Much of Los Angeles lies in a fairly flat basin, surrounded by mountains and ocean. Although the Santa Monica Mountains, one of the most unheralded of the city’s remaining natural treasures, splits LA between the familiar sights of La-La Land to the south and the charmless suburbs to the north, the metropolis is easily traversed. Places for visitors to explore include Hollywood, Mid-Wilshire, the central strip of Wilshire Boulevard with faded Art Deco "Miracle Mile" zone and good museums, and the beach towns of Santa Monica and Venice, where visitors can stroll along the former’s remodeled pier and Third Street Promenade outdoor mall, or visit the latter’s famed Muscle Beach and oceanside Boardwalk. Lengthier trips to LA may include the old-fashioned charm of Old Pasadena, home of ever-popular Rose Parade and Bowl, Downtown, site of much city heritage and setting for what skyscrapers the area does have, the South Bay, the place to find the region’s second biggest city of Long Beach, and Malibu, where visitors can try to get a glimpse of movie stars and assorted celebrities.
Following the build of National Geographic Quest at Nichols Brothers shipyard, her sister ship the 100-guest National Geographic Venture floated into the bay on Whidbey Island, becoming the 4th ship in the Lindblad fleet built at this storied PNW shipyard.
Nov 13, 2027 - Los Angeles
Much of Los Angeles lies in a fairly flat basin, surrounded by mountains and ocean. Although the Santa Monica Mountains, one of the most unheralded of the city’s remaining natural treasures, splits LA between the familiar sights of La-La Land to the south and the charmless suburbs to the north, the metropolis is easily traversed. Places for visitors to explore include Hollywood, Mid-Wilshire, the central strip of Wilshire Boulevard with faded Art Deco "Miracle Mile" zone and good museums, and the beach towns of Santa Monica and Venice, where visitors can stroll along the former’s remodeled pier and Third Street Promenade outdoor mall, or visit the latter’s famed Muscle Beach and oceanside Boardwalk. Lengthier trips to LA may include the old-fashioned charm of Old Pasadena, home of ever-popular Rose Parade and Bowl, Downtown, site of much city heritage and setting for what skyscrapers the area does have, the South Bay, the place to find the region’s second biggest city of Long Beach, and Malibu, where visitors can try to get a glimpse of movie stars and assorted celebrities.
Nov 14, 2027 - Channel Islands National Park, CA
Channel Islands National Park is one of the great undiscovered attractions in California. It encompasses the five northernmost Channel Islands, which are seaward extensions of the Santa Monica Mountains.
The establishment of the 250,000-acre/101,250-hectare national park (half of this area is underwater) was the culmination of preservation efforts that began with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938. All five islands in the park can be visited—conditions permitting. There are three Channel Islands that are not part of the national park: San Nicolas and San Clemente are owned by the U.S. government and can't be visited, but Santa Catalina is a well-known tourist destination.
Luxuriant 24-mi-/38-km-long Santa Cruz Island has the most to offer first-time visitors. Take a guided Nature Conservancy hike, kayak just offshore, scuba dive and explore sea caves, or watch birds.
Another good choice is Anacapa Island. It's the closest to the mainland, just 11 mi/17 km from Oxnard; hence many people start there. A visit begins with a 154-step climb up from the boat landing to the island plateau. There's a nature trail as well as a lighthouse and a museum. Overnight camping is possible with advance arrangements. The other islands in the park are Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa and San Miguel.
The national park visitors center is located at the harbor in Ventura (on the mainland, 75 mi/120 km northwest of Los Angeles), and it's the best source for current information about each island, including camping and other permit requirements.
The Channel Islands has some of the best scuba diving in the world, and is home to a number of animal species not found on mainland California. There, you enter the realm of the mighty giant kelp forest, bright orange garibaldi fish, the small but beautiful blue-banded gobie, and large schools of jacks, sardine and senoritas. Lobsters also thrive in this area, luring eager lobster hunters for the October-March season. The visitors center in Ventura on the mainland is open daily. Phone 805-658-5730. http://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm.
Nov 15, 2027 - Ensenada
Ensenada is a small fishing and commercial port catering to weekend and summer travelers from southern California. La Bufadora on the southern end of the bay is a natural rock formation where the sea explodes into a natural geyser. Beaches for swimming and surfing spots are found both north and south of Ensenada. Other local sports attractions include mountain climbing, beach-combing and hiking. Ensenada hosts the very popular Rosarito-Ensenada Bike Ride, the Baja 1000 Off-Road Race and the Newport Beach-Ensenada Regatta. Valle de Guadalupe, one of Mexico's finest wine growing area is close by. Gray whale watching in the winter time is very popular in Todos Santos Bay.
Nov 16, 2027 - Bahia de San Quintin
Nov 17, 2027 - Islas San Benito
Nov 18, 2027 - Islas San Benito
Nov 19, 2027 - Islas San Benito
Nov 20, 2027 - Bahia Magdalena
The great Bahía Magdalena is the gate entrance to the Pacific. It is a unique place and, as a natural reserve of gray whales that arrive to its waters to fulfill their biological cycle during the months of January to March, a great location for whale watching. The islands of Magdalena and Margarita contribute with the counter coastline that protects it from the strong waves which characterize the Pacific Ocean. The elongated form and low altitude of the islands, shaped almost totally by white sand dunes, permits visitors to simultaneously enjoy the inside and outside ocean view from some of its points. A very beautiful coastline offers plenty of beaches, inlets, marshes and mangrove swamps that are the sanctuary of resident and migratory sea birds and its waters are rich in species for commercial and sports fishing.
Nov 21, 2027 - Cabo San Lucas
Once sought after by pirates for its safe harbors, the Los Cabos region of the Southern Baja Peninsula is now home to bustling towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Each offers travelers an exciting, fun-filled destination. Cabo San Lucas, with a population of 25,000, is the faster-growing of the two. In the past few years, swanky new hotels and sleek condos have been added to round out this vacation destination. Superb sportfishing put Cabo San Lucas on the map, but non-fishermen will enjoy the thriving beach community as well. Snorkeling gear, boats, waverunners, kayaks, paddleboats and windsurf boards are all available for the active vacationer.
Nov 22, 2027 - Los Islotes
Los Islotes includes a wetland preserve, as well as an estuary visited by monkeys and other wildlife. Behind the community lies a range of green and rugged mountains, including Cerro Hoya, the highest peak on the Azuero Peninsula. Los Islotes is a haven for active outdoor lovers, with trails for hiking through the lush landscape, riding horseback from our stables into the surrounding hills, or mountain biking to nearby Cerro Hoya National Park.
Nov 23, 2027 - Los Islotes
Los Islotes includes a wetland preserve, as well as an estuary visited by monkeys and other wildlife. Behind the community lies a range of green and rugged mountains, including Cerro Hoya, the highest peak on the Azuero Peninsula. Los Islotes is a haven for active outdoor lovers, with trails for hiking through the lush landscape, riding horseback from our stables into the surrounding hills, or mountain biking to nearby Cerro Hoya National Park.
Nov 24, 2027 - La Paz, Mexico
La Paz is one of the most beautiful towns of northwestern Mexico, and tourism now plays a major role in the city's economy. The Gulf of California is home to over 800 species of fish, including giant manta rays, whales, dolphins, and sea lions. In the mountains behind the city the Sierra De La Laguna Biosphere Reserve is home to an incredible abundance and diversity of flora and fauna, including species unique to the area. The city has an aquarium, two marinas, museums, theaters, and an art institute. The Las Californias Library is located within the former Government Palace, and holds the most important manuscript collection on the region's history.