CALIFORNIA

San Francisco

Our summer service adventure begins and ends in the great city of San Francisco, which gives us plenty of time to explore this iconic metropolis and its beautiful natural surroundings. We cruise the city’s quaint streets visiting colorful neighborhoods and iconic destinations. We laugh at the sea lions playing below Pier 39, ride a cable car up the steep hills near Lombard Street, wander through Chinatown, and have a chance to pick up a few souvenirs from the famous Fisherman’s Wharf.

Yosemite National Park Exploration

Yosemite National Park was among the first National Parks created in America. Well known for its towering waterfalls and unfathomable granite spires, Yosemite is as wild as it is beautiful. We spend three days exploring the famous sights of this incredible landscape while also partnering with the National Forest Service to lend a hand on important park projects. Our community service programming gives students the opportunity to build, preserve, and maintain natural areas that grant visitors access to the outdoors.

Upon completion of our impactful projects, we take time to explore this extensive landscape, meandering through El Capitan Meadow, taking a refreshing hike along the picturesque Mist Trail, and watching the sunset behind the dazzling granite cliffs of Half Dome. Our adventures in Yosemite are sure to be among the highlights of our adventure!

Stand Up Paddle Board & Lake Tahoe Adventures

Lake Tahoe, where California and Nevada meet, is the gem of the Sierra Nevada. Surrounded by towering mountains that slip into clear sapphire waters, we spend three days in this amazing location playing and working hard! Joining local conservation organizations, we get our hands dirty on various environmental projects and help maintain local trail networks.

While in Tahoe we also have plenty of time to play, as we venture into the lush pine forests, take refreshing dips in the clear rivers, and have the chance to Standup Paddle Board the famous turquoise water that makes Tahoe such a popular destination.

Whitewater Rafting the American River

Traveling back towards the Bay, through California’s Central Valley, we find ourselves at the stunning American River. Weaving through lush mountain valleys, the American River is the perfect place to play in the summer heat. After some detailed instruction from our river guides, we learn how to safely navigate our rafts and inflatable kayaks through Class II and III rapids during this exciting day on the river!

Marin County & Surfing

Tucked across the Golden Gate Bridge only a few miles North from San Francisco lies a sprawling playground of coastal mountains, towering redwood trees, and secluded beaches! Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay, this region has some of the most sought out destinations in California. Here, we have the exciting opportunity to search for wildlife along the Point Reyes National Seashore, climb the slopes of Mount Tamalpais for endless ocean views, or wander through the towering redwood groves of Muir Woods. 

In Stinson Beach, we have a morning of fun in the sun while taking some surf lessons on the world-famous break of the Pacific Ocean! We also take a chance to explore the Golden Gate Bridge by walking under its bright red supports gaining spectacular views of Alcatraz, Angel Island, and the hundreds of sailboats dotting the waters below. Our time in Marin allows us to reflect on our adventure and soak in the new friendships created throughout our journey.

Below you will find several Group Journal excerpts, written by ARCC students during their California Adventure and Service Program: