From fashionable San Francisco in the north to frenetic LA in the south, California offers an overwhelming range of experiences. San Franciscans love the proximity of the bay, rows of Victorian homes and the sun setting behind the Golden Gate Bridge. Los Angeles sprawls across a vast area and is home to various entertainment-industry-centred, financial, beachfront, wealthy and fringe neighbourhoods as well as some of America’s most famous landmarks and faces. Sunny Santa Barbara is the link between North and South California and the Spanish-Mexican heritage is reflected in the architectural style of the area. Inland, 190-plus wineries here have earned reputations for high-quality vintages that rival those of Northern California.
Recommended accommodation
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Four Seasons, Beverly Wilshire
In the heart of Beverly Hills, steps from renowned Rodeo Drive shops, this historic hotel buzzes with vitality from dramatic renovations, blending tradition and trend.
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Fairmont San Francisco
World-renowned, The Fairmont San Francisco hotel presents an awe-inspiring picture of historic San Francisco.
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Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco is a tranquil Nob Hill hotel from which to enjoy the city’s spirited atmosphere and numerous cultural opportunities.
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Mandarin Oriental San Francisco
Located on the upper floors of one of the city’s tallest buildings, this luxury hotel offers sky-high views of the city, from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Transamerica Pyramid to the Bay Bridge.
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Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey
Soak up the sun and enjoy the amazing Southern Californian attractions and beaches, all just steps from your hotel room or suite; the warmth of the waterfront awaits you.
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Bacara Resort and Spa
Like an intimate Mediterranean village, Bacara sprawls over 78 beachfront acres, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains.
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Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore, Santa Barbara
Located in sunny Santa Barbara, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, this property is built in classic Spanish colonial style.
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Shutters on the Beach
Shutters on the Beach sits perfectly on the sand of Santa Monica Bay near the historic Santa Monica Pier and in the midst of one of Southern California’s most eclectic and desirable seaside resort communities.
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The Resort at Pelican Hill
The Resort at Pelican Hill is located between the exclusive Southern California communities of Laguna Beach and Newport Beach with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean.
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Montage Laguna Beach
Montage Laguna Beach offers a beachside destination unlike any other, pairing extraordinary amenities with the genuine warmth of a cosy, craftsman style estate.
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Viceroy Santa Monica
This urban retreat near the shore overlooks the Pacific and is minutes away from a wide array of upscale shopping, dining, entertainment and recreational options, including the historic Santa Monica Pier.
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W-Los Angeles-Westwood
Perfectly positioned between Rodeo Drive and the beaches of Santa Monica and surrounded by boutique shops and movie theatres, W Los Angeles crystallises the quintessential LA experience.
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Mondrian
Mondrian captrues everything the Sunset Strip stands for; excitement, invincibility and glamour
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Chateau Marmont
Iconic Holyywood hotel nestled in the Hollywood Hills. Private villa and suites offer the ultimate urban escape.
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Maison 140
With a prestigious Beverly Hills address, Maison 140 enjoys a prime location between Wilshire and Little Santa Monica Boulevards.
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Post Ranch Inn
Nestled on the cliffs of Big Sur, Post Ranch Inn perches 365 metres above the Pacific Ocean with endless views of the famous rugged California coast, rolling mountains and towering redwoods.
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Carmel Vally Ranch
Carmel Valley Ranch is a wondrous place to enjoy the good life with a collection of unparalleled facilities, pogrammes and experiences specifically designed to help revive the spirit.
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St. Regis San Francisco
Located in San Francisco's vibrant South of Market area, the St Regis is a brief stroll from Union Square and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
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Calistoga Ranch
Just south of the historic town of Calistoga, tucked within a private canyon in the Napa Valley, Calistoga Ranch encompasses luxurious accommodation, spa and the historic Lake Lommel.
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Meadowood Napa Vally
A place that reflects the grace and beauty of California's extraordinary wine country, Meadowood is exquisitely reminiscent of a grand country estate set on 101 private hectares in the heart of the Napa Valley.
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The Clift
An inspired fusion of old-world hotel elegance with distinctly contemporary energy and glamour, Clift’s daring sense of diversity perfectly captures the city’s spirit.
Sample itinerary
Los Angeles:
Day 1: Los Angeles
Get your bearings with a tour to visit the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood sign and other icons. LA is more about driving than walking but make an exception to see behind the scenes, gaining entry to Kodak Theatre (home of the Academy Awards), the famous Grauman's Egyptian Theatre and the Stella Adler Academy where film stars train. Don't miss LA's chaotic, fascinating Downtown, a beautiful memento from the 1930s and '40s. Perhaps visit the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Make a pilgrimage to The Original Pantry Cafe in downtown LA, owned by the former mayor of Los Angeles and which has been an institution since 1924.
Day 2: Hollywood
Try the Hollywood Movie Star Experience, which includes a tour of Sony Pictures Studios, a movie stars' home tour, and a 'Heart of Hollywood' walking tour. Make a stop at Rodeo Drive, home to some of the most exclusive shopping in “The City of Angels”. Head to the J Paul Getty Museum, a world cultural destination with a great view over LA and beautiful gardens as well as art. Depending on the weather, enjoy a fantastic sunset from the Getty Center.
Day 3: A different perspective
See LA from a new perspective for a non-typical insight into what makes LA tick. Whether you’d like to try tandem paragliding in Malibu or a helicopter tour, you’ll find a new way to see the city. Alternatively, explore the beach cities and enjoy a Venice Beach Canal tour by bicycle. By night, see LA really glitter on a night tour including Sunset Strip, Mulholland Drive and the sensational view from the Griffith Park Observatory.
