Cruising the Wine
Country of California
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The thick clouds smothering the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge were turning a cotton candy pink as our cruise ship slowly approached the landmark spanning the entrance to San Francisco Bay. Our ship, rolling only a bit from the swells of the Pacific Ocean, passed under the bridge, then turned eastward again. On this cruise, our destination was not an exotic port in the South Pacific, but the lush farming delta and celebrated wine country of California.
Our cruise was a three-night voyage billed as a "California Wine Country" cruise on Alaska Sightseeing/Cruise West's 125-foot, 54-passenger Spirit of Discovery. The ship is the smallest of Alaska Sightseeing's six cruise ships (the biggest can carry 107 passengers), a fleet known for its excellent nature-oriented cruise and land excursion programs in the waters of Alaska, British Columbia, Puget Sound and the Columbia River.
We sailed shortly before sunset from San Francisco's marina district, heading past Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to the Golden Gate Bridge. This voyage under the bridge was merely sightseeing; our first destination lay inland, up a river delta to the capital of California.
The Spirit of Discovery is a small ship, one that may appeal to many travelers who want a cruise that focuses on the passing landscape and nature, rather than bingo games, casinos, night life and midnight buffets- - none of which can be found aboard this line. Dress was always casual, and the main entertainment was sightseeing. Indoors, our diversions revolved around nature videos, wine tastings and conversations with other passengers.
After breakfast on our first morning, we walked to the front deck, camera and binoculars in hand, ready for whatever wonders we passed. The Sacramento River, a channel that has been redirected and hemmed in by levees, passes through fertile farming land. The sights we passed were a colorful mix: farmhouses, marinas, waterfront stores, ducks, herons and other waterfowl and clusters of fishing boats, with anglers some proudly displaying their catch.
Sacramento, our first port call, is the capital of California, and our ship tied up next to Old Sacramento, a restored gold rush-era district with scads of souvenir shops, restaurants and other tourist attractions. After taking a guided tour of the historic area, we then strolled to the town's two masterpieces: the California Railroad Museum, which features an outstanding collection of railway cars, enormous steam engines and railroading artifacts, and the grand mansion that houses the Crocker Art Museum, a showpiece of Victorian architecture, Native American crafts and other art.
The next day took us up the Napa River to the heart of California's famed wine country- - the Napa and Sonoma valleys. Our ship docked at a marina area called Sea Ranch, where we boarded a bus for a short trip to Sonoma, a sophisticated town whose main attractions were wine shops, craft and clothing boutiques, restaurants and a historic mission. (Other passengers visited a spa or went hot-air ballooning.) After a morning shopping tour of the town, we returned to the ship for lunch and then another bus ride, this time to the Schramsberg Winery and the nearby Acacia Winery, for more tours and tastings.
The wine country was the last full day of this weekend cruise, which was too short for our taste. But for those travelers who want a relaxing, casual cruise without all the glitz and bustle of big ships, this ship and this cruise line may be the choice for you.
For more information about Alaska Sightseeing/Cruise West cruises in California, Puget Sound, the Columbia River, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest or British Columbia, see a travel agent or call 1-800-888-9378.