Cruise Departure Port - San Diego

Introducing San Diego

San Diego was named by Spanish expeditionaries, who sailed into the sheltered bay as far back as 1542. But it was nearly two hundred years before Spanish missionaries returned to establish a remote settlement.  Fast forward to today and San Diego is not just the oldest city in California, but also its 2nd largest. The city is a main navy center, an extensive commercial harbor, and the center of a prominent technology area.  San Diego's busy harbor and its proximity to the Mexican border give the city a bohemian vibe, and a redeveloped downtown and a long historical past adds to this energizing atmosphere. With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, the sunny climate attracts many new people and companies each year. So it's not surprising that many visitors come to discover this beautiful city.

You Choose The Cruise

There is a super range of cruise destinations from San Diego port. Options include the Mexican Riviera, Baja California, the Hawaiian islands, and routes to Florida via the (newly enlarged) Panama canal. Cruises from San Diego provides a comprehensive calendar of cruise ship sailings out of the city.

Cruise Terminals

The San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal is positioned across from North Harbor Drive at the B Street Pier, so it's very near to central San Diego. The cruise terminal is modern with a complete range of facilities for passengers. In 2010 a new cruise terminal was constructed on the neighboring Broadway pier.

The port website can be found at Port of San Diego.

Sightseeing in San Diego

USS Midway Museum
It's a short stroll on North Harbor Drive from the cruise port towards the big aircraft carrier ship, named the USS Midway, berthed at the Navy pier. Tour around the USS Midway Museum to experience the navy heritage of San Diego.

Embarcadero Marina Park
By the cruise port you'll find Embarcadero Marina park. Walk along the coastline for sweeping vistas across San Diego bay.

Maritime Museum of San Diego
Take a tour of the fantastic Maritime Museum, an excellent collection of historic ships, such as Pilot, Californian, Medea, the Berkeley and the Star India.

Gaslamp Quarter

San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter is perhaps the city's most characterful neighborhood.  Development of the area started in 1867. The Quarter is home to a concentration of designer shops, galleries, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, bars, nightclubs and jazz clubs offering a charming Victorian ambience mixed with a modern party atmosphere. The quarter is also home to big city events, from food fairs and music festivals to St Patricks Day.

Coronado Beach
Take a half hour ferry to Coronado island. A quick cab trip across the barrier island will get you to Coronado beach, a lovely sweep of sand on the ocean's coastline. Drop in at famous Hotel del Coronado, one of the few surviving examples of the Victorian beach hotel.

Balboa Park
The growth of Balboa Park started in 1916, when an ambitious series of Spanish style buildings were designed and built for the Panama-California exhibition. Today the park has become the largest city cultural park in the US. 15 galleries and museums are situated in the 1200 acre area. The most well known is San Diego zoo, however further notable museums include the San Diego Natural History Museum and the San Diego Museum of Art. The park also has wonderful grounds, especially the Inez Rose Parker Memorial Rose Garden and the Japanese Friendship Garden.

Spanish Missions
San Diego contains 21 catholic missions, established more than two centuries ago. The major task of the missions was converting the American Indians to Christianity. The first ever, named the Mother of the Missions, is named Mission San Diego de Alcala. This was founded in the eighteenth century by Blessed Junipero Serra. Only six years after completion Mission San Diego de Alcala was fired in a riot, but it was quickly reconstructed.

Traveling to San Diego Cruise Terminals

From the Airport
The terminal is a short10 minute drive from San Diego International Airport. Cab pick-up areas are situated on the forecourts of all three airport terminals.

By Train
Amtrak's main San Diego station, the Santa Fe Depot, is just a fifth of a mile away from the cruise terminal, so it's possible to go by foot or catch a taxi. If you are walking, travel west on Broadway street towards the bay.  On reaching the waterfront, the cruise port is easy to see.

By Car
If traveling southward on Interstate 5, follow the highway into the middle of San Diego. Exit at Sassafras, signed to the airport. Follow Kettner for 3/4 mile, until you reach Laurel. Make a right on Laurel and proceed west until you reach Harbor Drive. Turn left on Harbor Drive. The cruise port is one-half mile on your right.
If driving north on I-5, continue along the road into downtown San Diego. Turn off at Hawthorn, signed to the airport. Follow along Hawthorn until Harbor Drive.  At Harbor Drive, turn left. The cruise ship terminal is one-half mile on your righthand side.
Many parking lots cater for cruise passengers. Booking parking ahead is recommended.

Cruise Port - Los Angeles, California

Introduction

Los Angeles, also called LA, is the foremost city in the state of California, and the second most populated city in the whole of US. Sited on a broad flat area in South California, LA is surrounded by massive mountain peaks, parched plains, the Ocean and widespread forests.

Beginning as a insignificant settlement in the eighteenth century, LA began to grow when the railroad came, and enlargened rapidly until the present. These days the urban area has as its hub LA County, but extends into Ventura County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County and Orange County.

The city is home to eighteen million people who originate from all parts of the globe. LA has people of many backgrounds, including a big Hispanic population, a large Asian community, and big communities from other national backgrounds.

Los Angeles is an important center of global trade, business, retail and culture, but is most famous as the home of the world's movie industry. The glamour of Hollywood, Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills and Bel Air has enhanced the city’s attraction as an accessible dream further pushing the area's massive enlargement.

The popularity of Los Angeles’s cruise ports has increased dramatically recently, and today nearly 300 cruises start from the port every year. Routes available include the Hawaiian islands and the Mexican Riviera. A cruise from Los Angeles makes an unforgettable vacation.

You Choose the Cruise

The best liked itinerary from LA cruise port is a trip down the western coastline of Mexico. Baja California cruises typically call at Ensenada and Catalina island. Mexican Riviera cruises stop at Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo. Longer cruises available are roundtrips to the Hawaiian islands, and non-return trans Panama canal trips to the eastern US. In early summer there's also a variety of itineraries to Vancouver, as ships prepare for the Alaska cruising season. For a list of cruises from Los Angeles, see cruises from Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Cruise Terminals

There are 2 cruise ports in San Pedro bay, the World Cruise Center in the Port of Los Angeles (often called simply San Pedro), and four miles to the east Long Beach Cruise Terminal adjacent to the Port of Long Beach. Cruise ships dock at the World Cruise Center, except most (but not all) Carnival-affiliated cruise ships which leave from Long Beach.

World Cruise Center Cruise Terminals

There are two cruise terminals at the World Cruise Center, Terminal 91-92 for access to berths 91-92 (total length of pier 1550') and Terminal 93 for boarding at berth 93 (span of dock 1200'). Capacity is two to three large ships.

Each terminal has the basic facilities, including shopping, cafes, cab ranks, check in, parking areas and bars. For the port website see Port of Los Angeles Website

Long Beach Cruise Terminal

In 2003 Carnival Cruiseline deserted San Pedro cruise port and commissioned the Long Beach Cruise Port five miles away.

The cruise terminal is situated inside the white dome that used to house Spruce Goose, today located in Evergreen Aviation museum, McMinnville Oregon.

Long Beach cruise center possesses a single 1110-foot sized berth able to accommodate one massive cruise liner.

The cruise terminal has all the basic services, like cab ranks, parking areas, check in, eateries, bars and shops.

Next to the terminal lies the Queen Mary ocean liner.

Sightseeing In San Pedro

Los Angeles Maritime Museum

Be introduced to the history of Los Angeles harbor at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, sited at the Municipal Ferry Terminal. Check out hundreds of displays such as models, old documents, machines and photographs from famous vessels and boats. Sited near Harbor and 6th around half mile southwards from the cruise terminal.

Ports O' Call

Designed like a New England coast town, Ports O' Call is a great place to visit. There's several shops, bars, galleries and restaurants, connected by charming cobblestone paths. There is a quayside for boat sailings around the bay, day trips to Catalina Island and whale watching cruises. Ports O’Call is around a mile southwards from the cruise terminal.

Red Car Trolley Ride

The Waterfront Red Car Line is a one and a half mile long vintage trolley service running between the World Cruise Center and the Marina. The car stops by Ports O' Call and the LA Maritime Museum. The Red Cars are entirely refurbished to their previous glory, with upholstered wooden seats, ornate polished fittings and hardwood paneling.

Abalone Cove

Abalone Cove is an attractive beach, with a gorgeous coastal setting, radiant sunsets and superb views over Catalina island. Nextdoor Sacred Cove gives excellent rock pooling. Four miles west from San Pedro port.

Sightseeing in Long Beach

Queen Mary

In 1936 Queen Mary was launched for the historic Cunard Cruise Line and the liner sailed the seas for over thirty years, with a time of military service during WWII. The ship crossed the Atlantic over a thousand times, and set speed records on several occasions. In the late 1960s Queen Mary came to Long Beach and became a notable resident.

Sited adjacent to the cruise port.

Shoreline Aquatic Park and Aquarium of The Pacific

Be introduced to the colorful reefs of the Tropics, the frigid environment of the Arctic and the sunny seas of Southern California at this brilliant aquarium. Observe the ocean’s fearsome predators in the big Shark Lagoon. Subsequent to your tour to the aquarium amble around neighboring Shoreline Aquatic Park, a large area of parkland overlooking the sea. Located just across from the cruise terminal, taking five minutes by cab.

See Naples’ canals from a Gondola

Naples island possesses nearly a mile of canals, consisting of the straight Naples Canal and the large Rivo Alto Canal. A singing gondolier dressed in stripes makes a wonderful guide.

Rental gondolas are on offer near to the Bayshore Aquatic Playground Park. Or you can rent a kayak at the park, for a much lower price. Located around 2 miles east of the Long Beach cruise terminal.

Rancho Los Cerritos Ranch

Built in the mid 1800s, the house and grounds of Rancho Los Cerrotos Ranch are rich with the history of a mix of Spanish, Mexican and American California beginnings. Furnishings in the exhibit rooms show the work and leisure of both the owners and the workers of old-style ranch. Located around 5 miles northwards of Long Beach cruise terminal.

Alternative Ideas

Other attractions include Getty Center, Disneyland, Hollywood Sign, Warner Bros Studios, Universal Studios, Walk Of Fame, Farmers' Markets, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Venice Beach.

Getting to the Cruise Ports

San Pedro

By Car

Join the Harbor freeway (I-110) in a southerly direction. Leave at CA47 and proceed through the Harbor Boulevard junction. Make a right to enter the World Cruise Center.

From the Airport

Join the supershuttle minibus to the Word Cruise Center cruise terminal. Around a 45 minute ride.

Long Beach

By Car

Join the Long Beach freeway (I710)southwards. Follow the signage leading to the Queen Mary. On arriving, watch for signs for the cruise terminal drop-off and passenger parking.

From the Airport

Board the supershuttle service to Long Beach cruise terminal. Allow for an hour’s ride.

By Train

The closest train station to the cruise terminals is in central LA, about twenty-five miles away. When you book your ticket, choose San Pedro-Catalina Terminal Bus Stop (SPD) or Long Beach Queen Mary (LBQ) as the termination. A thruway coach will transfer you onward from the train station to the arranged bus station. The bus stations are within a short walking distance of the cruise ports.

Blog mentioned at BlogCatalog.

Guide To San Francisco Cruise Port

Introduction

San Francisco, considered by many as the US’s finest city, is surrounded on three sides by ocean and bay. In spite of the hilly nature of the land on which the city is built, the original city developers kept faith with a grid system. This has resulted in some steep roads, fatiguing for the pedestrian and testing for those behind the wheel of a car.

In 1769 Spanish settlers arriving from Mexico established the Presidio of San Francisco as an armed fort and the Mission San Francisco de Asís as a missionary base with the aim of converting the indigenous Ohlone population. Mexican ownership of the region was given to the Americans in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. In the very same year that SF became part of the US, gold was discovered close to the city, attracting the attention of thousands of would be prospective gold miners. The makeshift outpost rapidly grew into the US’s biggest city west of the Mississippi. From the 1860s through the 1890s San Francisco grew rapidly with the building of complete new neighborhoods. Over half of the population were foreign born, coming from places such as Britain, Germany and China.

On April 18, 1906, San Francisco's rapid expansion came to a halt when a strong earthquake devastated the city. Raging fires spread out of control burning to the ground almost three quarters of the city’s buildings. Restoring the city’s buildings began almost immediately, but building standards were not improved, as many argued that this would hamper rejuvenation.

After two decades of consolidation, the city emerged in the 1930s to benefit from another economic boom time. The Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge were built in a flury of construction, and in 1940 the Golden Gate World Fair received worldwide recognition.

Today the city is an international center for manufacturing, commerce and banking, and is also the home of a major deep water port.

You Choose The Cruise

A wide variety of cruise vacations are on offer with lengths of 7,10,15 days or even longer. Two popular voyages are first the cruise to the magnificent Hawaiian islands, standing alone in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, and secondly the cruise to the wonderfully scenic coast of Alaska.

Cruises from San Francisco details all the cruise ship departures out of San Francisco.

Cruise Terminals

San Francisco has 2 cruise terminals sited on the Embarcadero Waterfront, the main terminal at Pier 35 and a secondary terminal at Pier 27. The roles of the two terminals are due to swap in late 2014, with Pier 27 becoming the foremost terminal, with Pier 35 serving as a secondary berth for smaller ships.

Pier 35 Terminal
Pier 35’s attractiveness benefited greatly from the resurgence of the city’s docks in the years after the pulling down due to the 1989 quake of the Embarcadero Freeway that divided the piers and the city. The pier offers two cruise ship moorings pier 35 north and pier 35 south. The terminal is missing all but the necessary services, but there is one plus point. After you have embarked aboard your ship, go to the top deck, to appreciate the spectacular views of Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge, San Francisco bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Pier 27 Terminal
The brand new cruise terminal at Pier 27 scheduled to open in late 2014 as SF’s primary cruise terminal is named in honor of James R Herman, former president of the Longshoreman Union. The terminal has just one cruise ship mooring, but this is 1200ft long, a considerable increase over the quays at Pier 35. The modern terminal boasts extensive embark/debark halls with retail shops, tourism services, meeting rooms and ticketing counters.

Parking
Parking is not provided by the cruise port; however car parking lots nearby offer competitive rates for cruisers.

See San Francisco Port for the port website.

Sightseeing In San Francisco

Fisherman’s Wharf
Every year Fisherman’s Wharf draws hundreds of thousands of tourists to its many different attractions. Your visit to Fisherman’s Wharf can take in Pier 39, popular with children thanks to its sea lion colony and carousel, the cable car turnaround at Beach and Hyde, a wonderful part of San Francisco’s iconic cable car system, Ghirardelli Square, originally a chocolate enterprise started by Domenico 'Domingo' Ghirardelli, SS. Jeremiah O'Brien, a fully functional Liberty Ship and Hyde Street Pier, home of a number of historic ships. Also be sure to fit it a trip on San Francisco's unique cable car system.

Chinatown
Chinatown is located in the heart of the city bounded by Kearny Street to the east, Bush Street to the south, Powell Street to the west, and Columbus Avenue to the north. Characterful globe lanterns and brightly colored banners cross the avenues, which are lit at night by elaborate streetlights in the form of a Chinese temple on two dragons.

Golden Gate Bridge
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge bridge is accessible to both bicyclists and pedestrians, and was constructed with sidewalks on both sides of the six vehicle lanes. A trip to the Brige's visitor center offers a multi-media presentation on the history of the bridge.

Traveling To San Francisco Cruise Port

Whether arriving by car or taxi, the cruise port's downtown location necessitates a trip across the city, so be sure to allow plenty of time for your journey.