California luxury on display for global press trip

To showcase the state’s unique style of luxury, Visit California hosted a global press trip with 11 media from 10 of California’s top global markets, including Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, India and the Middle East. The weeklong trip covered 400 miles of California’s luxury scene, from its rugged coastline to its vibrant and sophisticated urban gateways.

Hosted media include:

• Chen Li, Condé Nast Traveler (China)
• Riko Ninoseki, Croissant Online (Japan)
• Mariana Mijares, Harper’s Bazaar / Volaris In Flight Magazine (Mexico)
• Gayle MacDonald, Globe & Mail (Canada)
• Juliette Weiss, BFM TV (France)
• Antonella Tereo, Posh and Places (Italy)
• Hashem Amyan, Forbes Middle East (Middle East)
• Prachi Joshi, Freelance (India)
• Bronwen Gora, Freelance (Australia)
• Sally Scott, Qantas / Freelance (Australia)
• Stephan Burianek, Connoisseur Circle / Salzburger Nachrichten (Germany)

The luxury trip began at none other than the Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay for a welcome dinner before the group moved south into Monterey County. While there, the group explored the county’s many microclimates, experiencing the Carmel Valley, iconic Pebble Beach, jaw-dropping Big Sur and quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea. In addition to staying at the sprawling Carmel Valley Ranch, the journalists also toured the area’s renowned properties, including the Post Ranch Inn and Alila Ventana. After a Michelin-starred meal at Chez Noir, the trip continued south to SLO CAL. 

After taking the Highway 1 detour and stopping at Halter Ranch and Pasolivo to taste organic, artisan olive oil, the group experienced various art experiences, from a property tour of the legendary Hearst Castle to the immersive light exhibit at Sensorio. The culinary favorite in SLO CAL was a dinner at Les Petites Canailles, following the “trust us” menu under Chef Julien Asseo. After soaking up oceanside views at Hearst Ranch Winery and a restful night at Hotel Cerro, the road trip continued to Santa Barbara. 

Before reaching downtown, the group made a stop at Folded Hills, a winery, farmstead and ranch in Gaviota, where they not only tasted wine, but also met farm animals including a zebra and camel, and enjoyed an outdoor lunch overlooking the 600-acre property. Once getting into town, the group checked into the El Encanto and learned to paint using wine to celebrate harvest season. Dinner at the Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch and The Lark proved the destination’s culinary excellence, while the group also experienced the slowed-down pace of living through a sound bath experience and sunset boat cruise. 

The trip concluded in Beverly Hills, where the group stayed at the Maybourne and attended Visit California’s Los Angeles Media Reception at the recently opened Intuit Dome.