From the granite giants of Yosemite to the cliff-hugging drama of Big Sur, California reveals itself best when you take the slow road. Here, in the expert hands of California Journeys DMC, we explore a selection of unforgettable experiences through the Golden State - where every stay is handpicked, every detail deliberate, and every moment deeply rooted in place…

What’s in this article

Discover California’s iconic landscapes through tailor-made itineraries crafted by local DMC experts, California Journeys
Explore Yosemite’s granite peaks, alpine meadows and ancient sequoias with expert local guides.
Hike Big Sur’s windswept coastal trails and relax at the clifftop sanctuary of Post Ranch Inn.
Kayak through the calm, wildlife-rich estuaries of Monterey Bay and cycle the legendary 17-Mile Drive.
Soak up the laid-back charm of Carmel Valley with vineyard visits, lavender fields and outdoor adventures.
Choose from boutique stays that combine comfort, character and a deep connection to place.
Learn how California Journeys go beyond the expected - curating California with care, insight and intention to offer authentic, immersive itineraries tailored to your guests’ interests and pace.

The Art of Travel, California-Style

California isn’t a place that fits into neat categories - instead it shifts and surprises at every turn: wild redwood forests and sun-bleached deserts, granite peaks that cut into crisp blue skies, dramatic coastlines that fall into the Pacific, vineyards that roll for miles…

To truly see it, you need more than a map - you need someone who knows the story behind every landscape, and that’s where California Journeys DMC come in.

Founded by Frank Castro, California Journeys is the state’s most immersive DMC.

With over 20 years in luxury and adventure travel, Frank brings both a local’s love and a global adventurer’s eye to everything he curates. Raised in Malibu, he’s surfed the Pacific, climbed mountains from Kilimanjaro to Mount Whitney and managed luxury lodges in Tanzania. His has a passion for meaningful, outdoor adventure that runs deep, and it shines through in the tailor-made experiences California Journeys deliver.

With California Journeys, your guests can explore the entire region in curated comfort: connecting with nature, travelling at a slower pace and experiencing the depth, beauty and diversity of the Golden State in ways that feel genuinely immersive.

Here’s just a taste of what’s possible.

Yosemite: Iconic Peaks and Wild Solitude

Yosemite is a place where scale and silence go hand in hand; where the wild beauty lingers long after you’ve finished walking in the hush beneath giant sequoias, along sunlit trails that wind beneath granite cliffs and past waterfalls that roar from impossible heights.

With California Journeys, your guests can experience Yosemite in a way that suits them best, with daytime adventures tailored to the interests and pace of each individual and choosing between refined lodge stays and high-end glamping that brings them even closer to nature.

Adventures in the Park

Here, full-day private guided tours deliver unforgettable experiences, whether your travelers want to explore the best-known icons, uncover quieter corners or a little of both.

In the valley, guests can walk beneath the towering face of El Capitan, watch Bridalveil Fall catch the breeze, feel the spray of Yosemite Falls or gaze up at the commanding presence of Half Dome - with nearly 1,200 square miles of protected wilderness, there’s no shortage of routes to explore.

Gentle, scenic walks through wildflower-filled meadows and forested trails are seamlessly incorporated into the day - and there’s the option to take a more immersive hike that goes further off the beaten track too.

For the ultimate in solitude and scale, a day in Yosemite’s high country delivers soaring views and alpine stillness. Here Tuolumne Meadows, carpeted in wildflowers during spring and summer, spreads wide beneath a vast Sierra sky, and guests can hike beside crystal-clear mountain lakes, marvel at snowy peaks and explore panoramic viewpoints like Glacier Point, where the entire valley opens out beneath them

Back-to-Nature Glamping, VIP-Style: American Safari Camp

For those looking for a super-exclusive, back-to-nature stay?

California Journeys can now offer a rare experience: VIP glamping just outside Yosemite National Park, at a private mobile site set up just for your guests.

This luxurious American Safari Camp is located in a beautiful secluded setting of rolling pastures and lush forest near Groveland, just a 35-minute drive from the Big Oak Flat entrance. While it’s not in the park itself, this mobile camp offers upscale outdoor opulence in a private and elegant rustic setting, with each 150-square-foot custom canvas tent fully furnished with queen, twin or bunk beds, down comforters and bedside lighting.

And the wild luxury doesn’t end there - as with all California Journeys’ National Park glamping offerings (discover 6 of our other favourites here), the camp includes:

Private en-suite toilets and Hot showers
Shaded lounge area with board games, playing cards and books
Stargazing with telescope
A dedicated camp host
A dedicated camp cook offering Breakfast and dinner served on-site with select premium beer and wine
And picnic lunches packed for explorations.

Explore 6 more handpicked US National Park Glamping Trips here

Big Sur: Cliffside Luxury and Coastal Calm

If there’s a more iconic road trip than taking the coast road through Big Sur, we’re yet to find it - that famous Pacific stretch where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise steeply from the Pacific and every curve reveals a new sweep of ocean or cliff or forested ravine.

Adventures on the Coast

Here, guests can settle into the slower pace of Big Sur with a full-day, privately guided tour led by someone who knows every twist and turn of this wild stretch of coast - from its windswept cliffs to the hushed redwood groves and secret viewpoints tucked out of sight.

With a picnic lunch included, the day can be tailored to their preferences - spent meandering along gentle coastal paths, pausing to soak up the views and breathing in the salt air, or opting for a more invigorating hike that winds through forested canyons and emerges at hidden spots only the locals know, where the sound of the ocean mingles with birdsong and the breeze.

Where to Stay

Ocean Sanctuary: Post Ranch Inn

In its dramatic clifftop spot 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, the Post Ranch Inn is Big Sur's most iconic retreat. Once a homestead belonging to the Post family, this spectacular adults-only hideaway blends rustic elegance with nature-first architecture, and the result is serene, minimalist coastal luxury that’s perfect for romance, relaxation and reconnection.

The pace here is deliciously slow. With 40 guestrooms and private homes, the accommodation is stylish, calm and considered - think organic materials, wood-burning fireplaces, outdoor soaking tubs and panoramic views over the sea or mountains. There are no TVs or alarm clocks; instead guests can enjoy morning yoga, guided nature hikes, in-room massages and swims in the infinity pool overlooking the Pacific.

And the award-winning restaurant, Sierra Mar, is a destination in its own right, with glass walls that offer the best vantage point to soak in those views, fabulous wines and daily-changing menus crafted with seasonal, local ingredients.

Monterey: Coastal Wildlife and Ocean Air

Just a 45-minute drive north from Post Ranch Inn, the Monterey Peninsula offers a different kind of wild: a rugged shoreline, renowned marine sanctuary and atmospheric coastal towns blending laid-back Californian charm with world-class wildlife.

Adventures by the Water

No trip to Monterey is complete without seeing the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, and California Journeys guests can enjoy a private visit to this window into the bay’s incredible biodiversity.

Set right on the oceanfront, the aquarium has over 200 exhibits and more than 80,000 plants and animals to explore, and here guests can watch leopard sharks slipping silently through vast kelp forests, sardines flickering like silver ribbons and playful sea otters tumbling through the water.

Water-lovers will be in their element with a private kayaking excursion (suitable for all levels) in Elkhorn Slough, one of the Golden State’s largest tidal estuaries. Known for its calm waters and rich wildlife, this protected sanctuary is a haven for sea otters, harbour seals, sea lions and an incredible variety of birds, and paddling through the peaceful waterway will see your guests surrounded by nature at its most serene.

If your clients want to explore the iconic 17-mile Drive?

It’s hard to beat a private, guided e-bike tour. Expertly fitted for their bikes, riders take in the dramatic coastal views of Lovers Point before heading on to the Pacific Grove Gate that marks the start of the scenic route. As they cycle, they’ll cruise effortlessly past rugged coves, windswept cypress trees and white-sand beaches, enjoying an intimate, unhurried view of the coastline without the limitations of a car or crowds and taking in famed spots like Pebble Beach Golf Links and Cypress Point Lookout in complete comfort.

And for a super-stylish way to end a day in Monterey?

How about a private sunset catamaran cruise on Monterey Bay - 2 hours of sipping drinks and enjoying light bites as the sun melts into the Pacific and the coastline slips into silhouette.

Carmel Valley: Vineyards, Play and Slower Days

Where Big Sur is dramatic and Monterey is marine, Carmel Valley is all about ease.

Here, in the sunny foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains, guests find peace, space and a slower rhythm in a place where the almost-cinematic beauty of rolling vineyards, golden hills and fragrant lavender fields meet a charming, slightly whimsical spirit.

Adventures in the Valley

Whether guests are strolling among Carmel-by-the-Sea’s fairy-tale cottages and boutique art galleries, enjoying a glass of Pinot in the sunshine, or breathing deep in wide-open ranchland, this region blends refined indulgence with natural tranquillity.

Days here unfold slowly, with easy access to everything from scenic hikes and vineyard visits to more immersive hands-on experiences. Guests can explore the nearby Garland Ranch Regional Park, where trails wind through oak woodlands and chaparral, or venture further into the Santa Lucia foothills for wide-open views and peaceful picnics among wildflowers.

And there are plenty of adventures and activities to be found at California Journeys’ 2 recommended stays too…

Where to stay

Playful Luxe: Carmel Valley Ranch

At Carmel Valley Ranch, a refined, rooted and expansive spirit reigns.

This 500-acre resort is as much about discovery as it is about comfort - with luxurious suites that open onto private decks overlooking oak-studded hills and a sense of laid-back freedom that encourages exploration.

Just as good for families as it is for couples, the experience here is as playful or peaceful as guests want it to be, with activities ranging from guided walks through aromatic lavender fields and falconry demonstrations to an introduction to the resort’s own honeybees, complete with a beekeeping lesson and fresh tastings straight from the hive.

For those who prefer a more active pace, tennis and pickleball courts, fitness classes and the only Pete Dye-designed golf course in Northern California offer plenty of opportunity to move - while those looking to slow down can indulge in culinary workshops, garden-to-table tastings or hot tub soaks with panoramic valley views.

Indulgence and Escape: Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Just a few minutes away, Bernardus Lodge & Spa is a more intimate and classically elegant alternative; a boutique estate with a distinct epicurean meets wellness focus. Tucked among 28 acres of rolling vineyards and lavender fields, it’s the kind of place where time slows and attention to detail elevates every moment.

Rooms here are luxurious and serene, with featherbeds, 2-person soaking tubs, stone fireplaces and rich, earthy palettes inside, and oversized private terraces outside with vineyard or mountain views.

The estate’s acclaimed restaurant serves up artisanal cuisine that celebrates the region’s produce, with many ingredients plucked straight from the on-site organic chef’s garden - in which guests can stroll, wine glass in hand, or picnic under the oaks.

And wellness-seekers will find their experience capped to perfection with time spent in the award-winning spa, a serene sanctuary offering a full menu of treatments to restore body and mind.

Tailored, not Templated

For us, it’s their unbeatable insider knowledge and thoughtful approach to Golden State exploration that sets California Journeys apart.

With every itinerary crafted from the ground up, shaped around your guests’ interests and layered with rich local insight, theirs is experiential travel that feels meaningful, immersive and deeply connected - no mean feat in this much-travelled part of the world.

Whether it’s hiking Yosemite’s granite trails, breathing in the coastal hush of Big Sur, paddling through wildlife-rich estuaries in Monterey or sipping Pinot in the sun-dappled vineyards of Carmel, you can be sure that your guests will enjoy a stay that feels both effortless and extraordinary in equal measure.

And the ideas in this piece are just a start - with seamless extensions across California, from desert outposts and ocean escapes to bespoke glamping in and near the other iconic US National Parks, the possibilities stretch as far as the Pacific horizon.

Ready for an introduction to California Journeys DMC? Get in touch today for a connection to Frank and the team.

DMC for Yosemite, Big Sur and Beyond: The Golden State’s Iconic Landscapes with California Journeys DMC