Landing at the Monterey Regional Airport, the group of ten friends was reunited from across the West Coast and ready for a weekend of adventure. They were welcomed by salty Pacific air and anticipation as they stepped into the trip that promised adventure and connection along one of California’s most iconic stretches of coastline.
Setting the Scene
Our EXP Guides greeted the group and, with the day still young, took them on a short drive to the first activity of many that would follow. Just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, they arrived at one of California’s best state parks: Point Lobos.
Views along the Californian coast. Photo Credit: Courtesy of California State Parks, 2025.
Accompanied by a guide, the group enjoyed a nature walk and explored the park’s wooded and cliff-lined areas, learning about the history and wildlife. They spotted otters and sea lions below and came across rare plant species and unique rock formations. It was the perfect introduction to the raw beauty of this coastline, which they would see from all angles throughout their trip.
After the walk, the group checked in at their home base for the trip, The Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley. A retreat that ticked all the friends’ boxes — understated luxury in the green hills, complete with top-tier amenities like a championship golf course and an easy gateway to adventures.
EXP Guides escorted the group to their private bungalows, each with oversized spa bathrooms and terraces overlooking the gardens. That evening, they dined at Dametra Cafe, a vibrant Mediterranean spot where they appreciated each other’s company and the good food, a tone set that would continue throughout the vacation.
Hook, Line, and Excitement
The next morning, after breakfast together, they headed to the ocean for a private fishing charter on Monterey Bay. For some, deep-sea fishing was a first, but for others it was a joyful return to a favorite pastime. Ling cod and rock cod were reeled in, and the experienced crew filleted, vacuum-sealed, and froze the catches for our EXP Guides to help the friends take their tasty souvenirs back home.
Reeling in the rewards.
Back at base, they took time to refresh and relax, with some indulging in The Quail’s wellness facilities. Dinner took them to O’Callaghan’s Irish Pub in The Barnyard Shopping Village, a lively ending with live music and food, rounding off a successful day out on the water.
Sky-High Thrills
The next day was the day that Top Gun dreams were made of. Outfitted in flight suits and aviator sunglasses, the group took to the skies with professional pilots and stunt planes. Each of them strapped into real stunt planes, and they experienced barrel rolls, dives, and zero-gravity flips that pushed every g-force boundary.
Taking on the skies in stunt style.
Bird’s-eye view in between the thrills.
Back at land level, the laughter and adrenaline high continued as they returned to The Lodge, where they celebrated a fantastic day at The Quail’s Covey Grill. A fine-dining dinner, highlighting the region’s local produce, set in a lakeside setting, was ideal for celebrating and reliving the thrill of their stunt wins.
Conquering Carmel’s Trails
From the skies back down to rugged terrain, this day welcomed the group as they took the wheel of Land Rovers on the Carmel Overlander trails for a privately guided, full-day experience with qualified instructors.
Adventures in the Defenders.
After breakfast, the personalized racing gear set the day for an off-road driving session across an exclusive 11-mile trail network. Split into teams, the friends took turns behind the wheel, mastering steep ascents, tricky descents, and technical low-range driving techniques.
Learning tricks on the trails.
Custom gear to outfit the group.
The group headed to Edgar’s Restaurant for lunch, where the friends chose clubhouse staples and discussed the driving skills they had just learned. Back to the experience, the ante was upped a gear with some friendly rivalry, as the teams were ready to put their skills into practice. They then had some mud-spluttering, friendly competitions with each other, trying to out-race one another.
To refuel after another intrepid day, they had drinks and dinner at Baja Cantina and Grill, where award-winning margaritas and walls adorned with vintage car memorabilia capped off the day’s experiences perfectly.
Vintage Coastal Cruising
The grand finale on the last day brought the adventure to a fitting close, with a convoy of classic and vintage cars cruising along the coast. After their last breakfast together, they all got the keys and behind the wheel of iconic and classic cars, such as Porsches, Chevy Corvettes, Mustangs, and Thunderbirds. The friends revved off and set out along the famous Highway 1 on the Monterey Peninsula to Big Sur, cruising past the dramatic cliffs.
Open roads and classic rides.
Front row to the iconic coastal highway.
Convertible tops down and engines warmed, the group cruised toward The Sur House for lunch, an elegant restaurant with ocean views. The friends savored a last leisurely meal, soaking up the flavors inspired by Big Sur from the restaurant’s organic garden. Over lunch, they reminisced over the previous few days, mainly recalling their victories — from those who caught the biggest fish to the best sky-high aerobatic manoeuvre.
Convertible convoy on the iconic Highway 1.
Until the Next Time
After returning to Monterey, our EXP Guides transported the group back to the airport. The trip provided lifelong friends with a journey that perfectly combined their bucket-list adventures with connection and luxury, alongside stories that would last a lifetime. They exchanged their goodbyes and promised to reunite soon for another trip, eager for the next dose of adventure.
Meet the EXPert team that brought this journey to life!
Andrew Roberts
Destination EXPert
Kelly Palmer
Destination EXPert
Diana Hernandez
Operations Specialist
Kevin Jackson
Lead Guide
Connor Phillips
Assistant Guide
