Pacific Coastal

Ranked in the world’s top 5 cities for quality of life, on a clear day you’ll see as far as distant Mount Baker. Find nirvana amongst the ferns and lofty cedars in Stanley Park, taste oysters in Granville Island market, and explore historic Gastown.

Victoria delivers a delightful blend of British pomp and outdoor adventure. Here you can admire Victorian architecture at Craigdarroch Castle and eat your way around Canada’s oldest Chinatown. Explore ‘Garden City’ floral displays or go cycling in the ‘Cycling Capital of Canada’. From orcas whistling in the harbour to glow-in-the-dark scorpions at the Bug Zoo, Victoria has every adventure covered.

Seattle is a young city, but it’s short history is part of the landscape and charm. Cruise to Seattle and check out the Hiram Chittenden Locks in the Ballard neighbourhood – this impressive feat of engineering passed its first ship through in 1916, and today, it’s one of the busiest lock systems in the US. Then, stroll through the nearby Carl S. English Jr Botanical Gardens, an English-style landscape garden with over 1,500 varieties of plants. Or head to Gas Works Park, on the grounds of the former Seattle Gas Light Company: This former business is now a prime vantage point to view the Seattle skyline. And don’t miss the famous Space Needle: From the top, you can take in clear views of the bay, the Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier.

California’s City by the Bay is a melting pot of cultures and natural beauty waiting to be explored. Stroll Fisherman’s Wharf and see the sea lions gathered to soak up the sun at Pier 39. Cruise to San Francisco and take the ferry out to Alcatraz to learn about the history of one of the nation’s most infamous prisons – the ride offers some of the best views of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Or explore one of San Francisco’s unique neighbourhoods: Head to the Mission and fuel up on house-roasted pour-over coffee as you peruse the hip bookstores and record shops. Or check out the impressive Palace of Fine Arts, surrounded by waters frequented by ducks, geese and swans.

Known as ‘The American Riviera’, Santa Barbara is home to endless hills that line the ocean’s edge of central California. The glittering waters off of Leadbetter Beach, the sunny skies glistening on the Pacific Ocean and the red-tiled rooftops of Spanish-inspired homes make for unforgettable Californian sights. At first glance, it might seem like a relaxed coastal town, but life is anything but routine in Santa Barbara. Between visiting the two-dozen tasting rooms of the central Urban Wine Trail, kayaking through caves in Channel Islands National Park or stepping into the past at the Old Mission Santa Barbara, a historic landmark established in 1786, this city offers something for every discerning traveller, year-round.

It’s less than 20 miles off the coast from Los Angeles, but Catalina Island is a world away from the city’s bright lights. Protected by the most stringent measures anywhere, this sanctuary is pure paradise. Boaters who make it out here find art deco architecture, quaint boutiques, and an eclectic dining experience.

Discover Los Angeles’ multicultural history by walking through its diverse selection of neighborhoods: See the ornate Twin Towers Dragon Gateway in Chinatown and the traditional Mexican shopping stalls and vendors of Olvera Street. Then, chill by the beach at Santa Monica Pier, or take the iconic drive down Sunset Boulevard, one of the most often-filmed thoroughfares in the country.

Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu and Long Beach are four of Los Angeles’ most popular beach destinations. Of the four, Malibu is the most remote and least urban — head here for surfing and stand-up paddleboarding. Depending on traffic, you can get to Long Beach in 40 minutes, while the others take around an hour.

Snap a pic of the Hollywood sign, stroll down the Sunset Strip and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or visit Paramount Studios. You can see all of these and more on the Grand City Tour by StarLine Tours which operates two times a day, seven days a week.