Vancouver
Vancouver is a wonderfully scenic region that has vacation opportunities everywhere you look. The dining is splendid, and the shopping and nightlife are abundant. There are a number of high quality stores, and friendly nightclubs and bars are plentiful. One of the most enjoyable spots in the city is the BC Sports Hall of Fame Museum. Here you can observe the history and highlights of athletics in British Columbia, while testing your own might by actually participating in sporting events. The result is a lively afternoon that is sure to capture your mind and heart. Other fine museums exist in the city as well, such as the Museum of Anthropology and the Vancouver Art Gallery.
When you aren't too busy visiting all of the exquisite galleries and museums, you should take some time to notice the intrinsic beauty of the area. The city has some dazzling spots that are amazing no matter what time of the year you may be visiting. The air is fresh and the view out to the sea is inspiring, making for a lovely experience as you stroll along the port. The skyscrapers and new age buildings provide a certain contrast to the sparkling waters and clear skies. The Vancouver Harbour Center in the downtown portion of the city overlooks the beach and the heart of the city, depending on which way you are facing. This rotating landmark demands comparison to the Space Needle in Seattle, except that it is much smaller. Nonetheless, it still provides an opportunity to observe the goings on of this spectacularly unique city.
Juneau
Juneau is the third most populated city in Alaska, and it is the capital of this great state. Located in the Southeast region of Alaska, Juneau is a wonderful vacation spot full of fun activities, fascinating sites, extraordinary museums, and tasty eateries. The shopping in Juneau is fantastic, and the layout of the city is one of interesting complexity. Juneau combines ancient Alaskan traditions with Western commercialism and bustling city life. This is a very popular area, especially during peak ski and fishing seasons. The hiking in Juneau is terrific, as is the shopping. The wide array of stores offer unique-to-Juneau artwork and handicrafts of particularly high quality. In the summer this city is definitely the most popular destination in Alaska for cruise passengers from the United States mainland. There are a number of spectacular art galleries and specialty stores very much like those in many big cities. But, if it is remote and isolated wilderness you are in search of, Juneau will be more than happy to comply. There are great hiking areas, plenty of ocean for sea kayaking expeditions, and wonderful trails for mountain biking and other outdoor activities.
The population here is 300,000, but during the off-peak season, Juneau seems like a quaint little town with limited growth potential because of the area's geography, comprised of impenetrable natural barriers. Mount Roberts and Mount Juneau surround the small city, and avalanche threats have prevented any true expansion. The Juneau Ice field is a site that demands a visit; it too has hindered the growth of Juneau. Efforts to brave the mountains or forge the Ice field in hopes of expanding the city are just not feasible. Perhaps this is nature's way of telling the local government to leave this exquisite town just as it is.
Skagway
Skagway is a Southeast Alaskan paradise, full of culture and brimming with life. Parts of the city seem stuck in 1897, never progressing beyond the height of the Alaskan gold rush era. This is speaking in architectural terms though, as some of the restaurants and shopping facilities offer distinctly 21st century fare. This unique blend of old and new really enhances the atmosphere of Skagway. There is so much to see and so much fascinating history to soak up. The saloons and bars, some of which date back to 1898, are splendid, full of artifacts and local heritage. Because of Skagway's geographic set up, you will want to make sure that your cruise company has made all your traveling arrangements for you. Though Skagway is a small enough town that you can pleasantly travel around it on foot, side trips from Skagway to any of the neighboring cities can prove to be a difficult proposition. For example, the city of Haines is 14 miles away by ferry, but if you try and rent a car and drive to Haines, it is an unbelievable 359-mile trip to get there because of the poor or nonexistent access to roads around Skagway. In any event, lucky for you, downtown Skagway is quite compact and all of the best sights are reachable by foot.
In 1897, people from all over the world flocked to Skagway in search of a quick fortune. The gold rush gave thousands of men and women false hopes and dreams, and when the riches didn't pan out, the city really declined. By mid-1898, Skagway was not a pleasant place to be, as poverty and shantytowns had pretty much taken over. This bustling town of 200,000 shrank to a mere 700 when the gold rush ended. It took a while, but slowly people began to realize that there was much more to Skagway than an old gold rush town. In the last two decades, tourism has really kept the city afloat, and with the historic cemeteries, interesting museums, fantastic parks, and lively saloons, Skagway has entered the new millennium with a great deal of confidence.
Sitka
Sitka is a small yet lively town in Southeast Alaska that is full of surprises. Just when you think that you have seen all there is to see in this remote city, you stumble upon something that will instantly catch your attention. This is the case for the best restaurants and a few of the premier shopping outlets. They simply spring up out of nowhere, making for an interesting and exciting stay. There are a couple of great museums, and the scuba diving and sea kayaking in Sitka is marvelous. The calm, protected waters make these two sports very popular among both tourists and locals. Much of the land in Sitka is protected, further adding to the glorious experience of touring the city. The Sitka National Historical Park is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon or even longer, and the scenery is wonderfully picturesque. The hiking trails are great. In Sitka, your eyes will be opened to one of the top wonders of the world.
From an historical point of view, Sitka is perhaps the richest city in all of Alaska. The struggles and battles between the native Alaskans and the invading Russians proved to be an incredible story that will never be forgotten by either side. In the 18th century, Russian soldiers enslaved the Aleut people, but it was the Tlingits who came to their aid and battled the Russians. Eventually, many of the Aleuts went free, and the citizens of Sitka were able to maintain their freedom and way of life. Soon after, cultures blended and created a more subtle conflict in the region. In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska and the Russians left the state, but many of their customs remained. Today Sitka is a warm and friendly place, full of aesthetic beauty and fun-filled sites. The inhabitants are typically a happy bunch, and are accustomed to treating tourists with the utmost respect and kindness. The old churches and cathedrals provide a glimpse into the past, and the rich heritage and fascinating sites add to the lure of this culturally diverse town.
Ketchikan
Ketchikan is an ancient city that is both fascinating and enjoyable. Even though there are some American restaurants and stores, (and it is part of the States, of course), it is certainly not your typical American town. If Anchorage is at one end of the Alaskan spectrum, you will definitely find Ketchikan at the other end. This small city contains more totem poles than anywhere in the world, and is set at the base of Deer Mountain. Back in the 1930?s, Ketchikan was fondly known as the salmon-canning capital of the world. While this may no longer be true, the salmon fishing remains outstanding. Just before the beginning of the 20th century, a series of gold discoveries brought vast numbers of immigrants to the area. This created two important industries that strengthened the economy in Ketchikan: commercial fishing and lumber. The region prospered for a while, but suffered an economic depression after the gold dried up, and the immigrants were left with no more than when they came. Many of them left and went to other parts of Alaska where they could find work.
The city is quite compact and you can see most of it on foot. There are numerous stores that offer unique arts and crafts, jewelry, and other specialty items that are made by hand in Ketchikan. There are great trails for hiking and exploring, and a wide array of outdoor sports and activities is offered as well. A few restaurants will fill you up with hearty, quality food, but your options are definitely limited. While the nightlife and eating facilities are not bustling, it doesn't really matter, because Ketchikan is charming enough that its visitors don't need to be wined and dined. Ketchikan's charm is complemented by Mother Nature, who relies on the intrinsic beauty of the region to captivate tourists.
Seattle
Seattle has exploded from a small West Coast town known for bad weather into a bustling powerhouse on the Pacific Rim known for espresso. The city of Pearl Jam and Frasier Crane has undergone quite a transformation over the last couple of decades. Starbucks and Microsoft have headquarters in the region, bringing jobs and prosperity with them. With growth comes headaches, of course, and Seattle has had its share. The city's infrastructure was not designed to hold so many people, and the same people who used to snicker at the traffic jams of New York and Los Angeles now find themselves in the same boat.
That's not to say that Seattle doesn't have a lot of other advantages. The city itself is positively beautiful, with lots of greenery. It's a perfect town for a walk, as long as it's not raining. Of course, Seattle also boasts of one of the more recognizable symbols in the world, the Space Needle. The view from the top is simply breathtaking.
Downtown Seattle is where you will probably spend most of your day. The area has undergone a renaissance, with new shops and restaurants opening up around every corner, seemingly every day. A gorgeous art museum and a new ballpark, Safeco Field, have helped to attract this sprawling city back inward. Pioneer Square, which used to be a ghost town, has become the hip place to be after hours.
Seattle has been able to combine a small-town neighborliness with all of the cultural advantages of a big city. This unique dichotomy has attracted more and more tourists, as well as more and more residents.
San Francisco
Whether or not you will leave your heart in this great city is debatable. However, what is not debatable is that you will enjoy countless wonderful experiences while in San Francisco, you will have a fabulous time, and you will be a better and more cultured person for it. The citizens of this incredible city are about as diverse as anywhere in the world. They have brought along with them their cultures, traditions, and cuisine. San Francisco could not be more open to every nation and heritage. This is exactly what makes San Francisco such an extraordinary place to visit. Everyone is welcome, and walking through the city, you will encounter tolerant and fascinating individuals, eager to help you on your travels.
The city has an old and esteemed history, becoming popular and really ballooning in size back in the Gold Rush days in the mid-19th century. Chinese immigrants flocked to this part of California, and Chinatown in San Francisco is one of the city's amazing cultural centers. The dining in Chinatown is authentic and delicious, as it is everywhere else in the city. Probably the best parts of the city are on the coast, as the glorious Pacific and Golden Gate Bridge paint a beautiful backdrop to this bustling center of commerce. Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, and Ghirardelli Square are some of the best sites found on the coast. Just off the coast, sitting in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on its own rock, lies Alcatraz, a former penitentiary that can be visited by boat. There are a multitude of museums, activities, and sporting events to keep you busy during your stay. So grab a bowl of the best clam chowder around, and see the sights of this one-of-a-kind city.
San Diego
If you want the most fabulous and extensive collection of beaches in the United States, be certain to visit San Diego. Featuring seventy miles of glorious coastline, and pleasant temperatures all year, San Diego is a great place for tourists. Among many other activities, San Diego is a prime spot for swimming, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking, bicycling, and skating. Balboa Park and three world-famous animal parks round out this magnificent city. The San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, and Sea World are all wildlife extravaganzas.
Over the past two decades, San Diego has exploded into a cultural mecca, filled with activities and tremendous diversity. Prior to that, this region had a reputation for being a quiet little Navy town. A huge naval base can be found in San Diego, and a lot of the military have their permanent homes in the city. But the influence of three major universities in the area has transformed San Diego into a lively town. The shopping, dining, and entertainment options expand exponentially annually, and there is no reason to think that this expansion will cease any time soon. In addition, San Diego is right near the Mexican border, and visitors often take a short side trip and venture south into Tijuana.
San Diego was the first city established in all of California, making it a rich center for state and national heritage. It is a significant region that should be recognized as such, and whenever tourists pass through, they appreciate its beauty and importance. In addition to the great beaches and pleasant dining establishments, a number of state-of-the-art facilities are springing up all over San Diego. Qualcomm Stadium is the home of the San Diego Chargers and the San Diego Padres. If you plan your trip to include a sporting event, you won't be disappointed.
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