Pacific Coast Cruises

A Pacific Coast cruise will take you along a coast line where one of the most natural and lushest of green environments in North America is constantly on display. It presents a treasure trove of some of the most eco-sensitive projects on the continent.

Your Pacific Coast cruise will begin in Vancouver. Positioned between the snow-dusted North Shore Mountains and the rich, blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver blends big-city sophistication with small-town charm. If you can spend a day before departure, make sure to visit Queen Elizabeth Park – a 130-acre civic arboretum accented with sculptures by modern artist Henry Moore.

Nanaimo will be the second stop along your Pacific Cruise route. The third oldest city in British Columbia, Nanaimo offers wonderful walking tours along Victoria Crescent and Commercial Street. Stop in at any of the dozens of old storefronts and bars that line the streets. Walk past the old Palace Hotel on Skinner Street where cars seldom drive and you will feel like you are back in the 1900’s.

Traveling further south, your Pacific Cruise ship will stop in Victoria where you can enjoy the ever enchanting Butchart Gardens. A guide book will provide an explanation into how the Butchart Family transformed the gardens from a barren rock quarry over 100 years ago into what is now one of the world's best-known horticultural attractions. There are spectacular cascading fountains and footbridges connecting you to the many themed gardens including the beautiful Sunken Gardens, the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden. Multi-language maps help you on your self-guided tour.

Next, your Pacific Coast Cruise will spend time in Astoria, the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. Again, you can travel back in time to the days of the Lewis and Clark expeditions in the early 1800’s. Climb the 160 stairs to the top of the Astoria Column, overlooking Astoria, Washington and Oregon Beaches. Not to be missed is the world-famous Maritime Museum.

Once your Pacific Cruise ship docks in San Francisco, you will have to be very careful here, because, as the great Tony Bennett song goes, you may very well leave your heart in this city by the bay. Take a cable car ride, visit Fisherman’s Wharf for a great seafood meal, have your picture taken with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in the background, and marvel at the many curves as you take a drive down Lombard Street.

As you disembark from your Pacific Coast cruise in Los Angeles, try and add on one extra day to view the sights and sounds of this magnificent metropolis. Check out the scene at Venice Beach. Spot a celebrity or two on Rodeo Drive. Take a walk down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or tour the famous homes of the Hollywood stars. Try and spend the day at one of L.A.'s world-famous theme parks, or catch a ballgame at Dodger Stadium.