Natural Wonders of the Pacific Northwest

Day One

Arrive in California - Welcome to San Francisco, “The City by the Bay” to begin your Pacific Northwest adventure. Meet your Tour Manager at 5:00 p.m. for dining suggestions.

Day Two

San Francisco Touring and Bay Cruise - A local guide joins you this morning for a sightseeing tour of the “City by the Bay,” San Francisco. Discover the many sights for which the city is renowned such as their bustling Chinatown, North Beach, Civic Center and the Financial District. Free time for browsing at Pier 39 begins the afternoon, before an invigorating cruise of San Francisco Bay. Enjoy a special dinner tonight on Fisherman’s Wharf.

Day Three

Explore the California Coast - Today begins with a drive to scenic Fort Bragg along California’s magnificent Mendocino Coast. See beautiful beaches, beaches, sheer cliffs, and pounding surf while passing such sights as Ten Mile River Bluff and Elephant Rock. Continue along Hwy 101 before coming to Eureka.

Day Four

Avenue of the Giants and Blue Ox Historic Village - Begin the day with a drive along a portion of the “Avenue of the Giants,” through huge stands of magnificent redwoods in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Then, arrive at Blue Ox Historic Village where the past meets the future. Stroll through the Historic Village containing a logging skid camp and a number working studios. See woodworking equipment from the 1800s in a full production millwork shop where they make windows, doors and custom millwork.

Day Five

Lassen Volcanic National Park - Today, you visit Lassen Volcanic National Park. Although inactive since 1915, the geothermal activity is alive here with bubbling mudpots, boiling springs and hissing steam vents. The 30-mile park road brings you to such unusual sights as the Sulphur Works, Bumpass Hell thermal areas as well as Summit and Manzanita Lakes. At Shasta State Historic Park, visit the Old Courthouse Museum and learn the history of this once bustling “Queen City” of gold rush mining towns. Tonight, dinner is at Cattlemen’s Steak House.

Day Six

Mount Shasta and Rouge River Jetboat Trip - Traveling north today past the glacier-capped 14,162-foot volcano, Mt. Shasta, considered one of the most impressive mountains in the nation. In Grants Pass, you will board a jetboat for an exciting adventure along the wild and scenic Rogue River. This excursion is the perfect touch of history, wildlife and breathtaking views of the legendary Hellgate Canyon. Dinner is included in Grants Pass.

Day Seven

Crater Lake National Park - Today features the natural wonders of Crater Lake National Park, where rain and snow filled the empty caldera of an ancient volcano with brilliant blue waters to a depth of 1,932 feet, creating the deepest lake in North America. You will follow the Rim Drive for unmatched views. Traveling the scenic Cascade Lakes Highway, you will pass Mt. Bachelor before coming to Bend.

Day Eight

Mount Hood and Timberline Lodge - Today travel to Mount Hood, the highest mountain in the state of Oregon. Lunch is at the incredible Timberline Lodge. Built in the 1930s, it is considered an architectural wonder and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977. Then, make a stop at the unique North American Bigfoot Center featuring a wide array of bigfoot evidence and historical artifacts.

Day Nine

Columbia River Gorge Touring - This morning features the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, where sheer cliffs rise as high as 2,000 feet! See Vista House for spectacular gorge views and then stop at splendid Multnomah Falls and mammoth Bonneville Lock and Dam. This afternoon a guided tour of Portland includes Lloyd Center, the downtown area on the Willamette River, Old Town Historic District and famed International Rose Test Gardens. Tonight, your Tour Manager hosts a farewell dinner.

Day Ten

Travel Home - Depart for home from this memorable vacation with a group transfer to Portland’s International Airport for flights out after 12:00 p.m.

FB=Full Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner