California Dream by Louis Vuitton

California Dream was one of the Louis Vuitton fragrances that I was looking forward to trying, since its release in 2020. Maybe it was the bottle or wondering what that name would actually smell like, but I was intrigued. I came into trying this completely blind and didn’t know anything about the notes or style of this perfume. What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is California Dream worth a try? Note: I am updating this original review, years after the fact.

What does California Dream Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, ambrette, benzoin, musk

My Full Review

Here’s how Louis Vuitton describes this scent: Mandarin as passionate as a sunset. It’s the lengthening of a perfect day. Watching night fall. Drinking in colours. Standing before the horizon.

California Dream opens up with its juicy mandarin orange note on full display. There is also a bit of an orange peel smell in there too. It doesn’t have the sharp punch that the citrus of Sun Song had and is quite mellow and naturalistic. Retaining that clean sensibility and brightness.

California Dream is a citrus scent that is going to give you a zesty aroma with the mandarin. It’s not my favorite type of orange, but it works well enough in this Louis Vuitton offering, and actually is one of the better examples that I’ve come across.

There may be some other unlisted fruit or other citrus notes lightly in the mix too. Mostly, it’s that mandarin.

It’s smoother later on and rounded out by the addition of the musk note. Honestly, I don’t get much benzoin standing out in the mix in California Dream, until the end. The musk is pretty pronounced for much of it, though, it never is overwhelming.

Opening act of zesty fresh mandarin. Then, mandarin sitting on top of musk with some ambrette coming into play.

To me, it’s a citrus with musk and ambrette during most of the wear. Less juicy as it dries down and and just a finish of benzoin after a few hours. Musk with a slight powdery sweetness in the latter stage.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this isn’t a super powerful scent. It’ll project maybe 5-6 feet, at its zenith, before moving back closer to the skin. Not a powerhouse and really it shouldn’t be.

The opening with the mandarin can certainly grab some attention within that limited space, but it is one that is going to give you more of a personal scent bubble .

The longevity will go 6-6.5 hours, on my skin. Pretty average and not something that is going to stick around from morning until the evening.

When compared to some of the other Louis Vuitton summer scents, Dream isn’t too shabby with its performance. I never really expect this kind of citrus perfume to be a monster performer, but this one holds up fairly well.

Seasonally, this is another spring and summer release from the designer. Mostly, it strikes me as a hot weather in the summertime wear. Just going about my day, California Dream lightly surrounding me.

Quite safely unisex and one that can be worn casually or more semi-formal occasions during the day.

Though, it probably leans more toward the traditionally feminine and may not be what many guys are looking for. It’s also marketed as a woman’s perfume, so, just keep that in mind.

California Dream isn’t a sexy nighttime beast or a romantic kind of perfume. Pleasant and attractive. It seems familiar, but has its own unique scent versus many others of this style.

Overall Impressions of California Dream

Do I like this fragrance? Sort of. It’s pretty good in totality and I really like the opening mandarin orange. However, it doesn’t wow me, once it dries down. The musk is good, but do I need to pay $265 for a fresh musky citrus perfume?

It is unique and fairly attractive, but the performance is also completely middle of the road. Outside of a collector or someone wealthy, I’m not sure how many people this would appeal enough to. If this price range is a reach for you, I don’t really think you’re getting your money’s worth.

California Dream comes across to me, as being ‘just fine’. It has its moments and charm, but ultimately doesn’t bring enough to the table to be a must have scent. I think Afternoon Swim and Cactus Garden are better summertime options from Louis Vuitton.

Unless this formulation just happens to speak to you, California Dream isn’t a must have. It’s in the same camp for me as On the Beach, fine, just nothing too amazing.

I do enjoy the cleanliness and overall vibe of it, but for the price there are plenty of better options. Particularly, if you want a summertime citrus and musk. You can pick up 2-4 options for the same price, that covers the same ground and more.

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.