Gold Rush Trails – Los Angeles to Vancouver

Bask on the sun-kissed beaches of Malibu or shop along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Ride a bike through Griffith Park and visit the observatory, just below the Hollywood sign. Visit the stunning Getty Museum and maybe take in a special concert at the Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry.

With icons like the orange-colored Golden Gate Bridge, clanging streetcars, rolling fog and impossibly steep hills, scenic San Francisco never fails to capture your heart. While the setting is dramatic, the atmosphere is positively laissez-faire, so feel free to do whatever you wish. Tour notorious Alcatraz. See predators like the sharks that live in the surrounding waters at the Aquarium of the Bay. Observe the bonsai in the Japanese Tea Garden in emerald-green Golden Gate Park. Go up mural-covered Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill for an amazing view of the city, which looks even more dynamic at night.

With icons like the orange-colored Golden Gate Bridge, clanging streetcars, rolling fog and impossibly steep hills, scenic San Francisco never fails to capture your heart. While the setting is dramatic, the atmosphere is positively laissez-faire, so feel free to do whatever you wish. Tour notorious Alcatraz. See predators like the sharks that live in the surrounding waters at the Aquarium of the Bay. Observe the bonsai in the Japanese Tea Garden in emerald-green Golden Gate Park. Go up mural-covered Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill for an amazing view of the city, which looks even more dynamic at night.

The oldest American settlement west of the Rockies, Astoria was established in 1811 on the Columbia River. The city is known as the “Little San Francisco of the Pacific Northwest” because of the colorful Victorian homes clinging to its steep hills. A fine example of that late 1800s architecture is the Flavel House, now a museum with period furnishings.

Called “Shee Atika” by the Tlingit Indians, then “New Archangel” by the Russians who ousted them, Sitka boasts a multicultural heritage. Two dozen of its attractions are on the National Register of Historic Places, including Castle Hill and Building 29, a structure built by the Russians in 1835. The Sheldon Jackson Museum exhibits one of Alaska’s oldest native culture collections.

Hoonah means “where the north wind doesn’t blow” in the language of the Tlingit Indians, who make up about 70% of the population of this village on the lee side of Chichagof Island. However, wildlife outnumbers everyone, so watch for bears, eagles and humpback whales, which migrate here in the summer.

For a state capital, Juneau maintains a surprising small-town charm, in part because it can only be reached by sea or air due to the surrounding wilderness. Collections from the indigenous people are displayed in the Alaska State Museum. Visit Mendenhall Glacier for outdoor adventure.

Totem poles are one of Ketchikan’s chief attractions, and the best places to view them are Saxman Village and Totem Bight State Park. Drop by the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center to learn about the local cultures and ecosystems.

By far the largest port on Regatta’s Alaska cruises, Vancouver offers every imaginable big-city attraction. Explore the Museum of Anthropology and the Vancouver Art Museum for culture. History flourishes in the Gastown district, which borders vibrant Chinatown. Or enjoy a break from the bustle in Stanley Park, one of North America’s largest urban parks.