Pacific Coast Cruise
 

We're booked on the Emerald Princess in May for 7 days along the coast from Los Angeles to Vancouver. The ship stops at a port.in each state and in Victoria, BC.. If anyone has done this we'd like to know what you'd recommend for excursions. For example, in Astoria, Oregon. We think we'll find enough to do on our own in San Franciso and Seattle unless someone has something "new" to recommend. Also, what's to do in Victoria? I heard of a castle tour when stopping there at night on an Alaska cruise. Does anyone know of it?

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is a common excursion from cruise ships that stop in Astoria. If you can get transportation up there, you can also go up to the top of the Astoria Column - not sure how often port visitors do that, but you get great views of the river and the bay as well as the town and surrounding countryside.

Astoria itself is kind of a neat little town (it's a port town, not a beach town; you'd never know you're so close to the Oregon Coast). It feels a bit "retro" downtown and there's a tiny waterfront area with a few restaurants and such. I always stop at the Danish Maid Bakery in the center of town and grab something to munch on while I walk around.

I love that bakery, Andrew.
You can also hit the Ship Inn for fish and chips

http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrich...elling_me.html


and Joesphson's for smoked salmon.
http://www.josephsons.com/

Depending on how much time you have, consider renting a car. I think Enterprise will pick you up where the ship docks. And, if you do that, besides the Astor Column, I suggest Cape Disappointment State Park, outside of Ilwaco, WA, 15 miles WNW of Astoria. Besides the beautiful, secluded beaches, there's the North Head Lighthouse and its surrounding, dramatic land/seascapes. Then there's the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, which in itself is worth a visit. But, situated high on a bluff, it's got the best of any view of the mouth of the Columbia River.

Wonderful recommendations all! I'll print this and we'll do them. Thanks!