There are perfumes you wear, and there are perfumes you experience. The new 4711 Remix California Feeling falls firmly into the latter category. From the very first spritz, it’s as if someone has bottled up the freedom of a road trip, the shimmer of the Pacific coast, and the carefree magic of a California sunset.

As someone who has spent a lifetime chasing scents across continents, I’ve learned that the best fragrances don’t just sit on the skin—they transport you. This one whisks you straight to palm-lined boulevards, ocean breezes, and days when the only plan is to chase the horizon.

The Spirit of California in Scent Form

California has always held a mythical place in the fragrance world. Sunshine, independence, and that restless urge for discovery. “Beach more, worry less,” says 4711, and California Feeling lives up to its promise.

When I first sprayed it, I was instantly reminded of driving down Highway 1. The salty wind tangled in my hair, the citrus groves inland giving off a golden glow in the heat. Perfume has the extraordinary ability to conjure these sense memories—and California Feeling does it with a sunny, sparkling ease.

Before diving into the composition, let’s place this fragrance in context.

The 4711 Remix Collection has been around since 2018, refreshing the heritage of the original 4711 Eau de Cologne by reimagining it through modern, youthful twists. Each year brings a new edition that channels a mood, a place, a season. Past releases have flirted with mangoes, coconuts, and exotic spices. In 2025, the journey takes us to California—arguably the world’s most famous postcard for summer.

If you’ve followed the collection, you’ll know it’s always about more than scent. It’s a lifestyle—fun, spontaneous, a reminder that fragrance should be playful. California Feeling continues this philosophy but feels a little more grown-up, with its warm amber dry-down balanced by an irresistible fruity sparkle.

Top Notes – The Sparkling Kick

Bitter orange, bergamot, mandarin

This opening is a citrus lover’s dream. Bitter orange adds a tart sophistication, bergamot gives that Earl Grey-like lift, and mandarin softens the edges with juicy sweetness. It’s refreshing, like a cool drink after a day in the sun.

I remember my first time walking through a California citrus grove in summer—the air was alive with tangy sweetness. That’s exactly what this top note evokes. It’s not just a blast of lemony sharpness; it’s layered, textured, and radiant.

Heart Notes – The Summer Breeze

Rose, jasmine, orange blossom

The florals in the heart keep things from veering into sports-cologne territory. They add depth, femininity, and softness. Orange blossom is the star here—it ties the citrus of the opening to the floral core, giving the impression of blossoms dancing in warm air. Jasmine adds a touch of sensuality, while rose offers elegance.

It’s the olfactory equivalent of sitting under flowering trees at dusk, when the air cools but the blossoms release their richest perfume.

Base Notes – Sunset Warmth

Raspberry, musk, amber

Here’s where the fragrance really surprises. The fruitiness doesn’t stop with citrus—it deepens with raspberry, which adds a tart-sweet edge. Musk wraps it all in softness, and amber lingers with a golden, slightly sweet warmth.

This base note is the California sunset moment: the sky streaked in oranges and purples, the last light of day clinging to your skin. It’s both sensual and comforting, making the fragrance feel like more than a passing summer fling.

Many summer fragrances are too fleeting, too simple—like soda water bubbles that vanish before you’ve had a sip. California Feeling has structure. The citrus gives it lift, the florals add complexity, and the base grounds it with warmth.

The result is a scent that feels spontaneous but also refined—perfect for those who crave freshness but don’t want to sacrifice depth.

California Feeling is a daytime star, but its base makes it surprisingly versatile for evenings.

• Daytime: Wear it to the beach, on holiday, or even just to bring sunshine into your office.

• Evening: Its raspberry-amber dry-down makes it alluring enough for sunset drinks.

• Season: While it’s marketed as summer in a bottle, I find citrus-floral-amber blends work beautifully in spring and even autumn when you want to hold onto that sun-drenched feeling.

Personally, I’ll be wearing it on those dreary Melbourne winter mornings when I need reminding that summer will come again.

Fragrance isn’t just about the juice—it’s also about the storytelling.

The bottle design mirrors the fragrance perfectly: pastel oranges, purples, and blues merge like a watercolour sunset. For the first time, the name California Feeling is proudly displayed on the front, giving it a bolder presence than past Remix editions.

It’s playful, but it also has a touch of elegance—something you wouldn’t be embarrassed to leave on your dressing table.

For those who have collected previous 4711 Remix releases, here’s how California Feeling stacks up:

• More complex than the tropical editions.

• More sensual than the purely citrus releases, thanks to its amber base.

• More unisex than ever—while the floral heart leans gently feminine, the musky-amber finish makes it versatile for anyone.

If you’ve enjoyed fragrances like 4711 Remix Urban Summer (Zitrone/Lemon), California Feeling will feel like a natural next step.

Fragrance has always been my way of holding onto moments. A bottle can capture a trip, a season, even a fleeting feeling.

4711 Remix California Feeling is exactly that: the bottled memory of a carefree California summer. It’s not just about citrus or florals—it’s about freedom, spontaneity, and warmth. Whether you’re chasing sunsets on the Pacific coast or just longing for a dose of sunshine in your daily life, this perfume delivers.

In the words of perfumer Leonardo Lucheze, it “caresses your skin like an unforgettable summer.” And I couldn’t agree more.

So go ahead—beach more, worry less. Let this fragrance remind you that summer is never truly gone; it lingers wherever you carry it.