Uncover the Beauty & Culinary Delights of the California Coast
From California's rolling hills and mist-shrouded mountains to her mesmerizing seaside towns, there are miles upon miles of stunning coastline and modern metropolises that will surely steal your heart.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed week sampling local culinary delights through California’s renowned wine country, an adventurous trek along the rugged Pacific coastline, or the inside scoop on Hollywood’s entertainment industry, Princess Cruises offers the "Best in the West."
San francisco
You just may leave your heart in this iconic city. San Francisco has it all: a colorful history, superb restaurants, sophisticated museums, world-class shopping, and that elusive air of romance and abandon that's part of the tang of the city.
Home to cable cars, fog and world-class food, San Francisco is a cosmopolitan city with hip neighborhoods, parks and gardens and a relaxed atmosphere. Take a stroll down Lombard Street, the “most crooked” street in the world. Watch interesting characters flow through Union Square from a coffee shop window. Appreciate 1,000-year-old redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument.
MONTEREY
One of the most stunning, natural locales on earth, the Monterey Peninsula, with its jagged coastline, deep blue waters, marine sanctuaries and cooling cypress forests, is so jaw-droppingly beautiful it has inspired artists and writers Robert Louis Stevenson and John Steinbeck on its fabled shores.
Just 120 miles south of San Francisco, Monterey was first settled by the Rumsien, a Native American tribe; then, European settlers established a Royal Presidio and Mission in 1770, today one the most authentically restored Franciscan missions. Monterey's friendly community takes pride in its maritime heritage.
A walk down iconic Cannery Row reveals its past as the West's sardine capital, and the world renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium is a celebration of all creatures of the sea. Top it off with freshly caught seafood and a tasting of local, hand-crafted wines for a perfect day. Nature lovers will relish the opportunity to bike along tree-lined trails or drive the 17-mile road, a spectacular stretch of coastline real estate that includes Carmel, the seaside, star-studded town that boasts cottage-style curio shops, tiny candy stores, cafes and fashionable boutiques, and the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Course. From sandy beaches to salt-water taffy, Monterey offers the quintessential California experience to those lucky enough to grace its shores.
SANTA BARBARA
"Welcome to Paradise," is a fitting expression for those visiting the coastal city of Santa Barbara. Called the American Riviera, Santa Barbara is a place where food, art, history, fashion, wine and sunshine mix to create a delightful and unique experience for the visitor. Charming Spanish and Moorish style buildings graced by brilliantly-colored bougainvillea, palm-lined beaches, a warm Mediterranean climate, charming sidewalk cafés and a pristine seaside setting are some of the aesthetic reasons for visiting Santa Barbara.
The "Queen of the Missions," Santa Barbara's Old Mission can be traced back to the 1700's when the mission was built to bring Christianity to the Chumash Indians. The Old Mission is now a California Historical Landmark and is one of the most popular attractions in the area.
Just outside of Santa Barbara, lies the Santa Ynez Valley which is home to numerous world-renowned wineries. The scenic beauty of the dramatic mountains, lush valleys and oak trees is only surpassed by the rich flavors of the wines produced in the area.
CATALINA ISLAND
Just 22 miles long and eight miles wide, Catalina is a fairytale getaway. Kayak alongside dolphins and harbor seals. Snorkel in clear waters above shipwrecks. Surround yourself with the beauty of the island’s native flora and fauna in the Botanical Gardens. Admire the Art Deco architecture of the Avalon Casino, once the favorite haunt of Cary Grant, and keep your eyes open for bald eagles circling overhead at the Bald Eagle Habitat.
Since 1975, the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy has held most of Catalina in trust. Buffalo, imported for a 1924 movie, roam the island's sere uplands. Offshore kelp beds shelter brightly colored Garibaldi fish, sea lions and seals. Gray whales pass on their annual migration, and dolphins are a frequent sight. It's no wonder the island - home to America's oldest fishing club - continues to woo weekend yachtsmen, deep-sea fishermen and divers as well as casual visitors content to explore Avalon's quaint lanes.
LOS ANGELES
The City of Angels always hovers between dream and reality. Once a near-forgotten colonial outpost, the pueblo metamorphosed into an agrarian paradise before reinventing itself as a movie colony. Perhaps no other city owes so much to the technological innovations of the 20th century, from the automobile to the airplane.
Little wonder that LA is oft described as the "dream machine." In LA, reinvention is a way of life. Yet this talent for change has created a city with a rich ethnic diversity and a sizzling culture. LA is the source for trends that migrate across the country and then the world. Where else can you enjoy a Thai taco or munch on a kosher burrito?
L.A. is more than swimming pools, shopping and palm trees. It’s a world-class city that embraces its movie star good looks. Explore the star-studded Hollywood Hills. Visit the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre’s Hollywood Walk of Fame, which features the handprints, footprints and autographs of more than 200 stars like John Wayne, Judy Garland and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson preserved in cement. Wander Olvera Street for authentic colors and tastes of Old Mexico.
San Diego
Known as a place of infinite beauty, affectionate locals and endless sunshine, San Diego has become one of America's favorite cities. Located in the southwest corner of California, close to the border of Mexico, San Diego has a distinct cross-cultural feel, part sun-drenched Mediterranean atmosphere, part south-of-the-border zest and part quintessential California beach town.
The history of San Diego is rooted in its Spanish and Mexican past. San Diego was declared the capital of upper and lower Baja only four years after Mexico gained its independence in 1821. Less than thirty years later, the United States declared war on Mexico and within two years the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo was signed creating the current borders between Mexico and the United States.
The city continues to prosper with a population exceeding one million. World-renowned attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, the Salk Institute, Sea World, La Jolla and the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge have created a strong tourism industry for the area. But undoubtedly what attracts visitors from around the world is the city's breathtaking natural beauty, superb coastline and near-perfect weather.
About Princess Cruises
From its modest beginnings in 1965 with a single ship cruising to Mexico, Princess® has grown to become one of the premiere cruise lines in the world. Today, its fleet carries more than a million passengers each year to more worldwide destinations than any other major line.
