Route One Road Trip: San Francisco to LA via Palm Springs

San Francisco is special. Use your time in the city to admire the beautiful pastel-hued houses lining the city's sloped streets, meet the sea lions at Fisherman's Wharf, spot the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island among the cityscape, take a trip down Lombard Street with its crazy hairpin bends and experience the city's famous fog.
Must do - Lunch in Sausalito. The former fishing village of Sausalito is now a chic seaside resort. Head slightly outside the centre for lunch in a converted garage that's now a trendy French bistro with stunning views over the marina. It's a favourite haunt for locals, with a relaxed atmosphere and food that's to die for.
Tour: A local's guide to San Francisco's iconic neighbourhoods. Spend a few hours with one of our expert guides who will share their love of the city as well as secrets and stories about the different neighbourhoods, such as stylish Nob Hill, Chinatown, North Beach's Italian neighbourhood and the historic district of Jackson Square with its Wild West charm.

In the itinerary - San Francisco by bike. The Golden Gate Bridge, nearly two miles long, is one of the largest bridges in the world and an iconic city landmark, with fantastic views over the bay when crossed by bike. There's also a walk that's a little over six miles, starting at Fisherman's Wharf and along the beach, then across the bridge and onto Sausalito, with a return by ferry.
Included in the itinerary - Your admissions to Alcatraz. This prison island, which is also a military fortress, detained its first inmates in the 1850s. Eighty years later, it became the property of the United States Department of Justice, locking up the country's most dangerous criminals, including Al Capone. If those who tried to escape weren't caught before they reached the water, they would drown, freeze to death or succumb to the sharks in the bay. Today the island is uninhabited, but continues to offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into its grizzly history.

On the Road - Muir Woods National Historic Site. Take a detour north of San Francisco to Muir Woods National Historic Site before setting off on Highway 1. At the end of a narrow road, you'll find a forest of giant redwoods that's home to some of the tallest trees in the world. Designated as a national monument by President Roosevelt in 1908, the site is named after naturalist John Muir, who declared it 'the best tree-lover's monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world'. Wind your way among the forest's babbling brooks and ferns, keeping an eye out for the local wildlife, and soaking up the silence in this cathedral of nature.
Follow State Route 1 to Monterey, about two hours away. Spend two nights in a hotel built around the original hacienda of Don Esteban Munras, the last Spanish diplomat in California. Dating back to 1824, its galleries, balustrades and colonnades are testament to the Hispanic-Mexican influence of the time.

Continue south on State Route 1 for about four hours. Follow the turns of the ocean as the route hugs the coastline, punctuated by lighthouses and lookout points. Along the way you'll see Spanish missions like San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria and finally Santa Barbara, where you'll spend the night. Tonight's hotel will see you immersed in Spanish-style design, surrounded by beautiful ceramic tiles and wrought iron detailing. Nestled in a quaint two-storey building, your room opens out to the ocean, and is a stone's throw from the pier and State Street, Santa Barbara's main drag.

Take State Route 1 to Palm Springs, around three hours away. Stroll along one of Ventura's beaches and spot the Channel Islands from the coast, before driving through beautiful Bel Air and Hollywood in Los Angeles towards Palm Springs, where you'll spend two nights in the middle of the desert. The accommodation here is definitely something to remember. Sitting pretty at the foot of the mountains, this hotel's colourful, psychedelic design joyfully blends into the landscape and sets the tone for your stay, with vintage-inspired rooms, a swimming pool and spa.

Formally the territory of the Cahuilla tribe of Native Americans, this green oasis was a favourite holiday destination for Hollywood stars in the 1950s, before becoming the place to be for the golden youth of Los Angeles.
Must-see - Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park, located between the Colorado and Mojave deserts, is named after a species of yucca tree that inhabits this desert landscape; and if you hit the park between February and April, you'll get to see their dazzling display of white flowers.
Optional - San Andreas Fault private tour in a 4x4

Drive for two hours to Los Angeles via the northern San Jacinto Mountains. Los Angeles is a vast city, spanning over 60 miles from east to west, and its tangle of skyscrapers will soon start to come into view. Spend three nights here in a trendy hotel near the hustle and bustle of Hollywood Boulevard. Take advantage of the rooftop pool area, and enjoy a drink with a view over the city as the sun sets, while huge windows in your room mean the amazing city views just keep coming.

Things to see and experience - Visit the Getty Centre, a huge museum accessed via cable car, on Brentwood Hill. Enjoy the sunshine on the Malibu and Santa Monica beaches before hitting the ocean for a surf, or climb up to the Griffith Observatory for a 360° view of the city.
Included in your itinerary: Entry tickets for a day at Universal Studios. The studios are still regularly used for filming and are also home to a theme park, which even has a miniature train to ferry you around if you don't feel like walking. Hit up the different shows and roller coasters, stepping into the sets of numerous Hollywood blockbusters, including Back to the Future, Jurassic Park and King Kong. Your Express Pass allows you to skip the queues at each attraction and entitles you to reserved seating at the park’s live shows.
Optional - Private tour of Los Angeles in a vintage car