Alaska Port Cities

Glacier Bay
It's not surprising that long, narrow Glacier Bay attracts such a variety of wildlife. Along one side runs the edge of Glacier National Park, home to wolves, moose, grizzly and brown bears, blacktail deer and lynx. Listen for the amazing sound of a glacier "calving." Once you hear it, you'll never forget it.

Inside Passage
Don't even bother trying to count the wildlife along the 1,000-mile-long Alaskan Marine Highway. The calm, protected waters are filled with sea lions, sea otters and migrating whales; the sky with soaring eagles. On beaches and in coves on shore, moose, deer and bears forage for food. Relax and enjoy.

Juneau, Alaska
Accessible only by water and air, it's not surprising that wildlife thrives in Juneau's stunning frontier landscape. In fact, it's the only state capitol whose governor's mansion sits less than one mile from prime grizzly bear habitat.

Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan's 19th-century commercial fishing, canning and logging industries drew hearty workers who added a raucous side to the city's history. The infamous restored "red light" district with its bordello-turned-museum is a present-day testament to that era.

Monterrey, California
Take a stroll down Cannery Row, the thoroughfare immortalized by John Steinbeck in the novel of the same name. Visit the amazing Monterrey Bay Aquarium or world-famous Pebble Beach. Or simply explore the many historic buildings to b found downtown.

Outside Passage
So called due to its origin "Outside" the Inside Passage, these outer islands of the Alexander Archipelago form one of the most wild, beautiful and little-explored temperate rainforest coastal ecosystems on Earth.

Sawyer Glacier
Though it's not as well known as Glacier Bay, some naturalists claim Sawyer Glacier is even more spectacular. Located in the Tracy Arm Fjord framed by 7,000-foot-high snowcapped mountains, Sawyer Glacier boasts an impressive list of wildlife: black and brown bears, deer, wolves and moose. Even mountain goats, which usually keep to higher elevations, have been seen near its base.

Skagway, Alaska
It all started in 1896, when gold was discovered in a tributary of the Klondike River and tiny Skagway quickly grew to 20,000 residents. By 1900, the White Pass and Yukon Route railway began carrying the more fortunate gold seekers over the mountain pass. The real gold, some say, never left Skagway. It's still here in the matchless golden sunrises and sunsets.

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
The British monarch not withstanding, Victoria is home to a rich diversity of cultures. It's also the launch pad for trips into the Canadian wilderness. Ferries ply the straits between the island and the mainland, bringing people for a pleasant afternoon amid the museums, flower gardens and galleries.

Much like Canada’s friendly population, this seaside city has a sunny disposition. Its mild climate promotes lush vegetation and countless parks. Now wonder Victoria’s nickname is “City of Gardens.”

Wrangell, Alaska
The natives are used to its beauty - the sunsets and trees. The waters of the Strikine River (a most famous fishing river) and the sport fishing and sea kayaking. However, there's one thing the natives have never gotten used to, tourists. Don't get us wrong, they love tourists. They have tourist and gift shops with some of the best buys to be had. It the fuss that tourists make when they see a bear. That's what they can't get used to. And then there's that question... tourists always wants to know if they can feed the bears. The natives take pleasure in their reply, "Feed'em only if you want to be their lunch." Enjoy Wrangell, but don't feed the bears.

PACIFIC COASTAL PORT CITIES

Astoria, Oregon
Founded by millionaire John Jacob Astor in 1811, this fur trading post clustered around the mouth of the Columbia River was the oldest settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. Much of its history of whaling, exploration and shipwrecks - and the city's heart and soul - centered around the river and the sea. Today, the fine old candy-colored Victorian homes of Astoria's earliest residents still line the well-manicured streets.