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California: A Journey Through Iconic Landmarks, Wine Country, and Coastal Wonders

I recently had the pleasure of joining the 2025 California Agent Advisory Council alongside Eva Huezo from Visit California and Dee from United Airlines, exploring the stunning northern region of California for the first time. Wow—in one word, it’s CHILL.

Our incredible journey took us through three of California’s most memorable and diverse destinations: San Francisco, Sonoma County, and San Luis Obispo County. Each location features captivating landscapes, delectable cuisine, and inspiring cultural experiences. I’m excited to share my experiences and insights from this trip with you!

San Francisco: Exploring Iconic Landmarks

Our adventure commenced with a stay at the charming Argonaut Hotel in the Fisherman’s Bay area. We kicked off at Presidio Tunnel Tops, capturing stunning photos with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge. A leisurely walk led us to Dalida, acclaimed with a James Beard recognition for Best Chef in 2025, where we indulged in a Mediterranean culinary experience with locally sourced ingredients over a 7-course degustation.

I honed culinary skills at Skola during a hands-on cooking class making delicious Chinese Scallion Pancakes. Our next day started with a delightful breakfast at RIU Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf, where we met the welcoming Celia Casado and David Prado. Later, we took the F Train to the Ferry Building and its vibrant Saturday Farmer’s Market.

Lunch was savored at Flour + Water Pizzeria on Columbus Ave, where we enjoyed authentic, wood-fired pizzas at this local hotspot. The afternoon belonged to the “Dear San Francisco” show at Club Fugazi, an exhilarating display of acrobatics and storytelling celebrating the city’s unique spirit.

A site visit to the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins included Espresso Martinis at the Top of the Mark. Our San Francisco experience concluded with an unforgettable dinner cruise, marveling at the bay’s iconic bridges and Alcatraz.

Sonoma County: Exploring the Wine Country

In Sonoma County, a delightful lunch at The Girl & The Fig came highly recommended. Here, our host Lauren Kilcullen and Damien Keller enriched our journey with insights and humor. Our Sonoma exploration included a charming PushPak Sonoma Wine Country Tour, followed by a visit to the Charles M. Schulz Museum.

Our serene stay at Timber Cove Resort offered a tranquil encounter with sea and nature, guided by the passionate Aussie, Margaret. We then ventured to AutoCamp in the Russian River, enjoying a unique glamping experience in fitted Air Streams amid wine country. A rejuvenating walk through Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve was a highlight.

The day continued with an engaging tour and lunch at The Barlow district, followed by a distinguished wine tasting at Balletto Vineyards. A walkthrough and cocktails at the iconic Flamingo Resort were complemented by inspiring discussions en route to SOL CAL.

San Luis Obispo County: Discovering Coastal Wonders

At Hotel SLO, we prepared for exhilarating adventures, including Pacific Adventure Tours and Xtreme Hummer Adventures at Pismo Beach. Our stay at Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach included a site visit, dinner, and enchanting sunset s’mores, hosted by Frank Rodgers and Aleigh.

The following day featured a visit to Elephant Seal Vista Point near San Simeon, where northern elephant seals thrived in their habitat. Exploring Hearst Castle was captivating, followed by lunch and tasting at stunning Niner Wine Estates in Paso Robles, recognised for sustainable practices.

A private tour of Sensorio’s outdoor art installation, “Field of Light,” dazzled with over 100,000 lit spheres, creating magic with art and nature, along with the new installation, Dimensions by Hybycozo—a must-see.

Our final day was thrilling with a Zipline Experience at Santa Margarita Ranch, before returning to San Francisco for our United Airlines flight home.

The richness of this journey was encapsulated in the insights, connections, and ideas exchanged. These experiences have empowered me to enhance client itineraries and share innovative strategies with peers. I’m deeply grateful for these reflective and collaborative moments, promoting tourism in these areas.

Here’s to future journeys that fuel our passions, connecting us with incredible people and the world around us!

If you’re interested in visiting California, especially Northern California please reach out I’m able to curate a perfect itinerary just for you!

Be Inspired!

Rose