There’s nothing like a summer road trip. Where the sun beams down, warming your exposed nape, wind blowing through your hair. Blaring through the speakers is Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered the theme song of the California Highway One, in concert with the driver as the sound drifts from the open-top red convertible. Then, the road bends along the epic coastline to the destination just south of south of the infamous Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge. Here, tucked away amongst the towering Redwood trees is the road trip worthy wilderness resort – Ventana Big Sur.

The classic journey between Los Angeles and San Francisco is one of the most famous highway road trip adventures across the globe. Most famous for its incredible vista of the vast Pacific Ocean, cliffs with tumbling waterfalls and unreachable beaches, it is a place of natural rugged charm and beauty. Driving from the South, the ocean can be seen as far as meets the eye to the left. To the right, Redwood trees scatter the mountainside, the impressive foliage making the drive seem evergreen.

Ventana Big Sur has existed among the trees since 1975, originally as the Ventana Inn, when coastline road trips were at their peak and living amongst the mountains in the backwoods was the norm. It was first obtained by film producer Lawrence Spector after the success of his hit movie, Easy Rider in the late 1960’s. This meant that back in its heyday, the Ventana Inn was a retreat for movie stars – those who preferred time hidden away from the glitz of nearby Los Angeles – like Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw. More recently Natalie Portman held her wedding to Benjamin Millepied here in 2012.

These days, Ventana Big Sur has been reimagined and redesigned for optimal comfort and relaxation – a wilderness retreat with ocean vistas and hundreds of acres of nature to be explored. The hotel was taken over by high-end Asian hotel chain Alila (part of Hyatt), who have award-winning resorts in destinations such as Indonesia, Malaysia and India.

Alila translates to “surprise” in the language of Sanskrit – and a surprise is certainly what Alila offers up with each property by offering unique facilities and design reflective of their surroundings. The Ventana Big Sur, for example, is a clandestine commune amongst the California Redwoods and Oaks with an air of serenity. It is a place to insert oneself into nature – to be content as the Pacific breeze cools the hot summer sun and escape from reality.

Moreover, the Ventana Big Sur is a place for discovery – whether that be the discovery of yourself, of moments sat in quiet peace and self-reflection or the discovery of one another – a place for romantics to sweep loved ones off their feet. Also, and most importantly, the discovery of nature; of trees, the mountains, and the ocean. The idea of this resort is to find total relaxation, to switch off completely from the outside world. Turn off mobile devices, swap from a kindle for a hardcover book. Wake up with the sun to go for a morning hike or Pilates class. Or simply do nothing at all, instead opting to sip coffee and enjoy the sound of nature.

The resort has an impressive array of amenities including the Social House which is at the heart of the property. The Social House was designed to create a space for socialising and connection. There is an outdoor patio with a fire pit, perfect for the cooler coastal evenings, and an impressive Library and Music room, where guests can sift through a collection of vintage vinyl or enjoy a classic book by a warm, open fire. For more jovial guests, the Games Room is the place to be, equipped with a pool table and board games for a welcome dose of friendly competition.

The Sur House is Ventana’s impressive restaurant where coastal cuisine comes alive in a rustic setting, much like a humble cabin in the woods. The Sur House showcases exemplary seafood, reflective of the California coastline and including an inspiring range of local sustainable ingredients. To pair with the excellent food, the Sur House is also home to a 10,000-bottle cellar that has been carefully selected by the Ventana Big Sur sommelier and local vintners.

Pure luxury is on offer at the Ventana Big Sur. Leaving Highway One behind, opt for a dip in either of the two infinity pools. The Meadow Pool is a jetted hot-tub style infinity pool with a vista of Redwood Trees on show, and nearby the clothing-optional Mountain Pool are spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. It feels both earthy and freeing to be surrounded by rugged nature in the purest of ways. Finally, adjacent to the Mountain Pool are the idyllic Japanese Hot Baths, heated to 104 degrees and with spaces for women, men or co-ed depending on preference.

The relaxation does not end there. With Alila’s venture to the Ventana Big Sur, it brought with it the famous Spa Alila, a place of pure opulence and profound comfort. Spa Alila is deeply rooted in Asian culture, taking guests on a journey of complete mind, body and spirit wellness. Cedar wood cabanas offer privacy for soaking and couple massages. After aromatherapy reflexology, guests can sit back in plush robes on wooden deck chairs with a cup of soothing herbal tea, taking in the expanse of the surrounds. The spa extends beyond just massage and soak to private yoga, tai chi, and meditation. And, for those feeling particularly spiritual, why not indulge in an astrology reading? The Alila Spa at Ventana Big Sur is a place to restore all aspects of the mind and body.

For nature enthusiasts, there’s a range of nearby hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulties. Ventana Big Sur offers guided walks that can be booked in advance and is perfect for those who want to learn more about the incredible landscape and the wonders of Big Sur. There’s also a range of nearby craft and homewares stores, as well as an impressive number of galleries with works dedicated to mirroring the beauty of this slice of Heaven on Earth. The Glass House Gallery is located at the Ventana Big Sur, sat 1100 feet above the Pacific Ocean. It houses an extraordinary collection of paintings, photographs and sculptures by local artists.

In the hundreds of acres of the resort, there are a total of 59 guest rooms, villas and suites spread across the mountains and meadows. Each room has a balcony featuring either mountain or ocean views, and deep soaking tubs and open fireplaces add a touch of opulence. The outside is brought inside, with rooms decorated in deep wood panelling along the walls and roofing. The stunning Pacific House suite even houses a welcoming four-poster bed and decadent soaking tub sized for two with retractable doors so guests can enjoy the fireplace from the tub.

For naturalists, the Big Sur Forest Shower room is perfect. As the name suggests, it provides an outdoor open-air style rainfall shower amongst the trees. After relaxing in the shower, wind down in a hammock or sip on a drink from the artisan minibar. The Big Sur Villa is in the sprawling green meadows and offers guests a spacious separate living space downstairs. Upstairs, the king bed lays waiting. There is outdoor space both upstairs and down, both of which offer spectacular views of the redwood forest and mountainous vista.

Escape reality. Take route on Highway One and turn up Hotel California on the car radio. Take the exit, the road less travelled and one should find themselves at Ventana Big Sur, where you can immerse yourself in total relaxation among the trees. At Ventana Big Sur, it’s all on offer and with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, and where the haze of the ocean spray clashes with the cloudless blue sky. Here is a place where guests back can step back in time to a simpler life of complete and utter contentment.