California
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, the 'City of Angels' is the undisputed entertainment capital of the world, and an essential stop on any itinerary of California and Western USA. It offers an endless array of sightseeing, including Universal Studios Hollywood®. Los Angeles is a sprawling city of distinctive neighbourhoods, so do choose your hotel carefully. Head for Hollywood to see the famous sights associated with the movies, or West Hollywood for the nightlife of Sunset Strip. Beverly Hills and Bel Air are good for celebrity-spotting, while the popular beachside suburbs such as Santa Monica combine a city break with the relaxed lifestyle that has become synonymous with Southern California.
Los Angeles, the 'City of Angels' is the undisputed entertainment capital of the world, and an essential stop on any itinerary of California and Western USA. It offers an endless array of sightseeing, including Universal Studios Hollywood®. Los Angeles is a sprawling city of distinctive neighbourhoods, so do choose your hotel carefully. Head for Hollywood to see the famous sights associated with the movies, or West Hollywood for the nightlife of Sunset Strip. Beverly Hills and Bel Air are good for celebrity-spotting, while the popular beachside suburbs such as Santa Monica combine a city break with the relaxed lifestyle that has become synonymous with Southern California.
Palm Springs
With their clean, dry air and 350-days of sunshine annually, Palm Springs Desert Resorts are perhaps the ultimate California lifestyle destination. Once regarded as the winter playground of the Hollywood elite, the Desert Resorts are better known today for their golf courses and state-of-the-art spa facilities. Downtown Palm Springs, with its boutiques, bars and restaurants, is just one of eight resort communities covering a massive 640sqm in the shadow of MountSan Jacinto. The Aerial Tramway to the 8,516ft summit is the perfect way to escape the summertime heat. The beautiful Indian Canyons surrounding the Desert Resorts are easily explored by foot, jeep or horseback, while a day-trip to the nearby Joshua Tree National Park is not to be missed.
With their clean, dry air and 350-days of sunshine annually, Palm Springs Desert Resorts are perhaps the ultimate California lifestyle destination. Once regarded as the winter playground of the Hollywood elite, the Desert Resorts are better known today for their golf courses and state-of-the-art spa facilities. Downtown Palm Springs, with its boutiques, bars and restaurants, is just one of eight resort communities covering a massive 640sqm in the shadow of MountSan Jacinto. The Aerial Tramway to the 8,516ft summit is the perfect way to escape the summertime heat. The beautiful Indian Canyons surrounding the Desert Resorts are easily explored by foot, jeep or horseback, while a day-trip to the nearby Joshua Tree National Park is not to be missed.
California Coast Road
With Los Angeles to the south and San Francisco to the north, it’s not surprising that so many people choose to make the pilgrimage along California’s remarkable Highway 1. This scenic road links a string of quintessential Californian resorts, and offers a landscape of rolling hills, plunging cliffs (Big Sur will take your breath away), and superb ocean views. Spanish-influenced Santa Barbara features wide, sandy beaches and vineyards to savour, while the resorts of Pismo Beach and San Simeon make perfect bases for visiting the extraordinary Hearst Castle, one of the most extravagant private homes in the world. Heading north, Carmel is home to artists and celebrities, and Monterey is a charming resort boasting the worldclass Monterey Bay Aquarium and leisurely Cannery Row.
With Los Angeles to the south and San Francisco to the north, it’s not surprising that so many people choose to make the pilgrimage along California’s remarkable Highway 1. This scenic road links a string of quintessential Californian resorts, and offers a landscape of rolling hills, plunging cliffs (Big Sur will take your breath away), and superb ocean views. Spanish-influenced Santa Barbara features wide, sandy beaches and vineyards to savour, while the resorts of Pismo Beach and San Simeon make perfect bases for visiting the extraordinary Hearst Castle, one of the most extravagant private homes in the world. Heading north, Carmel is home to artists and celebrities, and Monterey is a charming resort boasting the worldclass Monterey Bay Aquarium and leisurely Cannery Row.
