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United States/Pacific West Coast
A Pacific coastal cruise will give you the opportunity to see taste and feel the wildly festive spirit of this corner of the globe and an opportunity to shop, dance or just relax. The influences of Spanish and Mexican history can be retraced traveling down the Pacific Coast to San Diego.

With the advent of Homeland cruising, many ports are now offering cruises to the Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii/South Pacific and Alaska, including San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Seattle. From gleaming high-rise buildings to giant movie studios, the charm of these West Coast U.S. cities exude a rich mixture of factual information and culture. Take in the sights and eat some of San Francisco's magnificent cuisine.

Visit landmark Ghirardelli Square, take a boat to the infamous Alcatraz prison or ride a cable car to Chinatown with its narrow streets and rich cultural heritage. The San Diego harbor, bustling with activity, is one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. Make sure to visit the Seaport Village, a shopping and dining complex which depicts the harborside as it was a century ago, and the San Diego Zoo, the area’s most popular attraction.

United States - Port City - Los Angeles
This city known for setting trends in music, fashion and language is where the stars live, work and play. From the dramatic skyline of gleaming high-rise buildings downtown to its 72 miles of beautiful oceanfront with spectacular sunsets, this multicultural city creates magic California-style. Take a walk down Sunset and Vine and meet stars of film and screen. Go window shopping along Rodeo Drive. To lift your chances of running into a living, working actor, visit Universal City, home of the very-much functional Universal Studios and one of LA's biggest theme parks. No star-studded tour would be complete without a visit to Beverly Hills, home to the rich and famous.

Malibu is the archetypal Southern California babe beach and your best bet for sunning and swimming. The heart of Santa Monica is the 3rd St Promenade, a lively pedestrian mall packed with buskers, movie theaters, bars and cafes. The Santa Monica pier, built between 1908 and 1921, is the oldest pleasure pier on the West Coast. Venice Beach pretty much sums up the LA lifestyle. The beach's Ocean Front Walk is a human circus of jugglers and acrobats, tarot readers, jug-band musicians, pick-up basketballers, oiled-up fitness freaks and petition circulators.

Never mind that the neighboring foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains often sit shrouded in a mantle of smog; once you get over your wheezing, there are few areas of Los Angeles more redolent of LA's 'golden years' than Pasadena.

The heart of the city, known as Old Town Pasadena, centers on Colorado Blvd at Fair Oaks Ave. This 14-block historic district underwent a major facelift around 1990, ushering in a bustling renaissance of upscale boutiques, restaurants, coffeehouses and the odd antique and rare-book dealer.

L'Orangerie has been the place to find the most delicate and elegant French dinners in Los Angeles. 903 North La Cienega Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90069

Philippe The Original is one of the oldest and best known restaurants in Southern California. Philippe's was established in 1908 by Philippe Mathieu, who claimed the distinction of having created the "French Dipped Sandwich." Awesome comfort food. It is located on the fringe of Chinatown, within one mile of Dodger Stadium at the intersection of North Main, Alameda and Ord Streets. 1001 North Alameda Street Los Angeles, California 90012

The Lobster 1602 Ocean Avenue Santa Monica, CA (310) 458-9294 - Rising anew on the Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster has returned as a classic American seafood house.Here's a genuine lobster roll and a steamed lobster that will tide you over nicely until your next trip to Maine.

La Serenata de Garibaldi 1842 East 1st Street East Los Angeles, CA (323) 265-2887 - The tortillas are still handmade, the mariachis still play, and Jose Rodriguez's masterful sauces for seafood-chipotle chiles enrobing salmon, cilantro setting off sparks for mahimahi-are as smooth and smoldering as ever.

"Twenty-six miles across the sea. Santa Catalina is waiting for me..." This one exclusive isle still beckons those insearch of "fun in the sun" in a tranquil setting free of polution, skyscrapers, and yes cars (golfcarts are the vehicle of choice here). Catalina Island Resort Avalon, CA 90704

United States - Port City - San Diego
The San Diego harbor, bustling with activity, is one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. Make sure to visit the Seaport Village, a shopping and dining complex which depicts the harborside as it was a century ago, and the San Diego Zoo, the area’s most popular attraction. And of course Sea World.

Check out San Diego Art + Sol for: cultural itineraries, special hotel and restaurant packages, over 125 San Diego arts and culture organizations' websites, brochure request, and arts and culture events. Updated daily. Annual Julian Fall Apple Harvest -- Sept 15 -Nov 15 -- Enjoy autumn foliage, art shows, entertainment and seasonal foods, such as apple cider and pie, in the scenic mining town of Julian. Harvest occurs in autumn.

Blue Point Coastal Cuisine - This is one of the Cohn family empire of restaurants, which includes Kemo Sabe, the Corvette Diner and Dakota, and also the most formal in feeling, but there's still no need to dress up. Blue Point scores high marks in the three essential categories of cuisine, service and looks . 565 Fifth Ave. San Diego, CA 92101 Fifth Avenue at Market Street (619) 233-6623

Laurel Restaurant & Bar - The cuisine is mainly French, influenced by Provence in particular, but notes of Mediterranean, North African and California flavors chime in as well. It's the sort of place reserved for making a serious impression, enjoying a celebration or treating yourselves to something special. 505 Laurel St. San Diego, CA Laurel Street and Fifth Avenue (619) 239-2222

Hotel Del Coronado - Set on the tranquil island of Coronado, the Hotel Del is a timeless treasure in the sand. Explore miles of golden beach, distinctive dining, a full galleria of eclectic stores and endless activities for all ages. With 26 acres of beach, expansive pool and hot tub, children and teen programs plus an array of seasonal activities, it easy to see why The Del was named "One of America's 10 Best Family Resorts," by Family Life Magazine and "Tops for Family," by Gourmet Magazine's readers poll.1500 Orange Avenue Coronado, CA 92118 --- 619-435-6611

United States - Port City - San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the world's most beautiful and romantic cities.
One of the USA's most attractive cities, San Francisco's hilly streets provide some gorgeous glimpses of the San Francisco Bay and its famous bridges. This is a mosaic of a city, a big picture made from the colorful tiles of bustling Chinatown, the funky Mission, gay Castro, clubby SoMa, hippie Haight-Ashbury and faux-hemian North Beach.

Across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, Marin County is wealthy, laid back and right in tune with every trend that comes by. From hot tubs and cocaine to New Age spiritualism, mountain biking and designer pizzas, Marin was there first. It's a wonderfully varied peninsula with fiercely expensive Sausalito on the bay side and the wild Pacific coastline stretching north to popular Stinson Beach, hideaway Bolinas and fog-swept Point Reyes National Seashore, which is the best spot in the Bay Area for whale watching.

If your trip to the Wharf left you doubting the touts, turn to the towers of SF Station for a listing of the city's real happenings.

Chez Panisse opened its doors in 1971, started by Alice Waters and an assortment of idealistic friends. 1517 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, California 94709

La Folie 2316 Polk Street (415) 776-5577

Tadich Grill 240 California Street (415) 391-1849 - There is immeasurable integrity in the heroic cioppino, in the petrale sole with a quirky tartar sauce, and in the hefty mesquite-infused steaks and chops with "long branch potatoes." And there's immense satisfaction to be had from the timeless grace of dark woods, semi-private booths, white tile floors, and brusque but not unkindly waiters.

The two valleys, Napa and Sonoma, lie between 60 and 90 minutes' drive north of San Francisco. The Sonoma and Napa valleys lie side by side, separated by the Mayacamas Mountains, about 60 miles northeast of San Francisco. The Sonoma Valley is half the length of Napa's, just 17 miles from north to south, wedged between the tawny Mayacamas and Sonoma mountains. It is dotted with 22,800 acres of wine grapes, unassuming hamlets like Glen Ellen and Kenwood, and small farms. While Napa strives for a traditional French ambience, immigrants from Germany and Italy have put their mark on Sonoma.

wild thyme cafe One block west of Sonoma Plaza 165 West Napa St. Sonoma, CA (707) 996-0900 “the girl & the fig” 110 West Spain Street Sonoma, California 95476 (707 )938-3634 - Both offer the same rustic beauty of vineyards, wildflowers, and green and golden hills, but the characters of the valleys are quite different.

Napa Valley, further inland, has 200 or more wineries, many of them with gorgeous gardens, knock-out views, interesting architecture and art collections. Calistoga, a spa town in northern Napa, is probably the most attractive option for overnighting. If you've never been to this famous wine region, you may want to hit some of the more popular and historic wineries, such as Beringer, Robert Mondavi, Niebaum Coppola and Beaulieu Vineyards. If you've been before, and want to try something different, fancy a more intimate experience or just like to go off the beaten path, try some of the valley's renowned smaller wineries.

They offer not only great wine finds but down-home charm and a warm welcome. One of Napa's most appealing family wineries is vanderHeyden, 4057 Silverado Trail, Napa.

If you have champagne taste, try Schramsberg Vineyard and Cellars, at the northern end of the valley, near Calistoga. St. Helena's Casa Nuestra is a simple, rustic yellow house with shady picnic grounds. Casa Nuestra boasts a commitment to sustainable agriculture. Off the Silverado Trail is Goosecross Cellars, 1119 State Lane, Yountville, which also offers a selection of fine and unique wines.

Sonoma Valley is low key and less commercial, with only about 30 wineries. Happily, free tastings are still the norm in Sonoma Valley.

Yountville... historic birthplace of Napa Valley's wine industry and home to some of the country's most acclaimed cuisine... The French Laundry, Bouchon, Bistro Jeanty, Domaine Chandon, Napa Valley Grille, Piatti, The Diner, Frankie, Johnny & Luigi, Too, Livefire, Cafe Kinyon, Pacific Blues Cafe, Compadres Bar & Grill... just to name drop a few.

French Laundry. Built in 1900 as a French steam laundry, the rustic two-story stone house is surrounded by lush country gardens. Thomas Keller is chef and owner. Keller purchased The French Laundry in 1994, with the goal of creating a three-star country French restaurant in the heart of the Napa Valley. Contemporary American cuisine with French influences. Understated yet efficient service and a wine list that features many small California producers.The French Laundry 6640 Washington Street Yountville (707) 944-2380

Bistro Jeanty 6510 Washington Street Yountville (707) 944-0103 - Philippe Jeanty's bistro is a sunny, down-to-earth, neighborly spot that springs from his childhood roots in Champagne. Anyone fond of French charcuterie will be in hog heaven and duck paradise with jellied pigs' feet and rillettes de canard.

Brix Restaurant. The location’s panoramic view was what first began to define the look of BRIX. Fully organic gardens, sweeping vineyards, and the distant Napa Hills are visible from almost every seat. In addition to the natural scenery, a palate of soft impressionist colors highlights the restaurant’s décor, evoking the tones of the surrounding countryside.

Surrounded by picturesque vineyards, the Napa Valley Grille captures the heritage and lifestyle of this world-famous wine growing region. Chef Bob Hurley's all-fresh wine country menu is complemented by a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence wine list, which includes many rare and older vintages.

United States - Port City - Seattle
Seattle is on the western coast of Washington, the northwesternmost state in the continental US. The largest city in the state, Seattle sits on a skinny slip of land between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Seattle is a springboard to the spectacular: the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascades to the east; Mount Rainier National Park to the south and Puget sound, a fisherman's paradise.

Set on the Puget Sound and surrounded by lakes, rivers and mountains, Seattle is a recreation enthusiast’s dream. For others, it’s coffee shops, the Pike Place Market, the Woodland Park Zoo, Pioneer Square, the Ballard Locks, and of course, the renowned Space Needle, offering the best view of the city. The 1962 World's Fair, also known as the 'Century 21 Exposition', brought in nearly 10 million visitors from around the world for a glimpse of Tomorrow, Seattle-style. What remains of the futuristic enclave of exhibition halls, arenas and public spaces is today called the Seattle Center. Don't be surprised if it generates more nostalgia for The Jetsons than thoughts of the future. No other icon epitomizes Seattle as well as the Space Needle, a 600ft (180m) rocket-styled observation station and restaurant.

For a hungry traveler on a budget, Seattle has no greater attraction than the Pike Place Market. Nine decades old, Pike Place is one of Seattle's most popular landmarks, as famous for the theatrics of its boisterous vendors as it is for its vastly appealing edibles.