Our Western National Parks and Historic Sites expedition begins with a 6:30 PM welcome dinner at Boboquivaris restaurant, a “must-see” for San Francisco visitors. Our accommodations for the night are at the Heritage Marina Hotel which is within easy walking distance of San Francisco’s famous cable cars, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39. D

In the morning we board our van and travel to the San Francisco Maritime National Park for an in-depth look at this “floating national park” with it’s collection of maritime artifacts, including an impressive fleet of vessels. Later in the morning, we explore Old Fort Mason before walking to Fisherman’s Wharf. Here we are free to have lunch on our own, explore the pier, and see its famous sea lion inhabitants. In the afternoon, we depart San Francisco by way of the old Army Presidio, which is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, enroute to Muir Woods National Monument. The trail from the visitor center leads into a virgin forest of coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), the tallest trees in the world, where we are surrounded by the cathedral-like ambience of Muir Woods. The natural history and logging devastation of the coast redwoods is a fascinating and inspiring success story that we discuss as we walk through this majestic redwood forest. Later in the afternoon, we re-board our motor coach and travel to our accommodations for the next two nights at the Best Western Petaluma Inn, located in Petaluma, California. Our dinner this evening is in the Lucchesi’s Restaurant, located across the street from our hotel. CB/D

Following breakfast, we drive to Point Reyes National Seashore, a peninsula that has long-baffled geologists. The question is, why should the rocks of this rugged coast match the coastal mountains of southern California, more than 300 miles to the south? Our day begins at the Bear Valley Visitor Center as we walk the Earthquake Trail to witness, firsthand, the power of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. We then head for Point Reyes Beach to walk through the dunes of this windswept landscape, explore the Point Reyes Lighthouse, and learn about the Historic Point Reyes Lifeboat Station. During our visit with a park resource manager, we will discuss some of the challenges which face the National Park Service—invasive plant species, exotic deer and learn how these issues are being addressed. Following this presentation, we enjoy a picnic lunch and the incredible views of Sea Lion Overlook where we might be fortunate enough to see stellar sea lions and other marine mammals. In the afternoon, we travel to Drakes Beach for a walk to Drakes Estero. It was here, in 1579, where Sir Francis Drake, ran his ship, the Golden Hind, into the Estero for repairs before sailing west on his trip around the world. We then follow Highway 1 along the California coast and the San Andreas Fault to Bolinas Lagoon. This site is considered one of the best birding locations on the west coast. We will be able to view rookeries of great egrets, snowy egrets, and great blue herons, and see their seasonal behaviors. Our dinner and overnight accommodations are again at the Best Western Petaluma Inn. CB/PL/D

In the morning we depart for Yosemite National Park where, enroute, we will have the opportunity to discuss some of the resource issues such as heavy seasonal visitation and it’s effect on the resources of this magnificent park. After a late lunch at the famous Ahwahnee Hotel, we begin our visit at the Valley Visitor Center and Yosemite Museum with an in-depth look at the park’s history. The Indian Village of Ahwahnee is an outdoor exhibit where living history presentations bring the Native American Miwok and Paiute cultures to life. We also gain an understanding of what impact these people and the early Euro Americans settlers had on this area. In the afternoon, we explore Yosemite Falls and make photo stops on our way to Oakhurst, California and our accommodations at the Oakhurst Comfort Inn. CB/L/D

After a continental breakfast, we depart for the Pioneer Yosemite History Center to continue our discussion of the early history of the park and learn how Yosemite was the inspiration for national parks around the world. Our next stop is at the Mariposa Grove Museum where we will walk among the giant redwoods (Sequoia giganteum) the world’s largest trees, following the footsteps of famous conservationist John Muir. During our walk we will discuss the unique adaptations these ancient trees have made for survival and the role the Save-The-Redwoods-League has had in ensuring the preservation of these trees, as well as the coast redwoods. Following a picnic lunch, we travel down the scenic Glacier Point Road to Glacier Point, one of the most spectacular locations in our beautiful country making photo stops along the way. While at Glacier Point, we will have the opportunity to discuss the early years of tourism in this and other western National Parks. After our afternoon at this much-photographed site, we will travel back to Oakhurst for dinner and our overnight accommodations at the Oakhurst Comfort Inn. CB/PL/D

Our day begins with a journey to the high country as we travel over Tioga Road through Tuolumne Meadows, stopping along the way for photo opportunities of scenery and the mountain wildflower displays. After visiting the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, we drive to the Mono Lake Visitor Center for a picnic lunch amongst the stark beauty of the high desert. This high desert lake is a crucial part of the Los Angeles water system on which millions of people depend. Our discussion will focus on conservation methods of this important natural resource and the constant battles that have taken place over the ownership of the water. Later in the afternoon, we drive into the Sierra Nevada, to our lodging at Lakeside Inn and Casino at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. B/PL/D

Following breakfast, we travel through the Sierra Nevada to Sacramento, California. Here we step back in time to the days of California’s gold rush. Our lunch in Old Town Sacramento at the Firehouse Restaurant will help us re-live that wild period in our nation’s history. In the afternoon, we visit the California State Railroad Museum before checking into our accommodations at the Vagabond Executive Inn Old Town for the night. Dinner will be another step back in history as we walk along the restored riverfront to the Delta King Riverboat with dinner in the famous Pilothouse Restaurant B/L/D

In the morning, we return to San Francisco, the City by the Bay, and visit Old Fort Point for an introduction to the challenges of historic preservation, such as weather and funding. Our farewell lunch is at the Crab House Restaurant on Pier 39 giving us a final opportunity to reminisce regarding the highlights of our Western National Parks and Historic Sites Expedition. B/L