Pacific North West Journey

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Pacific North West Self Drive Holiday

Taking you from the Pacific Coast to the Cascade Mountains and back again, this Seattle-to-San Francisco road trip falls into the ‘epic journeys’ category.

Begin your epic trip in Seattle, a city that’s the epitome of Pacific North West coolness.

Head out to the Olympic Peninsula and spend a night in Port Angeles, gateway to Olympic National Park’s Hurricane Ridge.

Continue round the peninsula’s coast, taking in its lakes, rainforests and deserted beaches. Base yourself in the state capital, Olympia, and head inland towards one of the region’s volcanoes, Mount Rainier.

Continue on to Portland, the Pacific Northwest city of the moment. Drink, dine and check out its flourishing arts scene.

Drive out to Oregon’s beautiful coast. Stay at Shilo Inn Seaside Oceanfront.

Follow the Pacific Coast Highway south to Newport, stopping at the breathtaking Cannon Beach on the way.

Head back inland to Medford, the base for your visit to Crater Lake National Park.

Return to the coast and follow northern California’s section of Route 101. Drive along roads shaded by the tall trees of Redwood National and State Parks.

In Sonoma, spend some time in the tasting rooms of California’s famous wine region.

Finally, arrive in the City by the Bay for a couple of days of city exploration.

This USA holiday can be tailored to suit your exact requirements, so just let us know your ideal trip.

Everything can be adjusted to suit your needs and create your perfect USA holiday.

Inclusions

International flights from UK
Accommodation with breakfast
Self-Drive - Car rental from airport to airport
ATOL Protection
Travel Trust Protection

Accommodation

2 nights Seattle
1 night Port Angeles
2 nights Olympia
2 nights Portland
1 night Seaside
1 night Newport
2 nights Medford
1 night Eureka
1 night Sonoma
2 nights San Francisco

Day 1: UK - Seattle

Fly from the UK to Seattle where you will pick up your rental car on arrival.

Overnight Seattle.

Day 2: Seattle

Enjoy the day at leisure.

Begin your epic trip in Seattle, a city that’s the epitome of Pacific North West coolness.

Overnight Seattle.

Day 3: Port Angeles

Self Drive to Port Angeles.

Head out to the Olympic Peninsula and spend a night in Port Angeles, gateway to Olympic National Park’s Hurricane Ridge.

Overnight Port Angeles.

Day 4: Olympia

Self Drive to Port Angeles.

Overnight Olympia.

Day 5: Olympia

Enjoy the day at leisure.

Overnight Olympia.

Day 6: Portland

Self Drive to Portland.

Continue on to Portland, the Pacific Northwest city of the moment. Drink, dine and check out its flourishing arts scene.

Overnight Portland.

Day 7: Portland

Enjoy the day at leisure.

Overnight Portland.

Day 8: Seaside

Self Drive to Seaside.

Drive out to Oregon’s beautiful coast.

Overnight Seaside.

Day 9: Newport

Self Drive to Newport.

Follow the Pacific Coast Highway south to Newport, stopping at the breathtaking Cannon Beach on the way.

Overnight Newport.

Day 10: Medford

Self Drive to Medford.

Head back inland to Medford, the base for your visit to Crater Lake National Park.

Overnight Medford.

Day 11: Medford

Enjoy the day at leisure.

Overnight Medford.

Day 12: Eureka

Self Drive to Eureka.

Return to the coast and follow northern California’s section of Route 101. Drive along roads shaded by the tall trees of Redwood National and State Parks.

Overnight Eureka.

Day 13: Sonoma

Self Drive to Sonoma.

Spend some time in the tasting rooms of California’s famous wine region.

Overnight Sonoma.

Day 14: San Francisco

Self Drive to San Francisco.

Arrive in the City by the Bay for a couple of days of city exploration.

Overnight San Francisco.

Day 15: San Francisco

Enjoy the day at leisure.

Overnight San Francisco.

Day 16: San Francisco – UK

Drive to San Francisco Airport and drop your rental car off for your overnight flight back to the UK.

Day 17: Arrive UK

Arrive back in the UK.

Seattle

Dubbed 'The Emerald City' due to its abundance of lush, evergreen trees and its spectacular views of the snow-capped Cascade and Olympic mountains, Seattle is a laid-back, friendly city which is set apart by is its remarkably beautiful natural setting and its progressive, multicultural inhabitants.

The city is perhaps best known for its seafood, its incredibly wet weather and its famously obsessive coffee culture as well as the staggering diversity of its neighbourhoods: Grand stately manicured suburbs; hip and trendy urban areas; pockets of eclectic, artsy boutiques and cafes; and rows of glistening state-of-art skyscrapers - Seattle has it all.

With nature on its doorstep, it’s hardly surprising that an outdoor lifestyle prevails, with plenty of boating, skiing, and hiking facilities on offer as well as a vast array of fascinating museums, galleries and cultural sights.

No matter when you’re travelling to Seattle, there are more than enough attractions to hold your interest, come rain or shine!

Port Angeles

Port Angeles is located on the northern shore of the Olympic Peninsula in the northwest corner of the state of Washington.

This hub offers popular ferry connections to Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, and makes a great base for exploring the area’s beautiful natural surrounds.

Olympic National Park is the chief drawcard here, with beautiful sights such as the vivid-blue Lake Crescent and the 90-foot Marymere Falls to enjoy, and Hurricane Ridge offering supreme views and hiking trails.

Port Angeles also offers nearby Pacific Coast beaches and lavender and berry farms stretching towards nearby Sequim.

For culture enthusiasts, the Clallam Historical Society’s Museum at the Carnegie is worth a look, and the Feiro Marine Life Centre is a great place to take the kids, featuring touch tanks and aquariums.

Olympia

Located at the southern end of Puget Sound, Olympia serves as the capital of Washington State.

It boasts a thriving arts, culture and music scene and is an outdoor mecca for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Explore the surrounding Olympic Mountains, discover the unique array of bars and shops in the downtown area and stroll along the waterfront boardwalk.

Other highlights include viewing the Old State Capitol Building and Sylvester Park, taking a walking tour, browsing the Olympia Farmers Market and exploring the many parks and trails traversing the scenic surrounding area.

Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the variety of activities on offer such as kayaking, fishing, golfing, camping as well as watching live music and enjoying the buzzing nightlife.

Portland

Resting in the shadow of the towering Mount Hood, at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette rivers, Portland is Oregon’s largest city and the second largest city in the Pacific Northwest.

Despite its impressive size, the city has a charming small town atmosphere with an abundance of natural beauty and some wonderfully eccentric and laidback locals.

While outdoor enthusiasts explore the many parks and bicycle trails, those seeking more sedate activities will find countless coffee houses, microbreweries, artisanal eateries and museums.

Must-see attractions include the iconic Washington Park, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, offering panoramic viewpoints, extensive hiking trails and spectacular waterfalls; and the Oregon Museum of Science, featuring a planetarium, a four-story theatre and a US Navy submarine.

Seaside

Seaside is the most popular resort destination in the region known as the Northern Oregon Coast.

While the town is home to some good sights, such as the historical Lewis and Clark Salt Works and an impressive Aquarium, Seaside is more known for its bustling downtown area, full of shops, restaurants, arcades and other tourist facilities.

Gaudy and fun-filled, Seaside’s boardwalk area (called ‘the Prom’) is a vibrant place with plenty of activity, and in summer its beaches throng with day visitors from Portland (which is just over an hour’s drive away).

South of town, there is prime surfing available at the Cove, and active travellers will relish the gorgeous hiking routes of the nearby Oregon Coast Trail, particularly around Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park.

Newport

Newport is a popular destination found on the Central Oregon Coast.

A bustling port and major fishing centre, Newport offers a great selection of sights and activities. Begin at the excellent Oregon Coast Aquarium, located at South Beach, which is home to a stupefying array of sea creatures, and continue on to the Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Centre, where you can learn more about deep sea research in the region.

The Newport Wax Works make for an interesting stop, and the Yaquina Head Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast, offering breathtaking views of the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area from its climbable tower.

At the end of the day, head down to the lovely Bayfront area - where sea lions often laze around - and try some of Newport’s famous seafood.

Medford

Medford is the largest city in southern Oregon, offering a wide range of interesting sights and activities. Visitors can look forward to enjoying popular tours of this premiere wine-growing region’s most esteemed estates (Caprice, Abacela, EdenVale and 2Hawk), while the downtown area is full of shops selling other local produce and artisanal products.

The Crater Rock Museum is home to an interesting collection of gems and minerals, and the Butte Creek Mill dates from 1872 and is still in operation.

Active travellers are spoilt for choice, with fantastic hiking routes in the surrounding mountains (Medford is close to the Applegate, Oregon and Pacific Crest Trails); mountain biking in the Rogue Valley; boating on Crater Lake; kayaking, rafting and fishing on the Rogue and Upper Klamath Rivers; and skiing at Mt. Ashland, southern Oregon’s leading cold-weather resort.

Eureka

Eureka is located in Humboldt County in California, the largest coastal city on the route between San Francisco and Portland, Oregon.

With a diverse collection of attractions, Eureka offers plenty to see and do. Begin in its charming Old Town district, which is full of lovely Victorian architecture (including the ornate Carson Mansion).

The Morris Graves Museum of Art is a worthwhile stop, as is the Clarke Historical Museum, which features a beautiful exhibition of Native American basketry.

In addition to the magnificent Sequoia Park, outdoor lovers will find much to enjoy about Eureka, with plenty of sport fishing and kayaking opportunities, as well as the Lost Coast Trail, which leads from Black Sands Beach to the Mattole River, and is one of the few coastal wilderness hikes available in the United States.

Sonoma

Idyllically situated in the picturesque Sonoma Valley, in Sonoma County, just north of the Bay Area of California, the charming little town of Sonoma is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.

Aside from Disneyland, Sonoma Valley is the second most visited attraction in California. The town is built around a large, tree-filled plaza surrounded by storied 19th-century historical sights, high-end boutiques and upmarket galleries.

Visitors can enjoy a leisurely horseback, bike, or hot air balloon ride around the breathtakingly beautiful surrounding countryside or simply sit back and enjoy Sonoma’s world-famous zesty Chardonnay, juicy Zinfandel, impressive Red Blends, and refreshing Sparkling Wines.

While Sonoma is certainly sophisticated when it comes to wine and food, it still exudes small-town warmth and hospitality, and that’s not just the wine talking: in 2013 Sonoma was voted among the friendliest cities in the U.S.

San Francisco

Leave your inhibitions behind, grab your walking shoes and your most outrageous outfit in preparation for the wild (and typically steep) ride that is the foggy and fabulous city of San Francisco.

It is crawling with outlandish locals, wacky street performers and eccentric artists who somehow manage to delight and charm their way into the hearts of even the most conservative travellers.

Your trip is likely to include some cardio-building jaunts up some dramatically steep inclines to hilltop viewpoints offering magnificent views of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Prison and Coit Tower.

With its dizzying array of restaurants and farmers markets, rows of rainbow-coloured Victorian houses, as well as countless vintage saloons and speakeasies, there really is never a dull moment in this rollicking city by the bay.