Read all about Linzi’s unforgettable California and Mexican Riviera adventure after winning a pair of British Airways flights to LA at our Showcase Day 2025, alongside a two-night luxury oceanfront stay in Huntington Beach.
Linzi and her partner swapped the UK for Californian sunshine, exploring the iconic sights of Los Angeles, relaxing at a luxury resort in Huntington Beach and setting sail on a six-night cruise around the Mexican Riviera. From cycling along the beautiful California coastline and seeing the famous Lover’s Arch in Cabo San Lucas to ticking Alcatraz Island off her bucket list in San Francisco, it was an incredible trip filled with sightseeing, relaxation and unforgettable memories.
Our once-in-a-lifetime trip to California and Mexico began on a chilly Tuesday morning at London Heathrow Airport. After a surprisingly quick journey through security, we headed to the Plaza Premium Lounge for breakfast and a glass (or two!) of Prosecco – the perfect start to our holiday.
The journey begins – Off to Los Angeles!
Our flight to Los Angeles got off to a smooth start, and we were grateful to have paid extra for seats with additional legroom, particularly as my partner is 6ft 5in! With friendly cabin crew, plenty of entertainment and regular refreshments, the long-haul journey soon flew by. Before we knew it, we had arrived in California and were ready to explore.
Hollywood and the sights of Los Angeles
We spent our first couple of days discovering Los Angeles, taking in the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Rodeo Drive, Griffith Observatory, Beverly Hills and the Original Farmers Market. From famous landmarks and beautiful beaches to the glamour of Beverly Hills, LA gave us a fantastic taste of the California lifestyle.
Beach days in Huntington Beach
Next, we travelled by car to Huntington Beach, where we stayed at the stunning Paséa Hotel & Spa. With its beautiful surroundings and fantastic location, it was the perfect place to unwind. We spent time relaxing by the pool before enjoying cocktails at the hotel's Treehouse Rooftop Lounge.
The following day, we hired electric bikes and explored Huntington Beach before cycling along to Newport Beach. The beautiful beachfront homes, friendly locals and laid-back atmosphere made this a real highlight of our trip and a wonderful way to experience the Californian coast.
All Aboard! Our Mexican Riviera cruise
From Huntington Beach, we headed to Long Beach to board the Carnival Panorama for a six-night Mexican Riviera cruise.
The ship was fantastic, with brilliant entertainment, great restaurants and plenty of opportunities to relax. One of our biggest highlights was Cabo San Lucas, where we saw the breathtaking Lover's Arch (El Arco) – an unforgettable sight!
We also loved the onboard atmosphere, and the Alchemy Bar quickly became one of our favourite spots for cocktails. The six nights flew by, filled with sunshine, laughter, dancing and incredible memories.
San Francisco – A bucket-list dream come true
After the cruise, we flew to San Francisco, ready to explore one final destination. We visited many of the city's famous sights, including Lombard Street, Union Square, Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, where seeing the seals was a real treat. We also couldn't leave without taking a ride on one of the city's famous trams!
The biggest highlight was Alcatraz Island, which had been on my bucket list for years. Stepping onto the island and exploring its fascinating history was a real pinch-me moment, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations.
San Francisco was the perfect final stop, offering a completely different experience from Southern California's beaches and our Mexican Riviera cruise.
The journey home
After an incredible holiday, it was finally time to head back to the UK. Our return flight brought the adventure to a close. Despite some turbulence along the way, the captain kept us informed throughout, and we arrived home with hundreds of photographs, wonderful memories and plenty of stories to tell.
A holiday we'll never forget
Looking back, it's hard to choose a favourite part of the trip. From sipping Prosecco in the airport lounge and exploring Los Angeles to cycling along the California coastline, cruising around the Mexican Riviera and finally ticking Alcatraz off my bucket list, every part of the adventure was special.
It was the perfect combination of sightseeing, relaxation, adventure and a little indulgence along the way.
Winning the flights through work made this incredible trip possible, and we're so grateful to Lime for helping turn the opportunity into such a memorable experience.
A huge thank you to Lime and British Airways for being part of an adventure we'll never forget. California and Mexico – you certainly didn't disappoint!
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