Pacific Coast Adventurer

San Francisco

The world-famous Golden Gate Bridge welcomes you to San Francisco, the most-visited and beloved American city. Prepare to lose your heart as you explore delightful and diverse neighborhoods, take in breathtaking views from the tops of crooked streets, wander through Fisherman’s Wharf, and sample a fabulous variety of cuisines.

Begin your stay in San Francisco by walking the Barbary Coast Trail, a wonderful 3.8-mile overview of the city ranging from Nob Hill to Ghirardelli Square. Spend a day exploring the Golden Gate Recreation Area, which includes the Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio, Muir Woods and more. Jump on the ferry at Pier 39 for a trip to Alcatraz, the famous island prison that also has spectacular gardens, bird colonies, and views of San Francisco Bay. Stop in one of Boudin’s famous sourdough bakeries for a true taste of San Francisco, and be sure to visit Chinatown for great food and atmosphere to match.

Fort Bragg/Mendocino

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The town of Mendocino is known for its spectacular rugged coastline, beautiful wine country, and quaint oceanfront Victorian villages reminiscent of 19th century New England. It is the only town on the California coast to be designated a Historic Landmark. Dramatic ocean bluffs, known as the Mendocino Headlands, surround the town on three sides and provide scenic walking trails with exceptional views.

Russian Gulch State Forest, just north of Mendocino, features a heavily forested headland with a 36-foot high waterfall and wonderful hiking trails. En route to Mendocino, you can stop to visit the lighthouse and diverse landscape at Point Reyes National Seashore, as well as a number of coastal state parks and beaches.

Eureka

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Step back in time in Old Town Eureka, a National Register Historic District and virtual open-air museum of beautifully restored and preserved Victorian buildings. While the town had a wild past, with roots in the timber industry, these “painted ladies” now house a unique assortment of shops and galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, and museums. Don’t miss the Carson Mansion and the Pink Lady. The Eureka Boardwalk affords visitors picturesque views of fishing boats and marine wildlife. This beautiful Victorian seaport is located on Humboldt Bay, within an easy drive of some of the most impressive ancient redwood groves in the world. On the way to Eureka, you can drive the scenic 31-mile Avenue of the Giants, with its aisles of massive redwoods, sleepy towns and direct access to Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Crescent City

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As you travel north to Crescent City today, plan to stop at Lady Bird Johnson Grove, a gorgeous ridge top stand of old-growth trees that you can explore on a one-mile walking loop. Crescent City hosts the must-see Redwood National Park, home to the magnificent Giant Redwood trees. The northern, wet climate nurtures these great trees in ridge top, streamside, and coastal environments. To truly experience the grandeur of the park, take the “Trees of Mystery” and “Trail of Tall Tales” walking trails through the forest. If you feel like driving, there are a number of scenic drives around Crescent City that allow you to take in the area’s stunning natural beauty. Outside the park, the Del Norte Historical Society Museum and the Battery Point Lighthouse Museum illustrate the intriguing history of the city, which includes shipwrecks and tsunamis.

Coos Bay

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Leaving the California Coast behind and continuing your drive further north you will quickly find yourselves joining the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway – a 350-mile byway that traces the entire Oregon coastline. Pounding surf, endless beaches and mature forests all provide many recreational activities along the way.

Continue to Coos Bay – your first port of call on this dramatic stretch of coastline.

Newport

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From Coos Bay to Newport, first go via Florence where you will be driving through the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which forms the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in the USA and where you can enjoy many activities including horseback riding and dune buggy tours. You can take a walk on the many trails through the dunes or view the wave like mounds, that sit among little forested islands, through enclosed viewing platforms at the Dunes Overlook south of Florence.

Over the past few years, Old Town Florence has been beautifully restored in colorful themes reminiscent of the Victorian era. Numerous restaurants, art galleries, clothing and specialty shops are mixed among Gazebo Park and the new Boardwalk overlooking the fishing docks.

Further on Newport, Oregon’s second largest commercial port, was first explored by fishing crews in 1860’s. During the 1870’s, steamboats brought holidaymakers up from San Francisco. Old downtown Newport, centred on Bay Boulevard, has a very lively seafront, a complete working port with seafood markets, and the bark of seals! On the other side of Bay Boulevard are chandlers, 24 hour restaurants, art galleries and brew-pubs.

Boat excursions are available around Yaquina Bay, a trip out into the Pacific to view Wales, or even popping into bayfront restaurants, which are plentiful. The Oregon coast Aquarium has become one of the biggest attractions in Oregon. Room sized exhibits are grouped by ecosystems with interactive displays to explain the dynamics of the various forms of life found there. At a supervised ‘petting area’ visitors can touch the denizens of a tide pool and ask marine specialists questions. Outside, trails lead around natural-looking enclosures for seals, sea lions and sea otters. Puffins and Murres are found in abundance too.

Astoria

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Departing Newport and the Central Coast, today you will be heading for the equally amazing Northern Coast where you will spend tonight in the delightful town of Astoria , the first European settlement in the Pacific Northwest. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the beach or exploring the surrounding area.

Be sure to stop by the largest sea lion cave in the world at the Sea Lion Caves north of Florence, where the Sea Lions live year round. Be daring and descend in an elevator 208 feet down to the most spectacular natural sea cave.

Driving on Highway 101, don’t forget to visit on of Oregon’s nine light houses as some of them are haunted!

Arcades and bumper cars will entertain children of all ages on the nearby Seaside Promenade. Have an educational experience and visit the Maritime Museum in Astoria and don’t miss the house of Lewis & Clark from 1805-06 in Fort Clatsop. 33 explorers lived here, and you won’t believe how small it is. Nearby you can also visit the life size statue of Sacagawea, the Shoshone Indian woman who accompanied the explorers on their journey to the Pacific Ocean.

Be sure to explore nearby Cannon Beach with its quaint town centre and many art galleries. Nearby Haystack Rock, the third largest monolith in the world is one of the State’s most photographed natural wonders.

Portland

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Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is a small accessible city of discreet charms, that is beginning to grow as people have come to visit and stayed. Downtown Portland is filled with a mix of old and new architectural styles, coffeehouses and tree-lined streets. Within a few minutes drive of the city are fantastic Pinot wineries, the foothills of Mount Hood and waterways that need exploring.

Enjoy today and tomorrow exploring all the sights of this delightful city on foot.

Seattle

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Seattle’s charm comes from its stunning location, its friendly and laidback people and the way the city has grown up on the shores of Puget Sound and Lake Washington. The downtown area is full of odd shaped towers and preserved historical districts alongside modern skyscrapers.

To get a bird's-eye view of the area, ride to the top of the Space Needle, the city's most famous landmark which rises from the grounds of the Seattle Centre.

On a clear day, the view is great. Back at ground level take time to see two other attractions in the vicinity: the Experience Music Project and the Pacific Science Centre. The Seattle Art Museum, in the downtown area, has a spectacular collection of African, Native American and European works.

Located two blocks north of the museum is Pike Place Market, which was built in 1907. Its vendors sell tons of fresh local food, flowers, handicrafts and more. Be sure not to miss the seafood stand at the main entrance: Fishmongers toss huge sea creatures from the display tables to the sales counter, over the customers' heads.

Down the hill from the market you will find the waterfront and the Seattle Aquarium, which specializes in Pacific species. Spend the rest of day and tomorrow exploring this lovely city at your own pace.

Mount Rainier

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Time to leave the city and head east towards Mt Rainier National Park. This is the Chinook Scenic Byway, home to the highest of the Cascade Mountain passes – Chinook Pass. Just west of the pass, the highway enters Mount Rainier National Park, passing Tipsoo Lake. This is a great spot to stop for a picnic lunch with the stunning Mt Rainier behind you. Mount Rainier is Washington’s tallest and best-known peak and the National Park surrounding it is a recreational paradise. Enjoy stunning drives, like the one from Longmire to Paradise – a 13-mile drive that climbs through evergreen forests. At Paradise you can enjoy 360-degree views of the park from the Visitor Centre. The Sunrise area is a high plateau reached by a series of switchbacks along 11 miles of road. The visitor center here has telescopes to allow you to view the park sights close up.

Hood River

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Today you will be experiencing one of Oregon’s’ amazing scenic byways – The Historic Columbia River Highway.

From Troutdale, outside the city on the banks of the Columbia River, the Highway is a 70-mile narrow winding drive. The highway climbs to the rural towns of Springdale and Corbett, offering dazzling peeks at Mt. Hood. Your first view of the gorge comes at the Portland Women's Forum State Park.

Heading into a mossy rain forest, a series of graceful figure-eight loops gently drops you 600 feet. Within five miles of each other, you'll encounter four dramatic cataracts _ Latourell, Shepperd's Dell, Bridal Veil and Wahkeena falls. Park up and walk to take a closer look. Next is two-tiered Multnomah Falls. At 620 feet, only three falls in the nation are higher, and none are more beautiful.

From here it’s a short drive to the Cascade Locks, a 1920’s toll bridge marks the site of the Native-Americans’ Bridge of the Gods. Twenty miles further east is the town of Hood River where you will be staying tonight.

Hood River is the center for recreation on the Columbia River, which naturally lends the city a sense of fun and youthfulness. Windsurfing is a huge sport here as the strong river currents and westerly winds make for perfect conditions. Alternatively there are bike rentals to be enjoyed and many nearby trails to take. If you extend your time here, you could take the Mt Hood Scenic Railroad. It offers a 4-hour excursion along the Hood River Valley to the south of town.

Bend

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Head back west along the I-84 and at Troutdale travel south towards Estacada and the start of the West Cascades Scenic Byway. Here the route hugs the beautiful Clackamas River with its stunning rapids and glassy pools. Stop to have a soak at Breitenbush Hot Springs or enjoy at swim and lunch at Detroit Lake. Follow the North Santiam River to Marion Forks where you can stop and visit the fish hatchery.

Continue on to the US20 and the Santiam Pass Scenic Byway. These eastern Cascade foothills are full of outdoor activities to be enjoyed including Suttle Lake Resort where you can enjoy boating, windsurfing and fishing.

Take a side road to Camp Sherman and see the Metolius River bubble up from underground springs before heading onto the town of Sisters, located in the shadows of the Three Sisters Peaks - Faith, Hope and Charity.

Leave the highway and continue onto Bend where you will spend 2 nights. Bend was originally called Farewell Bend as it is located where pioneer roads converge. Downtown Bend has been recently revived with shops, art galleries and fine restaurants.

The city is the perfect place to explore the region – maybe drive the McKenzie Pass scenic byway, rent a bike and explore the city’s many bike trails, or drive out to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument to see the Lava Cave and Lava Forest.

Crater Lake

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Leave Bend early today and join The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, which takes you through the very heart of Central Oregon, with the majestic Cascade Mountains providing a constant backdrop.

The beginning of your drive takes you through the Deschutes National Forest before turning west where you will encounter Mt Bachelor – home of the areas top ski resort. In summer, visitors can use the Express Lift to take you up to over 7,000 ft. From here you can see Mt Adams in Washington and Mt Shasta in California.

Perhaps stop for a picnic lunch at Devils Lake, or a bit further south at Elk Lake and enjoy relaxing on a rented boat with some lunch. Not too much further south of here you will be joining the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway that will take you to Crater Lake. This Byway extends all the way to Mt Lassen in California and offers fascinating volcanic geology and scenery.

This National Park was created by the eruption and collapse of Mt Mazama. The remaining six mile wide caldera is the site of Crater Lake. Its vivid blue colour and waters purity is attributed to the fact that only rain and snowfall contribute to the water. The 33-mile loop winds around the rim of the lake, offering many viewpoints and side roads.

Yreka

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Founded as a classic gold-rush town in the 1850s on “the richest square mile on earth,” Yreka later evolved into a thriving and stable farming and timber community. Today, Yreka is a quaint and historic town surrounded by three gorgeous mountain ranges and with stunning views of Mt. Shasta. More than 70 well-preserved pre-1900 houses, many of them Victorians, make the town feel like a living history museum, while outstanding recreational opportunities, shopping and restaurants make it a beguiling present-day destination.

Chester/Lassen Volcanic Park

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Lassen Volcanic National Park was created in 1916 to protect the landscape surrounding Lassen Peak, which was dramatically changed by a series of volcanic eruptions that began in 1914. As you can imagine, the scenery in the park is dramatic: vast lava plateaus, lava pinnacles, enormous mountains created by lava flows, jagged craters, and steaming sulphur vents. Spectacular glaciated canyons cut through the landscape, which features small lakes, clear rushing streams, forested valleys and beautiful meadows. Hot springs dominate areas of the park, while in other places snow banks last all year. Lassen geothermal area, which includes Sulphur Works, Bumpass Hell and Little Hot Springs Valley, offers up bubbling mud pots and boiling water.

Sacramento

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Founded in 1839 by John Sutter, the State capital is often overlooked by tourists seeking out better known destinations in other corners of the state. However this lovely city is well worth a visit and makes a great place to stop off en route to the shores of Lake Tahoe.

If you’re interested in politics then head for the State Capitol, which features a park and museum on California history, or the Governor's Mansion. Anyone with an interest in trains will enjoy the Railroad Museum's massive collection of antique locomotives. Sacramento also has a great choice of restaurants and shops especially in historic Old Sacramento on the city's lovely waterfront.

Yosemite National Park

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One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the US, Yosemite National Park offers an amazing variety of landscapes. Best known for its magnificent waterfalls, glacial rock formations, and groves of giant redwood trees, Yosemite also delights visitors with gorgeous meadows, reservoirs, overlooks, and a collection of historic 19th century pioneer buildings. The most scenic route through the park is the 39-mile Tioga Road, but the best way to explore the park is on foot. Hiking trails through the main areas of the park allow for an up close and personal experience of Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point Road, Wawona and Mariposa Grove of Giant Redwoods, Hetch Hetchy, and Tuolumne Meadows. If you’d like a guide, sign up for a two-hour Valley Floor Tour with a National Park Service ranger.

San Francisco

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Enjoy one more morning in beautiful Yosemite National Park, before heading back to America’s favorite city later today to catch your flight home. You will depart knowing that you’ve experienced the trip of a lifetime journeying along The Pacific Coast Highway and through the land of the Redwoods.