AVA CALIFORNIA CONVENTION

Day 1

PORTLAND, OR – SISTERS, OR (D)
Historic Vancouver Walk 5/11 km, rated 1+

Travelers will rendezvous this morning at our Portland Airport area hotel to enjoy two plus weeks of walking and exploring Oregon and Northern California. Our first walk will be a trail through historic Vancouver across the Columbia River in Washington. Following the walk, we’ll cross to the east side of the Cascade Mountains where we’ll overnight in the charming western town of Sisters, Oregon.

Day 2

SISTERS – ASHLAND, OR (B)
Crater Lake/Rogue River Walk 10 km, rated 2+

Today’s two-part walk begins along the rim of beautiful Crater Lake, the deepest, bluest, and perhaps most beautiful lake in the nation. After drinking in these stunning vistas, we’ll continue to part two, a nature trail through old growth forest along the pristine Rogue River. We overnight in Ashland tonight, home of the famous Shakespearean Festival.

Day 3

ASHLAND – SACRAMENTO, CA (B)
Ashland Walk 10 km, rated 3

Ashland is a lovely southern Oregon community offering a pleasant walk through quiet neighborhoods, parks, and the grounds of the Shakespearean Festival. Following the walk, our route takes us south along Interstate 5, past stately Mount Shasta to our hotel in Sacramento, capital of the Golden State.

Day 4

SACRAMENTO – CARSON CITY, NV (B)
Folsom Walk 5 km rated 1+ OR 10 km rated 2, Carson City Capital Walk 11 km rated 1

Our participation in the walks and activities of the American Volkssport Association’s 15th Biennial Convention begins today with a walk in Folsom that features the American River, Lake Natoma, and the charm of Old Town Folsom. After the walk, we’ll continue east through Gold Rush country to Carson City, Nevada. Walking enthusiasts may consider a second walk this evening in the capital of Nevada.

Day 5

CARSON CITY – SACRAMENTO, CA (B)
Sugar Pine Point Walk 7/10 km, rated 2+ Squaw Valley Walk 5/10 km, rated 2+

We have a full day of walking in store with a lovely route along the shores of Lake Tahoe, then a second walk in the afternoon that features the Olympic Village of the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley. We return to Sacramento this afternoon, where we will be based for the next six nights.

Day 6

ACTIVITIES FROM SACRAMENTO (B)
Benicia Walk 5/10 km, rated 2 Old Sacramento Walk 5/11 km, rated 1+

Two more walking options will be offered today, beginning in Benicia on a trail that includes California’s first State Capitol, famous art glass studios, and the Carquinez Straits. We return to Sacramento for an evening walk through Old Sacramento, past the current State Capitol, and along the waterfront promenade.

Day 7

ACTIVITIES FROM SACRAMENTO (B)
Sonoma Walk 5/10 km, rated 1

Today’s event is in the heart of the Napa Valley wine country. Sonoma offers a trail littered with the history of California including its last Spanish mission, founded in 1823, and the Sebastiani Winery, one of the state’s oldest. Following free time for lunch, we’ll take a scenic drive through Napa Valley to the charming wine-country town of St. Helena. We return to Sacramento this evening for the Gold Rush Social to officially open the AVA Convention ($45 fee admission not included).

Day 8

ACTIVITIES FRO FROM SACRAMENTO (B)
Coloma Walk 5 km, rated 2 OR 10 km, rated 3+

Another historic trail takes us to Sutter’s Mill, the spot where gold was first discovered in 1848, leading to the greatest gold rush in American history. We return to the hotel for a free afternoon with optional activities that include workshops at the Convention, browsing the Convention Exhibit Hall, or exploring any of the fine museums in Old Town Sacramento. Consider the Discovery Museum's Gold Rush History Center, the California State Capitol Museum, or the excellent California State Railroad Museum.

Day 9

ACTIVITIES FROM SACRAMENTO (B)
Davis Walk 5/10 km, rated 1

Davis is the home of one of the University of California campuses. The walk here meanders through the campus on bike paths, and then through the neighborhoods and parks of this pleasant town. Back in Sacramento this afternoon, you’ll have another chance to take in Convention workshops or enjoy the historic Old Town. Tonight’s Convention social activity is the Forty-Niner Barbeque at Land Park ($45 admission fee not included).

Day 10

ACTIVITIES FROM SACRAMENTO (B)
Auburn Walk 5/10 km, rated 2

More gold rush history lines today’s trail through Auburn, site of a major gold find in 1848. The route includes the atmospheric Old Town of Auburn as well as scenic stretches of the American River. Following a final chance for workshops this afternoon at Convention headquarters, you’ll have the opportunity for one last social event — dinner at Don and Marillyn’s Dance Hall and Saloon ($65 admission fee not included).

Day 11

SACRAMENTO – SAN FRANCISCO, CA (B)
Angel Island Walks; multiple routes and ratings offered

Angel Island sits in a strategic location in San Francisco Bay commanding sweeping 360º views of the Golden Gate area, the city of San Francisco, and one of the most stunningly scenic bays in the world. Multiple walk routes offer varying perspectives on these dramatic panoramas and a chance to sample some of the island’s unique history. You’ll have the afternoon and evening free to explore Fisherman’s Wharf from our San Francisco hotel.

Day 12

SAN FRANCISCO – EUREKA, CA (B,D)
Golden Gate Bridge Walk 5/10 km, rating not available

The final event of the Convention is a unique walk over the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the world’s most famous spans, offering non-stop vistas of the Bay area. From San Francisco, we follow Highway 101 north to Eureka for a hearty, fun-filled logger’s dinner at the Samoa Cookhouse.

Day 13

EUREKA – GOLD BEACH, OR (B)
Redwoods National Park Walk 11 km, rated 3

Relish a rare opportunity today to walk amongst the giants of the Redwood Forest. “Larger than life” takes on new meaning in this cathedral of creation. Across the border in Oregon, we’ll overnight in the coastal town of Gold Beach.

Day 14

GOLD BEACH – BANDON, OR (B,L)

An exciting 64-mile jet boat trip up the Rogue River is a must on any visit to the southern part of Oregon. We’ll stop for a home-style lunch in the tiny community of Agness before returning through the pristine Rogue River Canyon; be prepared to spot wildlife! From Gold Beach, we’ll continue along the scenic Oregon coast to Bandon with time to browse the quaint shops along the waterfront, then stroll the beach back to our hotel.

Day 15

BANDON – LINCOLN CITY, OR (B,D)
Winchester Bay Walk 10 km, rated 1+

More scenic driving along the sand dunes and seaside vistas of Oregon will bring us to Winchester Bay for a popular walk featuring a lighthouse, a coastal lake, the beach, and the authenticity of a working fishing village. Our afternoon route offers more spectacular views as we parallel the coastline to Yaquina Head Lighthouse, then onto Lincoln City for our Farewell Dinner.

Day 16

LINCOLN CITY – PORTLAND, OR (B)
Salem Capital Walk 12 km, rated 1+

Today’s route takes us inland to Salem, capital of the state of Oregon. Our last walk of the Adventure winds through city parks and explores the State capitol and the grounds of Willamette University and the Governor’s Mansion. After enjoying this grand finale, we’ll continue north to Portland. It’s been an incredible 16 days of walks and sightseeing through Oregon and Northern California at the AVA California Convention!