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California Dreaming
California Dreaming
A road trip through the Golden State leads to an invigorating reset in nature.
California’s beauty needs no introduction—the stunning coastlines, towering redwoods, and rolling vineyards are the stuff of legend. And that’s just the beginning. No matter how many times you take it all in, each journey reveals something new. From Big Sur to Napa Valley to Sonoma County, the open roads are an invitation for discovery, including quiet moments of renewal.
Big Sur: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea
Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway or PCH, runs more than 650 miles. But its most jaw-dropping stretch winds through Big Sur, home of the iconic Bixby Bridge, the purple sands of Pfeiffer Beach, and McWay Falls, a must-see waterfall that tumbles into the surf at high tide.
Rest & Restore
Post Ranch Inn is a three-Michelin-Key hotel perched above the cliffs of Big Sur. While the stellar views of the sea and spouting whales grab guests’ attention, the property’s soaring redwoods and mountain vistas are A-listers in their own right. Drift off to sleep in your very own treehouse while stargazing through the skylight or marveling at the walls swathed in old-growth redwood paneling recycled from wine barrels. Mornings begin with forest meditation, yoga, and shaman sessions, or a soaking session in an infinity pool overlooking the Pacific.
Napa Valley: The Pinnacle of Winemaking
Fifty years ago, a blind wine tasting, now known as the Judgment of Paris, put Napa Valley on the map when two California wines triumphed over their French competitors. At just 35 miles long and five miles across at its widest point, Napa Valley today features more than 400 wineries. While cabernet has long been considered the king of the region, more than three dozen different grape varieties are grown here.
Wellness Reimagined
After a sun-soaked afternoon by the hilltop pool at Carneros Resort and Spa, settle into a Wellness Suite that doubles as a private spa with a personal sauna, outdoor cold plunge, and showers infused with vitamin C. Feeling adventurous? Consider a sound bath powered by the calming buzz of live bees, set underneath a relaxation bed that’s screened for the safety of both guests and bees.
Sonoma County: Beyond the Bottle
Stretching more than 1,700 square miles, Sonoma County is the largest county in the San Francisco Bay Area. Vineyards cover just six percent of the county, so the inspiration reaches far beyond wine. Be sure to stroll below the massive redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve and take in the Sonoma Coast’s sweeping sea vistas at Jenner Headlands Preserve.
Thermal Resets
Inspired by the Spanish missions spread throughout California, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is the grand dame of Sonoma wine country. Built in the 1920s, its history stretches back to the mid-1800s when Native Americans frequented the surrounding geothermal-fed mineral pools. Today, guests can soak in the springs, enjoy a spa treatment, or join a docent-led hike before calling it a night in one of the resort’s plush Mission Spa Suites. Here, four-poster king beds, wood-burning fireplaces, and spa-inspired bathrooms make relaxing second nature.
Dream big in the Golden State.
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