Day 1: San Francisco

Meet and greet in San Francisco at 4pm in the hotel lobby. We drive over Golden Gate Bridge and get to know each other at dinner in Sausalito, where the tour guide and driver will share some important information and distribute tour documentation (Hors d’oeuvres provided by Travel Dream West) . Night in downtown San Francisco.

Day 2: Golden Gate Bridge – Pacific Highway 1 – Fort Bragg

We leave San Francisco in the early morning over the Golden Gate Bridge, traveling through California wine country to Bodega Bay, where Alfred Hitchcock filmed “The Birds” in 1963. We enjoy a picnic lunch along scenic Highway 1. Next highlight is Mendocino with its art community and galleries. Near Fort Bragg we reach the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens with 47 acres of ocean front gardens and a trail along thunderous waves. Night in Fort Bragg.

Day 3: California Coast- Redwood State Park – Eureka

After touring the Northern California coast, we will travel through the incredible Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwood State Park, home of the tallest trees in the world. We will have a chance to hike among these ancient giants, some of which are more than 2 millennia old.  For the evening we will head to the beautiful coastal town of Eureka.

Day 4: Redwood National Park – Trees of Mystery – Bandon, Oregon 

Our journey leads us through Redwood National Park, keeping an eye out for herds of elk often found grazing along the road. We visit the Trees of Mystery with its strange tree formations, local folklore and art work, and a wonderful collection of historic Native art. We explore the Pacific coastline, stopping to view Crescent City’s lighthouse before heading north into Oregon. We spend the night in on the beach in historic Bandon, Oregon.

Day 5: Oregon Coast, the Rogue Valley, Ashland, Oregon

In store for us today is iconic Face Rock Beach, beautifully landscaped Shore Acres Gardens and a pleasant hike along the Oregon Coast Trail with fantastic views of the rugged coast. Next we head inland to the Rogue Valley where we will stay the night in the friendly, small town of Ashland Oregon, famous for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Two nights in Ashland.

Day 6: Mount Ashland, City of Ashland 

Today we will take time to explore Ashland with it’s shops and galleries and wonderful Lithia Park.  We will take a short mountain hike on the Pacific Crest Trail with views of the great Mount Shasta volcano. We will also have the opportunity to visit one of Southern Oregon’s wonderful wineries.

Day 7: Klamath Falls – Crater Lake National Park – Bend

A scenic drive through old growth Douglas fir forests brings us to Klamath Falls, where we visit the Favell Museum. It is dedicated to the preservation of Native American culture and houses over 100,000 artifacts. We stop briefly at Fort Klamath, a military outpost near the western end of the Oregon Trail and a site of the last Indian wars. Driving on the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, we reach Crater Lake National Park, where we walk along the rim with views of Wizard Island. We will spend the night in up and coming Bend Oregon.

Day 8: Newberry Volcanic National Monument –  Paulina Lake -High Desert Museum

This morning fascinating lava landscapes beckon us at Newberry National Monument, which also features volcanic obsidian flows and a walk and picnic along Paulina Lake. The High Desert Museum in Bend is the afternoon destination, with indoor and outdoor displays highlighting Oregon’s unique high desert topography, wildlife and culture. The evening is free to enjoy pedestrian-friendly, downtown Bend.

Day 9: Smith Rock State Park – Cascade Mountains – McKenzie/Santiam Pass, Waldport

First stop this morning is Smith Rock State Park, with its deep river Canyons and spectacular views. Then on to Santiam Pass Scenic Byway, which provides dramatic views of the snowcapped Cascade Mountains. We stop at wonderful Clear Lake for a picnic and hike to the beautiful Sahalie Waterfalls.  Next, we move west, heading back to the seashore. We drive along the Pacific Coast Byway towards Yachats and the Heceta Head Lighthouse. We check into an ocean resort in Waldport for the night.

Day 10: Scenic Pacific Coast Highway- Tillamook- Portland

Today’s highlights include a Marine Discovery boat tour with whale watching. We drive north along the Pacific coast with beautiful views. Depending on interest, you can spend some time shopping in the Pacific Northwest’s tax-free factory outlet mall. Stop at a tasting room filled with the Northwest’s most popular cheddar cheese at the Tillamook Cheese Factory, and then travel on to vibrant Portland Oregon. We will visit the International Rose Test Garden for a glimpse at why Portland is called the City of Roses. We stay in Portland 2 nights.

Day 11: Portland Day Tour- Columbia River Gorge – Mt. Hood

Portland features numerous city parks, fountains, and a beautiful shoreline on the Willamette River.  Use this day for your own city tour or join us for a side trip to Mt. Hood (11,249 ft), a huge snowcapped, dormant volcano in impressive natural surroundings. We drive the Historic Columbia River Highway, with its splendid views of the mighty Columbia, and stop at Multnomah Falls. After stopping at the Bonneville Dam, we proceed up the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway, and picnic at a mountain lake near Mt. Hood. We ascend to an elevation of 5,960 ft. at historic Timberline Lodge – showplace of WPA art from the Great Depression and setting for Kubrick’s film The Shining. Back to Portland for our second night.

Day 12: Portland – Mt. St. Helens – Quinault, Washington

Crossing into the state of Washington, today’s highlight is Mt. St. Helens, a Cascade volcano that erupted on May 18,1980 and is still active. Approximately 230 square miles of forest were buried beneath volcanic deposits, and the surrounding landscape was changed dramatically. It is now a protected area, allowing scientists to study how the environment responds naturally to such a disaster. At the visitor center we will watch a documentary about the eruption, before driving up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory at 4,314 ft. We will enjoy views of the lava dome, pumice plain and the landslide deposit. We explore the area on foot, picnic, and follow one of the many beautiful hiking trails. Overnight is in Quinault, gateway to the Olympic Peninsula.

Day 13: Olympic National Park – Port Angeles

Today, we explore parts of Olympic National Park on an easy self-guided walk within the Hoh Rain Forest. Trails lead through enchanted, moss-covered temperate rain forest. Later we’ll stop at scenic Rialto Beach for a walk along the wild Pacific shore, then drive on to Sol Duc Hot Springs for a relaxing swim in mineral hot springs and freshwater pools. Tonight we stay in Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula.

Day 14: Hurricane Ridge – Seattle

Weather permitting, drive up to Hurricane Ridge, which offers fantastic views of the Olympic Mountains–including Mount Olympus, the Strait of San Juan de Fuca, and Vancouver Island. We experience the beauty of this national park while walking and picnicking. In the late afternoon, we board a ferry to Seattle, where we will spend our final night. (Please note, if the weather does not allow us to venture up to Hurricane Ridge, we will provide a city tour of Seattle as an alternative). We say goodbye at dinner.

Day 15:

Tour ends here, you are free to explore Seattle on your own or fly home. We will gladly assist you with post-reservations.