Why visit the West Coast on a yacht charter?

California State stretches from the Canadian border along the Pacific for nearly 900 miles. The scenery found in the Golden State can only be described in one word: diverse. Its terrain includes dramatic cliff-lined beaches, ancient redwood forests, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Central Valley farmland and the Mojave Desert. But the diversity continues across the Mexican border to include rich ocean life and a strong Central American culture which is expressed through its food and its people.

With all this scenery and experiences tied into one stretch of coastline, a yacht charter is the ultimate way to encounter all the opportunities that are on offer, and delivers a luxury setting for wherever your travels take you.

Our pick of destinations to charter a yacht in California

There is an energy about California that is hard to define. The city of Los Angeles is the seat of the Hollywood entertainment industry, meanwhile hilly San Francisco is known for the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and cable cars. Without California, America’s food menu would be drab and predictable: the Golden State produces most of the country’s fresh produce and kicks off nationwide food trends. No matter what you order, it’s bound to be local and creative as well as producing over 90% of the nation’s wine-making grapes, and having twice as many breweries as any other state.

Newport Beach

Newport Beach is where old California charm meets modern glamour. Just along the coast from LA, the city is home to superyachts and Hollywood stars. The city revolves around the harbour, which is the largest recreational harbour on the west coast, meaning a yacht charter puts you in the centre of what the city has to offer. With a laidback atmosphere, Newport Beach has both luxury high-end living and beach-town delights, and is the perfect base to try the world-class surfing, explore the city shops or even make the short trip to the famous Venice Beach in LA.

San Francisco

A yacht charter in the northern end of the state will undoubtably include San Francisco. Victorian-era houses on the steep hillside, and an abundance of museums and galleries there is a lot to explore in the city. A yacht charter will also allow access around the bay, with a cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge to the north shore will have you gazing in amazement at some of the tallest trees in the world in the Muir woods or tasting delicious wines in Napa Valley.

San Diego

San Diego is the second largest city in California, and with its size comes an array of activities and sights to explore on a yacht charter. An idyllic climate, there is 70 miles of pristine beaches, and the coastline is well suited to year-round outdoor recreation, such as surfing, boating, sailing and swimming. In land the terrain varies from gentle foothills to mile-high mountains and hiking in the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park can be easily arranged from the yacht. Wine growers are also making a mark by growing and harvesting quality grapes that become excellent wines, which are served at some of the most elegant restaurants and resorts in the region. The area also features 92 golf courses and a variety of exciting spectator sports which happen throughout the year.

Our pick of destinations to charter a yacht on the West coast of Mexico

When it comes to yacht chartering the Baja California Peninsula is easily accessible and has an abundant of top sights and destinations to visit including prehistoric cave paintings, immaculate beaches, migratory whales, and tropical oases. The peninsula runs along the west coast of Mexico for an incredible 775 miles and is famous for excellent wine, pristine natural habitats, and some of the best diving in the world.

Cabo San Lucas

Commonly referred to as Los Cabos, Cabo san Lucas and San José del Cabo sit adjacent to each other on the tip of the sunny Baja Peninsula. The pristine blue waters of the Sea of Cortez create the perfect backdrop for any luxury yacht charter. There is a strong connection to the sea and Cabo San Lucas is revered in the fishing community as the marlin capital of the world, and is one of the best fishing locations in the Americas. Alongside the luxury boutique spas, this connection to the sea also finds its way into the selection of fine-dining restaurants in Cabo San Lucas serving the freshest ingredients and top quality wines. A cruise to the neighbouring San José del Cabo, a more colourful culture hub can be experienced with many shops, galleries and a laid back charm.

La Paz

To best experience La Paz you must get in the water. Exploring the surrounding coastline by yacht is the primary way to witness the abundance of sea life and guests can enjoy swimming with whale sharks, snorkelling with the resident sea lions and humpback whale watching during the right season. The city itself is the capital of the Baja Peninsula and offers a selection of galleries, bars and restaurants to meander through, however the real action is in the ocean meaning a yacht is the ideal place to be based.

Valle Guadelupe

Described as the Napa Valley of Mexico, Valle Guadelupe has a Mediterranean microclimate creating ideal conditions for growing red wine grapes. A visit here on a West coast yacht charter can reveal the fine dining restaurants, offering sophisticated food at a fraction of what you’d pay in America, and becoming so popular that their chefs are quickly ascending to celebrity status. Although slightly inland from the coast, the area is definitely worth a visit if quality wines and cuisine are your thing.