Vancouver to San Diego

Discover the vibrancy of this British Columbia cosmopolitan. Vancouver has eclectic neighbors to explore, exquisite seafood, and the largest natural park in North America.

Discovered by Captain Cook over two centuries ago, the lovely city of Victoria has successfully nurtured its English ambiance and heritage. Wonderful legacies are preserved with bright red double-decker buses and the delicious tradition of high tea. Shops brim with tartans, china, silver and antiques. From the landmark Empress Hotel to the impressive Parliament Buildings, city streets are filled with gracious architecture. A glorious profusion of colorful flowers abounds within the hanging baskets on every lamppost and at the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Victoria is an atmospheric city which brims with old-world charm.

Founded as Fort Astoria in 1810 as the trading post for John Jacob Astor’s American Fur Company, this is near the wilderness explored by Lewis & Clark, too. A look into the past is enjoyed on strolls past restored Victorian homes and explorations of the revitalized 1920’s-era downtown. Astoria’s natural beauty is as renowned as its history, with its “Little San Francisco” character set against the steep, wooded hillsides of a temperate rain forest.

Indulge in the San Francisco lifestyle by grabbing a bite of clam chowder as you walk through Fisherman’s Wharf, catching some sun with a breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge on Baker Beach, or hop on a trolley to ride around the renowned hilly streets.

Fair Mediterranean-style weather coupled with beautiful Mediterranean-style architecture make Santa Barbara a prime destination. Sunny days can be spent strolling through the Santa Barbara Zoo, exploring boutique- and restaurant-lined State Street, dining on Stearns Wharf or experiencing the wineries of nearby Santa Ynez Valley, producer of world-class vintages and home to photogenic landscapes of golden hills and venerable oak trees.

Spy the beautiful casino on your approach to the pretty little town of Avalon, and you will begin to experience a place that takes you back in time. William Wrigley, Jr. of Wrigley chewing gum fame bought the island in 1919 as a place for his Chicago Cubs to train and developing a small resort for generations of day-trippers and honeymooners. Home to the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy, the rugged landscape is a haven for wildlife.

This magical city is festive and friendly, from its legendary zoo to Balboa Park everyone here seems to be living that quintessential California lifestyle – sun, sand and surf. Between ocean and desert, the near perfect weather here is ideal for exploring charming neighborhoods, gorgeous parks, and of course, the beach.