Pacific Rim
Self-Drive Tour
n this 17 day/16 night self-drive tour of the Pacific coast of the U.S.A.
Day 2. Seattle. The shops of Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, the museums, aquarium, the fascinating Seattle Underground tour, Discovery Park and the Space Needle are just some of the many attractions. Aviation enthusiasts will certainly want to visit the Boeing factory where some of the world's largest passenger jets are made. Overnight: Best Western Pioneer Square (Standard) or Crowne Plaza Seattle (Standard & Superior)Day 3. Seattle to Port Angeles (90 miles plus ferry). Collect your rental car from the downtown Seattle depot this morning, then board the ferry from Seattle to Bremerton for the short crossing to the Olympic Peninsula. Take your time on this leisurely first day of driving and visit the pretty town of Port Townsend before arriving in Port Angeles. Overnight: Red Lion (Standard & Superior).
Day 4. Port Angeles. Explore the Olympic Mountains with a trip to Hurricane Ridge, take a day trip by ferry to Victoria the capital of British Columbia, enjoy a day by Crescent Lake or visit the San Juan Islands and do some whale-watching. Overnight: Red Lion (Standard) or Lake Crescent Lodge (Superior).
Day 5. Port Angeles to Lake Quinault (150 miles). A short drive around the peninsula via the Hoh Rain Forest brings you to the rugged Pacific coast. Your journey takes you through the small town of Forks - setting for the successful novel 'Twilight' and location for the movie New Moon. Take a walk on the beach where huge tree trunks - escapees from the
logging industry - have been washed ashore by the mighty Pacific rollers and now form windbreaks for sunbathers. The nearby forest, lakes and beaches are ideal for walking. Your base for tonight is located in the Olympic National Park and a great base for exploring the area. Overnight: Lake Quinault Lodge - (Standard & Superior).
Day 5. Port Angeles to Lake Quinault (150 miles). A short drive around the peninsula via the Hoh Rain Forest brings you to the rugged Pacific coast. Your journey takes you through the small town of Forks - setting for the successful novel 'Twilight' and location for the movie New Moon. Take a walk on the beach where huge tree trunks - escapees from the
logging industry - have been washed ashore by the mighty Pacific rollers and now form windbreaks for sunbathers. The nearby forest, lakes and beaches are ideal for walking. Your base for tonight is located in the Olympic National Park and a great base for exploring the area. Overnight: Lake Quinault Lodge - (Standard & Superior).Day 6. Lake Quinault to Portland (314 miles). Leaving the coast, travel inland via Mount St.Helens to Portland. Mount St.Helens erupted violently in May 1980 and blew apart the mountain, scattering ash and lava over a huge area. Today, nature has mostly healed the scars and at the visitor centre you can learn more about the eruption and renewal of Mount St.Helens. Continue on to Portland this afternoon. Overnight: Red Lion Convention Centre (Standard) or Westin Hotel Superior)
Day 7. Portland. Portland is a delight to enjoy and you have a full day to discover for yourself the City of Roses. Excellent shopping, the river walk, Chinatown and the Old Town area provide a wide range of shopping, dining and sightseeing. Overnight: Red Lion Convention Centre (Standard) or Westin Hotel (Superior)Day 8. Portland to Florence (164 miles). Leaving the city, your journey takes you to the Oregon coast near Lincoln City and south along the rugged Pacific coast via Newport - home of the Oregon Coast Aquarium - to Florence. Just north of Florence are the Sea Lion Caves - well worth a visit. Overnight: Best Western Pier Point - (Standard & Superior).
Day 9. Florence. A leisurely day of local sightseeing. Discover the rugged coastline, the many coastal state parks, the Siuslaw National Forest and the town of Florence. Overnight: Best Western Pier Point - (Standard & Superior).
Day 10. Florence to Crater Lake National Park (200 miles). Heading east from the coast you arrive at the spectacular 
Crater Lake National Park - one of America's most beautiful locations. Take the rim drive and view the stunning lake from every angle, or enjoy a cruise and relax as you take in the scenery. Overnight: Mazama Village (Standard) or Crater Lake Lodge (Superior)
Crater Lake National Park - one of America's most beautiful locations. Take the rim drive and view the stunning lake from every angle, or enjoy a cruise and relax as you take in the scenery. Overnight: Mazama Village (Standard) or Crater Lake Lodge (Superior)Day 11. Crater Lake National Park. A free day to discover the natural beauty and charm of this stunning national park. Overnight: Mazama Village (Standard) or Crater Lake Lodge (Superior)
Day 12. Crater Lake to Crescent City (190 miles). The drive from Crater Lake follows the course of the Rogue River as it gouges its way through the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific. The short journey to Crescent City should allow you time to explore some of the small towns along the way and perhaps to enjoy a jetboat ride or raft trip on the Rogue River. Overnight: Best Western Northwoods Inn - (Standard & Superior).
Day 13. Crescent City A free day to explore the Redwoods National Park - home of some of the largest and oldest trees on earth. Overnight: Best Western Northwoods Inn - (Standard & Superior).
Day 14. Crescent City to Fort Bragg (230 miles). Take time to visit some of the small towns and coastal communities as you continue south along the Pacific coast to Fort Bragg. Overnight: Best Western Vista Manor - (Standard & Superior).
Day 15. Fort Bragg to San Francisco (160 miles). Enjoy a leisurely drive through the Napa Valley Wine Region, stopping to sample some of the local produce at one or two wineries before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and arriving in San Francisco. After checking in to your city centre hotel we recommend that you return your rental car at the downtown depot. Overnight: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway (Standard) or Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf (Superior)
Day 16. San Francisco. No visit to San Francisco is long enough and we will be happy to extend your stay if your time permits. But in one busy day you can enjoy an optional city tour including a visit to Alcatraz (advance booking required), stroll Fisherman's Wharf, ride a cable car, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, dine in Chinatown and a lot more, allowing you to sample some of the city's many delights. Extra days would give you time to drive to Monterey and Carmel, or add a night or two in Yosemite National Park. You can of course continue south to Los Angeles and San Diego and return home from there. Just America will be pleased to help you tailor your tour to your own interests and time constraints. Overnight: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway (Standard) or Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf (Superior) Day 17. Depart San Francisco.
A final morning of sightseeing and last minute shopping before you make your way to San Francisco's International airport for your return flight to the UK.
A final morning of sightseeing and last minute shopping before you make your way to San Francisco's International airport for your return flight to the UK.
Ferry prices are not included in the tour price. We can provide details, prices and make reservations for some of the optional sightseeing excursions mentioned in the itinerary.
Just America will also be pleased to design the itinerary to your own specifications should you wish to extend the tour or add extra nights in San Francisco.
All mileages are approximate. Hotels/lodges are subject to availability at the time of booking.
