California

Toni Ball on 30 November 2016
I am lucky enough to have just returned from an educational trip to California and have to say have been totally blown away by this destination. California has something to offer for everyone, from hiking, walking, golf and cycling for the more active to beautiful beaches if you just walk to relax. Plus with an average of 325 days of sunshine per year!

We flew direct to Los Angeles with Air New Zealand and arrived to pick up our hire cars for the week. Our first destination was the Loews Hotel in Hollywood Los Angeles which was located in a fantastic position to explore the destination and around a two hour drive from the airport.

We hired a tour guide to show us some of the sights which was around $20 for a 1.5 hour tour and well worth the money. There are also bus tours available which is a great way to see the city.

Before departing for Santa Barbara we had a site inspection at the W Hotel which was very contemporary and a personal favourite of mine. The rooms were all individual and the suites in particular were worth the upgrade if you can afford it.

After a three hour drive we arrived in Santa Barbara and checked into the Harbor View Hotel. This 4 star hotel is located right on the beach front and overlooks the pier. As far as locations go this hotel was hard to beat and is fantastic value for money. It's a family run hotel and still retains that personal touch.

If you prefer a more central location the Canary Hotel is located in the right in the centre of town and close to all the local shops and amenities whilst only being a 15 minute stroll to the beach.

For anyone who likes their wine Santa Barbara is home to the 'Urban Wine Trail' which has over 25 local wineries offering tasting sessions to visitors and all can be reached on foot. Santa Barbara still retains the feel of a sleepy seaside town and all the buildings are low rise which helps to maintain this ambience.

Another great trip was the Land/sea adventure which gives you a tour of the town before taking to the water! It is not unusual to see seals, sea lions, dolphins and even whales at certain times of the year.

After leaving Santa Barbara our next stop was Santa Monica but first we had a quick stop in Malibu to take a few pictures on our way. It was an easy drive with fantastic views of the coast along the way.

We stayed at the Le Meridien Delphina Hotel in Santa Monica which was a fairly small hotel located about a 20 minute walk from the main downtown area. It is 5 star and has great facilities for guests such as free bikes available to guests to use and is a great option if you prefer to be slightly away from the noise and traffic of the main strip. For those who prefer to be right in the centre of everything you can't get a better location than the Loews Hotel. Set right on the beach and almost next to the pier this 5 star hotel was my absolute favourite and had everything a 5 star guest would be looking for with contemporary bedrooms and suites, some with open fire pits all decorated in a New England style with lots of bleached wood.

Santa Monica itself is much bigger and livelier than Santa Barbara and tends to attract a slightly younger crowd. We visited Santa Monica pier and took a ride on the Ferris wheel where you can see all the way back to Malibu! We also hired bikes and cycled along to Venice Beach, stopping to visit the Skate Park and Muscle Beach along the way. Venice Beach has a very bohemian vibe and there are lots of stalls lined along the boulevard selling gifts and souvenirs. It is an easy flat ride that anyone could do and was a great way to see Santa Monica.

The Hotel Erwin at Venice Beach has a rooftop bar which is a fantastic spot to sit and watch the world go by. We arrived around 4.30 in time to watch the sunset over the beach with a glass of champagne which was the perfect way to end our time in Santa Monica.

Our next stop before heading inland to Palm Springs was Beverly Hills which is only around a 20 minute drive. We had lunch on Rodeo Drive and had a quick look around the shops before continuing another two hours or so to the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort and Spa.

This hotel has a total of seven pools and its very own golf course. Most visitors are generally looking to relax and chill for a few days and this hotel is the perfect option for just that. Whilst there we visited the Living Desert' which is predominately a wildlife park with lots of different animals and great for kids. It has a very interactive approach and is geared towards conservation.

For those feeling a little more energetic a trip up the Cable Car at Palm Springs is a must. At 8300ft up there are amazing views out over the desert and plenty of walking and hiking trails for the more adventurous, but remember to wrap up warm as the temperature can drop below freezing and there is snow on the peaks in winter. It was 70 degrees when we were there late November but -2 at the top!

All in all this was a fantastic trip and an experience I’ll never forget. I feel that I have only just experienced a tiny bit of everything California has to offer and I am already planning my return trip!