Pacific Northwest & California

Situated on the west coast of Washington State is Seattle, the Emerald City. Named after the Chief of the local Native American tribe in the mid 19th century, Seattle today is an eclectic mix of music, culture and food. A caffeine-fueled population of over 550,000 courtesy of Starbucks and Seattle’s Best Coffee, Seattle also has the highest per-capita music and dance attendance in the country, with 80 live music clubs (not counting the movable dance clubs and shows) and 15 symphony orchestras.

On May 18, 1980 a cataclysmic eruption blew the top off of Mount St. Helens and spewed magma and ash over the surrounding areas. The most active volcano in the contiguous United States, the site today is a reminder of volcanic activity that shaped many of the mountains along the west coast.

Nicknamed “Rose City” for its ideal rose-growing conditions, this largest city of Oregon state was founded in 1845. It was officially named after Portland, Maine and boasts many historic bridges and amazing waterfront vistas.

Spanning the border between the states of Washington and Oregon is the 80-mile Columbia River Gorge. Carved out over the millenia glacial floods, it acts as a funnel for the fourth largest river in the US, the Columbia River. Part of the route Lewis and Clark took to travel to the Pacific, the Gorge provides the only sea-level passage through the Cascade range of mountains.

The quaint port town of Hood River, Oregon offers spectacular views of snow-capped Mount Hood and Hood River flowing through the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. At Lost Lake, catch a view the rugged lone mountain towering over forests and the river port.

Nestled along Yaquina Bay, is the town of Newport with just over 10,000 people. A popular fishing destination after the discovery of Yaquina Bay oysters in the 19th Century, today the fishing continues with Dungeness crab, halibut and salmon. Offering a world-class aquarium and over 80 restaurants and cafes, Newport is a quaint stop along the Oregon Coast.

Named after Bandon, Ireland the Bandon State Natural Area near Coos Bay in Oregon known for it’s striking coastal beauty. One significant feature is Face Rock which Native American legend says is the face of a Native American princess who refused to look at the face of the sea creature that pulled her out to sea and the nearby rocks are her loyal pets waiting for her to arise.

Cruise the Rogue River and scout out local wildlife like bald eagles, cormorants, seals, and blue heron. Flowing from the Cascade Mountains, the river was one of the first dedicated “Wild & Scenic” in 1968. Take in its canyons, rock formations, forests, and meadows.

Cone-bearing trees named after their reddish-brown bark, the types of Redwoods found in California are the Giant Sequoia and the Coastal Redwood. Protected since 1918 with the establishment lands have been preserved and treasured. Believed to have existed during the time of the dinosaurs, the Redwoods today grow to heights of over 300’ and are considered some of the tallest in the world with average growth of 2000-3000 years of age.

Located within the sprawling expanse of the Redwood National Park is the Avenue of the Giants. A 32-mile scenic drive that runs parallel to US 101 and through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park, it is a drive among thousands of acres of the largest remaining Coastal Redwoods in the world.

Known as “The City By the Bay,” San Francisco is the second most densely populated American city after New York City with a population of 805,463 packed into its 49 square miles. With famous landmarks such as Fisherman’s Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge, Ghirardelli Square, Chinatown and Pier 39, San Francisco offers a multitude of tourist attractions.