Experience the incredible exotic variety of the Northern stretch of California’s famous Pacific Coast Highway on this 7 day North Coast Redwoods and Wine Country self-drive expedition.
First, get to to know San Francisco like a local, scratching the surface of her quirky ’hoods, cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge, and taking a sunset cruise on the Bay. Then, spend three days exploring the rugged Pacific Coast and its humbling, majestic Giant Redwood Groves, the world’s only temperate rainforest.
Top it all off with a couple of days drinking in everything the picturesque Wine Country has to offer. Soar over serene rolling hills spotted with vineyards on a sunrise hot air balloon ride, and top it off with visits to some of the finest estates in Napa and Sonoma, or a tour of the region’s world-class craft breweries.
We are committed to helping you change your plans if you need to and we pledge the utmost flexibility to adjust your trip dates if required.
Private Socially Distanced Tours
Privately guided tours are more essential than ever, allowing you to freely explore remote destinations with your family. With SA you will ride in your own spacious, sanitised vehicles and visit attractions at strategic times, steering clear of any crowds.
Enjoy a dreamy sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Napa Valley. Watch the mists rise over rows of vines from this magical vantage point before taking a tour of the world-famous wineries with a private sommelier.
Marvel at the sheer majesty of California’s towering Redwood trees with visits to Mendocino, the Muir Woods National Monument, and Big Hendy Grove.
Get familiar with California’s famous wine country, including well-known Napa and the up-and-coming Sonoma scene.
Take in charming coastal towns along California’s Pacific Coast Highway, brimming with local cuisine, artisan workshops, and plenty of history and lore.
Explore one of the West Coast’s true gems, San Francisco, from the city’s most iconic neighborhoods, to its famously steep streets, to the bright red Golden Gate Bridge.
Use the following itinerary for inspiration. Remember: all days, hotels and activities can be altered to suit your requirements. A SA Expeditions travel specialist will be happy to advise.
Welcome to California! Today is a transit day. After your plane glides in over the waters of the San Francisco Bay, you will take a shuttle to claim your rental car before driving into the City by the Bay. Take the afternoon to explore or relax in your iconic SF Hotel. After a delicious dinner, rest up for the adventure to come or hit the town to experience some of San Francisco’s famous nightlife.
Included meals: Dinner
Today you will enjoy a guided exploration of evocative San Francisco, beginning with a tour of the city’s iconic neighbourhoods like Little Italy, Chinatown, and the Marina, via a combination of walking the city's notorious hills and private vehicle. You may also visit Pier 39, the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Park, Fishermans Wharf, the Mission District and Haight Ashbury. After lunch, walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge and take as many pictures as your camera has room for before returning to the city for an unforgettable sunset cruise across the bay. After the cruise return to your hotel for an evening at your leisure.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today you’ll embark upon your exploration of the famous Highway 1 along the Pacific Coast. After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, we recommend pausing for a photo at the Marin Headlands which enjoy timeless views across the bridge of the San Francisco Bay. Next, check out the Muir Woods for your first glimpse of California’s famous Giant Redwood trees. Continuing up the coast arrive to Hog Island Oyster Company where we suggest indulging in a fresh seafood lunch. Enjoy an optional tour of the farm or continue to explore the charming town of Jenner by the Sea. Top it all off with a world-class dining experience at the famous River’s End, boasting views of both the Russian River and the Pacific Ocean.
Included meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely drive along the secluded coastal highway north of Bodega Bay, surrounded on all sides by the towering redwoods of Mendocino. Upon arrival at Mendocino’s windswept, ocean-facing bluffs, you’ll meet with a local guide and chef who will treat you to an organic picnic meal on the sea cliffs. Next you'll embark upon a short walking tour through town, featuring the area's local history ranging from lumberjacks and fishermen through to 60's counterculture and modern-day artisans. For the remainder of the afternoon and evening, take a relaxing walk along the coast, or enjoy a spa treatment in your beautiful seaside hotel.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today you’ll bid the Pacific coast farewell, passing through the redwoods along rural Highway 128. We suggest a stop at Big Hendy Grove, an accessible and little-visited old-growth redwood grove just off the highway. Continue to Sonoma County, home to many of California’s famous wineries and craft breweries. Enjoy a private tour at any of our boutique family wineries or local craft breweries before retiring to one of Sonoma County’s intimate locally run bed and breakfasts.
Included meals: Breakfast
Today begins with a dreamy sunrise ride in a hot air balloon, watching the mists rise over the rows of vines. After touchdown, your local sommelier docent will take you on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Napa Valley’s world-famous wineries. Begin with a ride aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train (complete with a gourmet lunch) before enjoying private tastings at whichever boutique wineries take your fancy. Private vehicles with drivers are available to allow you to fully enjoy the best of California wine worry-free. End the day at a boutique bed and breakfast where we highly recommend enjoying a farm-to-fork dining experience that highlights the best flavors of wine country.
Included meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a relaxing morning in wine country before heading back to San Francisco to depart. Alternatively, extend your adventure by making the drive into the Sierra Foothills for an old-time adventure through the saloons and stagecoaches of Gold Country!
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation is included and our destination experts will help you chose the perfect hotels.
I went to Ecuador on the Galapagos trip. It was my first trip with SA Expeditions so I had no idea why to expect. They definitely impressed. Every detail was organized and planned for me. The hotels exceeded my expectations. The tours were exactly what they described. My guides were fun, knowledgeable and flexible to adjust to what I felt like doing. I travelled alone as a single woman and felt completely safe the entire time. I knew they were just a phone call away. I'll be booking the trip to the salt flats for December!
We had a great trip to Peru booked through SA Expeditions! Everything ran smoothly from start to finish. We had great accommodations and we especially liked our guide Silver! I was nervous at first about booking with a company I found on the web and had no experience with but Dan, who made all arrangements, was very patient with me and but me at ease. I would highly recommend SA Expeditions!
My daughter and I went with SA Expeditions to coordinate our trip to Peru to Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and Lake Titicaca. The accommodations that SA scheduled were fantastic. Beautiful settings, delicious food and friendly staff.
Our guides were extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. We had to make some last minute changes to our hike. Our guide Marco rolled with the changes and made it a memorable experience.
We enjoyed the knowledge that the guides had regarding Incan and pre-Incan societies. We left the vacation more knowledgeable that when we started.
Can't recommend enough.
This itinerary would cost from $3,290 pp.
Pricing may vary by accommodation choice, group size and time of year.
Accommodation |
Customise your trip, choosing from recommended hotels. |
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Guided excursions |
You'll be shown around each destination by a local expert (we call them ‘docents’) who knows the place inside out and enjoy private excursions. |
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Some meals |
Select meals are included. |
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Support |
We'll greet you at the airport and be by your side every step of the way, making room for spontaneity as you go, with 24 hour support. |
Trip Date Flexibility
We are committed to helping you change your plans if you need to. While every trip SA Expeditions designs is unique, we pledge the utmost flexibility to adjust your trip dates, working closely with our partners across the Americas with personalized and informed assistance throughout.
Private Socially Distanced Tours
Privately guided tours are more essential than ever, allowing you to freely explore remote destinations with your family. With SA you will ride in your own spacious, sanitized vehicles and visit attractions at strategic times, steering clear of any crowds.