Complete California

Wrapped in the fog that drifts in from the bay and draped over steep hills facing the Pacific, San Francisco is one of America's most beloved cities, refined, rebellious and deeply cosmopolitan. Its symbol is the Golden Gate Bridge, the unmistakable red span reaching out towards the ocean, revealed and hidden by the morning mists. To walk the city is to be surprised by its rolling streets, still climbed today by the famous cable cars that scale the heights of Nob Hill and Russian Hill, offering sudden glimpses of the water. Along the Fisherman's Wharf waterfront the sea lions of Pier 39 bark and the air smells of sourdough bread and fresh crab, while offshore stands the island of Alcatraz, with its historic penitentiary reachable by boat. The charm of San Francisco lives in its neighbourhoods: the Victorian Painted Ladies around Alamo Square, the Chinese energy of Chinatown, the oldest and liveliest in America, the rainbow, activist streets of the Castro, and the bohemian ferment of Haight-Ashbury, cradle of hippie culture. At the city's core, Union Square buzzes with shopping and theatres, while the Civic Center and museums such as SFMOMA and the de Young reveal its cultured soul. Green spaces abound: the vast Golden Gate Park holds Japanese gardens, conservatories and trails down to the ocean. The dining scene is among the most innovative in the country, from fusion cuisine to the wines of the nearby Napa and Sonoma Valley and organic markets. From San Francisco it is easy to set out for California's national parks, the redwoods of Muir Woods and the Big Sur coast. Free, creative and swept by the ocean wind, San Francisco wins over anyone willing to be led by its hills and its suspended light.

There are several beautiful seaside locations along the way, such as Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz and Capitola Beach. Santa Cruz rises where redwood forests meet the ocean, at the northern tip of Monterey Bay in California. A town with a bohemian, university spirit, it is famous for its surf culture and its historic Beach Boardwalk, the seafront promenade with vintage rides overlooking the Pacific. Its beaches, from Cowell Beach to Pleasure Point, are gathering spots for surfers and sea lovers, while Natural Bridges State Beach enchants with its wave-carved rock arches and, in winter, the monarch butterflies that cluster among the eucalyptus trees. Behind the town, Highway 17 leads toward the giant redwood groves of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, perfect for walks in the shade of ancient trees. The downtown, around Pacific Avenue, hums with cafés, bookshops and music venues. Santa Cruz is best taken slowly, between the ocean, the redwoods and an unmistakable Californian atmosphere. Monterey stretches along its namesake bay on California's central coast, where the nature of the Pacific puts on a show. Its celebrated Monterey Bay Aquarium, overlooking the old canning district of Cannery Row immortalised by John Steinbeck, ranks among the finest in the world. From here begins the scenic 17-Mile Drive, winding past wind-sculpted cypresses, cliffs and coastal mansions to Pebble Beach. Nearby, Carmel-by-the-Sea charms with its art galleries and white beaches, while the bay rewards visitors with sightings of whales, otters and sea lions. Between seafood cuisine and inland vineyards, Monterey is an invitation to experience the most authentic and wild side of California.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a refined town on the California coast, overlooking the turquoise waters of Monterey Bay, famous for its fairy-tale charm and artistic soul. Its little streets, without sidewalks or neon signs, wind among cottages with steep roofs, elegant boutiques, art galleries and gourmet restaurants, in an atmosphere reminiscent of a European village. The white-sand beach fringed with cypresses and the iconic Carmel Mission, founded in the eighteenth century, complete its unique character. A few minutes away unfolds the spectacular 17-Mile Drive, a coastal route past cliffs, legendary golf courses like Pebble Beach and wind-sculpted cypress forests. Between art, sea and timeless calm, Carmel is a refuge of elegance on the Pacific coast. Although it is not an official geographical designation, Big Sur is the name given to the 150 km of rocky, wild and rugged cliffs pounded by stormy waves between Hearst Castle and the Monterey Peninsula; and it extends inland for about 30 km, between the Santa Lucia Mountains. The breathtaking Pacific Highway 1 was carved into the rock above the stormy ocean in 1937. The best way to enjoy its beauty is to drive slowly, often leaving the car and exploring its numerous parks: a simple ten-minute walk immediately transports you into the wild nature. But for those with little time, the must-see stops are Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls, a waterfall that drops over 20 m onto a remote beach in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Look up to the sky to see the endangered condors, and watch the sea for whales or sea otters swimming among beds of kelp, a typical California marine habitat. Morro Bay stretches along California's central coast, gathered around its calm harbour and dominated by the unmistakable silhouette of Morro Rock, a towering volcanic plug rising from the ocean like a stone sentinel. This fishing town retains an authentic, laid-back atmosphere far from the bustle of California's busier destinations: the small harbour is alive with fishing boats, sea otters drifting among the kelp and colonies of sea lions. The Embarcadero, the waterfront lined with seafood restaurants and shops, invites strolling while sampling the freshest catch, while the vast protected estuary draws birdwatchers and kayakers. Nearby lie sand dunes, the trails of Montaña de Oro State Park and the vineyards of the interior. Morro Bay is the ideal stop along Highway 1 for those seeking nature, sea and quiet. Halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Luis Obispo is a charming town on the Californian Central Coast, gathered around the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded by Franciscan friars in the eighteenth century. Its lively, welcoming pedestrian centre comes alive every Thursday evening with one of the most renowned farmers' markets in the state, amid stalls of local produce, live music and the aroma of barbecue. All around stretch hills cloaked in vineyards: the Edna Valley area is famous for its wines, perfect for days of tasting. A few minutes away lie the beaches of Pismo Beach and Morro Bay, dominated by the imposing Morro Rock, while a little further north stands the opulent Hearst Castle. San Luis Obispo, often named among the happiest cities in America, offers an authentic taste of California's most relaxed side.

Miles of golden sand and waves made for surfing define Pismo Beach, a lively seaside resort set along California's central coast. Famous for generations for its carefree summer atmosphere, the town centres on the historic pier reaching out over the ocean, a gathering point for anglers and sunset lovers. The broad sandy expanses are perfect for long walks, while the nearby Oceano Dunes invite off-road trails and outdoor adventures. Between November and February, groves of eucalyptus host thousands of monarch butterflies that overwinter here, creating a remarkable natural spectacle. Between a feast of fried clams, a visit to the wineries of nearby Edna Valley and a sunny day on the shore, Pismo Beach embodies the authentic, sun-drenched spirit of coastal California. Santa Barbara stretches along the coast of Southern California, nestled between the waters of the Pacific and the slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Nicknamed the "American Riviera" for its mild climate and Spanish colonial architecture, the city charms with its red-tiled roofs and whitewashed walls. Its historic heart is the Old Mission Santa Barbara, a beautiful 18th-century Franciscan mission, while the County Courthouse tower offers a spectacular view over the rooftops and the ocean. The seafront promenade of Stearns Wharf invites sunset strolls, and the golden beaches are ideal for surfing and relaxing. All around stretch the vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley, renowned for their fine wines and tastings. Santa Barbara enchants those seeking Mediterranean elegance and Californian dolce vita.

Palm-lined coastal roads, wide sandy beaches, and the unmistakable atmosphere of Southern California accompany this scenic journey along the Pacific coast. The route initially follows the shoreline, offering beautiful views of the ocean and the offshore Channel Islands. A worthwhile stop can be made in Ventura, a relaxed coastal town known for its historic center and attractive waterfront. Further southeast, the famous beaches of Malibu dominate the scenery. Along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, dramatic coastal stretches, elegant homes, and impressive viewpoints create constantly changing vistas. As you approach the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the landscape becomes increasingly urban while still offering frequent views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding coastal mountains. Los Angeles, home to Hollywood, Disneyland, and Universal Studios, is the epitome of carefree living for visitors: year-round sunshine, palm trees swaying in the wind, movie stars with luxurious residences in the hills of Beverly Hills, stunning museums, avant-garde architecture, and surf beaches.

Death Valley is the lowest, hottest and driest point in North America, where you can picture the earth as it was before the appearance of man. Conditions here are infernal, and it is no coincidence that many of the viewpoints bear names such as Funeral Mountains, Furnace Creek, Dante's View, Coffin Peak and Devil's Golf Course. Distances within the park are enormous, so if you only have one day, start at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to get your bearings. Unmissable sights include Artists Palette (along the scenic Artists Drive), Harmony Borax Works, Badwater, Devil's Golf Course, Zabriskie Point and the superb panoramic balcony of Dante's View.

Today awaits you a long day of driving (about 500 km, over 6 hours without counting stops), but with exciting views. The change in scenery and altitude is remarkable: you will go from the depression of Death Valley (-58 m below sea level at Furnace Creek Ranch) to the highest mountain pass in California (Tioga Pass, 3,031 m above sea level), from the desert to the mountains and forests of the High Sierra. Your journey today also includes a visit to Yosemite National Park, so you will have to leave very early to make the most of the day, especially considering the queues you will find in Yosemite. Leave Death Valley following RT 190 until the intersection with RT 136, which takes you to Lone Pine. Scenes from famous films, such as "How the West Was Won," were shot in the vicinity of Lone Pine. Make a stop in Bishop for a snack with the famous sandwiches from Erick Schat's Bakkery. Pass Mammoth Lakes, a mountain resort surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the West. In Lee Vining, turn left onto Hwy 120, the Scenic Byway Tioga Road + Big Oak Flat Road, which takes you to Yosemite Park through the spectacular Tioga Pass, cutting through the Sierra Nevada from east to west. Lone Pine rises at the foot of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, in the Owens Valley of eastern California. The town is famous for the striking Alabama Hills, rounded rock formations that have served as the set for countless westerns and films. From here depart the trails toward the Sierra Nevada and Tioga Pass. Yosemite National Park is one of the world's most famous natural sanctuaries, set among the granite peaks of California's Sierra Nevada and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Yosemite Valley opens between the imposing walls of El Capitan and Half Dome, the thundering waterfalls such as Yosemite Falls and the meadows crossed by the Merced River. Forests of giant sequoias and alpine plateaus complete a legendary landscape. Yosemite is the ideal destination for those seeking grand nature, climbing and the iconic wilderness of California.

Sacramento is the capital of California, founded at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers, a city symbolic of the 1849 gold rush. The historic district of Old Sacramento preserves wooden sidewalks, paddle steamers and a Wild West atmosphere, while the majestic State Capitol dominates downtown with its white dome. The California State Railroad Museum is among the most important of its kind in the world. A crossroads between the Bay Area and the Sierra Nevada, Sacramento blends pioneer heritage, cultural life and a flourishing food-and-wine scene. Napa Valley is the most famous wine region in the United States, spread across northern California among gentle hills cloaked in vineyards. Its prestigious wineries, Michelin-starred restaurants and idyllic landscapes make it a cult destination for lovers of wine and fine dining. Among tastings, balloon flights and elegant villages, every day is an invitation to pleasure. A corner of Californian dolce vita where wine is art.

Redwood City rises in Silicon Valley, along San Francisco Bay in California, among the sunniest spots in the region. A dynamic town in full transformation, it blends a revitalised historic centre, theatres, restaurants and a marina on the bay. Its location makes it a convenient base between San Francisco and San José. A lively destination where tech innovation and the mild California climate meet.