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California's Winelands Road Trip
An escape to California's wine country that entices wine lovers and foodies alike with scenic drives, rolling vineyards, Pacific Ocean air and beautiful beaches.
You’ll start on the sidewalks of San Francisco, drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sonoma’s fields of green and sip your way around Napa’s world-class wineries. And it doesn’t end there. Carmel’s tasting rooms delight with Cabernet Sauvignons and in the cool cradles of Santa Barbara’s valleys, buttery Chardonnays are the stars. Drive the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, landing on golden sands and dining in farm-to-fork restaurants before winding up in starry LA.
Ideal for
California lifestyle. Wine tasting and restaurants. City combos.
Itinerary overview
San Francisco
Experience the City by the Bay
Your journey begins in California’s Golden Gate City where cable cars traverse nuttily steep hill...
Sonoma
A whirlwind wine education
Wine-centric Sonoma’s vineyards, eateries and downtown tasting rooms are within an hour and half ...
Napa
Every bit as delicious as you’ve heard
A twenty-five-minute drive from downtown Sonoma takes you to the beginning of the twenty-mile lon...
Carmel & Monterey
A picturesque outdoor escape
Take the scenic coastal route to Carmel and Monterey, two dreamy west coast Californian beach tow...
Santa Barbara
The American Riviera
Sunkissed Santa Barbara is a tiny town with tremendous allure: Spanish style architecture, millio...
Los Angeles
California’s cinematic city
Take the 90-mile drive along Highway 101 and experience firsthand Los Angeles' endless summer spi...
San Francisco
Experience the City by the Bay
Your journey begins in California’s Golden Gate City where cable cars traverse nuttily steep hills and bohemian neighbourhoods boast independent boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants. In San Francisco, culture collides with Pacific Ocean vibes and you’re just as likely to be ducking into museums and cathedrals as you are soaking up seafaring style. With three nights here you can hire bikes and cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, pop over to Pier 39 to see the sea lions and catch a ride on one of the iconic cable cars. Board the hop on and off open-top Big Bus and do everything from North Beach to Nob Hill in one day or go entirely your own way, from a whale watching tour to waterfront dining and coastal trails to craft cocktail bars.
Sonoma
A whirlwind wine education
Wine-centric Sonoma’s vineyards, eateries and downtown tasting rooms are within an hour and half drive of San Francisco. In northern California’s wine country, it’s about slowing down and embracing the good life. Sip your first wow-worthy Pinot Noir in downtown Sonoma Plaza and return in the evening for fire pits and fairy lights in a wonderful restaurant. Spend a night here and you’ll have time to drive out to world-class wineries – taste the sparkly stuff at sustainable Gloria Ferrer Caves, book a tasting flight Buena Vista Winery and pair vintage wines with cheeses at Ram’s Gate Winery. Or, board the vintage Wine Trolley and let someone else transport you to three or four wineries throughout the day.
Napa
Every bit as delicious as you’ve heard
A twenty-five-minute drive from downtown Sonoma takes you to the beginning of the twenty-mile long fertile valley of Napa, where back-to-back wineries offer options for every palette, taste and budget. Surrounded by vine clad hills and mountains, Napa is home to nearly 400 wineries inclusive of contemporary cellar doors, grand chateaus and historic estates. Spend a night here and tickle your taste buds with a choice of casual eateries and Michelin-starred restaurants. Follow the locals to downtown Oxbow Public Market – the one-stop shop for fine wines and farm-fresh food – or pick up a paddleboard and glide across Napa River’s peaceful waterways.
Carmel & Monterey
A picturesque outdoor escape
Take the scenic coastal route to Carmel and Monterey, two dreamy west coast Californian beach towns just four miles apart. Monterey is famous for Cannery Row and whale watching whilst Carmel delights with storybook scenery, soft sands, cobbled streets and a fine dining scene. Monterey Peninsula is entryway to the celebrated 17-Mile Drive. Take the car or hire a bike for this breathtaking Pacific Ocean route, stopping for the classics; The Lone Cypress Tree, Restless Sea, Point Joe and Pebble Beach. See whales and sea lions throughout the year in Monterey, drive out to Carmel Valley’s wineries – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are specialities – or fill your days in Carmel (we recommend two nights here) with beach time, restaurants and the early 20th century architecture that makes the side streets so pretty.
Santa Barbara
The American Riviera
Sunkissed Santa Barbara is a tiny town with tremendous allure: Spanish style architecture, millionaire mansions, fairytale cottages, beautiful beaches and a world class restaurant scene. The drive from Carmel along the Pacific Coast Highway takes about four hours, although you might want to factor pulling over for a while as there are spectacular stops along the way. Embrace Santa Barbara’s slow like honey pace and set aside two nights here. Pootle down to the Pacific Ocean, drive out to Montecito for the day or motor over to Santa Maria Valley and quench your thirst at some of California’s finest wineries. Stay closer to downtown and hit Hendry’s beach, shop on State Street and sail off at sunset on a harbour cruise.
Los Angeles
California’s cinematic city
Take the 90-mile drive along Highway 101 and experience firsthand Los Angeles' endless summer spirit, from Santa Monica's classic stretch of sand to Hollywood’s hiking trails. With fine art museums, palm-studded boardwalks and luxury shops, there’s something for everyone in this starry city. Slide headfirst into the world of celebrity at The Academy Museum or opt for a different kind of starry experience viewing constellations at the magnificent Griffith Observatory. Rise early for the Runyon Canyon hike and stay up late for LACMA’s Urban Light. Time it right for a Walt Disney Hall concert or a show at The Hollywood Bowl. Give yourself three nights for enough time to throw down a towel on the beach, cruise through Jurassic World at Universal Studios and see Van Gogh’s ‘Irises’ at The Getty.
Other Itineraries
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