Pacific Northwest & California

Your tour opens with an overnight stay in Seattle, dubbed the “Emerald City” for its lush green surroundings. Get to know your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Thompson Hotel

Explore Seattle’s colorful waterfront area and historic Pioneer Square with a local guide. Mingle with artisans at the lively Pike Place Market, a famous fish and vegetable market dotted with restaurants and shops. Travel by Washington State Ferry across Puget Sound to Bremerton – Seattle’s skyline is spectacular from the water! Back on land, travel south through Olympia, stopping at the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. Learn about its 1980 volcanic eruption as well as the history and geology of the state park. Continue to Portland, Oregon for a two-night stay in the picturesque “City of Roses.”

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront

Visit Area: Seattle
Situated on the west coast of Washington State is Seattle, the Emerald City. Named after the Chief of the local Native American tribe in the mid 19th century, Seattle today is an eclectic mix of music, culture and food. A caffeine-fueled population of over 550,000 courtesy of Starbucks and Seattle’s Best Coffee, Seattle also has the highest per-capita music and dance attendance in the country, with 80 live music clubs (not counting the movable dance clubs and shows) and 15 symphony orchestras.

Drive along the Mt. Hood route to the lush Columbia River Gorge. Take in the unforgettable views of Mt. Hood as you leave the valley and enter the Cascade Mountains. Discover the awe-inspiring landscapes of the magnificent Columbia River and Multnomah Falls, a 611-foot-tall roaring cascade. Later, enjoy a wine-tasting at a local vineyard followed by a visit to a lavender farm. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Mount St. Helens Visitor Center
On May 18, 1980 a cataclysmic eruption blew the top off of Mount St. Helens and spewed magma and ash over the surrounding areas. The most active volcano in the contiguous United States, the site today is a reminder of volcanic activity that shaped many of the mountains along the west coast.

On the way to the Oregon coast, journey through the Willamette Valley. Today known for its wine that rivals that Napa, this was once the “Promised Land” for the pioneers who followed the Oregon Trail. On the coast, stop at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, a 93-foot tower buffeted by wind and rain since 1872. Enjoy time at the interpretive center or make your way down to Cobble Beach to explore the tide pools of colorful sea anemones and starfish. Stop in the seaside town of Newport before traveling further along the coast. End your day strolling North Bend’s lively boardwalk, perched along scenic Coos Bay.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: The Mill Casino

Visit Area: Portland
Nicknamed “Rose City” for its ideal rose-growing conditions, this largest city of Oregon state was founded in 1845. It was officially named after Portland, Maine and boasts many historic bridges and amazing waterfront vistas.

Drive to Bandon State Natural Area. Take in the breathtaking scenery as we travel along the striking Beach Loop. See Bandon Rocks and Face Rock, famous for their American Indian legends. Stop to enjoy a cruise up the spectacular Rogue River, taking you into Oregon’s rugged wilderness for a chance to see bald eagles, cormorants, seals and blue heron. Continuing south to California’s redwood country, travel through Redwood National Park, home to trees that can reach nearly 300 feet. See for yourself why the sun seldom hits the ground.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Hotel Name: Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn

Drive By: Columbia River Gorge
Spanning the border between the states of Washington and Oregon is the 80-mile Columbia River Gorge. Carved out over the millenia glacial floods, it acts as a funnel for the fourth largest river in the US, the Columbia River. Part of the route Lewis and Clark took to travel to the Pacific, the Gorge provides the only sea-level passage through the Cascade range of mountains.

Return to the majestic beauty and splendid grandeur of the redwood forest as you traverse the “Avenue of the Giants,” a scenic highway loaded with towering redwoods. Next, drive over the legendary Golden Gate Bridge and arrive in "the City by the Bay,” San Francisco. Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many restaurants in this eclectic city.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Hyatt Regency Downtown SOMA

Drive By: Hood River
The quaint port town of Hood River, Oregon offers spectacular views of snow-capped Mount Hood and Hood River flowing through the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. At Lost Lake, catch a view the rugged lone mountain towering over forests and the river port.

Today, join a local guide to hear stories of the city’s past and present as you drive past its famous landmarks including Fisherman’s Wharf, the Presidio and the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll also see the iconic neighborhoods of Chinatown, North Beach and Haight Ashbury. After a farewell lunch, the remainder of your day is at leisure to explore San Francisco independently.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included

Visit Area: Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Your tour comes to a close today, but the memories will stay with you forever.

Visit Area: Newport
Nestled along Yaquina Bay, is the town of Newport with just over 10,000 people. A popular fishing destination after the discovery of Yaquina Bay oysters in the 19th Century, today the fishing continues with Dungeness crab, halibut and salmon. Offering a world-class aquarium and over 80 restaurants and cafes, Newport is a quaint stop along the Oregon Coast.