Compare Hawaii: Ocean and Islands Adventure by Discover Corps vs Road Trip: San Fran, Sonoma, Lake Tahoe & Yosemite by Great Value Vacations

Day 1: Arrive in Honolulu and Meet the Group

Meals: Dinner

Upon arrival in Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, you’ll be be met at the airport and taken to your hotel just steps from the world famous Waikiki beaches. After a relaxing welcome dinner together, we’ll get to know one another and discuss the schedule for the week ahead.

Day 2: Journey to Oahu’s North Shore & Experience the Aloha Spirit

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll set out for Hawaii’s iconic North Shore, famous for its big waves and stunning landscapes. Spend the morning in the historic Waimea Valley with a local organization helping to preserve the valley’s cultural heritage and rainforests. Assist with a reforestation initiative, swim in waterfalls, and see why the ancient Hawaiians deemed the valley sacred centuries ago. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Na Mea Kupono, an eco-farm that is home to Hawaii’s staple crop, taro. We’ll be hosted by this local family for a Hawaiin-style paina, or gathering, for our dinner as we learn more about their role in farming on the island.

Day 3: Climb Diamond Head & Sail out to Sea on a Catamaran

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hawaii’s South Shore is crowned by the now extinct Diamond Head volcano. We’ll take a hike this morning to the top of the rim to get a panoramic view of Waikiki from above. For those who opt not to hike, we’ll have the option to visit the Bishop Museum, home of the royal Kamehameha family and now housing an array of artifacts covering Hawaii’s vast Polynesian heritage. After lunch in Waikiki, we’ll hit the sea on a catamaran ride over the turquoise Pacific waters.

Day 4: Fly to Maui & Explore the Tropical‘Iao Valley State Park

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Enjoy a free morning to explore Waikiki. Head to the beach for a surf lesson with the Waikiki beach boys, check out the area’s cafes and shops or simply relax on white sand beaches only steps from your hotel. We’ll take a short mid-day flight across the Hawaiian archipelago to the Valley Isle of Maui. After landing, we’ll head over to the towering emerald peaks of the ‘Iao Valley on Central Maui for a guided hike of the state park. A location revered by the ancient Hawaiians, the valley also served as the site of one of Hawaii’s most important battles as King Kamehameha I tried to unite the islands in the 1700’s. Later in the evening, unwind at our Kaanapali beachfront hotel.

Day 5: Snorkel off Lana’i & Lend a Hand Protecting Sea Turtles

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

We’ll have an early breakfast before cruising to the scenic coastline of Lana'i island with the Pacific Whale Foundation. Spend the morning with breakfast on the boat (expect large boat with other travelers) and then 1.5 hours of snorkeling. Scout for wild dolphins, including acrobatic spinner dolphins, friendly bottlenose dolphins, and curious spotted dolphins. Conservationists from the Foundation will narrate your journey and take about everything from whale migration to plastics in the ocean to reef health.

We’ll return to Maui and, after lunch, spend our first afternoon volunteering alongside the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. Home to one of Hawaii’s largest sea turtle rescues and land based coral nurseries, we’ll join their staff on beach and marine debris cleanu , specifically collecting coral fragments. Take these pieces of coral back to the research center and aid in cutting them into smaller pieces to be grown at the center for a period of 8 months - something that would take the reef 20 years to regenerate! This coral is eventually placed back into the reef to bring back areas that are dead or dying.

Day 6: Maui Ocean Center Volunteering & Farewell Luau

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll spend another morning helping the conservation team at the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. On Maui and other Hawaiian islands, sea turtles are being threatened as their habitat is increasingly depleted. Green turtle populations are being impacted by events such as the 2018 hurricane that washed out the most important nesting beach for this species in the entire archipelago. We’ll continue to lend a hand on our projects while learning about some of the initiatives in place to preserve the fragile ecosystem both on land and underwater, including going out with the team to find turtles and tag them for research purposes.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll head back to the hotel where you’ll have some free time to enjoy the beach, swim in the ocean or venture into the coastal town of Lahaina. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner together along with a traditional island luau.

Day 7: Depart Maui or Continue on for the Post-Trip Extension

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check-out of your rooms. The rest of the day is free to relax at the beach or explore nearby Lahaina until your flight home, or continue on to our optional post-trip extension along the gorgeous road to Hana.

Day 1 Welcome to San Francisco!

Congratulations! You've officially made it to the coolest place on Earth! Slide on your sunglasses and buckle up: this is going to be the road trip of a lifetime.

The Bay Area has a legendary culinary scene, so show up hungry! Dig into your adventure with an obligatory visit to In-N-Out for an Animal Style burger (a hot tip from the locals - don't waste time on the rest of the "secret menu." Animal Style or nothin').

While you're here, don't miss any other emblematic San Franciscan favorites: clam chowder in a sourdough bowl on Fisherman's Wharf, a Ghiradelli hot fudge sundae from N. Point Street's Ghirardelli Square, Dungeness crab from Swan Oyster Depot on Polk Street, or an IT'S-IT ice cream sandwich from just about anywhere equipped with a freezer!

Be sure to make your way to Coit Tower in time to enjoy 360-degree views of the city while the sun sets!

Day 2 San Francisco

Wake up early so you can fill your day with sightseeing! The City by the Bay is packed with things to enchant every traveler - the Painted Ladies on Steiner Street, the vintage clothing boutiques in Haight-Ashbury, the sea lions at Pier 39, cable cars, Alcatraz Island...the list goes on (and on and on and...).

For a true Northern California experience, set off across the Golden Gate for a scenic drive to Muir Woods. This 560-acre park is home to ancient groves of redwoods that can grow as tall as 380 feet! 

On your way back, be sure to stop at the Muir Beach Overlook for gorgeous views of the Pacific Coast and, if you travel at the right time of year, whales! 

Day 3 San Francisco - Sonoma

Only about 30 miles from San Francisco, Sonoma County never fails to impress. Boasting 50 miles of Pacific coastline, 40+ spas and wellness centers, and over 425 beautiful wineries, the Sonoma Valley abounds in relaxation and rejuvenation. For a scenic drive from SF, take the Pacific Coast Highway! 

Highway 1 (also known as CA State Route 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) is one of the most stunning road trip experiences in the country. You'll get breathtaking ocean views as you wind your way along the coast. The drive north will keep the sun at your back and the Pacific to your left as you take in the marvelous scenery.

Day 4 Sonoma

Welcome to wine country! If you're looking for gourmet farm-to-table dining, state parks, and wine tastings galore, you're in the right place.

Sonoma County is speckled with farming towns and vineyards which belong to 5th generation growers. Here, 47 idyllic miles are packed with 16 wine regions, all growing a variety of grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Zinfandel. 

Day 5 Sonoma - South Lake Tahoe

The Sierra Nevadas are calling! The trip from Sonoma to Lake Tahoe is about 3 hours, so make the most of your drive with a stop at the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield. Treat yourself to a self-guided factory tour to see how the candy is made and snack on a few free samples.

Once you arrive in Tahoe, get ready for some fun! Whether you travel in the summer, spring, winter, or fall, there's plenty to do. Skiing, hiking, water sports, and more are yours to enjoy in this alpine wonderland.

Day 6 South Lake Tahoe

This mountain town is the perfect place to unwind outside. Spend your day in the sun on the lake, biking mountain trails, or hopping from boutique to boutique. When the sun goes down, move the party inside! Tahoe has a great live music scene, world-class casinos, and restaurants that will blow you away.

Day 7 South Lake Tahoe - Yosemite National Park

What can be said about Yosemite (pronounced yoh-sem-it-ee) except "wow?" This UNESCO-listed national park sits in a glacier-carved valley in the Sierra Nevadas. You'll find soaring sequoia trees, America's tallest waterfall, and dreamy hiking trails through thick forests.

Before you dash into the park, be sure you have a plan of attack. Hiking trails intersect and overlap, so be sure to bring a paper map. In the mountains, cell phone reception can be unreliable so make sure you know where you're going, how to get there, and most importantly, how to get back.

Day 8 Yosemite National Park

Start your day nice and early so you can pack adventure into every hour of daylight! 

There are five entrances to the park, so it's a great idea to plan your day before you arrive. There are trails for every hiker, so check out the features of each trail you're interested in and make sure it's the right one for you!

The loop to Lower Yosemite Falls offers an easy, 30-minute hike from shuttle stop 6. Those looking for a more moderate hike may enjoy a 3-hour trek on the Mirror Lake loop. Advanced hikers may enjoy the challenge of the 5ish-hour hike on the Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall Trails via shuttle stop 16's Mist Trail. 

Remember to bring plenty of water along as some trails do not have drinking water available. Be sure to carry out all of your trash and food waste (including fruit peels and shells), stay on the trails, and leave the wildlife alone - they're trying to enjoy the park, too! 

Day 9 Yosemite National Park - San Francisco

It's time to embark on the 3-hour trip back to San Francisco. If you want to do a little more SF sightseeing, Highway 120 is often the quickest route. Upon your return, consider treating yourself to an evening in the theatre district or a dinner cruise on the Bay!

Day 10 Depart San Francisco

It had to happen eventually: today, your Nothern California dreamin' comes to an end. Say "see ya next time!" to San Francisco and head home.