The coastal waters of Baja California are a whale-watcher’s paradise, especially January through April during the whales’ southern migration from the arctic waters. Gray whales, humpbacks and blue whales join resident fin, Bryde’s, killer and pilot whales to spend their winter in the calm, warm waters. Biological Journeys of McKinleyville, Calif., offers four- to 12-day trips throughout the whale-watching season. The trips also include daily shore excursions to view seal colonies, desert plants and bird species as well as time for snorkeling. The tours begin either in San Diego or La Paz, Mexico, which is at the lower end of the Baja Peninsula. The trips cost $1,050-$3,195 and include double accommodations (no single supplement) aboard fully equipped motor yachts with full amenities, all meals, beer and soft drinks, plus the services of a naturalist and ship’s crew. Call 707-839-0178.
Another Pacific Coast naturalist’s dream is Washington state’s San Juan Islands, a cluster of 400 islands at the foot of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. All Adventure Travel of Boulder, Colo., is offering several trips in October-kayaking, Oct. 4-11; women’s retreat-writing, Oct. 13-20; and a naturalist tour, Oct. 22-29. Tour members will sail the San Juans aboard the Catalyst, a former oceanographic and biologic research vessel built in 1932 by the University of Washington. The 74-foot wooden vessel is a veteran of many ocean crossings and provides space for up to a dozen tour members.
Each trip begins and returns to Port Townsend, Wash., off Seattle in Puget Sound. The cost for each trip is $1,450 per person,based on double occupany (no single supplement figures available), and includes all accommodations, meals, equipment, ferry transfers and the services of five crew members. Call 800-537-4025.
CITY OF LIGHTS
Niagara Falls, N.Y., is having its 14th annual “A Festival of Lights” Nov. 19 through Jan. 1, 1995. Beginning promptly at 6:03 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 19, the city of Niagara Falls will display tens of thousands of colorful lights, decorated indoor displays, professional and community entertainment-not to mention the winter beauty of Niagara Falls itself. Opening night will feature the “Electric Light Parade,” choral singing and fireworks leading up to the flipping of the switch that brings the entire pageant to life.
Several concerts are planned during the festival, including an opening night performance by Anne Murray, followed the next day by Ricky Van Shelton. The Ice Capades will perform “Cinderella Frozen in Time” Nov. 25-27, and Kenny Rogers will appear Dec. 6. For a complete list of events, call the Niagara Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau at 716-285-2400 or the Niagara County Tourism Office at 800-338-7890.
COMING UP ROSES
There’s no guarantee the Fighting Illini will be in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl, but that shouldn’t keep you from enjoying an end-of-the-year holiday in sunny Southern California that includes the Tournament of Roses Parade. Mayflower Tours is offering a six-day tour Dec. 29-Jan. 3, 1995, starting in Anaheim, Calif., that gives you a reserved bleacher seat for the Tournament of Roses Parade, as well as other area activities.
Before the parade, you’ll see the Rose Parade floats being constructed, and during the trip you’ll visit Universal Studios Hollywood, take a guided tour of the Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills and Hollywood homes of movie and TV stars, and meet soap opera stars at a brunch with time for pictures and photographs. The trip also includes a New Year’s Eve gala with a band and dancing, and an evening banquet with host Gisele MacKenzie.
The cost is $898 per person, based on double occupancy (single occupancy, $1,099), and includes five nights at the Hyatt Regency Alicante in Anaheim, three dinners, a box lunch at the parade, brunch with the soap opera stars and one breakfast. Call 708-960-3793, ext. 239.
