West Coast USA Journey

16 days
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Small Group Tour
Discover the laidback, outdoorsy charm of the USA’s west coast. This trip gives you a rich taste of life in the more relaxed lane, taking you through the hotspots of beachy California through to bohemian Portland and grungy, artsy Seattle. Soak up the warm, surfy vibes of LA and the welcoming artistic air of San Francisco. Get back to nature in beautifully sc...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Get swept up in the flashy culture of LA
    • Chill out on flawless white beaches
    • See the iconic reach of the Golden Gate Bridge
    • Raft on the rapids of the Deschutes River
    • Bask in the artsy, bohemian vibe of Portland
    • Witness the steaming and bubbling of the Mount St Helens volcano
    • Explore Seattle’s museums, parks and markets

What's this trip about?

    Discover the laidback, outdoorsy charm of the USA’s west coast. This trip gives you a rich taste of life in the more relaxed lane, taking you through the hotspots of beachy California through to bohemian Portland and grungy, artsy Seattle. Soak up the warm, surfy vibes of LA and the welcoming artistic air of San Francisco. Get back to nature in beautifully scenic national parks, where you can hike, raft or rock climb among striking volcanic landscapes. Seek out the best breweries of Portland and absorb the lively hum of Seattle’s Bohemian Pike Place Market. Whether you want to kick back with a beer or get your pulse racing with outdoor activities, each stop on this trip brings a fresh taste of American life.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityLos Angeles
End CitySeattle

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure

Destinations

  • North America
  • United States

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Los Angeles

In the ‘City of Angels’, you can shop on Rodeo Drive, ride roller coasters in Disneyland or chill out on Venice Beach. It’s a veritable smorgasbord for the senses and a brilliant way to begin this adventure along California’s coast.

Day 2 Santa Barbara

Catch a train to Santa Barbara and be welcomed by white beaches and warm weather. Walk down Stearns Wharf for a breath of fresh air, visit the Museum of Art or sit down with a beer and view of the bay.

Day 3-4 San Luis Obispo

It claims to be the happiest place in America, so why not decide for yourself if this charming town lives up to its name. Visit Bubblegum Alley (yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like), hike to the top of Bishop Peak for an impressive view or be blinded by the gaudy design of the glitzy restaurants at the world famous Madonna Inn.

Day 5-6 Monterey

Relax by the beach in Monterey, where the hikes are long and breezy, the seafood is fresh and the marine life is active. Visit the aquarium, explore the waters by kayak or journey down the coast to Big Sur to see pristine beaches, magnificent redwoods and some truly beautiful coastal landscapes.

Day 7-8 San Francisco

The ‘City by the Bay’ offers a barrel of impressive sights. See the Golden Gate Bridge, walk along Fisherman’s Wharf, explore Alcatraz or peruse some zany art in SoMa. Head to China Town for a delightful plate of chop suey, find your fortune in a cookie or indulge in ...

Day 9-11 Bend

Head to Bend for a few days of outdoor adventure. Depending on the time of year, either hit the rapids of Deschutes River or the slopes of the nearby snowy mountains. The rolling landscape is a great place for a bike ride or get vertical rock climbing the rugged count...

Day 12-14 Portland

In the Pacific Northwest, visit the intriguing up-and-coming city of Portland. As the greenest city in America, begin with a walk through Forest Park, the biggest inner-city park in the country or take in the tranquil air of the Classical Chinese Gardens. With the most breweries of any city in the world, be sure to relax with a beer and watch the bubbly characters go by.

Day 15-16 Seattle

It may be cloudy and a little drizzly, but Seattle is anything but an indoor city. Head to the bohemian Pike Place Market, chill out with a latte in Hing Hay Park or take shelter from the rain at the Pacific Science Centre or Science-Fiction Museum. Seattle is all tha...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,500
Price per day$281
Last Updated: 12/3/2021

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Aug 2024

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jasonemeraldrealestate.com.au

Aug 2024

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The intrepid group were excellent to…

The intrepid group were excellent to work with and were very helpful at all times and made organising the trip a breeze. This was an excellent trip, and was enjoyed ...

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Michael Campbell

Aug 2024

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Awful waste of time and money.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (15 nts),

Transportation & Flights

Train, Bus, Taxi, Plane, Metro,

Transportation & flights

Train, Bus, Taxi, Plane, Metro
Requirements
Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey. ,Our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and don't involve a compulsory single supplement. Single travellers share with people of the same gender in accommodation ranging from twin to multishare. Some of our itineraries have accommodation booked on a mixed gender share basis and where applicable this will be specified in our Trip Notes. On a selection of our trips, you have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure that you have your own accommodation (where available). Please note that this only applies to accommodation during the tour - pre-trip and post-trip accommodation will be booked on a single room basis.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. Please go to our website for links to various travel insurance providers:
Visa requirements
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. As a general rule most countries expect that you will have at least 6 months' validity on your passport. On arrival visitors may be asked to present return tickets and evidence of means to cover your intended stay. We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change - it's important that you check for yourself. Residents from other countries must consult the relevant embassies or your travel agent.
Health & Safety
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to Intrepid's operational safety policy on our website. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it's being implemented in the field: PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY: While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. www.intrepidtravel.com/safety
Meals Included

Meals introduction

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.

Meals

No meals included

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

Style descriptions

Original trips are classic Intrepid adventures. With a mix of included activities and free time, they offer plenty of opportunities to explore at your own pace and take part in activities that really get beneath the skin of a destination. While the occasional meal may be included, you'll have the freedom to seek out your own culinary adventures. Accommodation is generally budget or tourist class (2-3 star), but you're as likely to find yourself as a guest of a local family as staying in a hotel or camping. Transport will vary as well. Depending on the destination and the itinerary you could find yourself travelling on anything from a camel to a train or a private safari vehicle. It's all part of the adventure! Original travellers have a desire to make the most of their travel time and really get to know a place, its people and cultures.

Finish point

  • The Moore Hotel
  • 1926 2nd Ave.
  • Seattle
  • WA
  • 98101
  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Trip ID
intrepid-SSSRC

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