Where should I go and what should I do in Southern California?
Coastal Escapes with Prestige — Drive the Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu to Laguna Beach, where dramatic cliffs meet exclusive beachfront estates and Michelin-starred dining awaits.
Desert Luxury & Wellness — Palm Springs offers five-star resorts, championship golf courses, and world-class spas nestled against the San Jacinto Mountains.
Cultural & Culinary Excellence — San Diego's Balboa Park rivals world-class museums, while the Gaslamp Quarter delivers farm-to-table restaurants and craft cocktail bars.
Hollywood & High Society — Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and the Hollywood Hills combine star-studded history, luxury shopping on Rodeo Drive, and panoramic city views.
Island Luxury — Catalina Island offers exclusive resort experiences, private yacht access, and pristine waters just 26 miles offshore from Long Beach.
When should I go to Southern California?
Spring (March–May) — Mild weather, wildflower blooms, fewer crowds, perfect for outdoor activities
Fall (September–November) — Warm days, cool evenings, lowest rainfall, ideal for beach and desert exploration
What do I need to know for a trip to Southern California?
Rent a Car or Arrange Private Transport — Distances are vast; rideshare is pricey for frequent travel. Arrange a luxury car service for premium comfort.
Plan for Traffic — LA and San Diego rush hours (7–10am, 4–7pm) are gridlocked. Build extra time into schedules or use coastal drives during off-peak hours.
Book Restaurants in Advance — Top-tier dining fills weeks ahead, especially weekends. Secure reservations early through OpenTable or your hotel concierge.
Beach Hours & Water Temperature — Most beaches open at sunrise; water is cool (58–72°F depending on season). Wetsuits recommended for swimming outside summer.
Sun & Sunscreen Are Non-Negotiable — Even cloudy days deliver strong UV; SPF 50+ and reapplication every 2 hours prevents surprises.
Situated on California’s pristine Laguna Beach, Surf & Sand is an idyllic escape for those looking to enjoy a true barefoot luxury experience, with every room offering views of the ocean from private balconies.
A glamorous icon reborn, Fairmont Breakers Long Beach blends historic elegance, rooftop luxury, and vibrant dining with sweeping views of the Southern California coast.
Discover a different side of San Diego, where the tranquility and natural beauty of Southern California truly comes alive, at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe...
California dreaming on the golden coast; find a gracious welcome at the historically exclusive Balboa Bay Club and Resort in Newport Beach, California...
Tommy Bahama Miramonte is an oasis at the heart of it all: a destination where guests come to escape the deadlines and demands of the everyday; where they’re inspired to soak up life’s simple pleasures and celebrate its greatest moments.
It’s where a legendary metropolis meets a golden coastline, where the vibrant pulse of the City of Angels reaches the glittering expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
Thompson Palm Springs offers a captivating blend of desert tranquility and modern luxury, nestled against the majestic backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains in Southern California.
Soulful Boutique Hotel In Downtown San Diego. Alma is an ego-less beacon of Southern California cool. Our stylish hotel, neighboring the historic Gaslamp District and Little Italy, puts you right where you want to be—in the soul of the city.
Come to explore the Inn at Mattei's award-winning vineyards and admired horse ranches, then unwind in our reimagined guestrooms and cottage-style accommodations nestled among acres of old-growth palm trees.
Beach Village at The Del is a private enclave of residential-style cottages and villas nestled on one of the world’s most beloved beaches at Hotel del Coronado.
Rising at the southernmost point of the legendary Hotel del Coronado, Shore House at The Del® offers an elevated hotel experience in an extraordinary neighborhood of 75 one, two and three bedroom seaside residences.
Santa Monica Proper marries the elevated design of Kelly Wearstler with a 1920’s era- landmark building and new contemporary architecture. For the first luxury urban resort to open in Santa Monica in over a decade, anything less than excellence just wouldn’t be Proper.
The Seabird delivers a fresh take on the classic Southern California seaside resort experience, with grand coastal architecture, breezy living spaces with private balconies, and stunning Pacific views.
Alila Marea is located in North County, San Diego, just 32 miles north of San Diego International Airport along the coast in Encinitas, one of the most unique and iconic coastal towns that dot California’s Coast Highway 101.
Century Plaza has been a Los Angeles icon since its opening. Now reimagined and redesigned with subtle but luxurious interiors in guestrooms and public spaces, Fairmont Century Plaza hotel will be the centerpiece of a walkable enclave where anything a discerning traveler could want can be found.
Tucked between famed Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, Kimpton La Peer Hotel is an intimate enclave in the heart of West Hollywood’s Design District
Set in beautiful Santa Barabara, with the sprawling Pacific on one side and downtown Santa Barbara’s bars, galleries, and boutiques on the other, Hotel Californian is the new center of Santa Barbara’s waterfront.
The Best of Southern California: Laguna Coves, Rodeo Drive, and Golden State Luxury
Southern California's coastline gets photographed more often than almost any in the world, and Laguna Beach explains why. You'll find more than 30 coves and beaches along seven miles of shoreline, many tucked beneath bluffs and reachable only by staircase. The geography does the crowd control, so even in August you can find a stretch of sand that feels only yours. The best luxury resorts in Southern California take full advantage of this coastline, perched above coves where the morning belongs to surfers and pelicans just the same.
An hour north, Rodeo Drive remains the most famous three blocks of retail on earth. The surrounding Golden Triangle in Beverly Hills has flagship boutiques, galleries, and restaurants that treat the audience as seriously as the merchandise. Shopping here is theater, and everyone involved understands their role.
The ride between the two also takes you along the Pacific Highway with ocean views most of the way. The beauty of Southern California is that the coves cost nothing, but the boutiques are another story. This part of the state has always been comfortable holding both experiences at the same time.