California Grand Tour

Wrapped in the fog that drifts in from the bay and draped over steep hills facing the Pacific, San Francisco is one of America's most beloved cities, refined, rebellious and deeply cosmopolitan. Its symbol is the Golden Gate Bridge, the unmistakable red span reaching out towards the ocean, revealed and hidden by the morning mists. To walk the city is to be surprised by its rolling streets, still climbed today by the famous cable cars that scale the heights of Nob Hill and Russian Hill, offering sudden glimpses of the water. Along the Fisherman's Wharf waterfront the sea lions of Pier 39 bark and the air smells of sourdough bread and fresh crab, while offshore stands the island of Alcatraz, with its historic penitentiary reachable by boat. The charm of San Francisco lives in its neighbourhoods: the Victorian Painted Ladies around Alamo Square, the Chinese energy of Chinatown, the oldest and liveliest in America, the rainbow, activist streets of the Castro, and the bohemian ferment of Haight-Ashbury, cradle of hippie culture. At the city's core, Union Square buzzes with shopping and theatres, while the Civic Center and museums such as SFMOMA and the de Young reveal its cultured soul. Green spaces abound: the vast Golden Gate Park holds Japanese gardens, conservatories and trails down to the ocean. The dining scene is among the most innovative in the country, from fusion cuisine to the wines of the nearby Napa and Sonoma Valley and organic markets. From San Francisco it is easy to set out for California's national parks, the redwoods of Muir Woods and the Big Sur coast. Free, creative and swept by the ocean wind, San Francisco wins over anyone willing to be led by its hills and its suspended light.

There are several beautiful seaside locations along the way, such as Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz and Capitola Beach. Monterey stretches along its namesake bay on California's central coast, where the nature of the Pacific puts on a show. Its celebrated Monterey Bay Aquarium, overlooking the old canning district of Cannery Row immortalised by John Steinbeck, ranks among the finest in the world. From here begins the scenic 17-Mile Drive, winding past wind-sculpted cypresses, cliffs and coastal mansions to Pebble Beach. Nearby, Carmel-by-the-Sea charms with its art galleries and white beaches, while the bay rewards visitors with sightings of whales, otters and sea lions. Between seafood cuisine and inland vineyards, Monterey is an invitation to experience the most authentic and wild side of California.

Halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Luis Obispo is a charming town on the Californian Central Coast, gathered around the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded by Franciscan friars in the eighteenth century. Its lively, welcoming pedestrian centre comes alive every Thursday evening with one of the most renowned farmers' markets in the state, amid stalls of local produce, live music and the aroma of barbecue. All around stretch hills cloaked in vineyards: the Edna Valley area is famous for its wines, perfect for days of tasting. A few minutes away lie the beaches of Pismo Beach and Morro Bay, dominated by the imposing Morro Rock, while a little further north stands the opulent Hearst Castle. San Luis Obispo, often named among the happiest cities in America, offers an authentic taste of California's most relaxed side.

Santa Barbara stretches along the coast of Southern California, nestled between the waters of the Pacific and the slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Nicknamed the "American Riviera" for its mild climate and Spanish colonial architecture, the city charms with its red-tiled roofs and whitewashed walls. Its historic heart is the Old Mission Santa Barbara, a beautiful 18th-century Franciscan mission, while the County Courthouse tower offers a spectacular view over the rooftops and the ocean. The seafront promenade of Stearns Wharf invites sunset strolls, and the golden beaches are ideal for surfing and relaxing. All around stretch the vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley, renowned for their fine wines and tastings. Santa Barbara enchants those seeking Mediterranean elegance and Californian dolce vita.

Along the Pacific coast, one encounters several iconic locations: luxurious Montecito, home to many international jet set stars; Ventura, where one can stop to visit the beautiful old town and stroll along the pier that stretches out over the ocean; Malibu, long famous for its long sandy beaches, waves perfect for surfing, luxurious hillside villas, and wellness culture. Los Angeles, home to Hollywood, Disneyland, and Universal Studios, is the epitome of carefree living for visitors: year-round sunshine, palm trees swaying in the wind, movie stars with luxurious residences in the hills of Beverly Hills, stunning museums, avant-garde architecture, and surf beaches.

Today awaits you a long day of driving (about 500 km, over 6 hours without counting stops), but with exciting views. The change in scenery and altitude is remarkable: you will go from the depression of Death Valley (-58 m below sea level at Furnace Creek Ranch) to the highest mountain pass in California (Tioga Pass, 3,031 m above sea level), from the desert to the mountains and forests of the High Sierra. Your journey today also includes a visit to Yosemite National Park, so you will have to leave very early to make the most of the day, especially considering the queues you will find in Yosemite. Leave Death Valley following RT 190 until the intersection with RT 136, which takes you to Lone Pine. Scenes from famous films, such as "How the West Was Won," were shot in the vicinity of Lone Pine. Make a stop in Bishop for a snack with the famous sandwiches from Erick Schat's Bakkery. Pass Mammoth Lakes, a mountain resort surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the West. In Lee Vining, turn left onto Hwy 120, the Scenic Byway Tioga Road + Big Oak Flat Road, which takes you to Yosemite Park through the spectacular Tioga Pass, cutting through the Sierra Nevada from east to west. Yosemite National Park is one of the world's most famous natural sanctuaries, set among the granite peaks of California's Sierra Nevada and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Yosemite Valley opens between the imposing walls of El Capitan and Half Dome, the thundering waterfalls such as Yosemite Falls and the meadows crossed by the Merced River. Forests of giant sequoias and alpine plateaus complete a legendary landscape. Yosemite is the ideal destination for those seeking grand nature, climbing and the iconic wilderness of California.

Napa Valley is the most famous wine region in the United States, spread across northern California among gentle hills cloaked in vineyards. Its prestigious wineries, Michelin-starred restaurants and idyllic landscapes make it a cult destination for lovers of wine and fine dining. Among tastings, balloon flights and elegant villages, every day is an invitation to pleasure. A corner of Californian dolce vita where wine is art.

Redwood City rises in Silicon Valley, along San Francisco Bay in California, among the sunniest spots in the region. A dynamic town in full transformation, it blends a revitalised historic centre, theatres, restaurants and a marina on the bay. Its location makes it a convenient base between San Francisco and San José. A lively destination where tech innovation and the mild California climate meet.