A magnificent 10-day journey with a sampling of Seattle, the beautiful Oregon coast, and the California wine country make this vacation one to remember. Start in charming Seattle, the "Emerald City," with visits to the Space Needle and Boeing’s Future of Flight. Travel south to Portland to visit Washington Park and the International Rose Test Gardens. Enjoy Multnomah Falls and the mighty Bonneville Dam Lock before hugging the Pacific coastline to Gleneden Beach. Visit the Evergreen Aviation Museum and the Oregon Coast Aquarium and experience a thrilling ride on the Rogue River by jetboat. Enter spectacular Redwood National Park and visit a local winery. Onto Sonoma to visit the 19th-century Solano Mission and General Vallejo’s Home and Viansa Winery. Cross the bay via the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge for an orientation tour of San Francisco.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Seattle
Welcome to the Emerald City! This evening, mix and mingle with your traveling companions at the 6:30 p.m. WELCOME RECEPTION. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure. (WR)

Day 2 Seattle
This morning begins with a guided tour of Seattle, including Pike Place Market, a local shopping mecca; Pioneer Square, Seattle’s original downtown; and a trip up the SPACE NEEDLE for spectacular views of the city below. Continue your tour at the FUTURE OF FLIGHT AVIATION CENTER for a tour of the Boeing Factory and past, present, and future developments in aviation technology. Later this afternoon is at leisure in Seattle. Maybe visit Starbucks’ first coffee shop, Seattle Center, or the Seattle Art Museum, with one of the nation’s premier collections of Northwest Coast Indian art and artifacts. (B)

Day 3 Seattle–Portland
Travel south this morning, possibly capturing your first glimpse of Mount Rainier, a towering ice-clad volcano. Then, head for world-famous Mount St. Helens as you journey to VOLCANO VIEWPOINT. Here you’ll have an opportunity to learn about the dramatic eruption in 1980. On to Portland, known as the “City of Roses.” Visit WASHINGTON PARK, home of the INTERNATIONAL ROSE TEST GARDENS. (B,D)

Day 4 Portland
Enjoy a city sightseeing tour, then it’s off to MULTNOMAH FALLS and the mighty BONEVILLE DAM LOCK, traveling along the Columbia River Gorge. See the salmon ladders and learn about the impressive navigation system. Afternoon at leisure in Portland. Visit the classical Chinese Gardens, Pioneer Square, or sip a cup of coffee on the waterfront. (B)

Day 5 Portland–Gleneden Beach
Hug the rugged Pacific coastline en route to Newport, one of Oregon’s most popular seaside resorts. Along the way, visit the EVERGREEN AVIATION MUSEUM, home to the famous Spruce Goose. This afternoon is at leisure to take in the fresh ocean breezes at your hotel, the distinguished Salishan Lodge, or enjoy an optional behind-the-scenes look at the fishing and crabbing industry on a harbor cruise aboard the Discovery. Onboard activities include opportunities as volunteer deckhands blended with a lively narration from a team of marine naturalists. (B,D)

Day 6 Gleneden Beach–Gold Beach
This morning, visit the OREGON COAST AQUARIUM as you explore their indoor exhibits and a vast outdoor marine habitat. Continue south and visit Bandon-by-the-Sea with its unique offshore rock formations. Also see popular sites such as Heceta Head Lighthouse and Florence Old Town before arriving at Gold Beach. (B,D)

Day 7 Gold Beach–Redwood National Park–Eureka
One of Oregon’s great natural treasures is the scenic Rogue River. Experience a thrilling ride through this wild and remote region by glass-enclosed jetboat —have your cameras ready for glimpses of the American Bald Eagle. Also enjoy a light brunch en route. Travel south along the Pacific Coastline and stop in REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK, home to the world’s tallest trees. Then enter Eureka, California’s lumber center, where you will see the grand Carson Mansion, the most photographed example of Victorian architecture in the world and once the home of a West Coast lumber baron. (B,BR,D)

Day 8 Eureka–Napa California
This morning, travel along the spectacular Avenue of the Giants, a quiet 2-lane road that winds through some of the world’s most spectacular scenery with ancient redwood trees. You will have the chance to see an 1,800-year-old redwood here! (B)

Day 9 Napa–Sonoma–San Francisco
Travel this morning to Sonoma for a guided visit to the town square’s early 19th-century SOLANO MISSION and GENERAL VALLEJO’S HOME. Visit Viansa, one of Sonoma’s most famous wineries. Enjoy a tour of the Italian heritage winery, followed by an unforgettable hilltop luncheon featuring a gourmet picnic feast and wine tasting under olive trees and grape trellises. Leave the lush, gentle slopes of California’s wine country and continue to San Francisco. Cross the bay via the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy an orientation tour. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a special FAREWELL CELEBRATION DINNER. Wonderful conversation and cuisine make the perfect finale for your vacation. (B,L,D)

Day 10 San Francisco
The vacation ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers are provided to San Francisco International Airport. (B)