San Francisco - American, USA & Canada Cruises

Enjoy a day of scenic delights as you travel the dramatic West Coast stopping at Monterey Bay, Cannery Row and Carmel Town.

South of San Francisco is the famed Monterey Peninsula, one of California's most scenic and historic areas. Your morning departure from San Francisco begins a day-long adventure down the breathtaking California Coast. Relax and enjoy the scenic drive through the quaint beach towns of Santa Cruz and Capitola en route to Monterey. Stops along the way provide an opportunity to view Monterey Bay and the rugged coastline. While in Monterey, you'll have time to explore the interesting sights and shops of Steinbeck’s Cannery Row and admire the beautiful views over Monterey Bay. Luncheon will be served at a local restaurant accompanied by a glass of Californian wine, mineral water and coffee.

After lunch you’ll take the scenic 17 Mile Drive to the seaside town of Carmel. Known the world over, the 17-Mile Drive features spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean as well as beautiful estates and mansions interspersed among the holes of the championship Pebble Beach Golf Course. Upon arrival in Carmel, you’ll have some free time to browse the many local art galleries and speciality boutiques for which the town is famous.

Your return to San Francisco will be through Silicon Valley, the heart of the high tech corridor where the dot-com era was born.

Note: Guests are advised that there will be approximately two hours walking involved on this tour. Bookings for this tour may close earlier than other tours for San Francisco.

This celebration of the senses offers the best of wine, food and art in the world famous Napa Valley wine region.

This exclusive tour begins with a drive to the picturesque Napa Valley, America's most well known wine making region. Visit the Clos Pegase Estate Winery, where art and wine come together in a unique setting. Enjoy a stroll through the beautiful sculpture gardens and art-laden caves during the tour. A behind the scenes look at the production facilities provides an interesting insight into the world of wine making. Then enjoy a private tasting of their award winning wines as you appreciate the intricacies of the wine making process.

Lunch will follow at the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America. This grand historic landmark was once the Christian Brothers Winery and now home to the famous Greystone Restaurant. Enjoy a three-course gourmet meal prepared in the open show kitchens.

The day ends fittingly at one of Napa's most enchanting destinations, the exclusive Domaine Carneros Winery of Taittinger fame. This spectacular estate features an elegant chateau inspired by Champagne Taittinger’s historic Chateau de la Marquetterie in France. Entering via the grand staircase, you’ll enjoy inspiring vineyard views on either side, with beautiful gardens below. Here you’ll see a completely different process as you learn how sparkling wine is made. Following your orientation, delight in a special tasting in the exclusive private dining room with a local wine expert.

Note: This exclusive tour has limited availability, therefore early booking is highly recommended.

Get a bird’s-eye-view of the city known as ‘the Jewel of the West’ with an exciting helicopter ride over San Francisco.

After a short drive, board your Bell jet helicopter for an exciting adventure above San Francisco.

Choreographed music will accompany your flight whilst your professionally trained pilot will provide some spontaneous narration.

From just a few hundred feet in the air, the views are spectacular and you will have a completely different perspective of the city. Travel higher to fully experience the striking San Francisco skyline, including a birds-eye-view of your cruise ship.

Other famous landmarks such as Alcatraz Island and the amazing Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge make for great photograph opportunities. Before landing, take in the bayside village of Sausalito, as well as flying over the Marin Headlands and along California’s craggy Pacific Coast.

Note: Your helicopter ride will last approximately 30 minutes.

Explore one of the most culturally diverse and beautiful cities in the world on this relaxed panoramic tour.

Marvel at the beautifully restored Victorian homes in the picture-perfect setting of Alamo Square and enjoy the serene lakes and lawns of Golden Gate Park. Relax as you pass through colourful Italian North Beach, with its cafés and bistros, before entering the hustle and bustle of Chinatown.

No visit to San Francisco would be complete without a drive over the world famous Golden Gate Bridge. From the Bridge you will have fabulous views of the city (weather permitting). After leaving the Bridge, enjoy an introduction to some of San Francisco’s most unique neighbourhoods. Weather and time permitting, Twin Peaks provides spectacular views of the city known as ‘the Jewel of the West’.

This pleasant panoramic tour allows you to see many of the highlights of this wonderful city from the comfort of your coach.

Note: This tour involves very little walking. There are steps to negotiate on and off the coach. The order of this tour may vary.

By day San Francisco is an exciting city, but by night this ’jewel in America's crown’ takes on a new sparkling dimension.

Your adventure begins as you enter the gates of San Francisco's famed Chinatown for a guided evening walk, where you’ll discover the hidden treasures of one of the largest Chinese communities outside of Asia. Your senses come alive with sights and sounds as you explore the secrets of these narrow streets and alleyways. Sights include the Chinese markets, theatres, herb shops, temples and more. You’ll even visit a fortune cookie factory for good luck!

Afterwards, hop onboard your coach to view exciting San Francisco by night. Drive past the glittering lights of Fisherman's Wharf and view Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower, the Broadway Strip and the historic Ferry Building. Cross the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island and savour a breathtaking view of the city by night before returning to your ship.

Note: This tour may repeat some of the areas seen on the San Francisco City Highlights Tour.

Enjoy a fascinating insider’s look at the movies and locations that have showcased San Francisco since the 1920’s.

Your guide and local movie expert from the University of California is about to take you on a journey of movie magic and trivia.

Drive by the St. Francis Hotel, with the first talking picture: The Jazz Singer. They say, “San Francisco has always had a love affair with the movies, and it began when they were silent.” Many of the greatest names in movie history made films in the city by the bay. Buster Keaton created films here and we see him in Daydreams, flying off the back of a cable car.

Later, as you go through the Barbary Coast, you will see younger versions of John Wayne, Erroll Flynn, even Mae West, singing; “I’m just an Occidental Woman in an Oriental Mood for Love!” from Klondike Annie. See Alice Faye sing; Hello Frisco, Hello from that film.

Over 80 of the best film clips highlighting San Francisco will be shown on screens on your coach as you pass by many of the actual filming locations. Some of the many films included in this unique tour are Vertigo, Dirty Harry, Foul Play and Mrs Doubtfire.

No film tour would be complete without a stop at Mel’s Drive-in (used in the film Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?) where you will take a short break for milkshakes or sundaes. A tour for real film buffs and not to be missed if you enjoy the nostalgia of the movies.

Note: Spaces are limited, therefore early booking is recommended.

Take a trip back to the ‘Summer of Love’ when everything was ‘groovy’.

Hop aboard your exclusive psychedelic ‘Magic Bus’, pop a flower in your hair and travel to Chinatown. This culturally vibrant pocket of San Francisco was an area of major influence and exposure to Eastern philosophies in the 1960’s. Next, visit the historic centre of the Beatnik Generation, North Beach, pass haunts such as the City Lights bookstore where Jack Kerouac and other pioneering figures of this generation spent their days.

Sit back and adjust your eyes as you are thrown into a psychedelic trip back to 1960’s San Francisco. As you cross modern San Francisco towards Haight-Ashbury, retractable projection screens will cover the windows and fill the bus with music and video about how this bohemian neighbourhood became the epicentre of the ‘flower power’ philosophy that transformed a generation and was home to the ‘Summer of Love’.

Step off the bus and feel the love at the lush gardens of Golden Gate Park, hear how America’s largest urban park was the site of the first Human Be-In and Earth Day and if the weather is nice maybe even join a Drum Circle. The 60’s era video and music of the ‘Magic Bus’ will have you immersed in the era of one of America’s most memorable cultural movements and make you feel present in the past.

Note: The majority of the tour is conducted by bus. This tour contains material referring to popular culture of the era. Wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on the ‘Magic Bus’. This tour has limited availability therefore early booking is recommended

Enjoy a fascinating insight into the lives of those imprisoned on Alcatraz, before visiting the free-spirited town of Sausalito.

This tour begins with a cruise to the infamous and notorious former federal prison - Alcatraz. Home to the likes of Al Capone and Robert ‘The Birdman’ Stroud, this austere island fortress retains its mystique even today. An award-winning audio tour allows you to explore at your own pace, while hearing actual interviews of former guards and inmates and the fabled escape attempts of those criminals who made their home on ‘The Rock’.

Returning by ferry to the city, you will board a coach for a scenic drive crossing the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge. You will arrive at the artists’ colony of Sausalito, a stark contrast to the prison island. The winding roads, cliff-side homes and houseboat havens make this one of the most unique areas in the region. You will have a short time to stroll at leisure and explore the many art galleries, boutiques and quaint shops in this bayside village.

Note: This excursion price includes a $28 National Park admission fee. Guests are advised that this tour involves approximately two hours of walking with frequent stops. The ground may be uneven with gravel surfaces and steps at Alcatraz. The tour may operate with a reverse itinerary. Bookings close 7 days prior to arrival, cancellations after this time cannot be refunded.

This tour takes you to the enchanting Muir Woods with its impressive Redwood trees before stopping at the village of Sausalito.

Enjoy the sights of the city as you pass through San Francisco. Crossing the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, you will have wonderful views of the bay and surrounding areas (weather permitting).

After your drive, you will arrive at one of the few remaining groves of virgin coastal Redwoods. These world famous trees are among the tallest and oldest in existence. The nature trail at Muir Woods leads you into the heart of the cathedral-like grove of trees. Take a moment to enjoy the serenity of this majestic setting, whilst learning the fascinating history of the giant Redwoods. Be sure to take your camera to capture some wonderful shots of these giant trees.

After your encounter with nature, you will continue on to the artists’ colony of Sausalito. At this charming Mediterranean-style village, there will be time for you to browse the quaint shops and galleries. Boutiques, yacht clubs and a small cafeteria help create the friendly yet sophisticated charm of this beautiful bayside community.

Note: Guests are advised that this tour involves approximately two hours of walking. Some paths at Muir Woods can be uneven in places. Comfortable, non-slip shoes are recommended. Guests not wishing to participate in the full walking tour at the Woods may wait in the cafeteria for the group to return.