California Road Trip Itinerary (Pacific Coast Highway)

I recommend starting in Los Angeles and making your way north for this road trip. That way, you are driving on the inside of PCH when you get to the Big Sur area, which for those with any fear of heights, might be more important than you think. I recommend staying a night in Los Angeles so you can be well-rested before the road trip. The 1 Hotel West Hollywood is the perfect relaxing environment to rest and recharge after your flight. I recommend Élephante or Gjelina for your Los Angeles dinners.

Pick up your rental car and head north to your first stop, Santa Barbara. (Pro-tip: have a road trip playlist ready!)

Stop at Malibu Farm on the pier for breakfast to soak in some ocean air and fuel your body with healthy yet delicious food to start the trip. You might even spot some seals or dolphins swimming past you. The drive to Santa Barbara is around an hour and a half, but you can make some exciting stops like Point Dume and the Ventura Pier.

Where to Stay in Santa Barbara:

• Palihouse Santa Barbara

• Kimpton Canary

• The Ritz-Carlton Bacara

• Rosewood Miramar

Either spend the afternoon by the hotel pool, or if you want a bit more activity, take a hike on the Hot Springs Canyon trailhead in Montecito -- and if you feel like it, take a dip once you reach the hot springs! (Hike level: Moderate to Difficult).

I recommend that everyone who goes through Santa Barbara eat dinner at Loquita, which showcases authentic Spanish food. If that's not your jam, Bettina, Gala, or Secret Bao will all do the trick.

Choose your own adventure for your full day in Santa Barbara. Check out the beaches and rocky shoreline, head out on one of the many hikes in the area (check out Inspiration Point for the best view), explore the breweries, wineries, distilleries and galleries in The Funk Zone, head to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden or the Zoo.

Breakfast options:

• Oat Bakery

• Chad's

• Scarlett Begonia

Lunch options:

• East Beach Tacos

• Broad Street Oyster

Grab dinner at one of the restaurants mentioned in day two, or head to Caruso's if you're looking for something upscale (it has a Michelin star!).

Grab coffee and a quick bite at your hotel breakfast (included if you book the hotel with me!) and hit the road as early as possible as the drive to Big Sur is around four hours. San Luis Obispo is about halfway and a great place to stop to grab a quick bite or just stretch your legs.

Get ready for some amazing views on this drive and enjoy it! It's one of my favorite stretches of road.

Where to stay in Big Sur:

• Post Ranch Inn

• Alia Ventana

Both hotels have amazing spas and wellness programs, offering massages and treatments with amazing views and unforgettable relaxation. I recommend booking a massage for late afternoon this day, the perfect way to relax into the peaceful atmosphere of Big Sur after the long drive.

Both hotels have amazing restaurants, so I would recommend dinner at your hotel this night.

Enjoy a complimentary hotel breakfast when you book with me and fuel up to get ready for a day exploring the Big Sur areas -- truly one of the most special places I have ever been.

Spend the morning hiking at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and walking along Pfeiffer Beach. Then, head to Nepenthe for a classic Big Sur lunch with a magical view.

Head back to the hotel for pool and relaxation time, or continue exploring hikes in the area if you're up for it. Both hotels offer daily programming that you can join in on. For dinner, I recommend eating at the hotel you're NOT staying at (either Post Ranch Inn or Ventana). If you're looking for something more casual, though, Big Sur Bakery is amazing and Big Sur Roadhouse and Restaurant at Big Sur River Inn are both fun, casual, and local options.

Once back at your hotel, don't forget to look up! You'll see some of the most amazing stars in Big Sur, and they seem even more special when you're soaking in one of the pools or hot tubs at your hotel.

To Carmel we go! Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before hitting the road. If you haven't yet stopped by Big Sur Bakery, I recommend doing so on your way out to grab some fresh baked goodies for the road! The drive to Carmel is quick but beautiful, so get your cameras ready and take advantage of the many pull off photo ops on PCH (especially Bixby Bridge if you are a Big Little Lies fan!). Where to stay in Carmel:

• Le Petit Pali (Ocean Ave)

• Le Petit Pali (8th Ave)

• Carmel Valley Ranch

• Bernardus Lodge & Spa, Carmel Valley

• Hotel Carmel

Spend the day walking around the quaint streets of Carmel, wandering into shops and galleries or head to the 17-mile drive which will guide you through some of the area's best attractions and land you on the iconic Pebble Beach golf course. Grab dinner at Chez Noir, Brophy's Tavern or La Bicyclette.

Grab breakfast at your hotel or one of the many cafes in Carmel and hop back in the car to head north to San Francisco. The drive should take you about two-and-a-half hours so you can time it so you arrive in San Francisco by lunchtime.

Where to stay in San Francisco:

• 1 Hotel San Francisco

• Fairmont San Francisco

• Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

If you've never been to San Francisco before, you'll want to check out the city's most famous spots: the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, Lombard Street and the painted ladies. If you've seen those already, head to the Lover’s Lane trail at the Presidio, 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, Stinson Beach, or Sausalito.

Some favorite dinner spots in San Francisco are State Bird Provisions, Ernest, Flour + Water, and Nari.

Drive over the Golden Gate Bridge straight to Sonoma, my favorite area of wine country.

Where to stay in Sonoma:

• Farmhouse Inn

• Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

• The Lodge at Sonoma Resort, Autograph Collection

• MacArthur Place

• Timber Cove Resort

I'll get you set up with vineyard tours and wine tastings for your time there, or fill your days with spa treatments or unique experiences like horseback riding through the vineyards if you want to live out your Parent Trap dreams.

Reservations for The Girl and The Fig will be a must, but you can't go wrong with Diavola or Layla.