California's Volcanoes, Rails & Redwood Coast

Day 1 – Welcome to Redding

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at LAX this morning for a short, non-stop flight arriving in Sacramento this afternoon.Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule (subject to change) to coordinate a similar flight arrival time. In Sacramento we'll board a deluxe motorcoach and continue north to Redding, centrally located in the beautiful Shasta Cascade region and surrounded by the California Cascades, spectacular Mt. Shasta and the pristine Trinity Alps. We'll enjoy a two-night stay at an upscale hotel within Turtle Bay Exploration Park, just a short stroll from the Sundial Bridge. This glass decked, cantilever suspension pedestrian bridge reaches 217 feet into the sky, spans 710 feet across the Sacramento River and forms the world’s largest sundial! Enjoy the balance of the evening at leisure.

Day 2 – Lassen Volcanic National Park

After an included breakfast, we'll join a local guide and travel to Lassen Volcanic National Park – known as “mini Yellowstone” because of its volcanic and hydrothermal features. The Park features lush old-growth forests, clear mountain streams, bubbling mud pots, hissing fumaroles, remnants of ancient mountains long gone, and the evidence of recent volcanism in the cratered Lassen Peak. This time of year the leaves on the aspens and oaks generally provide a golden border to the sparkling blue lakes and immense lava peaks. We'll enjoy an included boxed lunch in the Park and make several stops including the visitor center, Sulphur Works hydrothermal area, Devastated Area and Manzanita Lake. We return to Redding with the balance of the evening at leisure. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3 – Redding to Eureka Via the Trinity Scenic Byway

Following an included breakfast, we’ll begin a spectacular drive “from the valley oaks to the Redwood Coast” on Highway 299. Better known as Trinity Scenic Byway, this spectacular stretch of road traverses a rugged slice of Northern California, snaking past forested mountains, Gold Rush towns, roaring rivers and serene lakes. Enjoy time at leisure for browsing and lunch on your own in the Weaverville Historic District. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this is one of the best-preserved towns from California’s Gold Rush era. This afternoon we arrive in the “Bigfoot Capital” of Willow Creek and visit the Willow Creek-China Flat Museum, preserving signs of Sasquatch through photos, clippings and footprint casts. This evening we arrive in Eureka situated between Arcata and Humboldt Bays. Enjoy time at leisure for dinner on your own in Eureka’s Old Town, a restored district of unique shops, restaurants and galleries. (Breakfast)

Day – 4 Redwoods National Park, Eureka, Ferndale

Following an included breakfast, we’ll be joined by a local guide and travel north to Redwoods National Park, a “Land of Giants” that is home to giant coast redwoods over 300 feet tall and more than 2,000 years old! We’ll stop at the visitor center, enjoy an included picnic lunch and see these giant redwoods up-close while exploring the Park via several flat, easy trails. This afternoon we’ll return to Eureka for a driving tour focused on the city's numerous Victorian homes including the Carson Mansion, considered the grandest Victorian home in America. We continue to the Victorian village of Ferndale, one of the best-preserved enclaves of Victorian architecture on the West Coast. Ferndale’s Main Street – lined with ornate Victorian buildings – has been featured in a number of movies including The Majestic, starring Jim Carrey. This evening we'll take a step back in time to the early days of the lumber and logging industry and enjoy an included dinner served "lumber camp" style at the famous Samoa Cookhouse and Logging Museum. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 – Avenue of Giants, Fort Bragg

After an included breakfast, we'll travel south along US-101 and through “Avenue of the Giants,” a magnificent, 31-mile scenic drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This is the largest remaining stand of virgin redwoods in the world and they're so close and so tall that they create a dramatic wall of enormous russet trunks rocketing skyward! We'll visit Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center and then continue to the small town of Garberville with time at leisure for lunch on own. We continue south on Highway 1 to the historic coastal town of Fort Bragg where we'll begin a two-night stay at an ocean-front property that features epic views of California’s beautiful North Coast. Enjoy an included dinner at a locals’ favorite this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 – Glass Beach, Skunk Train, Point Cabrillo, Mendocino

Following an included breakfast, we’ll visit Glass Beach, known worldwide as having the highest concentration of sea glass in the world! We’ll then board the world-famous “Skunk Train” for a 1-hour, 7 mile journey over tracks laid down in 1885. The train runs alongside the Pudding Creek estuary, where common wildlife sightings include blue heron, egrets, osprey, ducks and turtles. We continue to Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park to explore one of the best preserved and picturesque light stations in America. Built to protect lumber schooners plying the coast, this 113-year-old lighthouse – with its British-built Fresnel lens – still operates today. This afternoon we'll enjoy time at leisure exploring the shops and galleries within the charming New England-style village of Mendocino. The Victorian-era architecture here has provided an ideal backdrop for movies and television shows including East of Eden, the Summer of 42’ and Murder She Wrote. (Breakfast)

Day 7 – Journey Home

Following an included breakfast, we'll travel south with a stop for lunch on your own. This afternoon we'll arrive at San Francisco International Airport for a short, non-stop flight returning to Los Angeles this evening. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule (scheduled to change) to coordinate a similar flight departure time. Back in Los Angeles, those guests with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective drop-offs. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your understanding, flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. While these have always been necessary traits for travelers, they are needed now more than ever! Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary. Now more than ever, our 30 years of knowledge and tour planning experience helps us navigate a unique travel environment on your behalf. You can put your trust in us knowing we are experts in travel planning and will do everything possible to provide wonderful new experiences and create amazing new memories for our guests while on the road with us.