Summary
Short description
Discover the best of southern California, from its glamorous cities to its gold-sands coast
Highlights
- Revel in the glamour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills
- Drive south, via the galleries and boutiques of Laguna Beach to seaside San Diego
- Call in to Palm Springs' movie-star mansions surrounded by a stunning desert landscape
- End with the golden sands of Santa Barbara and Santa Monica
In Brief
- 2 Nights Los Angeles
- 1 Night Laguna Beach or Newport Beach
- 2 Nights San Diego
- 2 Nights Palm Springs
- 2 Nights Santa Barbara
- 1 Night Santa Monica
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Beach | City | November holidays | Relaxation | Self-drive
There's no better way to explore the USA than by car. The driving is easy with inexpensive fuel and excellent roads that link vibrant cities with wide-open spaces, spectacular countryside and breathtaking coastlines. This journey will bring you south from the bright lights of Hollywood to the laid-back beaches of San Diego and back north, through the desert, to Palm Springs. Then, returning to the coast, you'll explore Santa Barbara – its coastline often referred to as the American Riviera – before soaking up the sun in the millionaires' playgrounds of Malibu and Santa Monica.
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-2
UK to Los Angeles
Relax in your included VIP airport lounge before a daytime flight to Los Angeles. On arrival, make your way to your chosen hotel before heading out to explore the city's many attractions. There's the golden sands of Long Beach and Venice, the glamour of Beverley Hills and the millionaires' mansions and sweeping city views from the Hollywood Hills. Or, for some unapologetic fun in the sun, perhaps spend a day at the theme parks of Disneyland and Universal Studios.
Stay: Mondrian Los Angeles (Superior)
Day
3
Laguna Beach
Collect your hire car and derive south out of Los Angeles along the coast to Laguna Beach in Orange County, home to a mix of opulent mansions and quaint cottages that line the bluffs above sandy coves. The town is also well known as an artist’s colony with more than 100 art galleries and boutiques. Just a couple of kilometres up the coast, Newport offers easy access to all the same attractions as its Laguna Beach counterpart.
Stay: Hyatt Regency, Newport Beach (Superior) or enquire about an upgrade to Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort (Deluxe)
Days
4-5
San Diego
Continue your journey south to the quintessential Californian beach city of San Diego with its near-perfect climate, Spanish architecture and myriad of attractions including a number of theme parks and it’s world-renowned zoo. A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing trolley tour is one of the best ways to see the city, perhaps visiting its Balboa Park Spanish-era Old Town and Little Italy.
Stay: The US Grant (Deluxe)
Days
6-7
Palm Springs
Mountain scenery, 350 days of sunshine a year and some of the most acclaimed spas in the world make Palm Springs an irresistible retreat. Its lush greenery is thanks to its thermal wells, which not only produce some of the purest mineral water on earth but also help water the myriad of golf courses that you’re welcome to take a swing on.
Stay: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Springs (Superior)
Days
8-9
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara or ‘America’s Riviera’ as it’s also known is filled with historic buildings, cobblestone streets, bubbling fountains, towering palms and cascading bougainvillea. Within an hour of Santa Barbara is the Saint Ynez Valley (made famous by the film ‘Sideways’) – there are numerous wineries open for tastings.
Stay: Kimpton Canary Hotel (Deluxe)
Day
10
Santa Monica
It’s a short drive back towards Los Angeles passing Malibu along the way for your final stop in Santa Monica. Drop off your hire car and then head out to explore the famous pier, the famous farmers market and 3rd Street Promenade for some last-minute shopping.
Stay: Viceroy Santa Monica (Superior)
Day
11
Departure
Make your own way to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.
Day
12
Arrive UK
Arrive back in the UK after overnight flight and continue your onward journey home.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
12-day tailor-made self-drive
from £3,070 pp incl. flights
Superior
Low Season
from £3,070 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £3,390 pp. incl. flights
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return flights between the UK and Los Angeles
- 8 days Compact hire car including personalised road book
- 10 nights accommodation in typically 4* (Superior) hotels on a room only basis
High season: June-September
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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