The Luxury California Experience: Napa to San Diego

Day 1

Board your direct flight from London to San Francisco. Upon arrival, relax with a private transfer to your hotel in the heart of Napa Valley where you will stay for two nights. This fantastic luxurious hotel encompasses the Sonoma wine country’s simplicity and charm.

Tonight we have booked for you a table at one of the hottest spots in town! Dry Creek Kitchen embodies in bounty and spirit the very best of the Sonoma wine country. The Chef, Charles Palmer, is one of the most highly regarded chefs in America.

Day 2

Have a free day to unwind after your travels. Relax and explore the charming town of Healdsburg, with excellent wine, farm-to-table cuisine, interesting history, art of all types, beautiful music, small-town charm, intriguing shopping, and pampering spas.

Or just lounge by the pool with a crisp glass of white!

Day 3

Today enjoy a private full day chauffeured wine tasting tour with a private wine guide int he Northern California’s rich farmlands and wild, dramatic coastline as you discover Bodega Bay and Sonoma.

It is all about the wild and rugged wine region of Sonoma Valley and the finest New World Pinot Noirs and creamy and zesty Chardonnay. Sonoma is more expansive, spread out, and laid-back than Napa. It’s almost double the size, and grows far more grapes in a variety of conditions. You will visit three of the finest Sonoma county vineyards throughout the course of the day. This includes wineries in the Russian River Valley and in Dry Creek Valley.

During the day relax with a memorable lunch with accompanying wines during the day and enjoy some fantastic wines. Many of the tasting rooms have stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Russian River Valley or use impressive organic and biodynamic farming methods.

At the end of the tour your driver/guide will take you to your next accommodation located in the center of downtown Yountville, the modern but charming place of your wine country dreams, where you will stay for three nights.

Day 4

Enjoy a wonderful private chauffeured wine tasting tour with a specialist wine guide. Today is all about California’s most famous wine region: Napa Valley, where you’ll be soaking up its finest Cabernet Sauvignons, Petite Sirah and Zinfandels and learn about the terroirs, vines and spirit of this incredible wine region.

Your wine guide will escort you to three wineries throughout the course of the day winding your way up the Napa Valley from iconic large scale to smaller family run estates. The first stop is at an iconic, big name winery which produces an impressive 100,000 cases a year which demonstrates the scale of this wine region. You will be stopping for lunch in a local restaurant during the day.

Day 5

Today relax with a private transfer to your next accommodation, located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea just two blocks from the famed Carmel Beach. Set on a tree-lined street near art galleries and shops, this elegant, French chateau–inspired inn dating from 1929 is a 7-minute walk from Carmel Beach.

Day 6

A free day to explore Carmel, on California’s Monterey Peninsula, known for the museums and library of the historic Carmel Mission, and the fairy-tale cottages and galleries in the charming town centre.

Day 7

Is there a more iconic road trip than taking Highway 1 south from San Francisco along California’s coast Meet with your private driver for a stunning drive to Santa Barbara

Visit Morro Bay, and enjoy lunch at your leisure in one of Central Coast’s finest seafood restaurant overlooking the scenic waterfront on the Embarcadero in Morro Bay.

Stay three nights in one of California’s most indulgent hideaways. The location of the hotel is directly on Miramar Beach, the resort’s beachfront suites deliver refined seaside living. This really is an idyllic luxury coastal retreat.

Santa Barbara has one of those stretches of sand that is alluring no matter what time of year it is. It’s a terrific beach to walk down and great for watching sunsets before dinner at your leisure at one of the restaurants overlooking the Pacific.

Day 8

In the morning, explore the Gaviota Coast on a private morning Kayak experience, tour a total of 3 miles, stopping in pristine kelp beds to learn about marine ecology and the Santa Barbara Channel (and hopefully kayak with dolphins and sea lions!)

Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool of your fantastic hotel.

Day 9

Today enjoy a private full day wonderful, chauffeured wine tasting tour with a private wine guide to explore the Santa Ynez Valley.Nestled in the Santa Rita Hills, visit a boutique vineyard blessed with a distinctive terroir ideally suited for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

You will discover a family owned, sustainable and certified organic vineyard nestled in the heart of the Santa Rita Hills Appellation, a true soil to glass experience. Unwind with lunch in a local modern deli and wood-fired pizza restaurant, with local tap beer and wine.

In the afternoon drive to Pence Vineyards, where they strive for honesty and elegance in their wines, reflecting the beautiful landscape where the grapes are grown.

Day 10

Today meet with your driver and head south along the coast to Malibu. Stretching for more than 30 miles along the Pacific and Highway One, Malibu has achieved almost mythological status among Californian beach towns.

Enjoy three nights in Santa Monica, at Shutters on the Beach, located right on the beach with views over Santa Monica pier. Why not watch the sunset over the Pacific before dinner at your leisure at 1 Pico restaurant, it provides romantic dining (with a cosy fireplace) and highly rated, local seasonal fare by chef Vittorio Lucariello. Or relax in the Coast beach café, or a light meal in the Living Room!

Day 11

Experience the city in the most exclusive way you can. Meet with your private guide after breakfast. Enjoy a superb a fully guided private-day tour. Discover Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Los Angeles, the Hollywood Hills, Venice Beach, The Original Farmers Market, The Grove, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica Bay.

Day 12

Free day to relax! A chance to take a morning swim and enjoy the panoramic ocean view. Set along Santa Monica State Beach, this elegant hotel is a 9-minute walk from Santa Monica Pier.

Why not hire bikes and ride The Strand – Bicycle Beach Path. Ride on the Santa Monica beach path and travel through all of the South Bay beach communities and 2 harbours: Marina del Rey and King Harbour at Redondo Beach.

Day 13

Relax with a private transfer to your next accommodation in San Diego, an iconic California National Historic Landmark on America’s most beloved beach. Housed in a grand 1888 Victorian property, this upscale beach hotel is 5 miles from downtown San Diego.

Day 14

Today, set-off on a full day private chauffeured tour with your a wine specialist to discover handcrafted wines from San Diego.

You will discover artisanal hand-crafted wines at a boutique family wine estate producing Rhône and Iberian varietals. The vineyard sits high in the foothills of Palomar Mountain with an ocean view 30 miles to the west.

Then head off to another family owned and operated winery crafting award winning wines fromRhône varietals. The estate vineyard is planted with over 12 varietals and specialises in both mono-varietals and blended wines. The domaine offers a  relaxed, Provençal vibe.

During the day relax with a light wine pairing lunch before ending the day on the highland valley road at an award-winning estate with amazing panoramic views.

Day 15

Spend your last day relaxing by the pool or taking a stroll down the beach before meeting with your driver for your private transfer to the airport where you will board your flight back to London.