Whether it’s your own car or a shiny rented
convertible is up to you, but trust us when we
say: You should road trip through California.
The Golden State stretches almost the
entirety of the United States’ Pacific coastline,
with each pit stop proving more enchanting,
more charming, more wonderful than the last.
We’ve mapped out the perfect Californian
odyssey — where to start, where to go, what to
do and what luxe hotel to call home at the end
of the day. All that’s left for you to do is read on,
and contact us to plan the perfect road trip.
CARLSBAD
Not quite as big of a name as its neighbors
in the south (San Diego) or north (Los
Angeles), Carlsbad is the perfect place for
the start of an adventure. It simply radiates
a sense of quaint serenity — the city itself
seems designed for seaside retreats. While
Carlsbad has established a name for itself due
to a bounty of pristine golf resorts lining the
shore, there’s more to experience here than
fairways and greens. Three lagoons are at the
center of most outdoor outings, for a variety of
reasons. Buena Vista Lagoon is an ecological
park renowned for bird-watching — some 60
species of birds are observed on any given
day. A sunrise stroll through here while being
serenaded by birdsong is a sweet note to start
your day on.
The other lagoon worth a visit for an entirely
different reason is Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
Here, you’re allowed in the water, which
means that fun aquatic pursuits are the norm
— boating, water skiing, windsurfing and
fishing are common, and make for a charmed
way to spend a day.
Finally, if your road trip coincides with the
spring season, a visit to the Flower Fields is a
must. Spanning over 50 acres, colorful rows
upon rows of Persian buttercup stretch as far
as the eye can see. A visit is euphoria for all
your senses: Your eyes will be awash in an
explosion of colors, your skin will tingle in the
cool spring air and the warm sunlight, and
your nose — well, can you imagine what 50
acres of flowers smells like?
20 | SELECT · 2020 The Persian buttercups of Flower Fields