Flying into LA, we’ll be whisked out of the airport and straight into our classic all-American roadster.  I vote for the 1971 Cadillac Eldorado. Starting our SoCal roadtrip in LA, this city has something for everyone! I’ve carefully picked the brains of the locals to provide us with an all-encompassing itinerary that taps deep into the rhythm of the city and goes beyond the usual tourist traps. We’ll be staying at Viceroy Santa Monica, an iconic hotel on Ocean Avenue. It’s been the hideout for rock legends, supermodels and screen sirens so I’ve decided it’s the perfect place for us to catch some shut eye whilst getting a taste of true Hollywood glamour. So, we’ve got our glamorous base in the thick of the action, now where to go? With the top down on our classic Mustang OR Cadillac Eldorado, ride the Pacific Coast Highway north to Little Dume Beach, a local haunt not yet on the ‘trail’. Chill out in true LA style and catch some waves before jumping in that ride and heading back to the heart of the city for some tacos at FRIDA, a little place highly recommended by the locals. Whilst we’re in LA, we also can’t miss the opportunity to explore Franklin Canyon. In the true manner of LA contrasts, we’ll see ourselves jumping from the glitz of downtown LA to the ultimate seclusion of this natural beauty in no time as we drive the 5 minutes out of Beverley Hills to the canyon. Here we can set off with one of our guides as we hike the trails or go solo and relax by the mammoth lake; a great way to escape the buzzing atmosphere of the city. Now, we’ve seen Little Dume and Franklin, some of the most beautiful and relaxing spots LA has to offer; so I’d say it’s time for us to discover LA under the cover of darkness. A favourite watering hole of mine and one not many people know about is The Lock and Key in Koreatown. This 1920’s styled bar exudes a ‘Gatsby-esque’ vibe and we’ll love the personalised cocktails. On another of our nights, I’d point us in the direction of Chez Jay in Santa Monica. I'm on hand throughout to book us in at my favourite haunts and share some of my insider tips.

From LA we’ll head north up the coast of California to Santa Barbara. Check into San Ysidro Ranch in the wine country and settle into this resort that lies nestled in the Montecito foothills.  A popular wedding venue amongst tourists and A-listers alike, we’re sure to enjoy a taste of the celebrity lifestyle here. Only one hour from LA, Santa Barbara is a perfect mix of chilled out culture and scenery with some great little restaurants, bars and cultural sights. The city itself is small and has a great feel and the area is blessed with some beautiful beaches, including our favourite – East Beach. When we’re feeling hungry, be sure to visit Toma restaurant and bar. It’s a family run place serving delicious Italian food and as it’s a hit with the locals, you know it’s going to be good. Nearby we’ve also got the Ojai Valley which, with its world-class wineries, is definitely worth a visit. Exuding a charming and ‘healthy’ vibe, take a drive up there if we fancy anything from a relaxing spa to leisurely hike or chilled sauvignon. I mean Rose´

Óur last stop on this SoCal trip will be Palm Springs. An unmistakable retro vibe with a buzzing atmosphere – Palm Springs holds strong as a top hotspot for all native Californians. The accommodation I've chosen for us is the iconic Viceroy Palm Springs; the ultimate downtown spa resort. Here we can relax and unwind before heading out to see which way my little black book will have us going on the last leg of our American adventure. There are a few must-sees and dos in Palm Springs, and one of them has to be checking out Palm Springs Art Museum and the fantastic extrovert art work it houses. I’ll also point us in the direction of the VillageFest, a downtown festival with hundreds of stalls selling mouth-watering food, hand crafted jewellery and beautiful artwork. Finally, to finish our time in Palm Springs, we'll take the Aerial Tramway at sunset. We get spectacular views over the whole of Palm Springs and deep into the Coachella Valley, a fitting way to end our day as we watch the sun set on our iconic trip across the sunshine state.