The Glorious Golden State: A Luxury Getaway to California
With gorgeous stretches of white sandy beaches, incredible cities, friendly locals and an exotic climate to boot- it’s no wonder that California is the most visited state in all of America. Being home to the stars and some of the most expensive places that exist in the world, it’s the perfect destination if you’re planning a luxury trip of the holiday of a lifetime- here are some ideas for making it extra special!
Hotels
It’s usually best that the first thing to think about when you’re booking a getaway is your accommodation, and even more so when you’re planning a luxury trip. Prestige hotels can be booked up months ahead of time, so it’s worth making sure the dates you want are available and ensuring you get in there to avoid disappointment. While there’s more to a trip than the place you stay, it’s still important and if you want to get five star treatment then you’ll need to choose well. Some luxurious hotels to consider include the Ritz- Carlton at Half Moon Bay, InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, the Four Seasons and Rosewood CordeValle. At the highest end of luxury you have establishments like Belmond El Encanto and Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. There’s no shortage of fancy establishments to pick from, all of which will have the features you’d expect. From high end gyms to shops and spas, the best quality beds, views and so much more. It’s nice to retreat back to at the end of a busy day, and rest up ready for another day in one of the most exciting places on earth!
Drinking and dining
Going on vacation is all about indulging a little, and a luxury getaway wouldn’t be complete without tucking into some delicious dishes. The Golden State is been listed in the top ten food cities in America- so understandably the best chefs in the world all want restaurants here. It means you can enjoy all kinds of cuisines, and indulge in delicious food. For Asian cuisine try WP24, or for delicious French-American fusion food try Patina which you’ll find in the Walt Disney Concert Hall. You could tuck into a juicy steak at Palm Restaurant or try out Shojin if Japanese cuisine is your bag. There’s something for every taste, and plenty of options when you don’t mind spending a little more. And not forgetting drink too- California is all about the wine! Over ninety percent of all wine in the US is made here, and so a taste test is necessary. You could book a wine tasting event, or just enjoy some different varieties when you go out to eat or drinking in the evening.
Attractions
You have everything from scenic parks and stunning beaches for relaxing days spent soaking up some sun, to cool clubs, restaurants, and bars in the evenings in Cali. Whether you want to stay up all night or make the most of the sunny days, you won’t be short on things to do. When you think of California, it’s likely the stunning beaches that spring to mind, but along with topping up your tan on the sand, why not dip a toe into the clear blue waters too? You can hire all kinds of boats and yachts all over the state, and spend a day on the waters. You could grab your binoculars and spot some Californian aquatic wildlife which includes everything from wild dolphins to whales and sea lions amongst others. You have the opportunity to go swimming with dolphins too, there are thousands of them around warm southern states! Or you could get some drinks and throw a boat party if you want to let your hair down. The beach and water is just one place to explore, be sure to check out the incredible driving routes too. As California's most famous landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge is probably on your list of places to visit while you’re visiting. If you want to indulge in some retail therapy then California is the place to be. It’s famous for being home to some of the best shopping destinations in the world. Take downtown San Diego for example, the Westfield Horton Plaza is a massive outdoor mall with shops, restaurants and even a cinema. You could walk down the iconic Rodeo Drive, and rub shoulder with the stars, in all honesty it’s just about the most luxurious place in the world when it comes to shopping!
Getting around
When you’re enjoying a luxury vacation, the last thing you want to be doing is waiting on buses and public transport! To give the trip a high end feel, think of how you’ll get around. Companies like Go Luxe can be used to get you to and from the airport or to events during your trip in style. Another thing to consider is hiring a luxury car- a Cadillac, a Mustang or a Bentley for example would certainly have you feeling like you were doing things right! When you’re planning the trip of a lifetime, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the location and the things you’ll do when you arrive, but it’s important to consider how you’ll get to each place. That way you can do your research and book everything ahead of time making the trip run as smoothly as possible.
Have you ever visited California, or is it on your list? What kinds of things would you most like to do if money was no object?
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