Classic California For Couples Classic California Itineraries

Day 1 - San Francisco Arrival

Upon arrival in San Francisco, you will meet your driver and be privately transferred to your hotel, centrally located in the city’s Union Square district. The rest of the day is yours to relax and get acclimated to your new surroundings.

Overnight The St. Regis San Francisco

Day 2 - San Francisco City Tour and Sunset Sail

Meet your expert guide this morning for an exciting day exploring San Francisco’ most iconic sites. Learn about the rich history and unique landscape of the city as your guide takes you to the most popular sites! A visit to San Francisco wouldn't be complete without a stop at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Next, head to the oldest Chinatown in North America, and the largest Chinese community outside Asia. Stop at Fisherman's Wharf where you will meander the bustling Pier 39, and catch a stunning view of the infamous Alcatraz Island. Pass by the Ferry Building, historical in nature but now symbolic of the city's cutting-edge food scene. Other stops potentially include North Beach, Nob Hill, Twin Peaks, and more!

After your tour concludes, board a sailboat for a private charter that will feature spectacular sunset views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the San Francisco waterfront. Once you are back on land, you will be privately transferred back to your hotel to enjoy the rest of the night at your leisure.   

Overnight The St. Regis San Francisco

Day 3 - Napa Valley Wine Tour

After breakfast, your luxurious open-top car will be delivered to your hotel in time to begin your drive down the iconic Pacific Coast Highway.

Say goodbye to San Francisco, as you make the short drive into the precious countryside of the Napa Valley. Check into your accommodations at the renowned Auberge Du Soleil wine country hotel. Get settled into your room and freshen up before being picked up by your private chauffer and expert guide for a full day of wine touring.

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. More than just point to point transportation, your driver will provide you with observations and background stories that only an intelligent insider can. You will visit three carefully selected wineries, and enjoy a romantic gourmet picnic lunch along the way, before returning to your hotel in the early evening.

Overnight at Auberge Du Soleil

Day 4 - Point Reyes Foodie and Farm Tour

Today you will indulge in a savory journey to Point Reyes for an insider foodie experience at some of the farms that supply local chefs with premium artisanal ingredients. Your driver will pick you up from the hotel in the morning and take you on a flavorful adventure, stopping to tour a number of local farms and taste their sustainably-produced cheeses and baked goods. Enjoy a private gourmet lunch on the last family-owned cattle ranch in the Bay Area, then delight in a digestif tasting of a unique Champagne-style mead made from fermented honey. Learn about beekeeping as you tour the meadery’s apiary, before heading to an elite oyster farm for the last stop of the day. Delve into the world of sustainable aquaculture on a  techniques followed by a delectable tasting set against the shores of Tomales Bay. Conclude your afternoon with a return transfer to your hotel to spend the rest of your day at leisure.

Overnight at Auberge Du Soleil

Day 5 - Eco-Rafting and Drive to Big Sur:

Today you will depart wine country, and continue your way down the coast, arriving at Moss Landing. Meet your experienced captain and board a customized rigid-hull inflatable boat that was originally designed for military patrol use for an exciting, private ocean safari!

Explore the magnificent coastline of Monterey Bay, as well as the spectacular wetlands of Point Lobos and Elkhorn Slough. Guided by an expert naturalist, you will get up-close and-personal with the magnificent, local resident whales, dolphins, sea lions and otters! Be sure to dress in layers, as the regional weather can change without warning.

After your tour concludes, 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

Day 6 - Hiking Big Sur

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. 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 animals found among the impossibly wide spectrum of blues.

Stop and rest while you enjoy a picnic lunch with sweeping views, then 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, and a host of other Big Sur peaks to the east. Enjoy a leisurely hike before heading back to your vehicle.   

Overnight at Post Ranch inn

Day 7 - Drive to Santa Barbara:

Depart Big Sur in the morning, driving to Santa Barbara. As a 30-mile stretch of Highway 1 south of Big Sur is indefinitely closed for repair, the drive will take about an hour and a half longer than usual, rerouting inland on California’s 101 interstate before rejoining the Pacific Coast Highway at Morro Bay. Arrive in Santa Barbara in the late afternoon, get settled into your luxurious accommodations, and end your day with a gorgeous sunset meal by the beach.

Overnight at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore

Day 8 - Santa Ynez Horseback Riding

Today you will experience the absolute beauty of Santa Ynez Valley on horseback. Saddle up and trot past idyllic scenery with unparalleled views. An expert guide will lead you through the most breathtaking ranches and vineyards in the area. Trot past idyllic scenery and unsurpassed views as your expert guide brings you past scenic viewpoints of the breathtaking countryside. Conclude your ride at a local vineyard, where you will have the chance to taste two of its varietals, and a full glass of your choice. Return to your hotel in the afternoon, and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Overnight at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore

Day 9 - Los Angeles Arrival and Helicopter

This morning, depart Santa Barbara and drive to Los Angeles. After checking into your accommodations at the iconic, timeless Beverly Hills Hotel, immerse into the world of the City of Angels with an expert-led driving tour of its most popular sites, as well as some lesser-known gems frequented by true locals.

Sights and stops may include: the Hollywood Sign, the Hollywood Bowl, Hancock Park, the Kodak Theater, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the legendary gates at Paramount Pictures, Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue, the Sunset Strip and scores of celebrity homes in Beverly Hills and Bel-Air.

Your tour will also include a sunset helicopter tour where you will soar over iconic landmarks of Los Angeles including the Pacific Palisades, the Santa Monica pier, and the celebrity homes of Beverly Hills and Bel Air. As many walking paths have been closed off in recent year, this aerial tour will get you as close as you can possibly get to the world-famous Hollywood sign!

After the tour concludes, your guide will bring you back to your hotel for a night on your own.

Overnight at Hotel Bel Air, Dorchester Collection

Day 10 - Los Angeles Beach Day

After a hearty breakfast, head to Mother’s Beach, where you will meet your private outdoor adventure guide.

Kick off the day by learning to stand up paddleboard. Glide on the ocean surface, past yachts and sea lions, as you explore the nearby marine life under the warm California sun. Finish up your leisurely paddle, and spend the next two hours biking along the world famous Venice beach boardwalk.

Pass colorful shops, and even more colorful local characters, along a gorgeous stretch of beach. Take time to indulge in the fascinating performances by mystics and talented performance artist in one of the most vibrant areas in southern California. From mimes to musicians, jugglers to jesters, and everything in between, take in the full essence of what makes the boardwalk unique

Enjoy lunch, paid direct, and have the late afternoon at leisure. Tonight will be yours to explore on your own or relax at the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Bel Air, Dorchester Collection

Day 11 - Hollywood Movie Studio

No trip to Los Angeles would be complete without the chance to see a working feature film studio! Today, you will explore Warner Brother Studios’ iconic backlots and sound stages on a private VIP tour.

With actual filming happening all around you, this tour will give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the inner workings of the studio. Enjoy a gourmet three-course lunch at a dining room where real producers, actors, writers, and studio executives meet to discuss their latest projects and top-secret scripts. Then, visit the Prop Department to take an up-close look at authentic props and costumes from the Harry Potter, Superman, and Batman films.

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 firsthand 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.  

Overnight at Hotel Bel Air, Dorchester Collection

Day 12 - Los Angeles to San Diego

This morning, hop in your convertible and continue your drive south on southernmost stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway. Arrive in San Diego before lunch to soak up some great SoCal vibes, and enjoy the area’s immense natural splendor.

Known around the world for its top-notch waves, San Diego is a bona fide surfing mecca. This afternoon, let an expert teach you how to surf them with a 90-minute private lesson. Learn how to enter the water safely pop up onto your board, and perfect your surfer stance! Then, jump head first into the waves of the Pacific as your expert instructor shows you how to paddle into and eventually ride these epic waves. Your instructor will be a CPR-certified surfing expert, and dedicated to teaching you the proper techniques of wave selection and surf etiquette that you need to master to become a true surfer. In the afternoon, return to your hotel to enjoy it’s spectacular amenities; make sure to stop by it’s phenomenal spa, voted the very best in the United States.

Overnight at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

Day 13 - San Diego Zoo

Today you will enjoy a private VIP Experience at the world-renowned San Diego Zoo! Doubling as your chauffer, your personal tour guide will meet you at the gate and escort you around the park on your very own private golf cart, sharing insider stories and facts about the zoo’s history along the way. For two hours, you will enjoy private VIP guiding services, going behind the scenes in areas off-limits to regular visitors, and enjoying an encounter with a zoo resident of your choice! After the private tour concludes, spend as much time as you like at this sprawling attraction before heading back to Rancho Valencia in the late afternoon.

Overnight at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

Day 14 - Departure

Today, your California road trip comes to an end. Drive yourself to San Diego with enough time to return your rental car at SAN airport, and board your departure flight home. Safe travels!