Luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises is introducing 18 brand-new shore-side excursions with its two unusual seven-day Crystal Symphony sailings round-trip from Los Angeles up the California and northern Baja coasts this fall. Crystal Adventures will showcase the unique outdoor opportunities, culinary arts, and varied scenery local to the remarkable Golden State region during cruises departing November 20 (American Thanksgiving week) and December 4.
In Santa Barbara alone, adventure-seekers will have their choice of hiking, biking, horseback riding, paragliding, Segway-ing, or kayaking through the area, learning about everything from California’s Chumash Indians to native sea life. Additional outdoor explorations range from kayaking past the Baja coast’s 100 foot-high blowhole to a jeep safari through Mexican countryside with a winery as final destination.
California’s fine wines will be on full display via tasting trips to Santa Ynez and Napa Valley, the latter including a gourmet lunch at the famed Culinary Institute of America.
Foodies can expand their epicurean acumen via tequila tasting/education or a Mexican cooking lesson outside Enseñada, or a custom wine-blending competition in Santa Barbara. Guests can also explore the quaint Danish town of Solvang and hidden alleys of San Francisco’s Chinatown.
“These ultra-regional itineraries offer our first-ever overnight stays in San Francisco. More time in a more concentrated area allows us to delve deeper into what makes this captivating coast such an unparalleled world travel destination,” says John Stoll, vice president land and port operations. “From helicoptering over Alcatraz to a private tour of San Diego with just your family, travelers have copious choices on these sailings.”
The easy, LA-round-trip voyages visit Santa Barbara, San Francisco (overnight), Enseñada, and San Diego. Fall sale fares start at $2,400/person, including $500 “All Inclusive—As You Wish” shipboard credit, free air from 24 North American cities (or air credits), and additional family/friends group savings. A special promotion enables kids to sail free over Thanksgiving.
