California Journeys DMC: Step beyond the Classics - The Golden State, Reimagined.
All wild Pacific coastline, golden hills, towering redwoods and cities that give off electric energy, California is a state where anything seems possible. And here, even among some of the world’s most famous sights, it’s still possible to step beyond the instagram classics - to a place where twilight whispers through mighty canyons, sequoias rise in ancient majesty and desert breezes have a rhythm all of their own.
This is the California of California Journeys Founded by Frank Castro, raised in Southern California and now residing in Northern California, with over 20 years of experience in luxury and adventure travel, this boutique DMC is for those craving depth, realness and a sense of place - with hearty helpings of iconic adventure, idyllic stays and the finest of food served alongside the authenticity.
We’re thrilled to welcome them to the Travel Kinship family because, for travel buyers, California Journeys is the perfect specialist DMC partner in California - a company that crafts immersive, bespoke travel experiences throughout the Golden State, with positive impact, community and a true connection with the land top of mind, all the time.
Why California Journeys
Deep-rooted local expertise
Tailored, not templated - that’s how California should be explored. California Journeys know this state like only true insiders can - crafting trips with an insider touch and layering nature, culture, sustainability and community into every itinerary.
Authentic luxury
In the world of California Journeys, luxury is about personalisation, experiences that feel equally effortless and exclusive and stays that blend comfort with character. From Campbell House, a desert retreat in Twentynine Palms where the Mojave’s magic is right outside the window to Wuksachi Lodge, where the air smells of pine and the stars blaze above, this is barefoot luxe at its best.
Soul-stirring adventures
These mighty landscapes are experiences in themselves, and California Journeys curate tours that take travellers right to the heart of some of the world’s most majestic settings. From the dramatic desolation of Death Valley’s Badwater Basin to the mystical energy of Joshua Tree’s labyrinthine boulders, theirs is knowledge that runs deeper - so your guests’ adventures are spectacular, seamless and oh-so special.
Fully flexible
Whether your guests have four days or two weeks; whether they want a rugged adventure or a refined escape; whether they want to dive deep into one place or roam around, California Journeys build bespoke itineraries that make sense based on where travellers come from, where they’re heading next and what kind of experience they’re seeking. And for those who want more? Endless extensions can take them across every inch of the Golden State - from Carmel and Big Sur to Monterey and the sun-kissed streets of Los Angeles.
Love to explore what your guests might experience? Read on as we dive deeper with an inspirational itinerary that journeys through the wild landscapes of Southern California’s deserts and National Parks…
California, Untamed - a Journey of National Parks and Inland Wilderness
For scenery that stops you in your tracks, where time slows to a standstill and the scale of nature makes you think of your place in the Universe, California is a tough act to beat. In this land where sun-scorched sand dunes and alpine meadows can exist in the same state, California Journeys have the ideal itinerary - raw, profound and immersive, it’s a slow, deep exploration of Southern California’s National Parks, one that moves over 9 unforgettable days from Joshua Tree (beginning in either LA or Palm Springs) to Yosemite, departing from Fresno or San Francisco*.
And where will it take your guests? We begin where two great deserts collide…
Desert Dreams: Joshua Tree & The Mojave
Stepping into Joshua Tree National Park, known as one of the world’s most beautiful places, feels like stepping into another world. Out here, time stretches long, the sun casting shadows over its dramatic geology and stunning panoramas Joshua trees themselves standing twisted and proud against an infinite sky.
This is a massive, surreal playground made for exploration - whether your guests choose to hike secret trails through the Cholla Cactus Garden at sunrise, scramble over giant boulders to catch the view from Hidden Valley or try their hand at world-class rock climbing on some of the best granite in the world. And, as the sun dips, they can watch the desert glow in hues of orange and pink before experiencing one of the darkest, most spectacular night skies in North America - a magical, celestial show like no other.
A stay at Campbell House, a beautifully restored desert retreat in Twentynine Palms, brings a touch of understated luxury to the adventure. Here, guests can sink into plush bedding after a long day of exploration, sip wine under a canopy of stars and wake to the kind of tranquil desert silence that soothes the soul.
For those drawn to the storied history of the old West, Pioneertown is a must-see. A once-thriving Wild West movie set built to be liveable, it was the backdrop for more than 50 films and TV shows in the 1940s and 50s and is still a working town with stables, saloon, jail, shops and a motel. And if there’s one place that sums up Joshua Tree’s offbeat charm? It’s Pioneertown’s Pappy & Harriet’s, a legendary roadhouse where the music is always live, the whiskey flows freely and the West’s creative spirit is alive and well.
The unmissable extremes of Death Valley
From here, your guests’ road leads north to Death Valley National Park, one of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth. This is a land of contrasts - where fire-red mountains meet ghostly salt flats, rolling dunes give way to flood-carved canyons and the silence is total.
Hiking Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level, visitors can stand at the lowest point in North America and gaze out over an otherworldly expanse of cracked white salt, before heading to Artist Drive, where mineral-rich hillsides erupt in shades of pink, green and lavender. A hike along the run of the incredible 600-foot Ubehebe Crater is a brilliant way to start a new day of discovery, followed by an exploration of Mosaic Canyon (named for its stunning, water polished marble walls) and treks to the top of the highest sand dune in Mesquite Flat Dunes - or to the iconic Dante’s Peak - offer up spectacular panoramic views of this fascinating landscape.
Intrepid souls will love an optional off-road Jeep tour, exploring the remote parts of the park from hidden slot canyons and seemingly infinite sand dunes to the haunting remnants of old mining towns.
In this extreme wilderness, The Inn at Death Valley is an oasis of Spanish-style casitas, spring-fed pools and Hollywood history. Here, wellness enthusiasts can enjoy rejuvenating treatments in the Tranquility Spa and the dining options are plenty and perfect - from a stylish dining room to a casual saloon. And late at night? A simple step outside reveals the Milky Way in all its glory, burning bright and clear above amidst the profound noiselessness of the vast desert.
The Giants of Sequoia
Leaving the desert behind, your guests’ journey moves on to the ancient heart of California’s green wild - the awe-inspiring forests of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Defined by these time-defying trees, their enormous trunks dwarfing all around, guests can walk beneath the General Grant Tree, one of the largest and oldest living things on Earth and experience the humbling sense of insignificance that can only come from standing next to a living entity more than 2,000 years old - a single life that has spanned that of entire civilisations.
The trails here weave through fern-filled meadows, passing roaring waterfalls and granite outcroppings and revealing sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada. With a private guide on hand, guests can choose how they want to immerse themselves in the wild, raw beauty all around - spotting highlights like the famous Tunnel Log and Morro Rock as they go and soaking in breathtaking panoramic views.
They can walk through Zumwalt Meadow, where the quiet is only interrupted by the rustling of the wind and they can descend into the depths of Kings Canyon, where the river carves through sheer granite walls, rivaling Yosemite in beauty but without the crowds.
Staying here at Wuksachi Lodge, a beautiful stone-and-cedar built mountain retreat in the heart of the forest, the experience is rustic elegance at its best - think floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the towering trees, the wind whispering through the pines and a fantastic restaurant serving up glorious views alongside its delicious dishes.
Yosemite - the Sierra’s Crowning Jewel
How could you experience California’s wild beauty and not take in Yosemite - a place so breathtaking it borders on the unreal? The valley is a masterpiece in itself - El Capitan’s sheer granite face catching the first light of day, Bridalveil Fall sending mist into the morning air and the quiet majesty of Half Dome standing watch over it all.
But visiting Yosemite isn’t just about the iconic views - it’s about losing yourself in its wild heart. Accompanied by an experienced local guide, your guests can explore the very best of Yosemite Valley exactly as they wish; stopping to take in hidden meadows, dipping in secret swimming holes and basking in quiet corners far from the crowds. Venturing into the high country, Tuolumne Meadows stretch wide beneath this biggest of skies, spring/summer wildflowers bloom in the alpine air and the spectacular granite domes of Glacier Point deliver a view that words can’t do justice.
Staying at Tenaya at Yosemite, a luxurious destination that’s perfectly situated, the wilderness experience doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. After enjoying their pick of the various dining experiences (all emphasising locally-sourced produce), guests can unwind in outdoor hot tubs beneath the stars, sip wine by the fire and/or indulge with spa treatments that are as restful and restorative as the wilderness all around.
The journey needn’t end here…
Having explored the mountains and deserts of inland California to their heart’s content, your guests have a choice - to leave or to linger. And with time on their hands? California Journeys have much more they can offer across the Golden State, with personalised adventures that can take them anywhere from the coastal wonders of Big Sur, Carmel and Monterey to the city living and sun-soaked streets of Los Angeles - and beyond.
However your clients wish to indulge their Californian wanderlust, California Journeys’ ability to craft seamless, meaningful experiences that use local insight to take your guests beyond the obvious makes them the perfect partner - with inspired itineraries that are immersive, unforgettable and deeply connected to the state itself.
Love an introduction to the California Journeys team? Get in touch today.
