Pacific Sojourn, San Francisco to Los Angeles

Journey along the Pacific Coast on the 13-night America road trip. With so much to see and do on this ultimate journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles, here are just a few top picks:

• Visit the gorgeous gardens at the Golden Gate Park
• Gaze out to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge
• Savour the delights of the Napa Wineries
• Stop at Gold Country for a historic, fun and memorable experience
• Hike to the top of Yosemite’s Sentinel Dome
• Stop off on Big Sur’s dramatic coastline at Pfeiffer Beach for the perfect sunset
• Take a stroll along Santa Barbara’s most visited tourist attraction, Stearns Wharf.

To send you on your way, you’ll be flying direct to San Francisco, from there you will be enjoying the scenic drive along the Pacific Coast. From beautiful waterfronts to the star-studded streets of Los Angeles. This 13-night America road trip is pure bliss as you cruise along the highways.

San Francisco

When you land your journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles begins, you’ll pick up your car hire and drive straight to your first hotel. You’ll stay in the stunning The St. Regis San Francisco for your first 3 nights.

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Take a tour of the City by the Bay and see San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks. From the world’s most crooked street, Lombard Street, to the Golden Gate bridge, there are plenty of landmarks to visit. Ride the classic cable cars up the hilly streets, drive along the stunning waterfront and watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Napa Valley

Onward on your journey From San Francisco to Los Angeles, you will take the short drive to California wine country, Napa Valley. You will arrive just in time for a long, leisurely lunch and a bottle or two of its most famous export. This is the perfect way to start your stay in Napa, spending the next 2 nights in the five-star, private retreat of Calistoga Ranch, An Auberge Resort.

Read Calistoga Ranch, An Auberge Resort’s TripAdvisor reviews here

Leave your car and your worries behind as you climb aboard the Wine Train, Napa is home to many exquisite restaurants but none are quite like this. Housed aboard a collection of restored early 20th-century railcars, you will get a great taste of pure Americana. This three-hour journey takes you through the valley for a glimpse of the finest scenery, towns and wineries in Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford and St Helena. You’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch or dinner, crafted on-board in the specially-fabricated kitchen car.

Yosemite National Park

After relishing in the gourmet dining and fine wines of Napa you will begin your journey to Yosemite National Park, this 215-mile drive sees you cutting across the Central Valley on Highway 4 or 12, hit Highway 49, head south and stop en-route in Gold Country. You can pan for gold, bike through meadow and oak countryside and raft a rapid filled river. Once you arrive in Yosemite National Park, you’ll be staying in The Majestic Yosemite Hotel for the next 2 nights.

Read The Majestic Yosemite Hotel’s TripAdvisor reviews here

A great sight on your San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yosemite National Park. This serves up an astounding number of attractions, activities and adventures.  It’s famed for its giant, ancient sequoia trees, Tunnel View, the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. The Yosemite Village features shops, restaurants, lodging, the Yosemite Museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery.

Big Sur

Leaving Yosemite behind, your next stop is beautiful Big Sur, described as ‘the greatest meeting of land and water in the world’. You’ll be gazing out upon the mesmerising surroundings from one of our favourite hotels in the world, the Post Ranch Inn. Here you will be staying for the next 2 nights.

Read the Post Ranch Inn’s TripAdvisor reviews here

Big Sur is not just a town, it is a region that has no boundaries, located between Carmel and San Simeon. There are plenty of places to pull over, such as McWay Falls and the famous Pfeiffer Beach. Known for its winding turns, seaside cliffs and views of the often-misty coastline, this sparsely populated region is perfect for hiking, camping and beachcombing.

Santa Barbara

Leaving Big Sur, you’ll set off for Santa Barbara early and you’ll be able to travel back in time at Hearst Castle, an extraordinary 250,000-acre National Historic landmark. Cambria is a lovely spot to stop for lunch or some retail therapy, or look for otters on a guided kayak tour of Morro Bay. When you arrive in Santa Barbara, you’ll be staying in the fabulous Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore for the next 2 nights.

Read Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore’s TripAdvisor reviews here

Santa Barbara has long been a retreat for movie stars and creative types wanting an escape from LA, and it’s easy to see why. The American Riviera has a Mediterranean-style magic, all the way from the ocean to the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains with leafy streets, designer boutiques and a buzz-worthy food and wine scene.

Los Angeles

From Santa Barbara, you’ll be taking the short road trip to Los Angeles. An early start means you’ll arrive in Los Angeles mid-morning, with plenty of time to be ready for your private guide to pick you up from your hotel and show you all the glittering sights of this star-studded city. You’ll be staying in the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills for the last 2 nights of your American road trip.

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Your last day in Los Angeles, so take some time out for a bit of retail therapy at The Grove, with a visit to the Farmers Market right next door. Or take a leisurely walk to West Hollywood and have some lunch at one of the many great restaurants.

Your Pacific road trip is coming to an end, your journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles will leave you with cherished memories. Now you’ll need to head to the airport to get ready to leave the lovely Los Angeles for your flight back to London Heathrow.

With prices from £4,675 per person, including flights and car hire. Give me a call today on 01622 238877 and you could be driving along this classic 13-night Pacific coast road trip.

If you feel like you’re not ready to say goodbye to the star-studded city of Los Angeles, why not extend your stay. Stay a little longer in any of the cities along the way, or a popular choice would be to continue your holiday in the beautiful islands of Bora Bora in French Polynesia.

Read more about the USA here
Read more about Bora Bora here