California Adventure

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California Adventure

Destination

California

Current Grades

7th, 8th, 9th

length

18 Days

view dates and prices
Meeting Place

​Arrive and depart
Sacramento, CA (SMF)

Explore the grandeur of northern California for 18 days! Backpack in one of the most majestic, wildlife-filled, and untouched places in the world: the Lost Coast in the King Range.  Then spend several days splashing down the Rogue and American rivers in whitewater rafts and inflatable kayaks. Mountain bike and rock climb in the shadows of Mt. Shasta, and hike around the lava tubes and thermal fields of Lassen Peak before doing a sunrise hike to its 10,457-foot summit.

Overview Image

California Adventure Itinerary

Day hike in Point Reyes State Park

Explore different trails in Point Reyes, a scenic inlet known for its elephant seals and sea lions. We’ll hike through Douglas fir (which reach up to 250 feet in height) and oak forests, past fields of wildflowers, and next to the ocean. Above, watch for golden and bald eagles and many species of hawks, and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, humpback whales, and porpoises in the water!

Backpack along the Lost Coast

We’ll immerse ourselves in the wildness of the most untouched stretch of beach in the country in the King Range National Conservation Area. Journey for four days along volcanic black sand beaches, hopping over barnacled boulders and peering into tide pools for sea urchins and sea stars. Learn how to read a tide table, with the towering King Range peaks soaring up to 4,000 feet on one side, and the vast expanse of the Pacific on the other. You’ll likely see otters playfully scampering around, with harbor seals and sea lions laying lazily among the boulders. This is one hike you and your friends will never forget.

Whitewater raft the Rogue River

Spend three blissfully fun days bonding with your friends while paddling down the Wild and Scenic Rogue River in southern Oregon. The surrounding canyons show off pristine wilderness and rugged mountains, and at night you’ll gather around beautiful campsites on the banks. Top it all off with splash wars!

Summit Lassen Peak

Spend two days around this behemoth volcano in the Cascade Range. Explore the underground lava tubes and fumaroles, mud pots, and other hydrothermal features around this lava dome. Then it’s off to bed for an early night, as we’ll be waking up before dawn for a sunrise summit of this 10,457-foot peak!

Rock climb around Mt. Shasta

This riverside crag has routes for all abilities. For two days, progress in challenge as you feel ready, and when you’re ready to cool off, jump into one of several swimming holes in the Sacramento River!

Mountain bike around Mt. Shasta

No matter your skill level, all students love to ride the trails around Lake Siskiyou. Nestled at the foot of 14,179-foot Mt. Shasta, you can choose to bomb the downhills or take a mellower approach on more beginner-friendly tracks as you alternately wind through thickly forested areas and wide-open trails.

Whitewater raft the American River

Top off your trip with an adventure down the nationally designated Wild and Scenic American River. Fed by the crisp snow melt of the Sierra Nevada range and lush with vibrant vegetation, you’ll have a blast rolling down the continuous rapids.

Dates and Prices

Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    06/24/24
  • Return Day
    07/11/24
  • Price
    $5,195
Departure Day Return Day Price
06/24/24
07/11/24
$5,195
Included in tuition:
  • All meals
  • Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, and all group gear
  • Guided activities
Not included in tuition:
  • Airfare to and from Sacramento, CA (SMF)
  • Trip insurance (more info here)
  • Personal clothing and items (packing lists available for enrolled families)
Camping

About three-quarters of our nights are spent at “frontcountry” campsites, where we’ll generally have a more developed campsite with running water, toilets, and sometimes cell phone service. This may be a public or private campground. We often stay at the same frontcountry site a few days in a row.

The other quarter will be spent “backcountry” camping, referring to wilderness locations where we are most likely out of cell phone service and away from our vehicles, electricity, and other amenities. Multi-day activities like backpacking and canoeing take place in the backcountry.

Challenge/fitness level

No experience necessary; all skill levels welcome!

Fitness and physical challenge are subjective, so Adventure Treks does not “rate” its trips based on challenge. However, because we’ll be engaged in different outdoor activities throughout each trip, our students have the responsibility to be physically fit. We know physical fitness looks different for everyone, but it’s important to come prepared so that you and your fellow students can succeed. One student not coming prepared with physical fitness will negatively impact the entire group. In the months leading up to their trip, students should develop a routine that emphasizes stamina and sustaining a moderate level of exertion for many hours, several days in a row. Running, swimming, bicycling, aerobics classes, and team sports are all beneficial and will help improve cardiovascular fitness in preparation for a student’s trip.

Activities

​Backpacking

Mountain summit

Mountain biking

Rock climbing

Whitewater rafting

Reviews

Katie Davidoff, parent from Steamboat Springs, CO

It is hard to put into words the impact AT has had on our kids. What was intended as a meaningful, growth-oriented summer experience has become a significant part of our kids’ identity. The activities are amazing, of course, but the way AT builds community intentionally and purposefully is truly the crown jewel of their program. My kids have made lifelong friendships and had the best time of their lives while becoming confident, capable teens. What a gift! This summer, the most valuable aspect for my son was experiencing life outside of his comfortable “bubble” at home. Making new friends outside of school or his organized sports teams and eating, sleeping, and performing daily routines outside of his comfort zone were invaluable lessons for him. We knew he would love the adventures and activities, but he needed to feel “over his skis” a little bit and learn to adapt to new social and living situations without his parents’ or sister’s support. He says he wishes he had more friends from home who are like his AT friends! He felt very comfortable and accepted in the group and is really loving the continued social interaction now that they are all home.

Catriona Moore, parent from Durham, NC

Allison gave her first Adventure Treks trip 9 out of 10 stars, which is hyperbolic for a 15-year-old! She came home filthy and exhausted, having made new friends and experienced new challenges such as mountain biking, that she loved. Here “AT report” indicated a lot of laughing and humor, bonding and supporting each other, and of course amazing interactions with the challenges and beauty of the natural world.

TJ Intner, parent from Baltimore, MD

Jonah had fantastic adventures throughout his trip. Whitewater rafting, climbing mountains, backpacking, biking, kayaking, and more. We wish there was an adult version—we were jealous and so pleased. Each aspect of the trip was so well thought-out, from food to weather to gear. Jonah felt very appreciated and included, and the small kindnesses shown by the instructors and other students made the community experience first-rate.

Hilary Munson, parent from Tampa, FL

My child came back from Adventure Treks excited to share her experiences with us. She had an amazing time, connected with others (including her wonderful instructors), and loved the opportunity to disconnect from technology and immerse herself in nature and the outdoors. She is excited to attend again next year. She loved it all! – Jackie Ewing, parent from Broomfield, CO

Adventure Treks was a true life-changer for Sam this year. After a year of challenges, this was three weeks of a summer reset. Separation from her phone, forming amazing friendships with kids from all over, creating a new routine of evening meditation, and having support for the physical challenges the group faced was a game-changer for her. She came back happy, with a very positive attitude for the upcoming school year. The experience was awesome for Samantha, and we fully trust Adventure Treks and their staff.

Cheri Weber, parent from Wilmette, IL

From the stunning beauty, activities, and sleeping on the shore and under the stars, to the food and incredible friends and instructors, there wasn’t a minute my daughter didn’t love. It was the perfect medicine for a high schooler during these pandemic times with too much social media. The friend connection is beyond expectations, and they have communicated (sometimes long times on group FaceTimes at night) to recreate their hangout time. Would highly recommend. What a fabulous organization providing a life-altering experience to kids while the parents feel comfortable.