Ahhhh..... Santa Barbara, one of the largest and most beautiful cities on the Californian Central Coast. Known as The American Riviera, Santa Barbara has all the chicness and culture of a European city along with a Mediterranean climate. The twist though is a very laid-back, casual lifestyle and attitude.

With the Santa Ynez Mountains as a backdrop and the prevalence of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, Santa Barbara feels straight out of a movie set. In fact, before Los Angeles became Los Angeles, Santa Barbara was a booming hub for the silver screen, California’s first major movie studio, Flying A Studio was located here. In the 1920's, hundreds of silent films were produced in Santa Barbara and Charlie Chaplin was a frequent visitor. Add in beach, the harbor and Stearn's Wharf and the downtown buzz stretches to the water.

The quality of restaurants, whether fine dining or waterfront cafe is exceptionally high. There's always a funky festival or event going on and you'll also be impressed by the museums, botanical gardens, whale watching opportunities, historic monuments and miles of bike paths. And, we haven't even mentioned the wine yet.

Wineries here are intimate spaces where you can watch the art unfold as you sip. You don’t have to travel outside the city either as there are plenty of opportunities right in downtown. Santa Barbara Winery, opened in 1962, was the area’s first commercial winery after Prohibition. Whilst the region is known for Chardonnay, the variety of grapes available will ensure the wine enthusiast a quaffable experience!

California's Dream Drive...

One of the most iconic fly-drive itineraries in the world. Highway 1 hugs the scenic Californian coast from just below San Francisco to Los Angeles.

The Best of the West

A classic tour, this journey takes in the scenic California Coast and iconic Highway 1 plus incredible National Parks and the delightfully over-the-top Las Vegas.

California & Arizona - Small & Friendly Hotels

Take the grand tour of the West and see the majestic Grand Canyon, stand in awe of the waterfalls at Yosemite National Park and descend to the depths of Death Valley.

California Coastal Cool

Enjoy the wind in your hair experience on this relaxed fly-drive along California's Highway 1. Considered one of the world's most scenic drives.

California Magic- An Independent Rail Tour

Enjoy The Beautiful City on the Bay, San Francisco, and the California coast on this leisurely rail holiday.

California Family Fun Adventure - As featured in The Sunday Times Travel Magazine

This 13 night California Family Fun Adventure will suit everyone. From biking the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to camping under the stars in awesome Yosemite National Park

Coastal California & The Wine Country

This leisurely fly-drive takes you along the California coast to experience great food and delicious wine against a backdrop of beautiful scenery.

California Coast and Heavenly Hawaii

Few stretches of coastal road can compare to the Pacific Coast Highway and most islands in the world can't begin to equal the beauty of the heavenly Islands of Hawaii.

Coastal California with Yosemite National Park - A Trafalgar Escorted Tour

All that glitters is gold on the sun-kissed shores of California. This epic tour will take you from the movie star haven of Hollywood to the urban delights of San Francisco.

Getty Museum

J. Paul Getty amassed a remarkable collection of antiquities, paintings and sculptures. He enjoyed the pursuit of an object almost as much as the possession of it.

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park which is located off the southern coast of California is a fabulous once in a lifetime opportunity for those special few who visit this hidden gem.

Cloud Climbers Jeep and Wine Tours

Cloud Climbers Jeep & Wine Tours has been chosen as THE best adventure tour in California for 2010.

Whale Watching on the California Coast

The waters off the California coast are among the best in the world for spotting migrating whales.

Vineyards of Santa Barbara

On California’s Central Coast, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles have become popular tasting venues and home to the highly regarded Chardonnay and Zinfandel. But most famous is there southern neighbour,

Big Sur

In the late 18th century, Spanish colonists at Carmel named this stretch of land El Pais Grande Del Sur, the Big Country of the South, and the coastline of California's Big Sur region has been attracting hyperbole ever since.

Where you stay is the heart of your holiday. Location reigns supreme but do you prefer resort facilities or unique and boutique? Historic and old world or modern and shiny?

We aim to present choices across the spectrum but there are many hundreds of places to stay and not room to feature them all. Do speak to your Bon Voyage travel consultant and click the video for our take on this important topic.

We would rate the Bellagio as one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in. Fabulous, glitzy, exciting. We loved having breakfast at the poolside café... one of our best experiences ever. If it hadn't been for you we wouldn't have had the suite or cabana and we loved them. We both agreed that the hotel was the best for us and you had suggested that so well done!
Leonore & Mike Rumford