Day 1: Monday, June 22, 2009
Arrive Portland, Oregon - Tour Begins
Your scenic tour through the Pacific Northwest and California begins with a relaxing stay in Portland, North America’s “Best Big City.”
Day 2: Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Portland - Mt. St. Helens - Portland
Your morning tour of Portland includes two of its famous gardens, the spectacular International Rose Test Garden and the serene Japanese Gardens. Next, travel to the Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center where you learn about the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens, as well as the history of the state park. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 3: Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Portland - Cascade Mountains - Portland
Drive along the Mt. Hood route to the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. It’s a day of sightseeing you will never forget. Mt. Hood dominates the horizon as you leave the valley and enter the slopes of the Cascade Mountains. Your day will be highlighted by a tour of the magnificent Columbia River Gorge and the Bonneville Dam, where a US Army Corps of Engineers park ranger will guide you through the dam and provide an interpretive talk on its might, hydropower and history. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 4: Thursday, June 25, 2009
Portland - Willamette Valley - Newport - Coos Bay
Your scenic journey takes you through the promised land for many pioneers during the days of the Oregon Trail. The Willamette Valley contains some of the most fertile agricultural soils of Oregon and nurtures vegetables, flowers, herbs, nuts and vineyards. Next, head to the coastal town of Newport for a brief stop before traveling along some of the country’s most beautiful coastlines and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 5: Friday, June 26, 2009
Coos Bay - Bandon State Natural Area -
Redwood National Park - Eureka
Start your morning with a drive to Bandon State Natural Area. You will be amazed by the scenery along the scenic Beach Loop with sights such as the Bandon Rocks and Face Rock, known to many from the American Indian legend. Next, 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, you enter the redwood country of California. Visit the famous Redwood National Park, home to some of the world's tallest trees. Inside the park you will see some of these trees that are close to 300 feet tall and understand why the sun seldom hits the ground! Tonight, arrive in Eureka for your overnight stay. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 6: Saturday, June 27, 2009
Eureka - San Francisco
Enjoy a delightful tour through the historic timber and fishing village of Eureka and behold the beautiful Victorian architecture of Old Town. Journey through more redwood forests, including 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 Pier 39 which offers exceptional views of San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 7: Sunday, June 28, 2009
San Francisco
Discover this amazing city with a fascinating sightseeing tour that highlights the city’s most popular landmarks. You will see the stunning Twin Peaks, the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf. Following this tour, the remainder of your day is at leisure to explore this fun-loving city on your own.
Day 8: Monday, June 29, 2009
San Francisco - Tour Ends
Today you will head home with many pleasant memories of your vacation in the rugged Pacific Northwest and the state of California.
Experience It!
Redwood National Park
Immense, ancient, stately, mysterious, powerful… they’re the towering redwood trees found in Redwood National Park. From a seed no bigger than one from a tomato, California’s redwood can grow to a height of 367 feet and have a width of 22 feet at its base. They are resistant to natural enemies, such as insects and fire. The high tannin content of the wood keeps diseases and insect damage away, while the thick bark and high foliage provides protection from most fires. The trees can reach ages of 2,000 years and regularly reach 600 years. California’s North Coast provides the perfect environment for these redwoods to survive. The cool, moist air from the Pacific Ocean keeps the trees continually damp, even during summer droughts. On your Collette vacation, you can walk among these giants and see for yourself just how amazing they are.
|
Highlights...
Mount St. Helens Visitor Center Portland • Columbia River Gorge Newport • Redwood National Park
Bandon State Natural Area
Eureka • Avenue of the Giants
San Francisco • Fisherman's Wharf |
