Destinations: North America
Explore Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts destinations in North America.
7 Ways to Work Out With a View in California
Who needs a stair machine when there’s a trail with a view to conquer? Why toil on a treadmill when you can surf the Pacific? California, blessed with diverse landscapes and pleasant weather year round, provides a natural backdrop for activities that cater to an exceptionally fit population. On your next visit to San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles or San Diego, stay active while taking in each city’s distinctive personality and sights during these creative workouts.
Surfing in San Diego
Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara, North San Diego, overlooks South Ponto Beach, which keeps surfers stoked with its cool breaks and wide strip of sand. The Concierge arranges your transportation, wetsuit, surfboard or boogie board, and two hours of individual instruction so even novices can try surfing in this popular spot.
Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara, North San Diego
Skyline stretch in L.A.
A rooftop yoga class at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles Beverly Hills
Rise far above Beverly Hills’ tree-lined avenues and offer a salutation to the sun as it rises with views of the iconic Hollywood sign and downtown LA’s skyline. The 17th floor helipad of Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills hosts private rooftop yoga, led by renowned West Coast wellness experts. For extra adrenaline, the Hotel partners with training company Blue Clay Fitness, which counts a number of celebrities among its clientele, to offer group fitness classes on the helipad too.
Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
Hit the trail in the Santa Monica Mountains
A hiker treks along the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Make sure to pack your hiking boots when visiting Westlake Village. This year’s completion of the Backbone Trail offers visitors and locals alike a 67-mile (108-kilometre) uninterrupted path traversing the Santa Monica Mountains’ sandstone peaks and canyons. The trailhead is a 20-minute drive from Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. A half-century in the making, this ambitious project connects two state parks – Point Mugu in Malibu and Will Rogers in Pacific Palisades – through mountainous terrain that will test your fitness and endurance.
Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village
Water sports paradise in Malibu
Yoga on paddleboards near Malibu offers two workouts in one.
Less than a 30-minute drive to the Pacific Ocean and under an hour to Malibu, Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, A Four Seasons Hotel provides an easy springboard to maritime adventures like kayaking and paddleboarding. “Paradise Cove in Malibu has great water sports,” says Honor Echlund, the Hotel’s Assistant Chef Concierge. The Concierge can also arrange a trip to Marina del Rey – just 30 minutes away, it’s home to the largest man-made marina in the United States – where you can paddle, surf or even join a yoga class on a stand-up paddleboard.
Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, A Four Seasons Hotel
Coastal climb in the Santa Barbara mountains
A hiker absorbs the views near Rocky Pine Ridge in the Santa Barbara mountains, not far from the Cold Spring Trail.
Life doesn’t get much healthier – or beachier – than in Santa Barbara, the stylish coastal town 100 miles north of Los Angeles.
“I feel so fortunate to live here,” says Chef de Partie at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, an avid runner who has completed 54 marathons. “Santa Barbara is a mecca for runners and cyclists, and you get to enjoy amazing trails year round.”
Bruno recommends hitting the nearby Cold Spring Trail, a path beloved by both hikers and cyclists that combines a variety of terrains leading to majestic views of the Pacific Ocean and Montecito Peak. The hiking trail loops alongside waterfalls and a bubbling creek as it rises from 600 to 1,200 feet (183 to 366 metres). Steep in some places and gently sloped in others, this woodsy walk beats any treadmill or stationary bike regimen.
Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
Heights of San Francisco
The spiral staircase at San Francisco’s Embarcadero Center is one of many climbing opportunities that combine exercise with public art.
No need to limit yourself to a stair machine in a city full of picturesque inclines, such as the residential Outer Sunset neighborhood’s swirly mosaic stairs that reward with vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco cityscape. For another scenic walk, climb Lyon Street’s 244 steps that link gourmet enclave Cow Hollow with stately Pacific Heights. Both are within a few miles of the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco
Poolside workout in Palo Alto
The pool at Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto.
Even when you’re in the world’s tech capital, it’s good to get outside and enjoy some fresh air and fitness with an on-site al fresco workout. If you’re here for just a quick business jaunt, the Hotel makes it easy to stay active and bask in the sun. Surrounding the rooftop pool at Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto are dedicated fitness cabanas where you’ll find stationary bikes and weight bars.
Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto
Where the Birds Are: 8 Places to Enjoy Avifauna
Some of the most colourful guests at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are positively fair-weather types: birds. From brilliant migratory songbirds to resident waterfowl, the fine-feathered friends that frequent the destinations below are among the world’s most stunning and sought-after avifauna for birdwatching.
Some of them frequent the properties’ grounds; others require an excursion to encounter. And although birders and naturalists know that sightings are never guaranteed, if you pay attention while visiting these locations, you may catch a glimpse of their bright, elusive plumage.
Hawaii: Scarlet Hawaiian Honeycreeper (Drepanis coccinea)
With its coral-coloured bill and vivid feathers, the Scarlet Hawaiian Honeycreeper fits perfectly within the bright, flowering gardens at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.
Also known as the ʻiʻiwi, this blazing-red bird with the sickle-shaped bill is a favourite of birding visitors to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. One of the 44 Hawaiian endemics, the altitudinally migratory ʻiʻiwi resembles a hummingbird, with a similar appetite for nectar. It can be seen at higher altitudes, such as on Mauna Kea (about an hour and a half away from the Resort), and has occasionally been spotted at higher elevations on Hualalai itself, just 20 miles from the property. Although these honeycreepers were once plentiful on most Hawaiian islands, they’re currently endangered on Oahu and Molokai and have been extinct on Lanai since 1929.
Twitchers who want to birdwatch on the grounds of Four Seasons Hualalai can visit its Waiakauhi Pond, a convalescent habitat for waterfowl and migratory shorebirds, such as the slender and elegant Hawaiian Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service worked together with the Resort to develop the habitat and help preserve this endemic and endangered subspecies.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Dubai: Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
Hoopoes frequently perch on the lawn of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, where guests can hear their hoot-like call.
Audio courtesy Sheldon R. Severinghaus/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The lawns of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and other Arabian Gulf hotels are becoming desert sanctuaries for many birds, thanks to water features, beautiful landscaping, and abundant native plants and trees. The Dubai property also plays host to Red-vented Bulbuls and the occasional Purple Sunbird, but the funky hoopoes, with their “Mohawk” look, are the staff favourite.
The bird’s unusual name is onomatopoeic, mimicking the elegant black-and-cinnamon bird’s double hoot-like call. Though subspecies exist, the hoopoe is the only extant member of its family in the world.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Costa Rica: Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
A view of the Keel-billed Toucan’s striking, bright chest and rainbow bill in Costa Rica’s fruit trees or forests is the sighting of a lifetime.
Audio courtesy David L. Ross, Jr./The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Costa Rica is rich in bird biodiversity: The small tropical country is home to roughly 850 species, from Sapphire-throated Hummingbirds to dazzling quetzals. But let’s face it: Everyone wants to see a toucan. Six members of the toucan family Ramphastidae call Costa Rica home, including the Keel-billed. These yellow-chested, rainbow-billed beauties are occasionally visible in fruit trees and forests on the nearby lower slopes of Cordillera de Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula, both about 90-minutes from Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Papagayo.
Papagayo is not without its own brilliant avifauna. The peninsula is named for the numerous colourful parrots that inhabit its lush canopies. Visitors who attend the 930-hectare (2,300-acre) Resort’s morning and afternoon nature walks can learn about the 25 species of endangered trees found on the peninsula and the birds who visit them, including Crested Caracaras, Great Kiskadees, Tropical Kingbirds, Inca Doves and Yellow-naped Parrots – each of the parrots a bright green marked with a vivid yellow line along its forehead and the nape of its neck.
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Thailand: Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)
The Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, one of the smallest birds in Southeast Asia, is a rare but beautiful highlight at Four Seasons Hotel Tented Camp, Golden Triangle.
Audio courtesy Roger D. and Megan J. McNeill/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Many brightly coloured passerines flit through the moist bamboo thickets and steamy riverine forests of the Golden Triangle where Burma, Laos and Thailand converge. But few are as elegant and photogenic as the elusive Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker.
Sightings of the birds from Four Seasons Hotel Tented Camp, Golden Triangle are rare, but not impossible. They’re more likely at Chiang Saen Lake, about 45 minutes from the camp, or on trees at nearby fruit gardens where you can watch them quietly nibbling on figs and buah cherries. They may be one of the smallest birds in Southeast Asia, but their deep ruby red, sparkling white and navy blue markings are unmistakable.
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle
Australia: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is one of the most familiar and beloved birds in Australia, and it’s not unusual to see this bird’s snow-white feathers and brightly coloured crest in parks and green areas across Sydney.
When you first sight one of these flamboyantly feathered birds, you might think you’ve spotted an escaped pet. But these large, cacophonous, snow-white cockatoos with the butter-coloured crest live wild in Sydney and appear in spots throughout the country, including the Botanic Gardens and Hyde Park, both within walking distance from Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. It’s a vivid reminder that you’ve crossed the Wallace Line, a faunal boundary marking two distinctly different ecozones.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are known for their curiosity, screechy calls and longevity. One legendary Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, christened Cocky Bennett, lived for over 100 years.
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
Geneva: Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Audio courtesy Dolly Minis/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
It’s not a long wait before a wild white swan glides along the shoreline of Lake Geneva. Just steps outside Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva, these grand birds with black masks and orange beaks can be seen along the lake, and on the tiny island of l’Ile Rousseau in front of the Resort, often with their S-curve necks in perfect formation like ballerinas.
From the 13th to the 19th century, western European swan populations were nearly exterminated by hunting. Protective measures to save the lake’s waterfowl took effect in the late 1800s, allowing the swans to reclaim their former range. In the 1960s, numbers declined again, but fortunately they are increasing today.
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva
Florida: Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)
Guests at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® can take a break from the bustling city to spot Florida’s only endemic bird, the deep blue Florida Scrub Jay.
This jay is Florida’s only endemic bird, and one of only 15 endemic bird species in the continental United States. Because Florida’s scrub oak habitat has rapidly dwindled in the past few decades, and therefore the number of birds has, the jay has been designated a threatened species.
It’s possible to see this bold and feisty bird at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort and the Tranquilo Golf Club, both of which are home to dozens of replanted live oak trees, the preferred habitat of the Scrub Jay – not to mention shrubs, ground cover, bushes and palms that it and other birds can use for food and shelter. For birders who want a more guaranteed sighting, the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail is a mere 30 miles (48 kilometres) away.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort
Serengeti: African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus)
Audio courtesy Linda R. Macaulay/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The chance to sight the Big Five beasts may draw travellers from far and wide, but Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti is also a fine spot for observing African birds. Right on the grounds, it’s possible to come face to face with mischievous African Grey Hornbills, which are sometimes spotted amid the fig trees along the Lodge’s boardwalks.
With its heavy-looking, downward-curving bill, the bird has an oddly primitive appearance, but it moves with the agility of a lion, both in the air and on the ground.
“While flying, they dip in mid-flight, which is quite distinctive, and as the most pronounced of all the hornbills in this region, their piercing, whistle-like call is also quite distinctive,” says the Lodge’s Discovery Centre Manager, Oli Drieke.
Guests who wish to see more of these creatures should cover more of their habitat by embarking on the game drives and walking safaris offered at the Lodge.
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania
Fall in Love With Lanai
Santa Barbara in Style
Jenny Cipoletti’s work often takes her around the world, from attending a charity polo match in the Hamptons to previewing the latest collections in Paris. So when she finds a free weekend to get away with her husband, Fred, and their beloved French bulldog, Margo, a worry-free escape where the three can relax and reconnect is ideal.
“To us, the true definition of a vacation is relaxing and not having to worry about a thing,” says Cipoletti.
Recently, the trio spent three days tucked away at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, exploring the tranquil charm of the city. And when perusing the Cipo- lettis’ vivid vacation photos, it’s clear the destination provided a chic sanctuary.
“Four Seasons Santa Barbara makes it near impossible to lift a finger – the epitome of relaxation. The Resort is all-encompassing, from food and dining to experiences and activities. Everything is waiting for you on the property.”
Created in partnership with Tory Burch
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“Fashion is the ultimate accomplice to travel,” says Cipoletti. “It’s an opportunity to channel the most stylish literary characters and silver-screen starlets, like Sophia Lauren in the Italian Riviera.”
“To complement The Biltmore’s lush scenery and California-cool vibe, I wanted to channel my inner free-spirited bohemian.”
Located on the beautiful California coast, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara offered Cipoletti tucked-away tranquillity in its private bungalows.
Cipoletti carefully plans her outfits according to her surroundings, to make her vacation snapshots more vivid. Before heading to Santa Barbara, she did some shopping at Tory Burch. “It’s as if the pre-fall collection was made for this trip.”
“I knew I’d be packing refreshingly bold colours, fun prints and patterns, summer sandals – of course with a few bathing suits as well.”
“The most romantic part of this resort is the bungalows – your private little oasis tucked away in a tropical paradise.”
“We loved waking up each morning and opening up the French doors to our private patio, where we could enjoy breakfast before heading out in the morning. We loved the privacy element of it. It’s as if you are staying in your own home with no one else around you.”
Parts of the historical, original Resort, like this building which houses the Honeymoon Suite, still stand on the grounds. “When arriving at any destination, we love taking the time to explore the property and its charming corners.”
“Walking the grounds, it’s near impossible to ignore the calming smell of jasmine exuding from the gardens. Four Seasons Santa Barbara sets the bar high for ‘California Riviera decadence.’”
The exclusive, members-only Cabana Club overlooks Butterfly Beach and features a rooftop tanning deck. “As if you stepped into a time machine back into 1950, it is one of the most wonderful historic, hidden gems of Santa Barbara.”
“The most breathtaking detail on this property is its Moreton Bay fig tree [the second-largest in the city]. It’s absolutely remarkable, and speaks to the property’s rich culture.” The largest Moreton Bay fig, in downtown Santa Barbara, dates back to the 1800s.
The Resort, situated near the entrance to beautiful Butterfly Beach, has convenient beach access.
The Resort is home to one synthetic grass tennis court and two hard-surface courts dressed in an azure shade that perfectly complements this athletic look.
“Margo’s favourite toy is her tennis ball. We took her with us for a casual singles match [at the Resort’s tennis court], but little did we know she would turn into our ‘ball boy’! Seeing her sprint back and forth on the court was the funniest thing.”
While dipping her toes in the cool water of the Resort pool, Cipoletti enjoyed some light reading.
Resort guests have access to the exclusive Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club. “I couldn’t believe my eyes, everything from the perfectly pink-umbrella–lined, Olympic-size pool to a rooftop tanning deck, and all overlooking Butterfly Beach.”
In addition to the exclusive Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club, Four Seasons Santa Barbara boasts a Resort pool, which is situated among lush gardens and features underwater music.
Surrounded by Kentia palms and Australian tree ferns, the Resort Jungle Pool offers a welcome respite from the city bustle.
Adjacent to The Spa is the shaded Resort Jungle Pool, which offers a cool and relaxing retreat, complete with refreshing beverages and chilled towels.
The Spa has 11 personalized treatment rooms, most with views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands.
“Before starting the massage, my therapist presented me with an à la carte menu, with services that can be added onto the massage. With all the travelling we do, I’ve never seen this offered, and really appreciate the personalization element. I opted for the scalp mask, which includes a Moroccan Oil leave-in mask and scalp massage.”
“We have a weakness for Italian food. We heard the charcuterie boards [at Bella Vista Restaurant] were a must-try – paired with cheese and wine. We were in heaven! After watching the sun set, we had to order some of their fresh house-made pasta. The Tagliatelle Alla Vongole transported me to Italy!”
