Good Vibes Only
By Miranda Noelle Plume
Good Vibes Only
By Miranda Noelle Plume
From Mendocino to Palm Springs, California beckons with promises of slow luxury and restorative self-care.
California is a state like no other, enveloping all lucky enough to experience it in a warm, golden glow. Whether driving down the rugged coastline of Mendocino in Northern California or watching a breathtaking desert sunset in SoCal, visitors to this iconic place feel its aura infiltrate their very soul. Your silver screen-worthy California road trip will include exploring the state via Michelin-starred gems, verdant vineyards in wine country, and five-star spa sanctuaries. Are you ready? Welcome to the Golden State of Wellness.
Nature & Nurture in the North
For travelers who want to slow down and be fully present in their exploration of the Golden State, a two-week road trip from Mendocino to Ojai in NorCal offers the perfect opportunity for holistic wellness and leisurely indulgence.
Your journey begins in Mendocino County where you will stay at the historic Harbor House Inn, enjoying guided horseback rides on the beach, visiting the quaint village of Mendocino, and dining at the two-Michelin-starred Harbor House.
Continue your epic adventure in Sonoma County and Napa Valley where you’ll be housed at the beloved wine country hideaway Farmhouse Inn and take advantage of the Wellness Barn, a cozy spa that combines local remedies and healing modalities to foster mind-body balance. In Napa Valley, sip wine to your heart’s content, take an electric bike ride along the Napa Valley Vine Trail, and indulge in a Michelin-starred dinner at Auro with its hyper-seasonal, seven-course tasting menu.
“Inhale the beauty, exhale all stress.”
“Inhale the beauty, exhale all stress.”
Making your way down to Half Moon Bay and Big Sur, nature is at its most glorious, beautiful self with views that will take your breath away. Inhale the beauty, exhale all stress. In San Luis Obispo County (AKA SLO CAL), luxury vineyard tours and wine tastings await in the rolling hills of the Adelaida District, known for its Bordeaux-style varietals. As you reach the last few days of your trip in Santa Barbara and Ojai, treat yourself to hikes, garden tours, a stay at the world-renowned San Ysidro Ranch, beach walks, scenic drives, and a day of healing rest at Spa Ojai.
Soaking Up the Sun in the South
It’s all about laid-back luxury and chill adventuring as you cruise from Santa Monica to Palm Springs during your sophisticated sojourn in SoCal.
Bask in the sunshine as the Pacific Ocean sparkles in Santa Monica. Your respite in this world-famous coastal city will include checking into the charming Shutters on the Beach, exploring bohemian Venice and Abbot Kinney Boulevard lined with shops and cafes, and dining at two-Michelin-starred Mélisse where each course is a work of art.
90210 is the world’s most famous zip code, and you’ll easily understand why as you make your way along Rodeo Drive. In this incredibly glamorous part of town, you’ll stay at the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel, with its celebrity-frequented Polo Lounge and iconic bungalows that once housed stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe.
“You’ll want to pinch yourself to see if you’re California dreamin’.”
“You’ll want to pinch yourself to see if you’re California dreamin’.”
In Orange County, the artsy enclave of Laguna Beach will stir your creative senses, while your accommodations at the luxe Montage Laguna Beach will have you feeling like royalty, especially every time you dip your toes in the stunning mosaic pool. The same opulent vibe follows you as you check into San Diego’s Fairmont Grand Del Mar and have a sumptuous feast at the three-Michelin-starred Addison by William Bradley, specializing in a 10-course tasting menu that changes with the seasons. But don’t leave without hitting the beach for a surf lesson or two.
Finally, your grand California odyssey concludes in Greater Palm Springs at the Sensei Porcupine Creek, where you can treat yourself to a two-day wellness program designed to meet your health goals. As you end your trip with a sunset sound bath in Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll want to pinch yourself to see if you’re California dreamin’.
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