California Road Trip — San Francisco to Los Angeles
There’s nothing quite like a California road trip to capture the spirit of the open road, especially when it winds along the stunning Pacific coastline from San Francisco to Los Angeles. And last fall, I had the opportunity to do just that! Over nine days in early October, I explored the central California coastline between these two iconic West Coast cities. From sipping wine in Paso Robles to hiking amidst the redwoods in Big Sur to sunset cruising in Santa Barbara, it was a trip worth remembering. So, here’s my itinerary to help you plan a scenic and indulgent journey through the heart of coastal California.
Day 1: San Francisco
I have travelled to the USA several times, but it was my first time out on the West Coast. So I arrived a day in advance of the press trip to spend a day in San Francisco. Obviously, I took a Bay Cruise to admire the Golden Gate Bridge, saw the sea lions at Pier 39, rode one of the historic cable cars, and dropped in at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to see works of Jackson Pollock, Frida Kahlo, Yayoi Kusama, and more. Check out my Telegraph feature for a first-timer’s guide to San Francisco. I stayed at The Jay, a chic boutique hotel in Embarcadero, just a short walk from the waterfront.
Day 2: Half Moon Bay
After spending the better part of the day in San Francisco, I took an Uber down to The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. This gorgeous resort was home for the night and I had a lovely room overlooking the golf course and the sparkling ocean. The sprawling resort is designed along the lines of classic coastal homes with elegant furnishings and a soft colour palette. My room came with a private balcony, premium bath amenities, and a coffee machine. The resort is the perfect place to enjoy the famed Northern California sunset, which was pretty spectacular (see below).
Day 3: Monterey County
After a leisurely breakfast, we drove down from Half Moon Bay towards Monterey along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway or Highway 1. The notorious coastal marine fog played a bit of a spoilsport, and we could only see a thick white layer most of the times. But whatever little glimpses I got of the ocean, the beaches, and the rugged coastline were stunning!
We stopped for lunch at Carmel Valley Ranch, which was to be home for two nights. Spread over 500 acres, this all-suite luxury resort has four saltwater pools (three with adjoining hot tubs), a serene spa, and a sweeping golf course. It’s also a working ranch and winery. All suites come with a working fireplace, a spacious private deck, and valley or vineyard views.
In the evening, we embarked on the scenic 17-mile drive that runs from Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach. En route, you can see some natural landmarks, including The Lone Cypress, Spanish Bay, and Stillwater Cove. We stopped for sunset drinks at The Inn at Spanish Bay, which has a Scottish-style links golf course (complete with a bagpiper at sunset) and overlooks a breathtaking coastline.
Dinner was at the one Michelin-starred Chez Noir in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Helmed by the husband-and-wife team Chef Jonny Black and Monique Black, this elevated, community-driven restaurant offers a seafood-centric menu that showcases ingredients sourced from across the Monterey Peninsula.
Day 4: Big Sur
The next morning, we explored the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. With its cobbled alleys, charming cottages, and boutique shops, Carmel seems straight out of a fairy tale. I ducked into Carmel Bakery & Coffee House for a coffee and pastry. Established in 1899, it is Carmel’s oldest running retail business and is located in the oldest building still standing in the village.
Our California road trip continued along Highway 1 to Big Sur, passing the Bixby Bridge. Unfortunately, it was covered in fog, but this is one of the most photographed bridges in California. Next stop was Post Ranch Inn, an absolutely spectacular resort surrounded by redwoods and overlooking the Pacific. We had an al fresco lunch here.
We continued to Alila Ventana Big Sur where we hiked through the redwoods, foraged in the gardens, and made some fun cocktails. Another highlight was the open-air dinner in ‘The Cathedral’. It was set up amidst soaring redwoods where the food and drinks were as stunning as the location.
Day 5: Paso Robles
Onwards to Paso Robles, central California’s wine country surrounded by the wild Santa Lucia Mountain Range. We stopped at Halter Ranch Winery for wine tasting and lunch. While the winery produces some lovely whites and rosé, it is better-known for its reds. Read more about central California wines in my feature for Zee Zest. A short drive away, we stopped at Pasolivo Ranch for olive oil tasting. We then headed to San Luis Obispo and checked in at the downtown Hotel Cerro for two nights. This design-forward hotel has contemporary rooms and suites, a luxurious spa, and a rooftop pool.
We dined at the Michelin-recommended Les Petites Canailles in Paso Robles. This French farm-to-table bistro run by Courtney and Julien Asseo highlights coastal California ingredients. We wound up the night at Sensorio, one of California’s largest immersive art exhibitions. Walk through more than 100,000 glowing bulbs that look like bioluminescent flowers from a jewel-toned fantasy land.
Day 6: San Simeon
Next stop on this California road trip — San Simeon, where we started with the eccentric hilltop Hearst Castle. Architecturally inspired by Spanish cathedrals, this 165-room mansion was home of the publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. It is decked out in art, antiques, textiles, and silverware from around the world. The massive outdoor Neptune Pool sports an original Roman temple façade, while the indoor pool is inspired by traditional Roman baths.
After lunch at Ragged Point Restaurant, we headed down to Piedras Blancas Rookery. This is the only elephant seal rookery in the world that is easily accessible, free, and open to the public. About 50 elephant seals were sunbathing on the beach and it was fun watching these magnificent creatures!
We ended the evening with sundowners at Hearst Ranch Winery, just a short drive from the rookery. The seaside tasting room overlooks the picture-perfect San Simeon Bay and the pier jutting out into the ocean. Read more about San Simeon in my Deccan Herald feature.
Day 7: Santa Barbara
After checking out from Hotel Cerro we headed south towards Santa Barbara. But before we got to the city, we stopped at Folded Hills Winery for wine tasting and lunch. Owned by Kim and Andrew Busch, this winery and working ranch was a lovely place to spend the morning. The hosts are warm and friendly, the food is fab, and the wines are excellent! I particularly loved their Provence-style rosé, which is fruity and dry.
We reached Santa Barbara and checked in at the historic El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel. It offers 90 suites, bungalows, and rooms, many in the Spanish Revival style of architecture. There’s also a zero-edge pool, a sublime spa, and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
After a Champagne welcome, we had a wine-painting session with award-winning fine artist Danielle Methmann. Of course, the experience was accompanied by more wine and delicious grazing boards! We ended the evening with dinner at San Ysidro Ranch. This Montecito resort is a favourite with celebrities — Winston Churchill stayed here, Vivien Leigh and Sir Laurence Olivier exchanged midnight wedding vows, and JFK & Jackie Kennedy honeymooned here!
Day 8: Santa Barbara
The next morning began with a private sound bath ceremony with Palma Colectiva. After that, we had some free time to explore Santa Barbara. I visited the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, which is a historic landmark built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Don’t miss going up the clock tower for great views of the city and the coastline. I also visited the fabulous Santa Barbara Museum of Art — time your visit to one of their free gallery tours. After a quick lunch at Santa Barbara Public Market, I returned to the hotel. Here, we were treated to El Encanto’s Botanica Afternoon Tea Experience. It features teas formulated around astrological signs, along with pastries and finger sandwiches.
We then set off on a sunset cruise from Santa Barbara Harbour. Aboard a private charter from Condor Express, we sailed in the calm waters and had stunning views of the city. Returning to shore, we walked to the Funk Zone, a former industrial area turned into a cool waterfront district with art studios and galleries, shops, restaurants, and more.
We had dinner at The Lark, a Michelin recommended restaurant by Jason Paluska serving hearty coastal California cuisine. Read my Outlook Luxe feature to know how to enjoy Santa Barbara like an A-lister!
Day 9: Los Angeles
My California road trip ended in the City of Angels where I stayed at The Maybourne Beverly Hills. The hotel combines European sophistication with a relaxed coastal California vibe. Rooms and suites sport mid-century furniture, sumptuous marble bathrooms, and luxe amenities. New York‘s famed aperitivo bar, Dante makes its west coast debut on the hotel’s rooftop, while The Terrace overlooking the lawns of Beverly Canon Gardens channels the charm of a European piazza.
I spent a wonderful morning at the Getty Center immersed in art and its stunning design and architecture.
The final meal of this fantastic California road trip was at THE Blvd, at the legendary Beverly Wiltshire, a Four Seasons Hotel. Located on Rodeo Drive, this hotel is all about old-school Hollywood glamour meets contemporary luxury. THE Blvd is a swanky California brasserie with an elegant indoor restaurant and an al fresco table overlooking Rodeo Drive. Incidentally, the movie Pretty Woman was filmed here; naturally I had to have the pretty pink cocktail inspired by the movie!
So, that’s it — nine days, 420miles/675km, one epic California road trip! I hope this post helps you plan your own central California adventure. Happy travels 🙂
