California’s diverse landscape and culture is on full display whether you are watching for seals along the Presidio coastline, looking up at towering Red Wood trees or drinking wine in the heart Napa Valley. Experience mornings in the crisp coastal marine layer mist, afternoons riding through rolling vineyard hills and evenings sipping California wine. On this 6 day adventure, you will hike by some of the tallest trees in the world, kayak the tranquil waters of Tomales Bay and tour some of the best wineries in all of Napa. Hike, bike, paddle, and taste your way through central-coastal California on this tried and true adventure!
What adventurers you’ll see and experience:
Ride the new bike path through Presidio National Park along San Francisco Bay and across the famous Golden Gate Bridge to admire incredible views of natural vistas and wildlife
Dine at an exquisite neo-Italian restaurant that will provide you a purely authentic wine country experience
Kayak the beautiful Tomales Bay waters as you encounter seals, rays and other marine life that call the bay home
Experience rich California history in Sonoma valley as you hike past old vineyards and homesteads in Jack London State Park
Tour the 1876 Beringer Vineyards, arguably one of the most beautiful wineries in Napa Valley
Bike rolling hills through verdant valleys and lulling rivers along the Silverado Trail through the heart of California’s wine country
A few more reasons why you've gotta go:
01
The Scenery: California offers some of the most peaceful scenery in all of North America.
02
The Wine: Artisan wineries abound in California's Napa Valley.
03
The Cycling: Gently sloping roads will take bicyclers of any experience levels comfortably through the countryside.
Your guides will pick you up at your San Francisco hotel this morning and take you right to your first adventure! Ride the new bike path through Presidio National Park along San Francisco Bay and across the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Following a delicious lunch prepared by your guides, get a true idea of this area’s beauty as you hike by giant Redwood trees, some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world. Check into the Point Reyes Seashore Lodge where you will be staying the next two nights. Don’t let the words Farm House throw you off, Point Reye’s restaurant will serve an organic, farm-fresh meal tonight that’s sure to please even the most sophisticated palate.
About Point Reyes Seashore Lodge
Built in 1988 and designed to complement the turn-of-the-century architecture of the quaint Town of Olema, the Point Reyes Seashore Lodge borders the Point Reyes National Seashore Park on Olema Creek. Central to all the wonders of Point Reyes and Tamales Bay, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Napa-Sonoma Wine Country, the lodge is the perfect base for adventure. After a day of hiking and biking, sit by a cozy fire in your room, relax in a whirlpool tub, or simply settle into an Adirondack chair in the backyard and watch the creek flow by. Stroll along the pathways through the tranquil lush lawns and flower gardens or share a bottle of wine with some local cheeses or fresh-baked cookies and tea from the breakfast room.
Today, get ready to explore the beautiful and protected waters of Tomales Bay by kayak. Take a quick lesson, then head out on the water and keep your eyes peeled for seals, bat rays, and other marine life. Take a break for a beach lunch before jumping back in your kayak or hiking the area for the rest of the day. Back at our base, we’ll conclude a magnificent day with an Oyster Barbecue overlooking Tomales Bay.
This morning we’ll mount our bikes for a spectacular ride through the rolling ranchlands of Marin and Sonoma Counties. After a picnic lunch, we’ll head into Sonoma Valley where we will hike for an afternoon through the historic Jack London State Park. Our hike will take us past old vineyards and the homestead of Jack London. One more adventure awaits as you take a quick bike ride to the Olive Press where you can observe the making of olive oil, and also taste and purchase the fresh made oils. After checking in at Cottage Grove Inn, where you will stay for the rest of the trip, you will have a chance to explore this area and eat at one of the many amazing restaurants as you have the whole night to yourself.
About Cottage Grove Inn
Tucked away in a grove of Elm Trees, the Cottage Grove Inn is the ideal place for peace and seclusion in the charismatic wine country village of Calistoga. Whether you relax on your private porch or curl up with a book by your fireplace, your cottage will have everything you need to make your stay as comfortable as possible. King beds with plush down bedding, overstuffed chairs in front of wood-burning fireplaces, porches with rocking chairs, and deep soaking Jacuzzi tubs for two are all features of each of the cottages. The Inn is just a short stroll to restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and galleries. The Cottage Grove Inn wants to make your stay relaxed and memorable.
Fill up with a warm breakfast before heading out for your morning bike ride. Cruise past vineyards, ranches, and placid lakes as you pedal Silverado Trail. Enjoy a picnic lunch before hopping back on your bike to continue your scenic ride past some of California’s best wineries. A favorite of the Napa Valley locals, Pizzeria Tra Vigne will serve you up a delicious dinner of pizza, pasta, or many other Italian delights!
At last you will get to go behind the scenes of what California is best known for, its wine! Take a tour of the 1876 Beringer Vineyards, arguably one of the most beautiful wineries in Napa Valley. This afternoon, a picnic will be followed by a hike to Coyote Peak in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. End your day by touring another amazing winery before dining at Tra Vigne for supper. The sister restaurant of last night’s Pizzeria Tra Vigne, this neo-Italian restaurant will offer you an authentic wine country experience for your farewell dinner.
On your last morning, the group will have the option to squeeze in one more adventure before heading home. Spend a little bit more time enjoying this amazing area before shuttling back to San Francisco where you will be dropped off at your hotel or the San Francisco airport for your departure home.
Please plan on arriving at least one day prior to your trip departure. Day one of your itinerary starts at 7:00 am or 7:20 am, depending on your hotel. Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the San Francisco airport (4:00 pm) or your post-trip hotel (4:30 pm).
Activities
Hiking: 3 to 10 miles per hike, easy to moderate terrain.
Biking: 6 to 25 miles per ride, easy to moderate terrain.
Kayaking: Calm waters & instruction provided; no experience necessary.
Winery tour and Wine Tasting: No experience necessary.
Cultural Discoveries
Known around the world for its beauty and amazing wine production, Napa Valley is full of amazing food, wine, and scenery. From the Golden Gate Bridge to the towering Redwoods of the
Muir Woods, California’s Wine Country has an abundance of new and exciting things for you to discover. Paddle the calm, clear waters of Tomales Bay, learning from your professional kayaking instructor all there is to know about Oyster farming, a major industry in the region. Did you know that the climate of the Muir Woods National Monument is consistently cool and moist year-round? The old-growth redwoods are regularly shrouded in a coastal marine layer fog that encourages vigorous plant growth. Learn the story of one of the first wineries in Napa Valley, founded by Jacob Beringer in 1868 when he heard a rumor that the rocky hillside soil and fertile valley floor resembled that of vineyards back home in Germany. Photograph the wild coastal beaches and headlands, estuaries, and uplands of Point Reyes National Seashore, designated as the cleanest beach in California. Discover the Golden State with the experts in adventure travel!
Meals
The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions – except one dinner on your own – are included as indicated by the itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.
Pre-departure Information
After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.
What's Included
Included in Trip Price
Double occupancy rooms with private baths.
All meals indicated on itinerary.
Fully trained, bilingual, professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
Bikes, helmets and other necessary equipment – all safe and well maintained.
Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip.
Austin Adventures T-shirt & luggage tags.
Pre-departure and packing information.
Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, & local partner and expert gratuities.
Entrance fees to attractions.
Not Included in Trip Price
Flights to and from destination.
Guide gratuities.
Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities.
Any meals not indicated in this itinerary.
Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
All types of insurance.
Personal expenses.
View the "Wow Factor" Included in Each Austin Adventure
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
1Easy (1)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
2Moderately Easy (2)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
3Moderate (3)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
4Moderate to Challenging (4)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
5Challenging (5)
Adventure Travel Consultant
April Myers
April discovered a love of nature and travel at a young age by exploring the mountains of Montana and Wyoming. Born and raised in Montana, she couldn’t help but love being outdoors. As a child her vacations were spent camping, horseback riding, and visiting Yellowstone. April enjoys camping with her family, reading, cooking, and walking […]
