Touchdown at LAX and collect your car, driving 20 minutes to the laid-back seaside city of Santa Monica. Check in to your beachfront hotel to drop off your bags and freshen up, before heading out for a relaxed evening.

Enjoy a stroll along the sea front, and watch the sunset over the iconic Santa Monica Pier. For great dining options, Third Street Promenade is situated just back from the beach, and boasts a huge range of restaurants. The street is pedestrianised, so you can eat al fresco, watch street performers and just soak up the atmosphere of lively Downtown.

Sandbourne Santa Monica or similar

Start your day down on Santa Monica beach, where you’ll find plenty of trendy cafés. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and people watch as locals jog, or even roller-blade, down the promenade. You may like to explore the pier too, with its fairground rides, seaside snacks, and of course the iconic Route 66 ‘End of the Trail’ sign.

Hiring a bike is the perfect way to explore and soak up the sunshine. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail is an accessible paved path taking you to Venice and beyond, with stunning sea views.

For art lovers, The Getty is a must-visit, a gallery boasting striking architecture, beautiful gardens and a huge collection of European art. Alternatively, spend a relaxed afternoon on the beach, enjoy boutique shopping in Downtown or visit the farmer’s markets (on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays).

Find a spot serving fresh seafood in the evening, and soak in another striking California sunset.

Sandbourne Santa Monica or similar

Just a stone’s throw away from Santa Monica, spend the day exploring the ‘City of Angels’. You may choose to drive, take the train, or you can join a Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour from Santa Monica Pier.

Head to Hollywood and visit iconic landmarks like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, The Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Sign. Perhaps take a studio tour at Paramount Pictures or Warner Bros Studios for a behind the scenes look into your favourite films.

For spectacular views of Los Angeles, head up to Griffith Park, where you can enjoy walking trails that go right up to the iconic Hollywood Sign, or visit the Griffith Observatory.

Why not get stuck into LA’s famous food scene this evening, or go to an open-air cinema at Hollywood Forever or the Rooftop Cinema Club.

Sandbourne Santa Monica or similar

Take the scenic drive to Santa Barbara this morning. Check into your luxurious hotel, and spend the rest of the day exploring the stunning amenities.

Take a relaxing dip in one of the three swimming pools and sample a variety of cuisines at the five delicious restaurants. Why not indulge in a treatment at the spa, take a tennis lesson, or play golf with spectacular views. The resort also offer a range of unique experiences, from eco-hikes to sushi making.

Santa Monica > Santa Barbara | 106 miles

Ritz Carlton Santa Barbara

After taking advantage all that the resort has to offer, get out and explore Santa Barbara today. Known as the ‘Queen of Missions’ because of its beauty, explore the Old Mission, learning about its history and taking in its stunning features. Santa Barbara is also known for its wineries, so you can create your own ‘Urban Wine Trail’ hopping between some of the city’s 20 tasting rooms.

You may like to explore Channel Islands National Park, a striking archipelago just off shore. Kayak through caves, snorkel in crystalline waters, or simply take a cruise and enjoy the views. Butterfly Beach is similarly stunning, and its the perfect place to enjoy a Californian sunset.

Ritz Carlton Santa Barbara

Continue up the coast, re-joining the Pacific Coast Highway and cruising towards Monterey. On your journey, stop for a morning coffee and a wander in the Danish-themed village of Solvang. Stroll its picturesque streets, and allow yourself to be transported right back to Europe, before you hit the road again.

Stop for lunch in the charming wine region of Paso Robles, where you can eat al fresco amongst the olive groves. You’ll then navigate the ‘Big Sur’, a famous stretch of California’s coast known for its dramatic scenery as the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. Visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to stretch your legs with stunning walking trails amongst redwood groves and along the coastline.

You’ll arrive at your luxurious Monterey hotel late afternoon, and you can enjoy an evening stroll around the town and a waterfront dinner.

Santa Barbara > Monterey | 238 miles

Intercontinental The Clement

Spend the day exploring Monterey, a charming city boasting rich maritime history. The Cannery Row waterfront district is famous for its sardine canneries. Continue exploring Downtown, discovering a blend of California past and present, with its blend of boutique shops, wine tasting rooms and historic sites like to Old Custom House.

Fisherman’s Wharf also boasts great shopping and waterfront dining, and you’ll often find sea lions lounging on the rocks. You can also explore the National Marine Sanctuary, a protected area that can be explored via the walking trails, on a boat tour, or by rock-pooling. Monterey is also a fantastic area for whale watching, with cruises leaving from Fisherman’s Wharf.

Intercontinental The Clement

Continue to Northern California today, as you drive to San Francisco. Perhaps take one of the iconic cable cars from Fisherman’s Wharf to Union Square, enjoy a walk in Golden Gate Park, or wander to Lombard Street, known as the “Crookedest Street in the world”.

This evening, dine in one of San Francisco’s many distinctive neighbourhoods, from Chinatown to the very Italian flavoured North Beach, each offers its own distinctive culture and cuisine.

Monterey > San Francisco | 119 miles

Ritz Carlton San Francisco

Consider booking a tour or a unique experience today. There is absolutely no shortage of things to do.

The Hop-on Hop-off Bus is a fantastic way to take in the city’s most iconic sights. Alternatively, perhaps you’d like to venture on a tour of Alcatraz Island, a prison once home to America’s most notorious criminals.

For the more energetic why not join a guided cycle tour across the famous Golden Gate Bridge? Or, if you’d like a more a more relaxed activity you can visit the sea lions along the wharf or get tickets to watch one of the many sporting teams based in the city.

Ritz Carlton San Francisco

If you haven’t already, don’t miss out on visiting the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Walk or bike across it, or simply admire it from numerous viewpoints dotted along the coast.

A fantastic way to finish your luxury California adventure is with a Bay Dinner Cruise. Get ready for an evening of gourmet food, California wines, entertainment, and of course, stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

Ritz Carlton San Francisco

Enjoy your last morning in San Francisco, before you head to the airport, where you’ll return your car and check in for your flight home.