Northern California July 2024

Legend

Driving
Plane
Return Plane
Outbout Plane

London, United Kingdom ‐ Jul 16, 2024

8 616.8 km
San Francisco, United States ‐ Jul 15

77 km

Return to SF and either fly out to the UK directly OR stay one more night to fly out the next day - depends on timing of the flight.
Napa ‐ Jul 13

306.3 km

Two nights in Napa Valley. The agenda has not been determined but you can bet it might include a glass or two of wine. One idea is to make a trip on the Napa Valley Wine Train (3 Hr and 6 Hr tours available) on day-1 and then visit a few wineries on day-2.
Lake Tahoe ‐ Jul 12

89.9 km

Scenic drive around Lake Tahoe: 72 miles. They’ll introduce you to spectacular vistas, peaceful shorelines, majestic landmarks, inviting trails, friendly towns… Short, also scenic side trips can add the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics and an historic railroad town to the route. It’s been called the “Most Beautiful Drive in America” and designated one of the Federal Highway Administration’s National Scenic Byways. We will spend the night at Lake Tahoe
Reno

187.8 km

The Biggest Little City in the World: We'll pass through the city and if the group is interested, we can sample some of the city's offerings. According to the Reno board of tourism: " Top-notch Reno casinos still serve up the world-class entertainment, grand buffets, spa pamperings, and 24-hour gaming that put Reno and Washoe County on the map (long before Vegas, we might add)."
Lake Almanor ‐ Jul 11

91.5 km

Nestled in the northeastern corner of California, you’ll discover Shasta Cascade’s Lake Almanor, one of the Golden State’s best-kept secrets. The large man-made lake with 52 miles of coastline has picture-perfect mountain vistas from practically every vantage point. We will spend the night here.
Sulphur Works Mudpot

23.7 km

Located along the park highway and accessed by a short walk along a paved sidewalk, Sulphur Works is the easiest of the park's hydrothermal areas to access. This hydrothermal area is an otherworldly place of vibrant colors, pungent scents, and shifting ground that is both ancient and new.
Lassen Volcanic National Park

169.3 km

Drive Lassen Volcanic National Highway (~1 Hr): The 30-mile park highway connects the northwest (Manzanita Lake) and southwest entrances of the park and is the only route through the park. The highway is open to through traffic only in the summer months (approximately June through November); vehicle access is limited in the snow season. This scenic route passes through dense forest, traverses a ridge with views of Lake Almanor to the south, crests at 8,512 feet near Lassen Peak trailhead, and de [...]
scends steep volcanic slopes into the southwest area.
Little Glass Mountain

122.7 km

Just over 1,000 years ago, Little Glass Mountain was formed as viscous lava oozed out of one of the vents along the southwest flank of Medicine Lake Volcano and moved slowly down slope, building up the spectacular high flow front of broken obsidian and pumice you see from the road today. Glass flows are an uncommon and intriguing phenomena. Because the eruption at Little Glass Mountain was so recent, we are afforded the unique view of an intact flow.
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

345.9 km

The Tule Lake Basin is an important stopover for the Pacific Flyway. Four national wildlife refuges, and thousands of acres of private farmlands converge to provide habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors, big game, small mammals and aquatic life. At least 489 species of wildlife visit or live in this volcanic wonderland. Upwards of 500 bald eagles migrate to the area November through April. North America’s largest concentration of snow geese arrive in the spring.
Crescent City ‐ Jul 10

42.3 km

Travel to Crescent City, the tsunami capital of the continental United States, where we will spend the night.
Redwood National and State Parks

171.1 km

Redwood National & State Parks. Scenic Drive through park. Stop as desired.
Founders Grove

6.9 km

Humboldt Redwood State Park. Possible short Walk in grove (~1.3 mi round trip). The grove is perhaps most notable for its sheer size. From most locations on the loop trail, the big redwoods extend as far as you can see in every direction. No other lowland grove feels quite so expansive. Continue our drive on the "Avenue of the Giants" through the park.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center

155.8 km

Drive north to the Humboldt Redwoods State Park and start at Visitors Center.
Mendocino ‐ Jul 9

224.5 km

Drive north to Mendocino where we will spend the night.
Tomales Point Trailhead

36.1 km

Final stop in the tour of the Point Reyes National Sea Shore. Possible short hike ( less than 2 miles round trip). The Tomales Point Trail offers spectacular views of Tomales Bay, Bodega Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Traveling to the end of the Point Reyes Peninsula, this hike is a Bay Area favorite! Visitors are drawn to majestic, clear views in the winter, vibrant blooms in the spring, and bugling and rutting Tule Elk in the summer and fall.
Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center

0.6 km

Continue tour of the Point Reyes National Sea Shore. The Point Reyes Headlands jut 10 miles (16 km) out to sea and pose a threat to ships traveling between San Francisco Bay and locations to the north. The historic Point Reyes Lighthouse was built in 1870 to warn mariners of this navigational hazard and served for 105 years.
South Beach Overlook

3.3 km

Continue tour of the Point Reyes National Sea Shore. Some say that the true beauty of California is found in its coastlines. This location is no exception. Showcasing the perfect harmony of nature, the waves mimic the curves of the cliffs as they gently hit the shore. High up on this overlook, listen to the sounds of the crashing waves, and look out for the local birds flying overhead.
Elephant Seal Overlook

33.2 km

Continue tour of the Point Reyes National Sea Shore. A short, quarter-mile walk from the Chimney Rock Trailhead is the Point Reyes Elephant Seal Overlook, which comes complete with viewing platform. Perched above Drake’s Bay, the overlook provides excellent viewing access to part-time residents in a breeding colony of northern elephant seals. The massive pinnepeds return to the beaches of Point Reyes semi-annually: once in the spring and summer for their annual molt, and once in winter for a [...]
longer breeding season. The Chimney Rock colony is thought to number close to 100 individuals.
Bear Valley Visitor Center

59.8 km

Tour of the Point Reyes National Sea Shore. Sandy beaches, majestic waves, otherworldly cypress trees—crest a hill and see it all when you visit this one-of-a-kind paradigm of coastal California beauty. Where the Pacific Ocean meets some of California’s most picturesque cliffs and beaches, Point Reyes National Seashore attracts hikers, whale watchers, and nature lovers from all over the country every year.
San Francisco ‐ Jul 8

650.5 km

Fly to San Fransisco and pick up rental car, and overnight stay before Northern California Tour.
Los Angeles ‐ Jul 5

8 755.9 km

Possible LA items include down town tour visit with friends Rob & Chris.
London, United Kingdom ‐ Jul 5, 2024

Travel from the UK to Los Angeles. Stay in LA area for two days prior to heading north.