Compare Northern California Self-Drive by Audley Travel vs The Best of Northern California by Insight Vacations

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Trip	Northern California Self-Drive by Audley Travel 5 \| Excellent 3574 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Customize	The Best of Northern California by Insight Vacations 5 \| Excellent 12684 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Reserve

Duration	14 days	8 days
Price From	$ 3,927	$ 4,489
Price Per Day	$ 281	$ 561
Highlights	N/A	Choose between two carefully selected activities : For over thirty years, Anderson Valley Brewing Company has been hand-crafting authentic ales and lagers with balance, complexity and a passion using sustainable brewing practices. Enjoy a tour and tasting at the brewery and see the fascinating process. : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols. : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests). : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day. : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues. San Francisco: Enjoy a delightful Welcome Dinner with your fellow travellers and Travel Director at your hotel. Mendocino: Nationally acclaimed for its outstanding vegan cuisine, The Ravens Restaurant uses produce grown on the property with a focus on health and ethical sustainability. Enjoy delicious and nutritious fare packed full of flavor. Dining Summary: 3 Dinner with Wine (DW), 6 Breakfast (B), and 1 Lunch (L) San Francisco: Linking San Francisco to Marin County across the three-mile Golden Gate strait, this magnificent suspension bridge was built between 1933 and 1937. Renowned as an engineering marvel due to the precise planning, design and construction processes that were applied, all over treacherous open water, it remains one of America's most fascinating landmarks. San Francisco: Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908, this stunning 558-acre site preserves one of the last remaining ancient redwood forests in the Bay Area. Wander the magical paths among the trees, some of which are 1,000 years old and over 250 feet tall. Mendocino: Walk along this unique blend of gentle trails, rugged coastline and secluded beaches. Myriad trails wind along the cliffs, giving you spectacular views of sea arches and hidden grottos. Mendocino: One of the Mendocino Coast's most unique and photogenic destinations, Glass Beach gets its name from the smooth colorful glass pieces mixed into the pebbly beach. This colorful wonderland is the result of shards of broken bottles, windows and other debris worn down over the decades by the rolling surf. Napa: Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley are both world famous for their vineyards and wine production, and for good reason! Taste some of the finest wines produced here, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. Healdsburg: Make Travel Matter and visit the Heidrun Meadery in Point Reyes where you will learn all about the production of sparkling mead varietals (wine made from honey rather than grapes), using the traditional French Methode Champenoise. Flowering plants are cultivated in the pastures, gardens and greenhouse to provide healthy, natural, yearlong forage for Honey-Bees Colonies. Enjoy a tasting of locally made mead and meet the makers themselves. Afterwards enjoy a charming locally sourced picnic lunch on the beautiful grounds of the Meadery. : For over thirty years, Anderson Valley Brewing Company has been hand-crafting authentic ales and lagers with balance, complexity and a passion using sustainable brewing practices. Enjoy a tour and tasting at the brewery and see the fascinating process. Mendocino: Make Travel Matter as we visit the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden, a non-profit, founded 1961, the gardens aim to engage and enrich lives by displaying and conserving plants in harmony with the Northern California coastal ecosystems, and to preserve public access to the iconic coast. The gracious garden features manicured formal gardens and flower-filled coastal slopes overlooking the ocean.
Trip Style	Private guided tour	Group tour
Lodging Level	Standard	Premium
Physical Level	2- Easy	3- Moderate
Travel Themes	Nature & Wildlife Culinary & Wine National Parks	Cultural 50 plus Education / Learning
Countries Visited	United States	United States
Cities and Attractions	California Napa San Francisco Sonoma Coast Trinidad	California San Francisco
Flights & Transport	Ground transport included	No
Activities	History Nature Wildlife viewing Winetasting	Culture Historic sightseeing
Meals Included	N/A	N/A
Description	Explore beautiful, cosmopolitan San Francisco. Go wine tasting in the Sonoma Valley. Go hiking at Mount Shasta. Discover the beauty and tranquility of Crater Lake National Park. See the enormous redwood trees in Redwood National Park.	Savor the natural beauty and culinary delights of Northern California on a Limited-Edition Tour, traveling with a maximum of just 17 fellow guests. Beginning and ending in San Francisco, the City by the Bay, this trip will introduce you to its many delights, including the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Gaze at the towering Redwoods of the Muir Woods National Monument, learn about bees and mead at the Heidrun Meadery in Point Reyes and visit charming Healdsburg. On the stunning Mendocino Coast, visit the Mendocino Headlands State Park, learn about preserving coastal ecosystems at the Botanical Gardens and admire the colors of Glass Beach. Unleash your senses wine tasting in Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley with some of the region's finest producers. With sustainable travel at the heart of your journey, dine on seasonal, locally sourced food and taste artisan cheeses or hand-crafted ales. Along the way, you'll discover all the best the region has to offer, including unique experiences and destinations not available to larger groups.

Itinerary: Northern California Self-Drive

Day 1 : San Francisco

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to San Francisco.

Day 2 : San Francisco

Enjoy a full day exploring San Francisco. You may wish to take a boat trip out on the bay, visit Chinatown with its quirky shops and decorative gate, take a stroll along Fisherman's Wharf and see the sea lions at Pier 39 or take a trip on one of the city's iconic cable cars.

Day 3 : San Francisco

Take a boat trip out to the former prison island of Alcatraz. Here you can enjoy an audio tour of the old prison, learning about the lives of former inmates and ways in which they attempted to escape. Afterwards, you may wish to cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge, have lunch at Fisherman's Wharf, or take a ferry to the lovely bayside suburb of Sausalito.

Day 4 : Sonoma

Collect your hire car and drive around north over the Golden Gate Bridge to the rolling vineyards of Sonoma County, around an hour away. This afternoon you could visit some of the area's vineyards to sample locally produced wines and indulge in an al fresco lunch.

Day 5 : Sonoma

Spend a full day exploring Sonoma at your own pace. You could visit some more vineyards and join a wine tasting tour to sample wines tailored to your preferences. Alternatively, visit Sonoma Barracks to learn about the Bear Flag Revolution of 1847, when California separated from Mexico. Another option is to go kayaking down the Russian River, passing by vineyards, meadows and redwood forests. This evening there are plenty of excellent restaurants to choose from in the local area.

Day 6 : Trinidad

Journey north along the beautiful coastline of northern California to Trinidad. The drive takes around five hours, but there are many scenic state parks to stop at on the way. Highlights include Point Arena Lighthouse, the Victorian town of Mendocino with its pastel-painted buildings, and the Avenue of the Giants trees in Humbolt Redwoods State Park. Trinidad itself is home to beautifully rugged driftwood-strewn beaches, ideal for a secluded sunset stroll.

Day 7 : Mount Shasta

Leave Trinidad behind this morning and drive for around four and a half hours north to Mount Shasta. Along the way you pass through the beautiful scenery of Trinity National Forest and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, where you could stop for a stroll and a picnic. Once at Mount Shasta you may have time to follow one of the many walking trails. We like the loop trail that takes in several waterfalls along the McCloud River. There's also the Panther Meadow Loop, which follows the spring water through the alpine meadows.

Day 8 : Crater Lake National Park

There is time to relax and enjoy the area's natural beauty this morning before you make your way north, through dramatic mountain scenery, to Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon. The journey takes around three hours and takes you through the Winema National Forest.

Day 9 : Crater Lake National Park

Enjoy a full day at this dramatic volcanic lake, where the bright blue waters contrast sharply with the verdant rocky scenery. We recommend taking a boat trip to Wizard Island in the middle of Crater Lake. This miniature cinder cone supports a variety of plant and animal life. You can also follow one of the park's many walking trails, which range from 20 minute strolls to more challenging three hour hikes through wildflower meadows and old-growth forest.

Day 10 : Redwood National Park

Leaving Oregon behind, travel five hours south back into California, arriving into Redwood National Park. The journey takes you through the Rogue River National Forest and the Cascade Mountains provide an impressive backdrop. You may wish to stop to explore the caves at the Oregon Caves National Monument, which are tucked into a wooded canyon south of Grants Pass. Driving through Redwood National Park, you're surrounded by giant trees as you wind along the coastline.

Day 11 : Redwood National Park

Spend the day on a guided tour to learn about the enormous redwood trees of Redwood National Park. Some of the trees here can grow up to 100 m (328 ft) in height and are over 2,000 years old. Your guide will talk about the trees and their history, as well as the park's wildlife - look out for herds of elk, which thrive in these coastal forests.

Day 12 : Mendocino

Drive for around two and a half hours to the pretty Victorian town of Mendocino on the coast. Here you can explore its old painted houses and art shops, as well as cafes and wineries. You may wish to visit the nearby Montgomery Woods State Park to admire more ancient redwoods, or head to Mendocino Bay for incredible coastal views.

Day 13 : International return flight

Make your way south along the coast and back to San Francisco - a drive of around three hours. Once at the airport you can drop off your hire car before boarding your onward flight.

Day 14 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Itinerary: The Best of Northern California

Day 1: Welcome to San Francisco

When you arrive in The City by the Bay, you will be instantly struck by its vibrant and eclectic charm. Check into the iconic Westin St. Francis Hotel. This hotel's central location in the heart of Union Square means you can absorb the local ambiance and explore all the sights with ease. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travel companions for an intimate Welcome Dinner with drinks.

Westin St. Francis

Dinner with Wine

Day 2: Discover the Golden City

Admire the eclectic mix of architecture and culture as you explore this morning with your Travel Director. Visit vibrant neighborhoods and see iconic locations such as the lively Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square, a historical landmark linked to the American Civil War. Take a walk along the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge, spanning 1.7 miles. Learn why it is considered an engineering marvel and discover the people who built this icon of San Francisco. Arrive in the quaint seaside community of Sausalito and browse the local shops or have lunch along the picturesque bay. After a ferry ride back to the city the rest of the day is yours at leisure. Join an optional Chinatown walking tour in the evening, learning about the oldest Chinatown in North America and one of the largest Chinese enclaves outside Asia, followed by a traditional dinner

Westin St. Francis

Breakfast

Day 3: Towering Trees and Honey Bees

Depart San Francisco and take a short journey to the Muir Woods National Monument to spend the morning walking among the towering ancient Redwoods. Then, join a Make Travel Matter® Experience at the Heidrun Meadery, a bee forage oasis. Have a picnic lunch and learn about the production of natural sparkling mead varietals using traditional methods. Enjoy an evening at your leisure in the vibrant town of Santa Rosa, nested in the heart of Sonoma wine country.

Flamingo Resort, Satna Rosa

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: From Sonoma Valley to Mendocino Relaxed Start

Enjoy a relaxed start this morning before visiting nearby Healdsburg, in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country. Savor the small-town charm, stunning vistas, and award-winning wines, all centered around a charming town plaza lined with shops, tasting rooms, galleries, and bars. In the afternoon, travel to nearby Boonville in Mendocino County for an Insight Choice. Choose a beer tasting at Anderson Valley Brewing Company and try hand-crafted authentic ales and lagers. Alternatively Take a hike at the Discovery Trail at Hendy Woods State Park to enjoy nature's serenity and peaceful surroundings. Massive stumps and fallen trees lie covered in moss, beneath the giants, ferns and redwood sorrel blanket the ground, and soft, decomposed redwood duff mutes all sound to a mellow hush, truly find peace in this warm and tranquil forest. Arrive in Mendocino for your stay at the rustic, yet charming Stanford Inn Resort on the Coast, and enjoy a delicious dinner at the acclaimed Ravens Restaurant.

Stanford Inn by the Sea, Mendocino

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 5: The Mendocino Coast

Get ready for a scenic day in the delightful coastal community of Mendocino. Visit the Mendocino Headlands State Park with your Travel Director and take a walk along the gentle trails, rugged coastline and secluded beaches. Next, join a Make Travel Matter® Experience as you explore the Botanical Gardens on a self-guided walk. Founded in 1961, the superb gardens and coastal pine forest display and conserve plants in harmony with the Northern California coastal ecosystems, while also protecting public access to the coast. In the afternoon, stroll along Glass Beach, one of Mendocino Coast's most unique and photographic destinations, then spend the evening at your leisure.

Stanford Inn by the Sea, Mendocino

Breakfast

Day 6: A Journey to Napa Wine Valley

Depart Mendocino in the morning for a fascinating voyage through California's famous wine country. Admire the sweeping vineyard views and sample the finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel at a renowned wineries before arriving in Calistoga. Famed for its vineyards and hot mineral springs, take a break and meander through the streets of this rustic yet refined retreat. Perhaps sip a coffee and browse the shops on the main street. This evening toast to your journey with your fellow travelers at a delicious Celebration Dinner and enjoy the relaxing ambiance of your boutique hotel, the River Terrace Inn.

The River Terrace Inn, Napa, CA

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 7: Depart Napa for San Francisco

It is time to say goodbye as you and your fellow travelers are transferred to San Francisco International Airport for your departures. Airport arrival at SFO International Airport is at 1:00 PM.

Breakfast