Column: Baja California Cruise Journal

The Baja California Cruise was a trip that interested me from the first time I saw the itinerary.

Our Shelby Senior Services group travels have taken us to the Pacific Northwest from Seattle to San Francisco, but Southern California was not included in that trip. So, when I saw that San Diego, Catalina Island and Ensenada were the destinations, I said “Sign us up!”

San Diego is a sprawling metropolis with about 1.5 million people. I was surprised that it had so much to offer in the way of experiences.

The charming Old Town district became our hub to see the famous San Diego Zoo, the USS Midway Museum, Balboa Park and Coronado Island.

Highlights for me included the Hotel del Coronado where famous celebrities and world leaders entertained guests from all over the world. In keeping with the theme, the elegant decor of the interior was topped off, literally, with hand-crafted crown chandeliers.

Of course, the USS Midway ship, decommissioned in 1992, fascinated us with veteran volunteers sharing their WWII details of service. Launched in 1945 just as the war was winding down, it is best known for the Battle of Midway, the U.S. Navy’s greatest victory, which is documented in a film shown in the theater on the ship.

The ship housed 4,500 crew, is 1,001 feet long, has 18 decks and was the flight deck for war planes, many of those on display permanently.

When going over the itinerary, I wondered why we were going to the zoo. Weren’t we a little mature for that experience?  When we arrived, I wondered no more!

Located in Balboa Park, the 100-acre zoo founded by Dr. Harry Wegeforth in 1916, allows guests to come within feet of the more than 4,000 individual animals. We were shuttled on double decker buses around the entire park up and down steep hills to view species in their “natural” habitats.

A male and female lion slept on their sides just a few feet from the bus as we passed. The male lion glanced our way briefly as if to say, “I’m resting here, go away!” then stretched out, closed his eyes and continued his nap.

Most fascinating for me were the two Pandas, each in its own part of the exhibit. The male was sitting curled up in a ball snoozing beside the pond. The female decided to perch on its back, feet in the air, on top of a bush-like bed, just enjoying the sunshine. What a life!

Life on a cruise ship is pretty spectacular, too. Gourmet meals, entertainment, a casino, special music and comedy in the restaurants and bars all day long comprise a pretty nice experience.

We boarded the Carnival Radiance after a morning bus tour of Los Angeles. Our guide made it possible to make several stops around Los Angeles to see places such as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, home to the academy awards, made famous with the celebrities’ stars, handprints and signatures on Hollywood Boulevard.

I had wondered if we would see any of the devastation left by the recent fires, but we did not see that.

Sailing to Catalina Island was next on the agenda. Only 24 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, its main town is Avalon. Its harbor is horseshoe-shaped with quaint shops featuring local crafts, upscale dress shops, souvenir shops, and at its far point, a round, picturesque casino still in use as a community gathering place.

Many of the prominent homes on the steep hillsides surrounding the town are owned by prominent businesspeople. The Wrigleys of Wrigley Field fame, part of the wealthy jetsetters from around the globe, still own homes and support the arts and community there.

I guess it’s OK to chew gum in Avalon!

Beaches are beautiful and buffalo, brought to the island during a film being shot there, were left to roam the interior land.

The last destination on the itinerary was Ensenada, Mexico. It was a hard choice to make when deciding what to do. Our choices were going to the beach, experiencing La Bufadora where a natural geyser erupts and sprays water about 50 feet high, or leisurely strolling through outdoor charming boutiques and shops selling local crafts and clothing and silver jewelry.

All in all, the Baja California Cruise was an enjoyable trip.

Come and travel with us, we would love to have you join us! 

Call 317-398-0127 for more information.  

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