My California Coastal Cruise

When we have gone on cruises before we have gone with Family. It is nice traveling with others you know but it is also nice traveling with just the two of us because we get to meet more people. I think cruising is a great way to travel and is actually about the least expensive way to travel when you think of everything you get. There is something for everyone, Great Food, Movies, Music and dancing, Karaoke Fun, amazing Production Shows, other entertainment and many other fun activities, depending on your interest. This is the first time we have gone to all the shows in the evening. My personal favorites were Magic to Do and Colors of the World.

We traveled in October, which was a perfect time not too hot or too rainy and cold for the different places we went.

Our Cruise started and ended in Los Angeles, and the Itinerary included San Francisco, Monterey, San Diego, Ensenada and two days at sea.

As we arrived in San Francisco, the first thing we did was go to Alcatraz. We really learned a lot about Alcatraz, if you have never been to Alcatraz, I suggest you go visit that historic site, you will learn so much. One thing that surprised me was that there were families that lived on the Island and that they felt very safe. They did not worry about their children going out and playing.

San Francisco is very pretty with all the Victorian homes, and the Cable cars. The Hop on Hop off is a great way to see San Francisco and learn about the history. The Golden Gate Bridge was pretty but I liked the Oakland Bridge better at night when it was all lit up.

Our next port was Monterey which is a seaside village on the edge of the Monterey Peninsula. We had to take a tender from the ship to Monterey. The excursion we chose in Monterey was the 17 mile Drive which is Very picturesque. We explored Carmel-by-the-sea which is a European-style village. Monterey is a place that I think I could live. Monterey is so beautiful and peaceful.

Our next port was San Diego. Since we had been there several time we thought about just staying on the ship. But we are glad we got off and rode on the open-air trolley through historic old town. We learned things about San Diego that we did not know.

Our last port before returning to Los Angeles was Ensenada Mexico. There we visited La Bufadora, which was a little disappointing at first but as we were getting ready to leave the water really shot up and we got a little wet. With several more great spurts. The tour guide taking us to La Bufadora and other sites was amazing. She really made the trip exciting.

We met women who were traveling by themselves and said that they enjoy being spoiled and having someone take care of them for a week. Also there were people that cruised at least twice a year. The people that had been all over on cruises said that Alaska was their favorite then the California coastal. One couple had traveled to Alaska 16 times and California 9 times, and mentioned to us that it is not so much the itinerary when you have traveled it is just the cruising and getting to meet people.