top. Arrive at your home for the next few days. Bathed in muted tones and redwood reminiscent of the surrounding forest, the Inn offers simple comforts to a luxurious standard. Wide windows gaze over the landscape and welcome drinks are interrupted by the sunset blinking into the Pacific. 

Awaken to California curated. A vital piece of American literary lore, and one of the world’s most beautiful locales, Big Sur has long been a place for artists and creatives of all kinds. The next few days are yours to entertain the endless possibilities of this natural retreat and playground. Survey the Hawthorne and Coast galleries as well as various small ateliers. Drive down to Pfeiffer Beach, where tide pools and a natural arch known as Keyhole Rock await. The purple-tinged beach serves as your perfect reading spot for the book you picked up at the Henry Miller Library. Pull yourself away to the local bakery for lunch on the terrace. Hike to panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean, take in the limestone rock formations and rugged bluffs. Set your eyes on 80 feet of cascading water at McWay Falls Overlook. Seek out caves and coves dotted with sea lions while peering out into deep blue waters, keeping an eye open for spouting whales. Seasoned surfers can set out to the point breaks and mountain bikers can explore the verdant forests. Escape to Escalen to take your journey inward among luxury and the dramatic coastline. This section of Highway 1 is not a one-time drive-thru—to be experienced, one must become familiar with the curves of the road, with the vantage points, novel pitstops, and diversions that take your breath away.  

The rising sun covers everything with a beautiful golden veil as you soak up the last morning. After breakfast, your car is brought around to set out on the scenic drive to Santa Barbara - one of the best things about Southern California. One of our favorite ranch estates is set against the Santa Ynez Mountains, where the Kennedy’s spent their honeymoon and Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh tied the knot—it’s the type of place where the occasion is the stay. The rooms intertwine classic Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with modern influences, blending the iconic with an unorthodox mode of nostalgia. Dining and drink options range from an all-day cafe and marketplace with outdoor seating and build-your-own picnic baskets to an eccentric craft cocktail bar with intricate design and outdoor seating. The turndown service, which includes short poems or experiences from legendary ex-pats, mysterious and inspiring quotations, or recommendations from local iconoclasts, keeps each evening unpredictable. While there is no need to wander out for a repose, there is also much to explore nearby on foot, kayak or beach cruiser. A couple of nights here provides a taste of the quintessential California good life. 

The California dream continues as you jump back in the car. With sorted stops for breakfast burritos and sustainably-sourced fare, you land in the City of Angels by late afternoon. Your car is collected and returned as you don’t want to pick up bad driving habits from the locals. Recharge, then do a little shopping on Melrose before heading off to dinner at a vegan restaurant that can make even a Frenchman consider the LA lifestyle. End the night at secret club inside a restored Victorian home. After a packed several days, a morning sleeping in is well deserved. Meander to brunch at a French eatery where all the bread and pastries are made in-house. Head to the Hollywood Hills and drop by Jerome C. Daniel Overlook for sweeping vistas of the city before visiting the Griffith Observatory for even more exceptional views. Indulge in an art crawl downtown and stop by Art Share L.A. and The Broad. It’s best to pass by Chris Burden’s outdoor Urban Light installation at the LACMA on your way back to the hotel. Collect your bags and close your foray into the California good life with a stop at In-N-Out Burger for takeaway, you end at LAX; there’s a chosen bar to accompany your meal with a beer which will definitely hit the spot. 

PLEASE NOTE:

These sample itineraries offer a taste of what we can produce—but we service the entire world. Don’t see a destination? Our designers and editors can create an itinerary that combines your interests with our access.