Ultimate California
San Francisco, Sonoma Valley, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Los AngelesA superbly stylish journey through California, staying at the finest hotels, and combining the vibrancy of Los Angeles and San Francisco, an extraordinary retreat on Big Sur, a trip to the stunning Sonoma Valley and the very best of coastal living in Santa Barbara.
At a glance
California in ultimate style - perfect for a honeymoon, couples getaway or once-in-a-lifetime experience
Visit May through to November - best in September for less crowds
Dose up on the culture in San Francisco and Los Angeles
Stay in the beautiful Farmhouse Inn, with its luxurious spa and personalised sommelier-led wine tours
Journey highlights
-
California in ultimate style - perfect for a honeymoon, couples getaway or once-in-a-lifetime experience
-
Visit May through to November - best in September for less crowds
-
Dose up on the culture in San Francisco and Los Angeles
-
Stay in the beautiful Farmhouse Inn, with its luxurious spa and personalised sommelier-led wine tours
- Ultimate itinerary:A harmonious blend of authenticity and superlative luxury, our Ultimate Journeys are designed for the discerning traveller, providing unparalleled insider access and exclusive luxury private experiences
Our tailor made journeys include:
- Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
- Private international airport transfers in destination
- Your own private, English-speaking local guides
- Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
- Entrance to must-see local sites
- Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
California is a year round destination. For nature lovers, the coast is wonderfully wild in winter and you can go whale-watching and birding; spring sees wonderful flower displays, and there are a host of watersports to be tried at the beach in the summer; autumn brings harvest bounty and temperatures are usually still balmy. Sonoma benefits from much higher summer temperatures than the cool coast, and is a year-round destination but best from April to October. At the vineyards in Sonoma and Santa Barbara, September is typically the harvest month, although some varieties may be picked through October and November. Further south, Los Angeles typically boast higher temperatures year-round. The typically coastal fog is present mostly in May and June, but usually burns off by lunchtime.
Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and excludes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | $13,700 | $3,400 | plan your trip |
| June | $13,700 | $3,400 | plan your trip |
| July | $15,100 | $3,800 | plan your trip |
| August | $15,100 | $3,800 | plan your trip |
| September | $13,700 | $3,400 | plan your trip |
| October | $13,700 | $3,400 | plan your trip |
| November | $12,300 | $3,100 | plan your trip |
| December | $12,300 | $3,100 | plan your trip |
| January | $12,300 | $3,100 | plan your trip |
| February | $12,300 | $3,100 | plan your trip |
| March | $12,300 | $3,100 | plan your trip |
| April | $12,300 | $3,100 | plan your trip |
-
May
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$13,700
Deposit from*$3,400
-
June
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$13,700
Deposit from*$3,400
-
July
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$15,100
Deposit from*$3,800
-
August
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$15,100
Deposit from*$3,800
-
September
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$13,700
Deposit from*$3,400
-
October
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$13,700
Deposit from*$3,400
-
November
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$12,300
Deposit from*$3,100
-
December
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$12,300
Deposit from*$3,100
-
January
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$12,300
Deposit from*$3,100
-
February
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$12,300
Deposit from*$3,100
-
March
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$12,300
Deposit from*$3,100
-
April
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$12,300
Deposit from*$3,100
- plan your trip
Itinerary
San Francisco
Begin your stylish adventure in the eclectic city of San Francisco. San Francisco is a city made for exploring, with its varied neighbourhoods, great restaurants, and palpable sense of history. Explore the colourful counter-culture of Mission District or Haight-Ashbury, have a great meal in Chinatown, and enjoy a long breakfast at the fantastic artisan market in the Ferry Building. We have included a bespoke four hour tour of San Francisco with your own private guide where you can visit some of the City's most iconic landmarks such as Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf and Golden Gate Bridge.
Whilst in the city take a cable car ride up those steep hills, and be sure to take the ferry ride out to Alcatraz Island to see Al Capone’s prison cell. You can also cycle out across the Golden Gate Bridge to have lunch in pretty Sausalito with its extraordinary views of the San Francisco skyline, made even more evocative by the frequent mists that roll in.
Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco ( 3 nights )Sonoma
After three nights in the city, drive to the rolling vineyards of Sonoma Valley where you will stay two nights at the exquisite Farmhouse Inn. Home to a beautiful Michelin starred restaurant, sommelier led wine tours and an impeccable spa, a stay at Farmhouse is all about indulgence. There is an excellent concierge too, who can tailor specific wine experience to your own individual taste.
Accommodation: Farmhouse Inn ( 2 nights )Big Sur
Next, it’s time to hit the coast. Experience one of America's most iconic drives along the magnificent Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur to stay two nights at the Post Ranch Inn. This magnificent small luxury hotel has won countless awards and is set in a majestic position on cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. It is a stunning place to do absolutely nothing, except watch the sea and the sun and enjoy exquisite food and wine; if you can pull yourself away, there are hidden coves to explore, marine wildlife such as whales and elephant seals to spot, and plenty of trails through the redwood forests to get lost in.
Accommodation: Post Ranch Inn ( 2 nights )Santa Barbara
Next drive south to chic Santa Barbara to stay at one of our absolute favourite hotels, Belmond El Encanto. Nestled on a hilltop overlooking the terracotta-splashed rooves of Santa Barbara’s downtown and the crashing waves of the Pacific, a stay at El Encanto promises a romantic retreat unlike any other. With its gorgeous tropical gardens and blissful breakfast spot, the grounds are impeccably kept and provide guests with a luxurious home-away-from-home. Spend your time here relaxing by the pool, exploring Santa Barbara’s urban wine rooms or shopping the boutiques of State Street. We've included a spectacular wine tour where you can take in the coastline and wine country from the air, before landing back to explore with your wine-expert guide by road, enjoying pairings and a picnic lunch with a view.
Accommodation: Belmond El Encanto ( 3 nights )Los Angeles
Leaving the laidback California coast behind, head to the bright lights of Los Angeles. Explore Beverly Hills hip restaurants, glitzy velvet-roped bars and Hollywood star homes, to Santa Monica's colourful farmers' market and vintage shopping streets. Or go downtown to cheer on the LA Lakers shooting ball or get inside an LA studio tour. Take in the street-entertainment and cafe culture at eclectic Venice Beach or grab a surf board and head to Malibu. With three nights in the city, there’s plenty of time to explore the sights as well as the lesser known spots.
Accommodation: The Maybourne Beverly Hills ( 3 nights )Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday.
Experiences included in this itinerary
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Bespoke Tour of San Francisco
Explore the city-by-the-bay on a bespoke tour. Visit some of the San Francisco's most iconic and famous landmarks including Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf and Golden Gate Bridge. Tailored to your preferences, the experience will be highly customised.
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Cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
Hire a bike and cycle over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge from Fisherman's Wharf to charming Sausalito, perched on the hillside between the Bay and the Marin Headlands, or for the really energetic keep pedalling to Tiburon for lunch at Sam's!
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Santa Barbara Aerial Wine Tour
This unforgettable experience takes you high above the Santa Barbara coastline in a private cessna aircraft for spectacular views. Then touch down for wine tastings and a delicious gourmet lunch in the vineyards.
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Santa Monica Farmers' Markets
There is nothing like wandering the aisles of the four Santa Monica Farmers' Markets. The textures, the smells and the colours – it's no wonder so many of L.A.'s top chefs choose to buy their produce and other seasonal favourites there.
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Universal Hollywood VIP Experience
Star treatment awaits the fortunate few on this exclusive guided behind-the-scenes tour, revealing world class production facilities & movie sets normally closed to the public and enjoying front-of-line access to all rides, attractions & gourmet lunch.
Your Hotels
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
California is a year round destination. For nature lovers, the coast is wonderfully wild in winter and you can go whale-watching and birding; spring sees wonderful flower displays, and there are a host of watersports to be tried at the beach in the summer; autumn brings harvest bounty and temperatures are usually still balmy. Sonoma benefits from much higher summer temperatures than the cool coast, and is a year-round destination but best from April to October. At the vineyards in Sonoma and Santa Barbara, September is typically the harvest month, although some varieties may be picked through October and November. Further south, Los Angeles typically boast higher temperatures year-round. The typically coastal fog is present mostly in May and June, but usually burns off by lunchtime.
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itineraryis a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday.
Why Scott Dunn?
At Scott Dunn, we live and breathe travel. An insatiable appetite to discover the world runs through everything we do. We relish the planning and revel in the detail. We know it’s the smallest touches that make the biggest difference, and we stop at nothing to make every trip not only exceptional but totally unique.
- Every itinerary is crafted from scratch, based around exactly what’s important to you
- Packed full of unique experiences, hand-picked by our journeys team
- Expert local guides enrich your experience in every destination
- Your own dedicated Travel Specialist who will take care of every detail of your trip
- We have a 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- We offer flexibility and financial protection to give you total peace of mind