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Oregon/California

On the Road: The Oregon Coast, California Redwoods & Crater Lake

Program No. 16188RJ
Explore ancient redwood forests, see the clear waters of America’s deepest lake and learn about unique Northwest landscapes alongside experts.
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National ParksRegional StudiesOn the RoadMost PopularNature & Environment
Length
11 days
Rating (4.87)
Activity Level
Starts at
4,399
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
11 days
10 nights
What's Included
27 meals ( 10B, 8L, 9D )
6 expert-led lectures
18 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
10 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the hotel meeting room to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar On The Road (OTR) program. OTR journeys take participants to multiple study sites in a region with a number of overnight stays. Lectures, talks, discussions, field trips, and on-board commentary amplify the program theme. Some journeys involve great distances and may take hours, others are much shorter. Long or short, On the Road journeys are learning experiences that make the most of our time together. This program is staffed with an Instructor and Group Leader. Field trips and lectures will be led by our knowledgeable Instructor unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In our meeting space at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day; paved and unpaved pathways.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board our motorcoach and travel to Penninsula Park in the Piedmont neighborhood of Portland to view the city's first public rose garden, created in 1909. We will then begin our drive to the Oregon Coast.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Next, we will ride to Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Built in August 1873, it stands 93 feet tall on the beautifully rocky western headland. We’ll admire the sea on an informative walk around the premises with our Instructor. We’ll then ride on to Newport, Oregon, and check in to our hotel.
Dinner:
At a restaurant near the bay.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles throughout the day, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1 hour and standing for extended periods. Getting on/off a boat; possibility of getting wet on sea-life cruise. Dress for weather.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, we will board our motorcoach and travel to a local dock where we will board the "Discovery," for an adventurous sea life cruise. During the cruise, we will be joined by local experts who will introduce us to a variety of local creatures such as crabs, sea lions, eagles and marine birds. Next, during our free time for lunch you will have the option to visit the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center. At the museum you can continue learning about the Oregon Coast with a self-guided exploration of the museum. Explore exhibits focused on fisheries and shipwrecks, watch the museum's film or just take in the views.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will meet our Group Leader and motorcoach at an appointed time and place. We will then travel to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Here we will have a self-guided exploration to learn about the various species housed at the aquarium, including sea otters, seals, seabirds, and sharks. After our visit, we will return to the hotel via motorcoach. We will gather with a local expert for a lecture about the Oregon coast.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on and off a motorcoach; driving about 124 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Getting on/off dune buggies; riding about 7-10 miles, slightly less than approximately an hour. Walking about 2 miles, approximately 2 hours; maintained trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, board our motorcoach, and ride to Cape Perpetua. There, we’ll set out on an interpretive walk with our Instructor. As we walk along the trail on the way to the summit 800 feet above sea level, we’ll learn about native wildflowers, trees, and animals before taking in the beautiful views from atop Cape Perpetua. Reboarding the motorcoach, we will take a short ride to Heceta Head Lighthouse and set out with our Instructor on a 1.5 mile round trip walking field trip. We will be able to see the lighthouse from a distance and enjoy breathtaking views and photo opportunities, then ride to Old Town Florence.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Next, we will ride to the Oregon Dunes, the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America, that extends 60 miles along the coast from Florence to Coos Bay. These dunes are not visible from the highway, so upon arrival we’ll climb aboard a giant dune buggy for a thrilling ride over the mountains of sand. The ride will culminate in a stop atop one of the highest dunes in North America, 600 feet high! We will then return to the motorcoach and ride on to our hotel in Bandon for check-in.
Dinner:
At a popular restaurant in Bandon, Oregon.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles, approximately 4.5 hours. Getting on/off jet boats; riding about 64 miles round-trip, approximately 4.5 hours riding time plus stop. No whitewater, but be prepared for quick turns, waves and bumps; expect to get splashed. Walking about 1/2 mile, approximately 1/2 hour; flat, maintained trail loop.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, will have to-go breakfasts to take with us.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, board our motorcoach, and ride to the dock on the Rogue River where we’ll climb into a jet boat for a thrilling ride up the wild and scenic river. Our boat captain will navigate the river through this gorgeous valley while we keep our eyes peeled for osprey and other wildlife. The jet boat ride will be a dynamic introduction to the southern Oregon coast’s back country. Our instructor will provide commentary on the beautiful coastal trees that will line our route while aboard. We’ll stop at Cougar Lane Lodge.
Lunch:
At Cougar Lane Lodge.
Afternoon:
Back aboard the motorcoach, we will continue our ride south to Eureka, California. We’ll have an on-board lecture given by our instructor as we have our first encounter with the majestic redwoods of the coast. These trees in northern California are some of the world’s tallest anywhere and we will have several stops along the way to get a closer look at them. We’ll check in to our hotel upon arrival in Eureka.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 70 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day; flat, maintained trail. Sky walk is 1/4 mile in length along various ramps and bridges; 100-feet high at its highest point.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out on a scenic ride along world-famous Avenue of the Giants. Our Instructor will provide narration along the 31 miles of lush redwood groves. This is considered by many to be the most outstanding display of these giant trees in the entire 500-mile redwood belt. We’ll make a stop for a short loop walk overshadowed by these giant redwoods — a perfect picture taking opportunity.
Lunch:
Amid the redwoods, we’ll have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
Next, we will board our motorcoach and head to Sequoia Park Zoo where a local expert will give us a presentation on raptors. We’ll then explore the canopy up close during a 100-foot high Redwood Sky Walk. We will then return to the hotel with time to relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
After dinner we will gather with our Instructor for a lecture on a topic relevant to the area. After the lecture the rest of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 165 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time. Walking about 1.5 mile, standing up to 1 hour; maintained trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will continue our exploration of the redwoods as we travel to a local redwood park. Here, we will continue to learn about the Redwoods on a walk with our Instructor and Group Leader. Following our walk, we will have some time for a self-directed exploration of the on-site museum.
Lunch:
At the park, we’ll have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
Heading back up north through the spectacular redwoods, we’ll stop at the Jedediah Smith State Park, renowned for its beauty. As we look around, we will learn from our instructor about the old growth redwood forests and the history of the park. Arriving in Grants Pass, we will check in to our hotel.
Dinner:
At a restaurant in Grants Pass.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Activity Notes Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles, approximately 4 hours. Walking less than 1/2 mile, approximately 1/2 hour; paved trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Once checked out of the hotel, we’ll board our motorcoach and ride to Crater Lake with a lecture about the lake en route.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch at Crater Lake National Park.
Afternoon:
The sublime beauty of Crater Lake — 36 cliff-lined miles in circumference and 6 miles across — is legendary. The caldera was formed by the eruption and ensuing collapse of Mount Mazama almost 7,700 years ago. We will drive along the crater’s Rim Drive and stop for a breathtaking look from the brink of this iconic northwestern natural landform. We’ll then continue our journey and check in to the hotel in Bend.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles, approximately 1 hours. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1 hour; paved or gravel trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, we’ll board our motorcoach and ride to the Visitor Center at Newberry National Volcanic Monument. With a local expert and our Instructor, we’ll set out on a walking field trip through a lava flow. This visit will tie together much of what we have learned throughout our explorations, from geology to climate and everything in between.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will reboard our motorcoach and travel to the High Desert Museum. From art and history to desert wildlife, the museum, which encompasses a 135-acre campus, is filled with a variety of exhibits. After a docent-led introduction, we will have time to explore the museum to see what interests each of us most. Back at the hotel we will gather with our Instructor for a lecture on central Oregon.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 205 miles, approximately 4.5 hours riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles, throughout the day; paved or packed dirt trail.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out, we'll board our motorcoach and travel north through the specular Columbia River Gorge to our first stop, the Maryhill Museum. The Maryhill is a small art museum with a varied and diverse collection of art and sweeping views atop a bluff overlooking the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge. We will enjoy a guided tour of the galleries and a short time to explore on our own.
Lunch:
We will enjoy boxed lunches at the museum.
Afternoon:
Making our way back to Portland, next we will stop at Bonneville Dam, the first federal lock and dam on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Bonneville Dam spans the Columbia Rover between Washington and Oregon and features sweeping views of the river as well as fish ladders for salmon viewing. Moving on, we’ll skirt the flanks of Mt. Hood on our way to the Columbia River Gorge and thundering Multnomah Falls, the state’s highest waterfall. We’ll get off the motorcoach for a walking field trip with our Instructor along a pleasant trail to get a better look. We’ll enjoy dinner near the Falls, and then ride on to Portland and check in to our hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant near Multnomah Falls, on the way back to Portland. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We will gather for a wrap-up session to review highlights of our adventures. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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