Itinerary

Arrive in one of the world’s most famous cities, San Francisco, and be taken by luxury private transfer to the Hotel Caza in the bustling Fisherman’s Wharf neighbourhood. A modern hotel where you’ll have great views of either the bay or the city, it’s an ideal spot from which to get around. Get settled in and take a leisurely stroll around the local area – you’ll find you are just steps from the waterfront, Pier 39 and the iconic 3-mile long Lombard Street. Downtown, with its incredible museums and diverse neighbourhoods is just a few blocks further.

Start your first full day in San Francisco properly exploring this world-renowned city. There are many ways to see San Francsico, and there’s no better way to take in the city than from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll get to see the innate beauty of the Bay Area with a 3-hour scenic guided bike tour, cycling from San Francisco across to Sausalito and back, stopping for multiple photo opportunities along the way.

After a leisurely morning workout, chances are you’ll be hungry. So spend your afternoon or lunchtime taking a food tour around San Francisco. Food is a huge part of any culture, and the city has multiple districts that are known for their culinary delights. Choose between Italian-focused North Beach, historic and hip Mission District or San Francisco’s renowned Chinatown, and taste the local history.

Collect your rental car after breakfast and drive up to the heart of California’s award-winning wine country, Napa Valley. California is responsible for 85% of the USA’s wine production, and the climate of Napa Valley (and adjacent Sonoma) is the secret to producing the states’ great wines boasting around 400 wineries and tasting rooms with an impressive 95% of them all proudly family-owned.

Arrive in downtown Napa right by the bustling riverfront at the Napa River Inn. You’ll be centrally-located for exploring all this charming town has to offer by foot or bike. Get acquainted with the downtown district, before getting down to some wine tasting. Your hotel is within walking distance to no less than 20 tasting rooms with world-class dining – including many Michelin-starred establishments – found across the city.

If you prefer being guided around Napa’s legendary vineyards, sign up to a ‘Sip and Cycle’ bike tour where you’ll get to leisurely cycle around the wineries stopping for a picnic lunch amongst the leafy valley setting.

Start your morning with fresh pastries delivered to your room from the local Sweetie Pies Bakery, or head out for a mouth-watering brunch along the riverfront. Napa is also home to the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America, so if you’re an avid home cook, why not spend the morning expanding your skillset with a culinary class.

Continue your wine tasting journey through the valley – chances are there are plenty more wineries you’ll still be wanting to frequent – before experiencing some of the finest scenery in California’s wine country with a 3-hour ride on the original 1864 Napa Valley Wine Train. One of the most memorable ways to experience California’s exquisite wine country, we highly recommend this trip as a way to conclude your time here. You’ll get to journey back in time to a bygone era of luxury and nostalgic train travel, while enjoying a silver service dining experience complemented by a sommelier tasting flight and unparalleled views of Napa Valley’s vineyards bathed in the beautiful, golden hour sunlight.

Make the 1-hour drive to the historic city of Sonoma. Feted for its world-class wineries, award-wining dining and delightful art galleries, Sonoma has a quaint, old-world feel boasting 19th -century architecture and the Mexican colonial-era Sonoma Plaza.

Start your time there with a 3-mile hike through meadows and grasslands on the Sonoma Overlook Trail. You’ll get excellent views of Sonoma Valley and the city itself to get your bearings. Or, if you’d like to get straight into some wine tasting, grab a map from your cosy hotel – you’ll be staying at the centrally-located Inn at Sonoma – and visit one of over 75 family-owned and operated vineyards. From small establishments to large, historic estates, you’ll be spoiled for choice with generous opening hours all week long.

Drive 2.5 hours up to Mendocino after breakfast. A convivial coastal community in northern California, Mendocino is known for its spectacular scenery, distinctive wineries, seaside Victorian villages and the cliffside trails and beautiful beaches of Mendocino Headlands State Park. It also offers plentiful opportunities for outdoor pursuits as well as wining and dining.

You’ll be arriving at the charming Agate Cove Inn, set overlooking the rugged shores of the Pacific Ocean, and an ideal place for both rest and relaxation. Start the afternoon with a stroll around the town and lunch overlooking the sea before spending the rest of the day exploring the incredible natural beauty of either Russian Gulch State Park or Mendocino Headlands.

Just 50km inland from the coast lies Mendocino’s delightful winelands in Anderson Valley, so spend the day hopping between vineyards for multiple wine tastings. This northerly cool-climate wine region produces distinctive wines, specialising in complex Pinots and aromatic whites, like Riesling and Chardonnay. Some of the must-visit wineries in the area include Navarro Vineyards, Goldeneye Winery, Roederer Estate, Toulouse Vineyards, Pennyroyal Farms, Husch Vineyards, Handley Cellars and Parducci Wine Cellars. With so many excellent wineries to choose from you’ll have no problem being out the whole day.

First thing in the morning make your way to Redding – the drive is around 4 hours long and you’ll want to get to get there in good time to make the most of your next location. Redding might be known as a convenient stopping point along Interstate 5 leading up to Oregon, but don’t be mistaken. This beautiful city has made a name for itself by offering an impressive array of natural landmarks, historic sites and recreational opportunities.

Arrive and drop off your bags at your picturesque accommodation right next to Redding’s famed Sundial Bridge before making the most of the city’s outdoor activities. Go for a relaxed hike along the scenic Sacramento River Trail or head to Shasta State Historic Park to see the well-preserved remains of what was once, Shasta City, a former bustling Gold Rush town from California’s Wild West days. Redding is also ideally located for accessing one of California’s lesser known national parks: Lassen Volcanic. Offering a breathtaking mix of volcanic alpine beauty with turquoise crystalline lakes and wildflower-filled meadows, it is the only place on Earth that features all four types of volcanoes.

Head up to Grants Pass in Oregon after breakfast. On the 3-hour drive there you’ll find yourself passing by one of California’s lesser known treasures: Mount Shasta. Dominating the landscape at 4,322 metres high, Mount Shasta is an ice-topped volcano at the southern end of the Cascade Mountain Range, and if you’re eager to try a hike there before continuing up to the southern tip of Oregon’s wine country, stop for an hour or two at this spectacular site.

When you do finally arrive in Grants Pass, you’ll be staying at The Lodge at Riverside, located right on the scenic Rogue River in the heart of downtown. Grants Pass is a picturesque place known for its historic charm, fine wineries and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Start with a visit to a winery or two – Schmidt Family Vineyards and Woolridge Creek Winery come highly recommended, and the region specialises in big reds and classic whites, so you’ll have plenty of delightful varietals to try.

Afterwards, take a stroll through the town’s National Historic District to view the classic 19th-century homes and commercial buildings, stopping to browse the impressive collection of antique stores and the lovingly restored Historic Rogue Theatre. Make sure to also stop by The Glass Forge in downtown to watch artisans work in this fully operational glass blowing shop.

After breakfast, make the 4-hour drive up to Sisters. Sitting at the crossroads of the high desert ranching country and the vast wilderness of the Deschutes and the Willamette Valley wine country, Sisters is widely considered one of Oregon’s most charming small towns, and is known for its unique Old West ambiance, well-preserved 19th-century facades and excellent farm-to-table dining and drinking.

Get settled in to your stunning 20-acre property, the FivePine Lodge and Spa, and plan your day from there. Your hotel offers excellent amenities, and the scenic Aspen Lakes Golf Course is just a short drive away should you want to take it easy. For those eager to get outdoors, start with a bike ride to explore downtown and the surrounding areas. The Peterson Ridge Trail in the southern part of the city is a local favourite and even offers hiking trails for all levels.

Sisters is renowned for its beautiful walking trails, so get to know the area at your leisure with a walk through the Indian Ford Meadow Preserve. This peaceful nature walk offers excellent views of the Cascade Mountains. Another option is to drive to the nearby Sahalie and Koosah Falls or Proxy Falls. These ethereal waterfalls are nestled in lush surroundings perfect for a morning hike.

Take the late afternoon to shop for fun souvenirs in Sisters Old West downtown district – you’ll find everything from trinkets and handmade crafts to antiques and modern art – and you won’t want to leave without experiencing Sisters’ pioneer town ambiance.

End the day with an award-winning pint at one of Oregon’s oldest breweries, Three Creek Brewing Co, or head to popular newcomer, Funky Fauna Artisan Ales, while focuses on terroir-driven beers through the use of local, sustainable ingredients.

Drive first thing in the morning to Newberg in Willamette Valley – the drive is 2.5 hours long and you’ll want to make the most of this overnight stay set against the lush rolling hills of some of the region’s oldest and most innovative wine producers. Willamette Valley is one of the world’s premier wine regions, home to around 700 wineries, and is renowned for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. You’ll be arriving in Newberg, one of Willamette Valley’s idyllic historic towns just minutes away from over 80 world-class wineries, including Rex Hill, Elton Vineyards, Rain Dance and Francis Coppola’s Domaine de Broglie. Drop off your bags at your hotel and start wine tasting. You’ll need a meal come evening and you’ll find multiple worthy choices all offering farm-to-table cuisine. If you need a recommendation, try local favourite, The Painted Lady.

Just a short drive from the stunning Willamette Valley lies Portland, famous for its incredible parks, endless bike paths and verdant scenery, as well as its eco-friendliness, craft beer culture and delicious food carts. Drive on over at your leisure and spend the day taking in Portland’s key sights after returning your rental car and checking in to one of Portland’s finest historic hotels, The Benson.

Start by hopping on the Portland Aerial Tram. The 4-minute-long journey takes you 152m up over the city so you can take in all that Portland has to offer. Then, a visit to one of Portland’s many green spaces is a must. Stroll through the stunning Japanese Gardens in Washington Park – you’ll find cherry blossoms, koi ponds and even a traditional tea house – or take advantage of the hiking and mountain biking opportunities in Forest Park.

For a taste of urban living, head over to Portland’s Pearl District brimming with art galleries, independent shops, boutiques and farm-to-table fine dining, or get a taste of Portland’s innovative food scene with a guided tasting tour of its food carts.

Start your day exploring the breathtaking beauty of one of the most picturesque places in Oregon with a guided half-day tour of Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge. Located just 30 minutes from downtown Portland and created millions of years ago during the formation of the Cascade Mountain Range, the narrative of this spectacular landscape and its transformative history will be introduced to you by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable local guide as you walk through these amazing locations.

Spend the rest of your day exploring Portland, before finishing off your time in the city with a visit to Distillery Row. With over 500 homegrown craft breweries, a tasting is well worth your time.