On this ultimate luxury trip down the California coast, experience the best of California from the air, land and sea. Fly in helicopters over stunning scenery, drive a convertible sports car down the famous Route 1, try some of the best wines in the world, dine in Michelin Star restaurants, get up and close with whales and dolphins, ride horses on secluded beaches and get inside the homes of movie stars.
Fly into San Francisco and transfer to the five-star The St. Regis San Francisco Hotel. The rest of your day is at your leisure to take in your new surroundings. We would be delighted to make restaurant reservations for you.
Overnight at The St. Regis San Francisco
This morning, you will embark on a great overview tour of the city that was once known as “The Paris of the West”. Stops during your urban adventure will include the beautiful and awe-inspiring Golden Gate Bridge (a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate strait, the mile-wide, three-mile-long channel between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean) and Fishermans Wharf, home to Pier 39, the Cannery Shopping Center, Ghirardelli Square, a Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum, the Musee Mecanique, Madame Tussauds San Francisco, the Aquarium of the Bay, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
During the tour, you will also have the chance to see the diversity of San Francisco’s neighbourhoods. Head with your guide on a walking tour of North Beach and perhaps stop for coffee to take in this historic area. Enjoy Union Square and perhaps visit the Mission. End your tour with a bite to eat in the city’s famous Chinatown neighbourhood.
Following your tour, head on a VIP sailing experience on a former America’s Cup yacht for a romantic sail. This privately owned state-of-the-art 84’ carbon fibre sailing vessel is one of the most successful yachts to race for America’s Cup in recent years. Once out of the marina, the crew will require your input to help raise the huge, 2200 square ft mainsail. With your help, the crew will then raise the Jib and you are underway! Beyond the history and hands-on thrills of this huge yacht, the course will take you under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, past Alcatraz Island and other nearby San Francisco landmarks that you saw earlier in the day, but now you will get to see them from a totally different perspective and toast them with a glass of champagne!
Overnight at The St. Regis San Francisco
After breakfast, your chauffeur will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the wine country! More than just point to point transportation, the driver will provide you with observations and background stories that only an intelligent insider can. As a complimentary service, your day will be documented in photos and provided to you later in the form of a Dropbox link. Thanks to long-term personal contacts, rather than taking you to mainstream locales with parking lots full of buses, you will be whisked away to exclusive wineries that you probably have never heard of but will long remember.
You will visit three carefully selected wineries and includes a romantic gourmet picnic lunch.
In the evening, have a gourmet dinner at a 3 Michelin Star Restaurant, one of the best in the United States, before heading back to San Francisco.
Overnight at The St. Regis San Francisco
In the morning a luxury convertible will be delivered to your hotel and you begin your journey down the California coast.
Along the way, stop at Moss Landing (30-minutes north of Monterey/Carmel), where you will speed through the beautiful waters of the bay in an exciting private half-day eco-raft ocean safari! Once at the dock, you will meet your experienced captain, who will get you comfortable on your open boat which was originally designed for military patrol use. Get up close and personal with magnificent whales, including humpbacks, orcas, and blue whales. Dolphins are known to make frequent appearances as well! Not only will you explore the magnificent coastline of Monterey Bay; you will also have the chance to explore Point Lobos or Elkhorn Slough, one of California’s spectacular wetlands full of otters, seals and sea lions. Be sure to dress in layers, as the regional weather can change without warning.
Stop in Carmel-by-the-Sea for lunch in the quaint town before arriving at one of the most famous and exclusive hotels in the world, Post Ranch Inn. Sit in your Jacuzzi tub hanging over a massive cliff with views of the Pacific Ocean below you.
Overnight at Post Ranch Inn
Today, go on a hiking tour of majestic Big Sur. Your private guide will meet you in the morning for a delightful hike from land to sea. First, make your way up through a lavishly twisting canyon overlooking terracing waterfalls. Marvel at shades of green you never knew existed, then continue to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. This walk offers a much more intimate relationship with the nature of the area than you could ever experience anywhere else. After leaving the canyon, your guide will take you down to the sea, where the land seems to just melt into the ocean. Keep an eye out for the occasional humpback whale and other sea life in the impossibly large spectrum of blues.
Stop and rest while you enjoy a picnic lunch with sweeping views. Head back to your vehicle to make the 30-minute journey to Pico Blanco. Pico Blanco, Spanish for “White Peak,” is the most distinctive peak in Big Sur. Located in Los Padres National Forest, a massive park spanning five counties and home to almost 500 species of wildlife. Expect stunning views from the summit, as you are surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Ventana Double Cone and Kandlbinder Peak to the southeast, and a host of other Big Sur peaks: Mt. Manuel, Post Summit, Uncle Sam Mtn., and Cone Peak far off in the distance. Enjoy a leisurely hike before heading back to your vehicle.
Overnight at Post Ranch Inn
Depart Post Ranch Inn and continue the majestic drive down the coast, stopping to see massive seal colonies on a secluded beach. Visit the majestic Hearst Castle – one of the most famous homes full of art and unique architecture.
Arrive at the luxurious Four Seasons Santa Barbara in the late afternoon. Enjoy dinner outside with an amazing view of the ocean.
Overnight at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
Today you will experience the absolute beauty of Santa Ynez Valley on horseback. You will meet your guide and horse at the stable. Providing your weight and height in advance will expedite your fitting for a saddle and advising your ability will help your guide choose the most enjoyable route (beginner or experienced options.) Once you are saddled up, you will begin a 75-90 minute journey through the most breathtaking ranches and vineyards in the region. Trot past idyllic scenery and unsurpassed views as your expert guide you through the best of the area. After your ride, you will taste two varietals sourced from the vineyard visited during your ride and then a full glass of your choice.
Your tour concludes at the stables.
Overnight at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
This morning, depart Santa Barbara and drive to Los Angeles, arriving at your glamorous hotel which is surrounded in nature and hills of the most exclusive neighbourhood of Bel-Air. Have lunch at the hotel restaurant where Wolfgang Puck spends his time.
Your convertible will be picked up at the hotel, and then you may elect to have a driver available take you to see Beverly Hills, including time for shopping on and a private visit to the mansion of a Hollywood star whose name you certainly know!
Overnight at Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection
Truly the best was to see almost all of California’s most iconic landmarks, today, soar over Universal Studios, the Hollywood Sign, celebrity homes of Beverly Hills and Bel Air in your private helicopter. As hiking to the sign is not permitted, this aerial view will get you as anyone can truly get! Head west to see the world-famous beaches and pier of Santa Monica, and Pacific Palisades with breathtaking views of the California Coastline. Continue up the coast and land on an exclusive, secluded plateau overlooking the magnificent shores of Malibu beach.
Enjoy a picnic lunch with a champagne toast, strawberries and cheesecake as you take in the unforgettable views before your pilot brings you back to the landing.
Overnight at Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection
Today is all about movies. Your red carpet experience begins at the Studio Plaza, familiar to many as the scene location for hit shows like Two and a Half Men and Entourage. Your guide will share behind-the-scenes secrets as you are driven to the backlot to view some exterior sets. As you step off the cart and onto the sets, you’ll get to see all of the incredible detail that goes into constructing these locations. Enjoy a delicious, three-course lunch in the Commissary Fine Dining Room – the place where producers, actors, writers and studio executives meet to discuss their latest projects or top-secret scripts.
After lunch, you’ll get to explore even more of the famous Studio lot, such as Post-Production, where Foley artists create sounds effects. See The Mill, home to scenic artists, special effects experts, metalworkers and construction teams.
Next, it’s on to the Prop Department, which houses one of the largest collections of rare antiquities and modern furniture, rugs, drapery, lighting and hand props from Hollywood’s golden era; The Archive, which displays costumes and props from some of Warner Bros.’ most iconic productions including Batman; and The Picture Car Vault, where you can currently see The Tumbler from The Dark Knight series and The Bathammer from Batman and Robin.
For the grand finale of your experience, you’ll visit Stage 48: Script to Screen. This exciting interactive soundstage explores phases of the film and television production process. Discover first hand how TV programs and movies are created from start to finish! From screenwriting to audio mixing and the glory of awards season, you will enjoy a truly immersive look at how the magic of Hollywood is made.
End the day attending a movie premiere, including walking the red carpet and attending a star-studded after-party.
Overnight at Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection
After checking out of your hotel, a luxury SUV and driver will be waiting to take you to the airport in time for your flight home.
