Glitz & Glam Global Press Trip Showcases Golden State-Style of Luxury

Visit California hosted seven journalists from seven of California’s top global markets including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., France, Australia and the Middle East on a press trip dedicated to showcasing the state’s style of laid-back luxury in West Hollywood, Temecula Valley and Dana Point.

Hosted Media

• Anne Marie Cattelain Le Dû, Hotel & Lodge (France)
• Laurie Kahle, Barron’s (U.S.)
• Bronwen Gora, Signature Luxury Travel & Style (Australia)
• Massimo Sosa, Dolce (Canada)
• Hussain Hameed Abduljalil, Durrah (Middle East)
• Lois Faith Shearing, Cosmopolitan (U.K.)
• Felipe Pando, Revista Aire (Mexico)

The itinerary started in West Hollywood as part of Visit California’s California Luxury Forum 2023. The media group attended a curated “Red Carpet Ready” media track including fitness and spa experiences at DOGPOUND and the 1 Hotel, an exclusive helicopter tour of LA, showcasing West Hollywood’s central location via Maverick, live music and a tour of the Sunset Marquis, interviews with legends and locals like interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, photographer Timothy White and more.

While a trade program at heart, Visit California has used California Luxury Forum to engage with top luxury media in the past, however, this is the first year the organization has expanded the program to include two additional destinations.

After West Hollywood, the group moved South to explore Temecula Valley for a taste of the good life in wine country. The group split up into two host properties Ponte Vineyard Inn and Domaine Chardonnay. Whilst in destination, the group toasted to wine blending experiences at BOTTAIA, delicious, farm-to-fork meals at Avensole Winery, Leoness Cellars, Bolero Restaurante at Europe Village and Small Barn. The group also soared above wine country with a sunrise hot air balloon ride via Grape Escape Balloon Adventure.

The group then moved west for their final stop in sunny Dana Point. The entire group stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach and enjoyed a private whale watching tour, lunch at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel and on property experiences at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, including massages, facials, a tour of the golf course, a fire + wood workshop, and meals at Monarch Bay Beach Club, Bourbon Steak and more.

Readers can view a complete gallery of activities here.