This is the first step in planning your perfect vacation. This site will host itineraries for you to plan your next trip. See what worked, how fellow travelers got around, and what to avoid.
San Francisco Day Trip
- Ferry Building
- Musée Mécanique
- Maritime Museum
- Ghirardelli Square
- Coit Tower
- Chinatown
Highlights
Begin your day early at the Ferry Building located at the heart of downtown San Francisco. From there you will have a great view of the harbor and a chance to purchase some bread from Acme Bread company and some cheese from Cowgirl Creamery for breakfast. After finishing your breakfast travel north-west by foot or by light rail along the water to the Musée Mécanique. The museum has a variety of old coin operated arcade games some even dating back from the 1920s.
After playing your way through the museum you can exit the building and head a couple blocks back east along The Embarcado. Grab some chowder in a bread bowl, a San Francisco classic, from Boudin Bakery or a local seafood establishment along Fisherman’s Wharf. Enjoy the lunch while watch the seals along the pier 39. From there go west, down to the free San Francisco National Maritime National Historic Park and Museum to learn more about the history of the harbor. Exiting the museum you will find yourself along the Maritime National Historic Park which offers a great view of San Francisco harbor Also located near the park is the Maritime Museum. Residing in an old beach bath house the free museum offers some of the nautical highlights of San Francisco.
Following your dip in the museum head up the hill to Ghirardelli Square. There you can get a view of the waterfront and indulge in some chocolate. Make sure to check out the shop underneath the bell tower, home to the original Ghirardelli’s chocolate and featuring some of the original chocolate making equipment. From Ghiradelli Square it is just a quick walk to Lombard Street. Lombard Street features a 27 degree incline that snakes down the hill with flowers and trees lining the way and providing a picturesque view.
After meandering down the hill, make your way back towards downtown. On the way stop by the Coit Tower. Built in 1933 Coit Tower provides great views of San Francisco and its surrounding area. It also features great 1930s artwork on the inside of the tower. Finish the day by traveling to Chinatown to admire the Fortune Cookie Factory and the Chinatown gate. While there grab some delicious Chinese food for dinner before leaving San Francisco.
Extra Time Options
- The Mission (Neighborhood)
- Alcatraz
- Cable car ride
- Golden Gate Park
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Twin Peaks
- Oracle Park
- Sausalito
- Muir Woods National Monument
Overnight in Portland
Highlights
- Rose Gardens
- Japanese Gardens
- Pittock Mansion
- Powell City of Books
After arriving in Portland and dropping your stuff off at the hotel you can begin exploring the city by heading to Voodoo Doughnut, a Portland establishment. After replenishing your energy head West and up the hill to the famous Rose gardens. This is a nice walk to the gardens and a good chance to get a feel for the city. However, the walk will take some time and involve traveling uphill. The gardens are also be accessible by the Light Rail if you prefer to take transportation to them.
As you enter the park make sure to turn around and check out the Portland skyline with Mount Hood in the distance. The Rose Gardens are quite the sight especially when they are all in bloom. Pay special attention to the Gold Award area featuring the best roses as chosen by Portland. After fulfilling your share of Rose viewing head across the rode to the Japanese Gardens. Enjoy the serene beauty of the gardens and waterfalls. After completing your tour of the Gardens you can head to the Pittock Mansion for a great view of the mansion, city, and the surrounding area. Finish the day by taking the Light Rail to East Portland, across the Willamette River, to explore the local distilleries and eat dinner.
After getting a good night sleep pick up a local energy boost from the other Portland doughnut establishment, Blue Star Donuts. The location on Morrison Street will be the most convenient for the start of your day. From there had back towards downtown, stopping by Powell City of Books on the way. Powell is a must see bookstore, that can send book lovers crazy with all the variety and options it has to offer. After getting your fill of books, head to Portland’s Old Town to take an Underground Tour of Portland. Grab lunch from one of Portland’s many street vendors. Spend the rest of the day checking out some of the cool unique shops Portland has to offer in Old Town and China Town before bidding Portland farewell.
Extra Time Options
- Lan Su Chinese Garden
- Oregon Zoo
- Saturday Farmers Market
- Portland Art Museum
Day Trip to Seattle
Highlights
- Museum of Pop Culture
- Sculpture Garden (optional)
- Pike Place
- Pioneer Square and the Underground Tour
- Uwajimaya
Start off your day by heading to the Space Needle area and the Pop Culture Museum. It is easy to spend all morning viewing the variety of attractions in the museum. Then make your way over to Pike Place market. See the fish throwing and the Gum Wall. Grab some lunch from the market and surrounding shops while looking at the fresh fish and other shops. After filling up on food slowly make your over to Pioneer Square. If you want a scenic view instead of taking the train head down the steps of the market to the waterfront. You’ll be rewarded by a nice view of the Bay and some interesting shop including Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. Once you get to Pioneer Square make sure to check out the architecture and monuments. If you have time take an underground tour to see the tunnels under Seattle and get a feel for the history of the city. After the tour head over to the international district to close out the day. Check out Uwajimaya for a great food court and a wide selection of Asian groceries and books.
Extra Time Options
- Space Needle Area
- Space Needle
- Chihuly Garden and Glass
- Pike Place Area
- Amazon Spheres
- Pioneer Square Area
- Local glass making stores
Travel Itineraries 