Viking Oceans Cruises – Pacific Coast Explorer (Canada, United States) 9 Days

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Los Angeles is renowned as the world’s leading center of film and television, and is home to an endless array of museums, concert venues and other cultural institutions. The city also offers some of the best dining in the world. Along the palm-lined streets of Beverly Hills, grand celebrity mansions hide behind iron gates. The chic shops of Rodeo Drive invite endless browsing. The Roosevelt Hotel, an icon built in the 1920s that once served as the residence of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, oversees the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

San Diego is celebrated for its beautiful white-sand beaches, temperate climate and lush green parks. The city hosted the Panama-California Exposition to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal in 1915; more than a dozen Spanish-Moorish style buildings were built for the occasion. Today, these stunning structures house world-class museums and are part of Balboa Park, the nation’s largest cultural park spanning more than 1,200 acres; the most famous attraction, the San Diego Zoo, hosts some 4,000 animals and 800 species drawing animal lovers from the world over.

Santa Barbara is known as “the American Riviera” for its splendid setting between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. When it comes to its historic architecture, Spanish Colonial Revival and Mission Revival dominate, sharing the cityscape with Victorian gems from the late 1800s and California bungalows from the early 20th century. The hilltop Old Mission Santa Barbara, founded in 1786 by Franciscan friars, offers a glimpse of California’s early days. Nearby, more than 100 vineyards provide ample opportunities for sampling the region’s famed wines.

Sail Mar Pacífico, meaning “peaceful sea,” dubbed by Ferdinand Magellan when he crossed these waters almost 500 years ago. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade Deck or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

San Francisco’s skyline is one of the most recognizable in the world, thanks in part to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. This cosmopolitan city in Northern California has long exerted an influence far beyond its city limits. Home to the beatnik and hippie countercultural movements of the mid-20th century, today it serves a hub to many technology companies that drive everyday life. The city’s hilly environs are dotted with famed landmarks, including Fisherman’s Wharf and the oldest Chinatown in North America, while notorious Alcatraz looms in the bay typically shrouded in fog.

Traverse the world’s largest ocean, covering almost 64 million square miles. At twice the size of the Atlantic, the Pacific is an ocean of extremes. As you sail today, savor a range of international cuisine on board. Choose from a variety of international flavors at the World Café, enjoy al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, or regional specialties in The Restaurant.

Astoria was named for John Jacob Astor, the 19th-century fur trader and real estate tycoon. His American Fur Company built Fort Astoria here, and it grew into the first American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. Nordic and Chinese immigrants arrived in the late 1800s, working in fishing and canning industries, respectively. Today, Astoria remains a port and trade center, though it does so in the shadow of neighboring Portland and Seattle. Its fascinating history is chronicled at the reconstructed Fort Astoria and the Heritage Museum in the former City Hall.

Set amid the breathtaking landscape of Vancouver Island, Victoria is one of the Pacific Northwest’s oldest cities. Named for British monarch Queen Victoria, the settlement experienced a population boom during the late 19th century when the discovery of gold brought miners and adventurers from far and wide. Today, the capital of British Columbia is renowned for its mix of heritage buildings, eclectic shops and cozy eateries. A modern city boasting a large technology sector and university, Victoria still honors its First Nations, British colonial and Asian traditions.

Vancouver is one of Canada’s most diverse cities and the influence of its multi-ethnic society is reflected in the city’s multitude of restaurants and public settings, such as the tranquil Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden at the heart of Chinatown. The city’s cultural treasures reflect its indigenous community and embody the influence of European and Asian settlers. Its vibrant institutions run the gamut, from bustling markets to museums that chronicle the region’s anthropology and rich art heritage. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.