Southern Oregon & the Coast

Day One

Travel to Southern Oregon
We’ll begin our journey as we fly from Phoenix to Sacramento where our motorcoach and tour manager will be awaiting our arrival. From there, we will travel through Northern California, crossing the Southern Oregon border, arriving into Ashland in the late afternoon. Nestled at the base of the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges, Ashland ranks in the top 10 of “The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America,” offering award-winning galleries, wineries, theaters, and great outdoor recreation. We’ll check in to the Ashland Hills Hotel and Suites for a two-night stay and enjoy a specially catered welcome dinner.

Day Two

Crater Lake National Park and Wine Country
We’ll be joined by a local guide as we set out to explore Southern Oregon. Discover Crater Lake's natural beauty and the sheer cliffs that were formed thousands of years ago when the volcano collapsed and Crater Lake was born. Crater Lake’s depth is rivaled only by its brilliance, so pure it seems to glow an electric blue. The water is so blue and so deep, it’s no surprise it’s the deepest lake in America, and one of the deepest on earth. We’ll have time for picture taking and lunch at the historic lodge overlooking the lake. We will also visit a fish hatchery on the Rogue River and end our day with a special farm-to-table dinner and wine pairing at Dancin Vineyards near Medford. After dinner, we’ll return to Ashland for a second night.

Day Three

The Rogue River and the Oregon Coast
Oregon has a long boating history, with myriad lakes and rivers beckoning for adventure. A fun day is planned for us when we board a jetboat for an exhilarating ride through the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River, blissfully isolated from civilization. Hellgate Jetboat pilots are not just skilled river operators, but experts in local wildlife as well. You’ll want to keep an eye out for spotted osprey, bald eagles, deer, egrets and the occasional jumping fish. Downriver, we will stop off at a secret riverfront lodge, open only to lucky guests who land here via jetboat, where a delicious champagne brunch awaits us on the open-air deck. It’s an adrenaline rush to get here, but once you’ve landed, life slows down for you to enjoy views of the river and the pristine wilderness surrounding you. Later, it’s back aboard the motorcoach as we make our way through the towns of Roseburg and Eugene before turning west and heading to the Oregon Coast. Upon arrival into Newport, OR, you’ll check in for a two-night stay at the Elizabeth Oceanfront Suites where each room has a balcony overlooking the ocean. Dinner is included this evening.

Day Four

Exploring Newport and Oregon’s Central Coast
Bordering on both the Pacific Ocean and the large Yaquina Bay, Newport is so many things combined into one remarkable place. An active working waterfront, the Historical Bayfront area is home to one of Oregon’s largest commercial fishing fleets. It is also an intriguing cultural district, with shops, art galleries, chowder houses, and restaurants. You’ll spend the day getting to know what makes Newport such a special place to visit. Newport has not one but two lighthouses — the original lighthouse on Yaquina Bay, and a second lighthouse built in the late 1800s on Yaquina Head, north of town. At 93 feet tall, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse is the tallest active lighthouse in Oregon. You’ll have time to explore the lighthouse interpretive center, do a little shopping and grab a bowl of chowder and a local beer at one of the restaurants in town. Later in the afternoon you’ll board the 65’ Marine Discovery vessel for a fun and fascinating sea life cruise. A marine naturalist will introduce you to the variety of sea life including gray whales, harbor porpoise, seals, sea lions, pelicans, bald eagles, and an abundance of marine birds. Dinner is on your own tonight, followed by s’mores at sunset on the patio at the Elizabeth Oceanfront Suites.

Day Five

Dune Buggy Adventure, Oregon’s Southern Coast and Redwoods National Park
Nothing quite prepares you for the epic oceanscapes and sheer diversity of Oregon’s Southern Coast. Further out from large population centers, the Southern Coast revels in being off the beaten path. From breathtaking beaches and lighthouses, to stunning sand dunes, this promises to be a remarkable day. One of the highlights of the day comes when climb aboard a giant dune buggy for an exhilarating ride over the Oregon Dunes stopping for some fun picture along the way. The journey down the coast continues through scenic towns such as Coos Bay, Bandon and Gold Beach. After crossing back into California, you’ll visit Redwood National Park, ending the day in Eureka with a special farewell dinner.

Day Six

Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Homeward Bound
Our trip to Southern Oregon and the Coast starts to wind down as we make our way back to Sacramento. But there is still some fun to be had along the way, including a 32-mile drive along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. A special lunch is planned at the historic Benbow Inn in Garberville before the final leg of our journey into Sacramento. An evening flight returns you to Phoenix.

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