Day /1
Arrive in San Francisco
Arrive in San Francisco and transfer to The St. Regis San Francisco for a three night stay.
The St. Regis San FranciscoSan Francisco, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles /Itinerary
Day /2-3
San Francisco
A tour of the city’s highlights starts the day, from the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf to the eery Alcatraz Island. It’s not just about the big names though, the tour really gets under the skin of the personalities attached to each neighbourhood, ending by taking in the sights from a different perspective – aboard a former America’s Cup yacht. Wine country takes up another day in these parts, but instead of a trip to the usual tourist haunts, in-the-know contacts have used their powers to source three of the best boutique vineyards.
The St. Regis San FranciscoDay /4-5
Big Sur
Wake up to a convertible-shaped delivery on your doorstep as you begin the drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. Big Sur is the destination, but not before a pit-stop at Moss Landing just north of Carmel, where the captain of an eco-raft waits to begin an aquatic safari. The following day sees nature up close on a guided hike from a waterfall-laden canyon to where the land melts into the sea. A picnic stop to refuel then leads onto a drive to “Pico Blanco”, where a trek to the summit reveals dramatic views across the ocean and the park’s other peaks.
Post Ranch InnDay /6-7
Santa Barbara
The sophisticated Santa Barbara is your next stop, with a pause at the architectural wonder that is Hearst Castle along the way. Once in Santa Barbara, head out to trot alongside an in-the-know guide on horseback as you make your way across the viewpoint-strewn landscape to the best ranches and vineyards in the area. Stop off to sample the varieties before chilling out with a refreshing glass of your top pick.
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa BarbaraDay /8-10
Los Angeles
Leaving Santa Barbara in the rear view mirror, drive until the bright lights of L.A. appear on the horizon. There’s so much to do in the “City of Angels” that your last three days are packed to the brim: think a celebrity mansion visit, a private helicopter tour over the must-see spots and a secluded picnic in Malibu. The real highlight though is that of the silver-screen variety. At Universal Studios Hollywood, a behind-the-scenes tour unveils what goes into the making of a blockbuster. Come evening, the red carpet of a movie premier awaits, followed by a glitzy after-party.
The Peninsula, Beverly HillsDay /11
Return home
Transfer to Los Angeles International Airport for your overnight return flight home.