Day 1
(Arrival Day)
You'll fly into SFO (San Francisco) airport and take Evans Transportation shuttle service to Napa Valley (www.evanstransportation.com for schedule and fare info). Upon arrival at the local Evans’ station, we'll pick you up and take you to the nearby Napa Valley Embassy Suites.

Your family will have a chance to settle in, enjoy Embassy Suites’ two-hour evening beverage reception, indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool and sauna. Depending on your arrival time, you may even enjoy a self-guided bike ride before dinner tonight at Rings Steak, Seafood & Chops located at Embassy Suites. 

Day 2
We’ll start the day with a Vacation Kick-Off Breakfast, where you will meet your Tour Guides and the other families on this trip. We’ll go over your vacation itinerary and the options available to you throughout and answer any last-minute questions you may have. 

Our first adventure gets under way after breakfast, as we shuttle the group out to the Carneros wine-growing region straddling Napa and Sonoma Valleys. The Carneros District, which is best known for its award winning Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, features miles of undulating vineyards, making it the perfect setting for our first activity: mountain biking “IN” the vineyards!

Bouchaine Vineyards is the only winery that allows us the unique chance to bike off-road through its vineyard property. The terrain is gentle and perfect for beginners and the off-road element eliminates any concern about traffic. But this adventure holds one more surprise: The property borders a wildlife preserve that extends to the northernmost reaches the San Francisco/San Pablo Bay. Egrets, blue herons, mallards, cormorants, and hawks are common sightings as we bike through the marshlands, along with a plethora of wetland and coastal flora. Your guide will “educate lightly” on the migration practices of our feathered friends as you admire them up close.

After our bike ride, we’ll head back to Bouchaine’s patio deck, where we’ll enjoy a wine tasting and a picnic-style lunch overlooking the vineyards. After lunch, the adults will continue the wine-tasting trend by cycling to another nearby winery. Meanwhile, the kids head out with their own guide for an afternoon bike ride, avoiding the “boring wine stuff” and doing something fun and totally geared for them.

After some afternoon down time back at the hotel, we’ll host “pizza night” for the entire group tonight at one of our favorite mom & pop eateries, Mary’s Pizza Shack. Afterwards, you’ll retreat to the Embassy Suites for your second night.

Day 3
We’ll spend our second full day adventuring and exploring more of the Napa Valley. The weather will dictate our activity choice today. Between May 1st and Oct 30th, it is nearly certain to be warm enough to head to Lake Hennessey for a kayaking adventure. On coolers days, however, we’ll opt for hiking at Skyline Wilderness Park.

Lake Hennessey offers a perfect setting for novice kayakers. In fact, your Tour Guides can teach you everything you need to know on-site. And with canoes and tandem kayaks at our disposal, we can accommodate any special family needs for togetherness.

You'll witness numerous species of birds, maybe even a Bald Eagle or Osprey. And as you look on land, expect to see deer, fox, and wild turkeys. After 1.5 to 2 hours of paddling time, we'll pack up and head to a nearby boutique winery for a wine tasting and lunch over-looking the vineyards. You'll arrive back to the Embassy Suites by about 2:30 p.m. today for an afternoon of relaxing by the pool.

Tonight is “Date Night” for the adults. We’ll make your dinner reservation tonight at one of Napa’s world-class restaurants. And while you’re enjoying a night out on the town, our guides will entertain the kids, possibly taking the kids to one of the popular local activity centers: Rockzilla, PB&J's or The Zone, which offer a mix of indoor rock-climbing, slides, mazes and all-around kid-oriented fun.

Day 4
After breakfast this morning, we’ll load the vans with your luggage and leave the Napa Valley for San Francisco. But instead of shuttling you by van the whole way, we increase the adventure quotient by dropping you off at the Baylink Ferry Station so you can “cruise” into the city in style. Our owner's kids say, “It’s the coolest way to go to San Francisco!” The 45-minute high-speed ferry ride offers amazing views of Alcatraz, Treasure Island, Angel Island and the dramatic San Francisco skyline. Upon reaching Fisherman’s Wharf, your tour guide will be waiting with your bikes and we’ll set off at your pace through the Marina waterfront, along the outskirts of the historic Presidio and finally, across the Golden Gate Bride. With postcard-ready backdrops lining the way, you’ll want your camera within reach at all times!

From the Golden Gate Bridge, we'll coast into Sausalito, a quintessential Californian coastal town lined with unique shops, art galleries, cafes, ice cream parlors and other fun diversions. A picnic lunch will be spread out and waiting for us at a local park. After lunch, you’ll have the option to go sea kayaking on the calm waters of Richardson Bay, or if you prefer, you’re welcome to stay ashore and trip around town for a few hours instead.

This afternoon, we'll drive north along one of the most scenic stretches of coastal Highway 1 as we make our way to Point Reyes National Seashore. You'll check into your own family suite Inverness Valley Inn and unwind a bit before rejoining the group for dinner.

Day 5
After breakfast, we’ll lace up our hiking shoes and head to Mt Tamalpais State Park (the locals call it Mt. Tam) for some hiking through the majestic coastal redwoods. We’ll trek under a cathedral of towering redwoods, catching occasional glimpses of sunlight along the way. Your guide will enlighten you on a bit of the history of the redwoods in this area, including the significant role these trees played in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. A trail-side picnic is a natural fit for today’s lunch before we make the drive back to the Inverness Valley Inn.

Day 6 *Departure Day
Our adventures will take us to Point Reyes National Seashore today. This National Park, only 100 square miles in size, is packed with more than 1000 species of plants and wildlife. It is one of the few remaining places where the impressive Tule Elk roam and is also a year-round home to the wildly entertaining northern elephant seals. During the whale migratory season (late-November through April), Pt. Reyes National Seashore is also a prime place to spy gray whales as they travel along the coast.

Our hiking route will provide plenty of ocean views and an abundance wildlife to discover. It's not a matter of “if,” but “what” you will see on this excursion. Your guide will discuss the challenges faced by some of the endangered species that currently thrive against the odds within the boundaries of this federally protected land. You’ll also learn about the geological forces behind the popular moniker given to this area: “The Island.”  

Today's picnic lunch setting will overlook the beaches at Drakes Bay. Afterward, you’ll have the option to ride in the van and visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse and the “sea lion overlook” or, you’re welcome to hang back at the beach. This afternoon, we'll drive to Larkspur where we will say our farewells. The town of Larkspur is convenient for its proximity to the Marin Airporter terminal (www.marinairporter.com), which provides transport to SFO. You will be able to catch a flight out of SFO tonight (with a departure time of 8 p.m. or later), or you may decide to spend the night at the Larkspur Marriott Courtyard or another nearby hotel and take the Marin Airporter to SFO in the morning.