San Francisco to Seattle food and wine holiday

Itinerary in brief:

• 3 nights San Francisco
• 2 nights Napa
• 1 night Eureka
• 2 nights Grants Pass
• 2 nights Portland
• 1 night Cannon Beach
• 3 nights Seattle

Day 1: UK to San Francisco

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. On arrival into San Francisco, you will make your own way into the city and check into your hotel for three nights. 

Included: International flights, 4* hotel 

Day 2 - 3: San Francisco

You’ll have two days to explore “the city by the bay”. Make sure you take the cable car down to visit the sea-lions at Pier 39 on Fisherman’s Wharf, before jumping on a boat over to Alcatraz Island where you can learn about the prison’s history. Spend your afternoons uncovering the rest of the city - why not browse City Lights Bookstore for a glimpse into Beat Poetry history before strolling into Chinatown for some dumplings? Or you could explore the Mission District with its colourful murals and famous burritos, before renting a bike and cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge for iconic views back over the city.            

Included: 4* hotel, Alcatraz cruise          

Day 4: Drive to Napa

Spend the morning in San Francisco before picking up your car and heading straight to Napa Valley, the most famous wine region in the state, where you will check into your hotel for 2 nights.

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel        

Day 5: Napa Valley

Spend the day exploring Napa Valley, hopping between vineyards and tasting the wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon that grows in this part of the world. If you’re after some fine food, head to the French Laundry – twice voted “Best Restaurant in the World”. You’ll need to book ahead to get on to the 2 month long waiting list!

If you want to travel in style, why not book a trip on the Wine Train, a glass-domed train that will take you through the valley where you can enjoy views over the vineyards. We can add this to your trip – just ask.

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel        

Day 6: Drive to Eureka

This morning you will drive north from Napa towards Eureka, in the far north of the state where you will check into your hotel for one night. This area of California is full of vineyards and some of the tallest trees on the planet – you can even drive through the Chandelier Tree in Leggett, just a couple of hours south from Eureka. Further north you’ll find both Jedediah Smith State Park and Redwood National Park where you can spend the afternoon strolling through the woods and marvelling at the giant sequoias and redwoods.

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel        

Day 7: Drive to Grants Pass

Driving north into Oregon, today you can either take the short route up the coast, pulling in for lunch at the wide beaches of Crescent City, or take the longer drive inland through the national forests enjoying the cool air as you drive into Oregon. Either way you’ll end up at Grants Pass, in the heart of South Oregon wine country, where you’ll check into your hotel for 2 nights.

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel        

Day 8: Oregon Vineyards

Today we’ve included a Wine Hopper tour that will take you on a tour of a local Southern Oregon vineyard – from exploring the barrel room to walking amongst the vines, learning about the grapes and soil – this will take you behind the scenes of an active winery. In the evening, you can relax at your hotel, perhaps with a glass of wine you’ve bought today!

Included: Car hire, Wine Hopper tour, 4* hotel     

Day 9: Drive to Portland

This morning you’ll drive north to Portland – you can stop off along the way to look around small vineyards or stop for lunch in Eugene, a pretty town in the Oregon hills – before arriving in Portland where you’ll check into your hotel for 2 nights. Portland is a city of hippies and foodies – you can eat unique street food on every corner and cycling is more popular here than any other city in the States. Portlanders go crazy for craft beer and wine so you can spend the evening hopping between local breweries and tasting the best of what Oregon has to offer!        

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel                        

Day 10: Portland

Today we’ve booked you a tour to visit two highlights of this region – the wineries and the waterfalls! Columbia Gorge has lots of waterfalls as the river winds its way through the mountains, including the 620 foot tall Multnomah Falls. You’ll learn about the history of the areas as well as looking out for local wildlife. Later on in the day, you’ll visit some of Oregon’s boutique wineries where you can learn about the art of viticulture whilst enjoying views of magnificent Mount Hood.

Included: Car hire, Columbia Gorge & vineyards tour, 4* hotel   

Day 11: Drive to Cannon Beach

Today you’ll leave the city and head to the beach. Cannon Beach is one of the most iconic beaches in America, thanks to its starring role in The Goonies back in the 80s. The windswept sands look out towards Haystack Rock, where hundreds of colourful starfish clinging the rock are exposed at low tide. Take a walk along the beach or just settle down to watch the sun set into the ocean.           

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel                        

Day 12: Drive to Seattle

Why not get up early for one last walk along the beach or hire a stand-up paddleboard for an early morning trip along the shore, before driving north to Seattle, dropping off your hire car and checking into your hotel for three nights.

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel                        

Days 13 & 14: Seattle

Start your day with a tour of Pike Place Market, where a guide will show you where to find the best cheese, pastries and seafood in this vast market as well as watching some fish throwing as the catch of the day arrives. Explore everything from Bowie to Star Trek at the Museum of POP Culture, where you can wander through the Guitar Gallery, home to instruments owned by Kurt Cobain, the Kinks and Van Halen. Why not visit the aquarium to learn about local wildlife before heading out on a cruise of Puget Sound to enjoy views over Seattle as well as the many islands and mountains surrounding the city?

On your final evening, make your way to Pioneer Square, the city’s “first” neighbourhood where you can enjoy the neo-Renaissance architecture while you eat dinner. Afterwards, head up to the top of the Space Needle to watch the sunset, with panoramic views of the city and Puget Sound below you. It's the perfect way to end your time in this eclectic city.

Included: Pike Place morning food tour, 4* hotel              

Day 14: Depart Seattle       

This morning you’ll make your own way to the airport for your flight home.         

Included: International flights

Day 15: Arrive UK