San Francisco to Seattle

Welcome to California! Your adventure begins in San Francisco – The City by the Bay that boasts a beautiful setting and a vibrant, multicultural heart. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. As this trip only spends limited time in San Fran, we recommend arriving a day or two early to truly experience the city. Maybe check out the vintage stores along funky Haight Street, catch the tram down to the waterfront or take an adventure cruise on the bay past Alcatraz Island.

Today will be a road trip day, so grab a window seat if you can and get your favourite playlist or a good book ready – it's a bit of a long drive up the coast, but you'll have plenty of stops along the way to appreciate the coastal views. You’ll also stop in at the Avenue of the Giants for your first taste of redwood trees. This famed road is known as the most scenic drive through the redwoods and is lined by huge titans, one of which you can even drive through! Continue to Crescent City, check into your accommodation and enjoy a relaxing evening. Your leader will be able to point you in the right direction for a dinner spot.

Today is all about exploring Redwood National Park – known for these towering giants, the park is also home to oak woodlands, a rugged coastline and a condor restoration program. Your trip leader will choose some hikes and walks for the day based on the group’s abilities and desires. Maybe discover the ancient trees among a forest of ferns, head to natural lakes and springs or explore Trillium Falls. Return to Crescent City in the evening, then head out for a group dinner at a local restaurant.

Cross into Oregon this morning and head to Crater Lake National Park – formed when an eruption triggered the collapse of a tall mountain peak 7700 years ago. It’s now home to the deepest lake in the USA, a scenic wonder fed by rain and snow that has attracted artists, photographers and sightseers worldwide. Explore the Rim Drive viewpoints with your group and stop for a couple of walks for the best views and overlooks of one of the most pristine lakes on Earth. Spend the night at a nearby motel, where you’re free for dinner.

This morning, you’ll explore Oregon’s wine country in the Willamette Valley – this is a popular wine region in the US that boasts numerous accolades for its beauty, Pinot Noir and quality wineries. Visit one of these local wineries for a tasting and enjoy a picnic lunch with your group with a view of rolling hills, towering trees and sprawling vineyards. Then, you’ll continue to Portland, Oregon’s largest city, where your leader will take you on an orientation walk to get your bearings. You’re free for dinner, so maybe keep the party going and head to a local bar in the shadow of Mount Hood. This city hosts a thriving arts scene, so there are plenty of trendy spots to eat and hit the nightlife – just ask your leader for recommendations.

This morning, you’ll visit the nearby Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, known for the spectacular river canyon and gorgeous views of cliffs, spires and ridges set against the peaks of Cascade Mountain Range. Explore the park and the famous Multnomah Falls – the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest and approximately 189 m (620 ft) tall. Walk along the scenic bridge that sits almost in the middle of the falls and feel the water on your face as the cascades fall below. Spend your afternoon exploring, and then spend another night in Portland.

This morning, you’ll cross into Washington State and the Olympic Peninsula – home to the popular Olympic National Park. This is a bit of a long drive, so grab a window seat if you can and watch the gorgeous scenery pass you by. When you arrive, you’ll visit Kalaloch Beach – one of the beautiful Pacific Northwest beaches with giant trees washed up on the shore, scattered across the sand. Maybe head to the Tree of Life (or the Tree Root Cave). Tonight sit down for an included group dinner at your lodge.

This morning, visit the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park – an enchanting canopy of moss and ferns that might remind you of an anime or fairy film. Take a walk with your leader, appreciating a moment of peace in this temperate rainforest, before continuing to Seattle. When you arrive in the seaport city, your leader will take you on an orientation walk, pointing out the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and maybe some popular spots for live grunge music, which the city is known for. Tonight, maybe head out with your group for a farewell dinner in one of the trendy local spots and cheers to an amazing trip!

With no activities planned today, your trip will come to an end. If you’d like to stay longer and explore Seattle’s cool city hubs and sprawling parklands, just speak to your booking agent.