California Discovery
Tuition $3,695
Grades
5-6
Days
14
Dates
Activities
Hike, Sea Kayak, Surf, Whitewater Raft
Arrival Location
San Francisco, CA
Departure Location
San Francisco, CA
Trip Overview
Discover the natural wonders of California, from Yosemite’s high peaks to the dramatic Pacific coast, on this perfect introduction to the outdoors for 5th and 6th graders. Our California Discovery trip offers a variety of hikes and paddles in the Golden State’s most beautiful settings. Wilderness Adventures is a permittee of Yosemite National Park.
Itinerary
The next day, you’ll kayak along Half Moon Bay. You and your group will have the chance to paddle among seals, birds, and other local marine life in the protected Pillar Point Harbor on the open water of the Pacific Ocean.
No exploration of California would be complete without a chance to experience the Golden State’s most iconographic preserve of natural beauty and wonder – Yosemite National Park, so this will be your next destination. Housing such famous mountain peaks as El Capitan, Sentinel Dome and Half Dome, which each rise thousands of feet above the valley floor, Yosemite is a national treasure and your visit here will be something to remember. You’ll immerse yourself in a world of Giant Sequoias and unparalleled natural beauty. It will be incredible for you and your group to venture off the main paths to the seldom explored heart of the Yosemite Valley.
Fresh off your adventures in Yosemite, you’ll plunge into the famous waters of the American River, known for the discovery of gold in 1848 that started the California Gold Rush. Together, you’ll paddle under the careful direction of expert whitewater rafting professionals. You’ll instantly grow to love this thrilling sport. From here, you and your group will hit the road to explore the awe-inspiring Lake Tahoe.
The largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe is known for its clear water and panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. You’ll spend two days hiking, kayaking, and exploring both the North and South Shores, while your nights will be spent on the South Shore’s Emerald Bay, a National Natural Landmark. After spending a few days in paradise, you will head east, making your way back towards San Francisco.
You’ll explore the beauty of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which is teeming with trails, historic structures, and incredible vistas. You’ll stop in the fabled Marin Headlands and the historic Muir Woods – part of the Marin Open Space network of land that affords magnificent, unspoiled views of the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Francisco, and the beautiful Pacific.
You and your group will celebrate your adventure with a final banquet, sharing your memories from the trip and reminiscing on all you have seen and learned over the last two weeks. You will crawl into bed happy and full. The next morning, you will bid your new friends farewell at the San Francisco airport, and head home.
Details & Resources
Resources
More Details
We hope that you decide to join us for the adventure of a lifetime! Our enrollment and planning teams are standing by to help answer any questions you may have about our programs. Use the links on the left to explore more trip details!
Trip Price Includes
- Accommodations
- Activities
- Meals
- Group gear
Not Included
- Personal gear and clothing
- Airfare to and form the trip start and end