Things to Do in North America

The oldest continuously operating religious community in Texas, San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral was constructed between 1738 and 1749. In fact, the dome of the original church was the point from which all mileage in Texas was measured in the 1700s. The cathedral is well-maintained, and mass still goes on daily so make sure to be respectful when entering. One major attraction inside the sacred space is the Alamo Coffin, located near the church entrance, which is believed to hold the remains of the men who lost their lives at the Alamo. The cathedral played a part in the battle, as it was President-General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna’s headquarters during the siege of the Alamo, and from where he sent a terrifying message. Instead of flying the tri-color Mexican flag from the church’s belfry he flew a blood-red flag, letting the defenders of the Alamo know he would kill them even if they surrendered.  

Inside the church there are many beautiful points of interest, for example, the gold gilded alter, intricate stained glass windows and dramatic columns and archways. Outside, visitors can admire the mix of Gothic and American Colonial architecture.

As the church is not only beautiful and sacred but also historical, visiting the museum next to the gift shop can help enlighten you on its heritage. Additionally, the church offers both self-guided and group tours. You can either purchase a guidebook at the gift shop explaining the highlights and artwork of the cathedral or take a 45-minute guided tour with a knowledgeable docent.

San Diego Old Town is a pleasant place to soak up some history, browse for souvenirs, and perhaps enjoy a Mexican meal. Old Town is the site of the original pueblo (village) that sprang up in San Diego below the mission and fortress back in the 18th century. It preserves five of the original adobe (mud brick) buildings alongside scores of recreated structures, including a schoolhouse and a newspaper office.

Known for its hilly streets, cable cars, liberal outlook and the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is located in northern California on a peninsula between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.  Founded by Spanish settlers in 1776, the city’s population exploded during the California Gold Rush of 1849. An earthquake destroyed about 90% of the city in 1906, but San Francisco rebuilt and today is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.

How to Get to San Francisco
Your cruise ship will dock at Pier 35 on the San Francisco Bay, not far from the Embarcadero, the city’s downtown. Thus, many of San Francisco’s major sights are within an easy walk from the port.

One Day in San Francisco
Start your visit by taking a ride on one of San Francisco’s famous cable cars, which run up and down the steep streets between Fisherman’s Wharf and Market Street. Those with a strong interest in the history of the cable car may want to stop at the Cable Car Museum at the top of Nob Hill. Otherwise, while the morning fog is still lingering, head to the South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood to check out some of San Francisco’s finest museums. In SoMa, take your pick of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Cartoon Art Museum, the Museum of Craft and Folk Art, the Museum of African Diaspora or the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Once you’ve had your fill of museums, make your way to Chinatown, the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and the oldest in North America. Wander through the streets and alleys and stop in at shops selling herbs, porcelain and other trinkets before taking a break for an authentic Cantonese lunch.

Head back down to the waterfront and to Pier 41 and catch a ferry across the bay to Alcatraz Island. The island was home to a military prison in the late 1800s and a federal prison from 1933 to 1963, infamous for its inmates’ failed escape attempts and for housing criminals like Al Capone. Take an audio guided tour of the prison and then stroll around the island, enjoying views of the city, the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Returning from Alcatraz, head to Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can sample some Dungeness crab, salmon or Pacific herring before returning to your ship.

Port Information
The official language is English, although you may encounter locals who speak Cantonese, Mandarin or Spanish as well. The currency is the U.S. Dollar and ATMs are widely available, but currency exchange facilities are harder to come by. You may need to head to a major bank in the city to exchange money.

This stunning sanctuary located between San Jose del Cabo and the Marina is home to hundreds of species of indigenous birds and colorful wildlife. Nature lovers flock to this protected body of fresh water for sunrise kayak journeys and relaxing sunset hikes. It’s popular among birdwatchers, thanks to a peaceful habitat that attracts these wild winged creatures.  Travelers say that although damage from the most recent hurricane is still apparent, the San Juan Estuary remains an impressive and worthy destination for visitors looking to escape back into nature and experience the beauty of Mexico. Lucky travelers may spot local fishermen returning with the day’s catch or giant turtles wandering along the shores where strong waves lap the sand.  

Though it doesn’t often get the attention of its famous sibling, the Golden Gate, the San Francisco Bay Bridge is spectacular in its own right. Once the largest and most expensive bridge of its time, in 75 years the Bay Bridge has proved critics wrong – the dream of connecting San Francisco to Oakland would not be stopped by anything. Logistics, cost, and politics couldn’t stop the expansion, and now the Bay Bridge has made history yet again my becoming the world’s largest self -anchored suspension bridge. Safely transporting the 280,000 automobiles that transverse its roads every day, the Bay Bridge connects San Francisco to Oakland, with a little stop at Yerba Buena Island along the way.

The designation of being the most opulent plantation house in North America doesn’t come cheaply. Nor will you find the San Francisco Plantation mansion in any disrepair. A galleried house of the Creole open-suite style, this fabulous southern home’s riches aren’t just found on its sprawling property or wrapped up in its gorgeous architecture – the San Francisco Plantation has one of the finest and most extensive antique collections in the country. Reminiscent of Versailles and steeped in a history of rich antebellum living, slavery holdings, and sordid stories of love, wealth, death and honor, the San Francisco Plantation is not just a visit to any ordinary plantation home – it’s a surreal pastiche down history lane.