Day 1 - Fly from the UK to Los Angeles, Collect your car on arrival and head to Santa Monica, approx. 10 miles

Forget fears of LA-style traffic jams, or elusive parking: instead, explore Santa Monica’s 8.3 walkable square miles on foot, by bike or like the locals by rollerblading. Spend a few days soaking up its beachy vibes and sunny outlook, starting with Santa Monica Beach. Enjoy designer shopping, international cuisine and a very California lifestyle. Santa Monica enjoys close proximity to LA’s big-name lures – you could catch a bus to Hollywood or Beverly Hills, and discover the different neighbourhoods associated with the LA lifestyle. 

Stay two nights in Santa Monica. 

Day 3 - Drive to Huntington Beach, approx. 45 miles

Nothing is very far in this part of California, so a short hour away on the iconic California Highway 1, you’ll come to ‘Surf City USA’. With its laid-back beach vibe and rich surfing culture you’ll it hard to resist heading straight to the beach and getting out on the water. The 10 miles of Pacific beach are ideal for soaking up the California sunshine, or you can try your hand at paddle boarding, kayaking, biking or skateboarding. Take a stroll out over the waves on the iconic Huntington Beach Pier, explore the shops, check out the local bars and brews, and dine in one of the many outdoor restaurants. 

Stay one night in Huntington Beach.

Day 4 - Drive to Oceanside, approx. 50 miles

There’s plenty to do here, even if you’re not hitting the beach … although that comes highly recommended! Check out the harbour with its fishing boats, yachts, lighthouse and kayak, paddleboard and jet-ski rentals. You can head out on a whale watching tour from here or spot the local population of seals and sea lions lounging on the boat slips. Away from the coast you’ll find plenty of hiking and biking trails, as well as golf courses. Oceanside has attracted artists and the town boasts a collection of murals, as well as having a popular art museum and the California Surf Museum. 

Stay two nights in Oceanside

Day 6 - Drive to San Diego, approx. 40 miles

San Diego - California's second largest city – offers the choice of doing as much or as little as you want. Bordered by Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Laguna Mountains, San Diego is known worldwide as a top tourist destination. Whether you’re an outdoor lover, a fan of history and culture, a foodie or a bit of all of these, you’re bound to find something to enjoy here. Relax on the bay or Pacific coast beaches, enjoy history and unique shopping in Old Town, sample the nightlife in the Gaslamp district of downtown or visit one of the world class attractions such as Balboa Park, the Maritime Museum of San Diego and the historic San Diego Missions. 

Stay two nights in San Diego.

Day 8 - Drive to Borrego Springs, approx. 90 miles

Head to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs, the town set within this lesser known state park, which is California's largest, covering over 640,000 acres. The stunning desert landscape boasts wildflowers and unique geological formations. Explore various hiking trails, enjoy birdwatching and experience the park's rich diversity of flora and fauna, including cacti, palm oases and badlands. Hike the Slot, a narrow canyon known for its stunning rock formations. 

The resort town of Borrego Springs is an International Dark Sky Community offering excellent stargazing. Visit the iconic Galleta Meadows Sky Art metal sculptures, play a round of golf or soak in the natural geothermal mineral springs at Agua Caliente Park.

Stay one night in Borrego Springs. 

Day 9 - Drive to Palm Springs, approx. 85 miles

Today you will pass the Salton Sea, which started in the 1950s as a holiday destination for Hollywood stars. Today, the Sea is in need of resurrection, but still stands as one of the main bird migration areas in the west. Visit the Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge here. Continue on to Palm Springs. 

Take in the vibrant downtown with its eclectic mix of boutiques and galleries, as well as fabulous restaurants, and iconic mid-Century modern architecture. Stroll South Palm Canyon Drive, visit the Palm Springs Art Museum or stop for a photo at the 26ft tall statue of Marilyn Monroe! With over 300 days of sunshine each year, the area is a haven for outdoor adventure as much as it is for relaxation. Explore the stunning landscapes of nearby canyons and hiking trails, take a ride on the famous aerial tramway for breathtaking mountain views, take a side-trip to Joshua Tree National Park, play a round of golf on one of the area’s many world-class courses, or simply unwind by a pool.

Stay two nights in Palm Springs.

Day 11 - Return to Los Angeles, approx. 125 miles and drop-off your car in time to check-in for your flight back to the UK.