Big Sur California

Located at the intersection of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountains, equal parts American legend and natural wonder, Big Sur is one of the most magical places on Earth. As you drive along the highway hugging the edge of the continent, you quickly come to understand the allure of this iconic destination.

Drive the Big Sur LA to Napa Valley. Enjoying a couple of nights in LA staying at Montage Beverly Hills. https://www.montagehotels.com/beverlyhills/

Then start your road trip south along Pacific Coast Highway to Orange County staying at Montage Laguna Beach.

Then head North to San Francisco and Napa Valley.

Vacation Route

Fly into LA airport

LA – Orange Country- Monterey – San Francisco – Napa Valley

Fly out of SF airport.

Day 1 - Fly into Los Angeles and stay at the Montage Beverly Hills. Ideally located in the heart of Los Angeles, Montage Beverly Hills is an elegant retreat set amid the city’s most exciting and sophisticated pleasures.

Day 2 - Take the day to relax and to experience LA at its finest – a shopping and foodie heaven

Day 3 - Enjoy a day at Universal Studios

Day 4 - Your car will be waiting at the hotel all you have to do is put the roof down and enjoy the drive down the coastal road known as the BIG SUR heading South to Orange County staying at The Montage Laguna Beach https://www.montagehotels.com/lagunabeach/

This resort offers great excursions the entire family can enjoy such as whale watching and dolphin safari; you can also enjoy the educational marine life school or if you fancy something a little cooler enroll in the surf school

Day 5 to Day 7 - Spend the day at Disneyland / Sea world / Lego Land which are approx. 20 mins away or a shopping excursion to South Coast Plaza

Day 8 - The Big Sur drive continues but now you head north towards San Francisco along the coast road and end up in Napa Valley for a culinary experience.

Route: Laguna Beach – LA – Malibu – Santa Monica – San Francisco

Check into the Ventana Big Sur – An Alila Hotel which is an exclusive luxury resort amid 160-forested acres on the Pacific Coast. https://www.ventanabigsur.com/

Day 9 and Day 10 - Experience the great outdoors at Ventana and all its outdoor sporting activities

Day 11 - Drive through to Monterey

No California coastal itinerary is complete without a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Considered one of the world’s great aquariums and a global leader in ocean research and conservation, this is the place that inspired the setting for Pixar’s Finding Dory and the BBC’s “Big Blue Live” – and was featured in HBO’s “Big Little Lies”. The Aquarium’s 322,000 square feet showcase Pacific Ocean habitats with acclaimed marine exhibits such as the three-story living Kelp Forest, million-gallon Open Sea exhibit, and a two-story home for its cutest inhabitants, charismatic sea otters that are the unofficial mascot of the central coast. Dramatic oceanfront decks offer views of passing whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea otters.

If there is a single most popular image of Big Sur, it is probably of the 80 foot falls seen from this trail as McWay Creek cascades onto the sandy shore. The trail is located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns state park and provides both southern and northern coastal views.

Drive to Napa Valley and stay at one of the below luxury resorts to enjoy the culineray experince and the wonderful outdoor activities on offer:

Auberge du Soleil https://aubergeresorts.com/aubergedusoleil/

This is a little piece of Provence overlooking the sun-drenched vineyards of California’s foremost wine region. An understated French influence shines through in everything from the Mediterranean inspired Michelin starred restaurant to the light flooded rooms and their natural colored interiors.

Calistoga Ranch, An Auberge Resort https://aubergeresorts.com/calistogaranch/

It’s all about outdoor living at Calistoga Ranch, which is set among the trees next to a private lake. The lodges’ fit in perfectly with the surrounding but carry an understated luxurious feel.

Drive to San Francisco for a few days before flying out.

Total 14 days

More Itineraries

Cambodia:

http://www.uniquefamilytravels.com/2018/05/10/a-week-in-siem-reap/

Vietnam:

http://www.uniquefamilytravels.com/2018/09/10/visit-vietnam/

Croatia Sailing:

http://www.uniquefamilytravels.com/2018/05/10/sailing-croatia/

Montenegro:

http://www.uniquefamilytravels.com/2018/05/10/72-hours-in-montenegro/

North of Thailand: