9 Days • 8 Nights
California Honeymoon: Coast, Wine & City
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Romantic San Francisco and bay views
- Napa wine country and a balloon flight
- The cypress shores of Carmel
- Clifftop hideaways along Big Sur
- Elegant Santa Barbara
- Sunset drives and couples' spa treatments
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.
Met at the airport and driven to a stylish boutique hotel. Settle in and toast your honeymoon with a candlelit welcome dinner and a stroll along the bay.
A day to explore the city hand in hand, the Golden Gate, cable cars, and a sunset from a rooftop bar or the bay.
You drive to the Napa wine country and a romantic inn among the vines, with an afternoon of tastings and a sunset dinner.
A dawn hot-air balloon flight over the vineyards, followed by prestigious tastings and a gourmet wine-country lunch, an unforgettable romantic day.
You drive to the coast and the storybook village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, settling into a romantic hideaway near the cypress-lined shore.
A day driving the spectacular Big Sur coast, its cliffs plunging to the sea, with a romantic clifftop dinner as the sun sets over the Pacific.
A free day to enjoy Carmel and Monterey, the beaches, galleries and aquarium, a couples' spa, or a Carmel Valley wine tasting.
You drive down the coast to elegant Santa Barbara, the 'American Riviera', with its Spanish charm, beaches and wine, and a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you return your car and transfer to the airport for your onward journey home, hearts full and sun-kissed.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 8 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a romantic welcome dinner, a wine-country lunch and a Big Sur clifftop dinner
- Airport transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert guides
- Self-drive car hire or private transport as specified
- National park and attraction entry fees as per itinerary
- a self-drive vehicle, a Napa wine excursion and a hot-air balloon flight, plus honeymoon room touches
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Fuel and parking for self-drive
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & ESTA: California is part of the USA, so Visa Waiver Program travellers need an approved ESTA before flying, and other nationalities need a US B-2 visa; a valid passport is required. We advise you based on your nationality
- Currency & tipping: The currency is the US Dollar and cards are accepted everywhere; tipping is expected, around 18 to 20 percent in restaurants, and tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff. Sales tax is added at the register
- Best time to visit: California is a year-round destination; spring and autumn are ideal for touring, summer is warm and busy on the coast and in the parks (and very hot in the deserts), and winter suits the cities and skiing in the Sierra
- Driving & distances: California is large, and a self-drive is the classic way to explore; Americans drive on the right, roads are excellent, and we arrange car hire and detailed routes, though city parking can be costly
- National parks: Yosemite, Death Valley, Sequoia and others are highlights; some Sierra roads and passes close in winter, and popular parks may require timed-entry reservations in peak season, which we arrange
- Deserts & heat: Death Valley and the desert parks are extremely hot in summer; we plan desert visits for cooler months or early in the day, and you should always carry plenty of water
- Wine country: Napa and Sonoma are world-class; if tasting, plan a designated driver or a guided tour, as US drink-driving limits are strict and strictly enforced
- Health & power: No vaccinations are required, but travel insurance is essential as US healthcare is costly. Power is 120V with type A and B plugs, so bring an adapter; the legal drinking age is 21 and ID is required
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you arrange honeymoon touches?
Yes — we love adding romance, from a decorated room and sparkling wine to private dinners, couples' spa treatments and the hot-air balloon flight. Tell us what would make it special and we will arrange it.
Can we upgrade to luxury coastal hotels?
Absolutely. We can pair this with California's finest clifftop and wine-country retreats, from iconic Big Sur lodges to five-star Napa resorts, for an extra-special honeymoon.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner or a wine-country lunch. California's dining is world-class, so most lunches and dinners are left free so you can explore, with our recommendations.
Is this a self-drive holiday?
Most California itineraries are designed as self-drives, the classic and flexible way to explore the coast, parks and cities, with a comfortable car and detailed route notes. We can also arrange private driver-guides or rail where it suits.
Do I need an ESTA or visa?
Visa Waiver Program travellers need an approved ESTA before flying; other nationalities need a US visitor visa. We confirm exactly what you need for your nationality when you book.
When is the best time to visit California?
Spring and autumn are ideal for touring, summer is warm and lively on the coast (but very hot in the deserts), and winter suits the cities and Sierra skiing. We advise on timing for your chosen route, especially for the parks and deserts.
Are the national parks easy to visit?
Yes, though popular parks like Yosemite may require timed-entry reservations in peak season, which we arrange, and some Sierra roads close in winter. We plan your park visits and any permits so everything runs smoothly.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the cities, coast, parks and wine country, change the pace, mix self-drive with flights, and tailor hotels to your interests and budget. Every itinerary is a starting point.
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