From Yosemite National Park to the Pacific, a trip to Southern California

Classified as a national park in 1890, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is California's third largest park. Its over three thousand km2 of protected nature make it a real paradise for hiking fans. The paths encircle the granite domes and waterfalls, delving deep into the forest and leading up to 3,500 m in height. You might run into deer, beavers, opossums…And you might even see coyotes, shrews, or black bears.

Imagine 1,000-year-old coniferous trees piercing the sky. In the shade of their foliage, you feel absolutely tiny, doll-like. Within Yosemite, you'll find three forests of giant sequoias. Some of these giant trees can reach a circumference of almost 30 m and almost 80 m in height! It's in the Mariposa Grove that you'll discover the Grizzly Giant. Almost 2,000 years old, the largest sequoia in Yosemite rises to over 60 m above ground! This is also where the famous Wanona Tree used to stand; a tunnel was built into it in 1881 so visitors could travel through it by horse-drawn carriage. The tree fell in 1969…

It's one of the most beautiful roads in the world. It's like you're driving along a movie set. With its cliffs, forests, and coves lapped by emerald water, Big Sur offers a stunning array of scenery. Re-read Jack Kerouac, who drew an amazing novel from it. In winter, whales come to spawn along the coast. A break is a must at Nepenthe. Set on a promontory, this unpretentious restaurant has been in the same family for over fifty years.

Just a few metres away from L'Auberge, you'll find the tie store designed by Robert Talbott. Founded in 1958, the small family business has now become one of the symbols of American chic, a brand recognized continent-wide offering unique designs.

On a hill overlooking the city, the J. Paul Getty Museum has already established itself as one of L.A.'s most beautiful museums. On my first visit, I was very impressed by its richness and diversity – Titian's blues, Rembrandt's light, Monet's Sunrise (1873), and Van Gogh's Irises. The history of art and the greatest painters right next to Hollywood!

Over the years, Addison has established itself as one of the finest culinary experiences in California. Chef William Bradley's artisanal approach to cooking, based on an admiration for French cuisine, draws inspiration from the seasons. Ever attentive to the purity of the flavors, he enhances his ingredients by drawing on their inherent properties. The wine collection, with some 36,000 bottles under the enlightened management of sommelier Elizabeth Huettinger, includes twenty special cuvées crafted with winemakers from across the globe. The wine and food pairings are in perfect harmony with the refined, elegant service.

In the heart of an exclusive and wealthy community is Chino Farms in Rancho Santa Fe. The iconic California Chef's have been frivolously buying vegetables for decades with a modern goods stand that features daily picking of vegetables and produce that have rarely been seen by the outsiders of this community. Nearby Addison Chef, William Bradley picks his heirloom produce up daily.