- Enjoy city tours from Seattle to San Francisco to Los Angeles
- Visit Mount St. Helens Visitor Center and learn about the most destructive volcanic eruption in American history
- Look out at the crystal clear waters of America’s deepest lake on a day trip to Crater Lake National Park
- Drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and visit the iconic Pier 39 in San Francisco
- See the massive sequoias and redwoods of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
- Explore Yosemite National Park, where you will see the towering and world-famous Half Dome
- Spend four nights in San Francisco with an included pass to USS Pampanito Museum & Memorial on your free day.
Ultimate Pacific Northwest & California Tour
Highlights
On this tour, the West Coast is your playground. Travel from Seattle to Los Angeles as you combine our Sights of the Pacific Northwest tour with the California & National Parks tour.
If nature’s raw power intrigues you, Mt. Saint Helens belongs at the top of your bucket lust. Its destructive power is matched by the peaceful sights of the 600-foot-tall Multnomah Falls and the impossibly deep Crater Lake. At Redwood National Park, the tallest trees in the world have stood for hundreds of years.
As far pure majesty goes, you can’t do better than Yosemite. Granite rock formations like Half Dome, and the pristine Yosemite Valley, are so beautiful they’ll take your breath away. Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are next door neighbors with matching sets of towering redwood groves. The world’s tallest trees are surrounded by over 1,000 miles of stunning wilderness.
You can’t beat San Francisco when it comes to art, architecture, and culture. Fall in love with the City by the Bay, arguably California’s prettiest. The Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, and Coit Tower are just a few of the standout sights.
Los Angeles is the perfect destination to end your tour. Soaked in sunshine and glamour, this exciting city rolls its red carpet out for visitors at places like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, and the Santa Monica Pier.
Active
Best suited for those who are comfortable with a steady-paced itinerary.
Walking distances typically start at 1–2 miles per day or more.
Longer travel days (4+ hours), multiple hotel changes, and early morning
departures should be expected.
Includes visits to sites with stairs, uphill walks, and uneven pathways.
Travelers should be prepared for extended sightseeing and potential changes in altitude or climate.
Not recommended for wheelchair users or those who require walking aids.
Click to Learn More
Tour Includes
Locations Visited
- Seattle
- Mount St. Helens Visitor Center
- Portland
- Cascade Range
- Mt. Hood National Forest
- Newport
- Medford
- Crater Lake National Park
- Eureka
- San Francisco
- 17-Mile Drive
- Monterey
- Yosemite National Park
- Kings Canyon National Park
- Sequoia National Park
- Pismo Beach
- Santa Maria
- Santa Barbara
- Los Angeles
Hotel Accommodations
- 19 nights
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
Meals
- 19 breakfasts and 3 lunches
Service
- A professionally trained tour director who is knowledgeable of the area and will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.
Baggage Handling
- To and from your hotel room throughout your land tour for one piece of checked baggage per person.
Tour Starts:
Seattle, Washington
Tour Ends:
Los Angeles, California
Day 1
Seattle
Welcome to beautiful Seattle, Washington! Guests who have purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations will be welcomed in the baggage claim area by a representative who will arrange your transfer to the hotel. If you made other flight arrangements, please make your own way to the hotel. The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Head to some of the city’s popular sites including Pike Place Market, Space Needle and Pioneer Square.
Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Seattle Center or similar
Day 2
Seattle
Your day starts with a tour of the Museum of Flight, home to the original Boeing factory and over 150 aircraft including JFK’s Air Force One, and jets from WWI and WWII. You’ll also get a chance to see the Concorde, and learn about the past, present and future of flight travel, from the Wright Brothers to NASA. It’s one of Seattle’s most popular museums. After lunch on your own at Pike Place Market, you’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Seattle, often considered the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy a relaxing evening on your own, or join an optional dinner and visit to the Space Needle.
Meals: Breakfast
Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Seattle Center or similar
Add-On: Seattle Space Needle & Dinner at Bucca Di Beppo
Day 3
Mount St. Helens & Portland
Continue your journey to Mount St. Helens Visitors Center, the site of the deadliest volcanic event in U.S. history. Take in stunning views of the mountain, including the crater caused by the 1980 eruption, and continue on to Portland. You’ll spend free time at the International Rose Test Garden, where (depending on the season) you can see over 650 varieties of roses, as well as other blooms and plants. Note: Depending on the season, Rose Garden may be substituted with Bonneville Fish Hatchery.
Meals: Breakfast
Hyatt Place Portland Airport or similar
Day 4
Cascade Mountains, Multnomah Falls & Columbia River Gorge
Travel into the Cascade Mountains this morning to enjoy some of Oregon’s most breathtaking scenery. Highlights of your tour include the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls, a 611-foot-tall waterfall found in the Mount Hood National Forest. Enjoy lunch on your own at Cascade Mountains, then return to Portland for a city tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Hyatt Place Portland Airport or similar
Add-On: Portland Dinner Cruise
Day 5
Oregon Coast to Newport
Take a stunning scenic drive down the Oregon coast to Newport. Here you’ll enjoy a tour of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, a world-class facility dedicated to marine wildlife. Enjoy a relaxed evening on your own. Newport has plenty of museums, impressive mansions and some great dining options.
Meals: Breakfast
Best Western Plus Agate Beach Inn or similar
Day 6
Medford
Travel down to Medford, a delightful town in the heart of the breathtaking Rogue Valley. Many of Oregon’s finest wines are produced right here in Medford, which you can learn more about on an optional wine tour this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Comfort Inn South or similar
Add-On: Winery Visit with Wine Tasting
Day 7
Medford & Crater Lake National Park
Spend the day experiencing the world-famous Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States whose vibrantly blue and stunningly clear water make it one of the prettiest lakes in the country. Surrounded by towering cliffs and a thick forest of old growth pines, Crater Lake is nestled in what remains of a dormant volcano that erupted nearly 8,000 years ago.
Meals: Breakfast
Comfort Inn South or similar
Day 8
Redwood National Park & Eureka
Continue south on a beautiful drive to the Golden State. Your first stop is Redwood National Park, home of the world’s tallest trees. Enjoy a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, where some trees are over 370 feet tall. Stop for lunch on your own at Klamath and then continue on to Eureka. The Old Town in Eureka is famous for its classic Victorian homes, and you’ll get a chance to see them on an informative panoramic tour.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn or similar
Day 9
San Francisco
See more amazing Redwoods at Avenue of the Giants on your way to San Francisco, where you will enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Zephyr or similar
Day 10
San Francisco
Your day starts with a tour including Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge, likely the world’s most photographed suspension bridge. Look out into the bay at the notorious Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Enjoy a lunch at Pier 39. Join us for an optional bay cruise or cable car tour with dinner on Pier 39 for an additional fee!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel Zephyr or similar
Add-On: San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise, San Francisco Cable Car & Pier 39 Dinner
Day 11
San Francisco
Today you will have time to explore San Francisco on your own with an included city pass to USS Pampanito Museum and Memorial.
San Francisco is in one of California’s most beautiful and culturally rich cities. Enjoy diverse cuisine, incredible museums, parks, and dazzling architecture. The city is also home to historical landmarks including the colorful Victorian Painted Ladies, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the island prison of Alcatraz.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Zephyr or similar
Day 12
San Francisco
This morning, enjoy a panoramic city tour. Look out at Alcatraz, see Nob Hill, and catch a glimpse of Lombard Street along with many more exciting sights! Spend the evening relaxing in San Francisco.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Zephyr or similar
Add-On: Alcatraz Island Tour & Swiss Louis Dinner on Pier 39
Day 13
San Francisco to Monterey via 17-Mile Drive
This morning, head down the breathtaking 17-Mile Drive. Enjoy views of Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, taking the opportunity to snap a picture of the Lone Cypress on a quick stop before arriving in Monterey. Enjoy a city tour of the once-gritty waterfront town immortalized by John Steinbeck’s classic novel, Cannery Row.
Meals: Breakfast
Add-On: Bubba Gump Dinner
Hyatt Regency Monterey or similar
Day 14
Monterey to Oakhurst via Mariposa
Learn about the California Gold Rush at a Mariposa Museum while you pan for gold, before making your way to Oakhurst for an overnight stay. You will enjoy scenic views of rolling hills, verdant forests and the rugged coastline, this promises to be an enjoyable drive.
Meals: Breakfast
Hampton Inn Oakhurst-Yosemite or similar
Day 15
Yosemite National Park & Visalia
Today, you’ll visit the awe-inspiring Yosemite National Park. This magnificent and diverse land with elevations ranging from 2,000 to over 13,000 feet abounds with spectacular granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, and lush meadows, as well as towering trees. Discover Yosemite Valley, where you will find Half Dome, the park’s most recognizable feature. The iconic granite formation rises more than 4,700 feet above the valley floor. Continue to Visalia, where you will spend the evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Wyndham Visalia or similar
Day 16
Kings Canyon National Park & Sequoia National Park
Today your first stop will be Kings Canyon National Park, where you will find ancient sequoias and giant redwoods in Grant Grove. At its center is the General Grant Tree, the second largest in the world. This 3,000-year-old wonder stands almost 270 feet tall with a base circumference of 107 feet. Look out for gray foxes, bobcats and marmots, as well as eagles and bears. Next, head to Sequoia National Park, adjacent to Kings Canyon and just as magnificent. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sequoia is home to the largest living single-stem tree in the world. General Sherman stands 275 feet tall with a diameter of 25 feet. The Giant Forest, where you’ll find General Sherman, contains five of the ten largest trees on Earth.
Meals: Breakfast
Wyndham Visalia or similar
Day 17
Pismo Beach & Solvang
Head west to the coast, stopping in Pismo Beach for lunch on your own. Spend the afternoon in Solvang, in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, known for its Danish-style architecture and cuisine and wineries. Join us for an optional winery tour and tasting this afternoon and experience real California wine.
Meals: Breakfast
The Hadsten Solvang or similar
Add-On: Santa Ynez Valley Winery & Wine Tasting
Day 18
Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Santa Barbara is known as the “American Riviera”. Here you’ll enjoy Spanish mission-style architecture and stunning ocean views. Take a self-guided tour of the lovely Santa Barbara Mission. The “Queen of the Missions” is known for its magnificent twin bell towers, sprawling gardens, and sweeping ocean views. Continue to the Getty Center. Enjoy amazing city views from this architecturally stunning art museum followed by dinner on the Santa Monica Pier, which offers endless beach views and has its very own amusement park.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles or similar
Day 19
Beverly Hills & Hollywood
Today, you’ll take a guided panoramic tour, seeing the many highlights of the City of Angels. Visit Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the ornate TCL Chinese Theatre, plus many more.
Meals: Breakfast
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles or similar
Add-On: Paramount Pictures Studio Tour
Day 20
Depart for Home
Meals: Breakfast
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Add-Ons
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Alcatraz Island Tour & Swiss Louis Dinner on Pier 39
Explore one of the most infamous maximum-security prisons in the world, Alcatraz. Visit the Cell House and see where criminals such as Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly and “Birdman” Robert Shroud were held. Tonight’s dinner will be at Swiss Louis on Pier 39. You’ll enjoy a delicious meal and one of the best views in San Francisco.
Inclusions
- Alcatraz Island Tour
- Dinner at Swiss Louis. Tax & gratuity included.
Note: The distance from the dock on Alcatraz to the Cell House which is located at the top of the island is about 1/4 of a mile and the elevation change is 130 feet . In the Cell House, there is an elevator to provide access to the second story. There is an uphill walk to visit the prison on Alcatraz Island. At the dock, there’s the accessible tram (S.E.A.T), which transports visitors with mobility impairments to the Cell House. This is provided on a first come first serve basis only, and not guaranteed.
Duration: Approx. 6 hours (Afternoon & Evening)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $119 USD
Paramount Pictures Studio Tour
Step behind the velvet curtain and journey through more than a hundred years of Hollywood magic at Paramount Pictures Studio. As you explore this legendary lot, you’ll walk in the footsteps of iconic filmmakers and stars while discovering where beloved movies and hit television shows come to life.
Climb aboard a classic studio cart and wind your way through historic and fully operational backlot sets, from timeless streetscapes to modern-day filming locations. Peek inside prop warehouses brimming with cinematic treasures, and watch the creative energy of an active studio at work. The Paramount Pictures Studio Tour is your front-row ticket to Hollywood’s past, present, and the stories still waiting to be told.
Inclusions
- Paramount Studio Tour entrance and guided studio cart tour
- Bus Transportation
Note: Layered clothing is recommended. ADA carts available, but limited, please book early and note requirement on reservation. Don’t forget your camera!
Duration: Approx. 3 Hours (Morning)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $105 USD
Portland Dinner Cruise
Cruise under the bridges that make Portland famous and enjoy a freshly-prepared dinner onboard. Take in views of the historic Portland Waterfront from a vibrant setting enhanced by dazzling city sights and city lights. Enjoy a dinner of scrumptious cuisine, locally sourced and prepared fresh on board with live piano music for one amazing experience!
Inclusions
- 2.5-hour dinner cruise aboard the Portland Spirit from Downtown Portland
- Menu includes plated entree (selected onboard), house salad, bread, signature dessert, coffee, hot tea, fountain sodas. Appetizers, premium desserts and other beverages from the full service bar are available for purchase onboard.
- Live piano music and service gratuity
- Round trip transportation
Note: This tour is not wheelchair accessible. The dress code for this cruise is upscale casual to business casual.
Duration: Approx. 5 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $139 USD
San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise
Cruise between Pier 43.5 and Fisherman’s Wharf while transiting along San Francisco’s breathtaking waterfront, passing under the Golden Gate and around Alcatraz! Learn the history of San Francisco Bay and observe local marine life such as sea lions, pelicans, whales and more.
Inclusions
-
1-hour cruise voyage along the San Francisco Waterfront
Duration: Approx. 1-1.5 Hours (Morning)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $39 USD
Santa Ynez Valley Winery & Wine Tasting
Step into the heart of wine country at Gainey Winery, a true original in the Santa Ynez Valley with over 60 years of winemaking tradition. Your experience begins with a hand-selected flight of five exceptional wines, each crafted to reflect the unique character of the vineyards. Enhance your tasting with a generous sampling of locally sourced, artisanal cheeses—perfectly paired to complement every pour.
As you sip and savor, take in the beauty of our authentic working winery, nestled among rolling vineyards, centuries-old oaks, and open pastureland.
Inclusions
- Flight of 5 different wines
- Cheese & cracker sampling
- Transportation to and from winery
Note: This activity is only available with 2026 tours
Duration: Approx. 1.5-2 Hours
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $46 USD
Seattle Space Needle & Dinner At Buca Di Beppo
An evening of great food and stunning views awaits. Get to know your fellow travelers at an informal Italian family-style dinner at a downtown Seattle restaurant! Then, head to the Space Needle and ascend the 520 feet to the observation deck, from where you can see all of Seattle and beyond. The iconic tower was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, during which time nearly 20,000 people a day used the elevators, totaling over 2.3 million visitors in all!
Inclusions
- Italian family-style dinner at a downtown Seattle restaurant. Menu includes: mixed green & Caesar salad, spaghetti marinara, fettuccine Alfredo and chicken parmigiana; followed by cheesecake; with included soft drinks, coffee and tea. Menu subject to change. Taxes & gratuities are included.
- Admission to the Space Needle and its observation deck
- Take the 43-second elevator ride to the observation deck from where you can see not only the downtown Seattle skyline, but also the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Elliott Bay and surrounding islands
Note: This tour is not wheelchair accessible
Duration: Approx. 4 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $89 USD
Winery Visit With Wine Tasting
Visit one of Oregon’s original wineries, where you will learn about the region’s wines with a flight of 5 different wines and enjoy sampling local gourmet cheese. Eden Valley Orchards was founded in 1885 and the entire property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been a hallmark of agricultural innovation and gracious hospitality since its pioneer beginnings in the Rogue River Valley in Southern Oregon.
Inclusions
- Visit to an Oregon Winery
- Sampling of wines and a gourmet cheese board
- Round trip transportation
Note: Restrooms are not wheelchair accessible.
Duration: Approx. 1.5 – 2 Hours (Afternoon)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $49 USD
Bubba Gump Dinner
Savor a memorable dinner at the original Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., nestled along the iconic Cannery Row. With sweeping oceanfront views and the salty breeze in the air, this beloved seafood spot blends coastal beauty with classic Americana.
Step inside and you’ll be transported straight into the heart of Forrest Gump’s world, complete with warm, Southern-style décor that echoes the charm of Alabama. From movie memorabilia to heartfelt hospitality, every corner of this lively restaurant pays tribute to the spirit and story that captured hearts around the globe.
Inclusions
-
Dinner menu includes side garden salad, choice of entree (Fish & Chips; Coconut Shrimp; BBQ Ribs & Chicken Combo) & dessert
- Bus transportation
Duration: Approx. 1.5 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $55 USD
San Francisco Cable Car & Pier 39 Dinner
A ride on one of San Francisco’s iconic cable cars is an essential part of any trip to the City by the Bay. Ride one of these National Historic Landmarks to Pier 39 for the ultimate San Francisco experience. All aboard! Your evening tour begins with a ride up and down the hilly streets of San Francisco via cable car. Cable cars were invented in San Francisco 150 years ago to help the city’s residents get up and down the legendarily steep streets. Today, an estimated 13 million people hope on and off these not-so-modern marvels every year. Which is no wonder—cable cars are the most fun way to get around! Tonight’s dinner will be at Swiss Louis Italian & Seafood Restaurant on Pier 39. You’ll enjoy delicious Italian specialties and one of the best views in San Francisco. Enjoy your dinner as you take in the sights of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. For music, you can expect to be serenaded by Pier 39’s famous barking sea lions.
Inclusions
-
San Francisco Cable Car tour
-
3-course dinner at Swiss Louis Italian & Seafood Restaurant
Note: This tour does not allow for any leisure time on your own and requires the ability to walk approximately 0.75 miles to and from the cable car pick up and drop off locations. This excursion is unable to accommodate guests in wheelchairs as the cable car is not wheelchair accessible. High step up into cable car
Duration: Approx. 3-4 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $79 USD
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