A brief cruise can be an exhilarating experience, often giving the impression that you’ve traveled farther and been away longer than you actually have. This is exactly what Anne and her sister, Vera, discovered during their delightful 4-day Baja Carnival Cruise. Departing from Los Angeles, the journey took them to Catalina Island, Ensenada, Mexico, and back.
Exciting 4-Day Baja Carnival Cruise from Los Angeles
A short cruise can offer an immense amount of enjoyment and often feels like an extended getaway!
That’s precisely what my sister Vera and I experienced on our recent 4-day Baja Carnival Cruise from Los Angeles, California. We embarked from the Long Beach Cruise Port, visiting Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico, before returning to Long Beach.
We had traveled to LA for a friend’s wedding, and the cruise was an added bonus to the fun-filled week we had already enjoyed. Initially, I thought about booking a cruise back to Vancouver after the wedding. However, I learned that such cruises don’t operate in June. While some ships depart from LA in April and May, they instead run the Vancouver to Alaska route until around September or October when they return to LA.
Fortunately, neither Vera nor I had previously explored Catalina Island or Ensenada, Mexico, so both ports offered fresh experiences, despite many trips to LA before. The close proximity of these ports to LA prompted a few chuckles from our friends who were dropping us off, with remarks like, “What do you mean it’s going to take you all night to get to Catalina? You can see it right there!”
Having Fun at Sea on a Carnival Cruise
Besides visiting the ports, a significant appeal of taking a cruise is the variety of entertaining activities available onboard, ensuring that the ship could move slowly without anyone minding.
Carnival Cruises are famous for having “the most fun ships at sea,” and this cruise certainly met those expectations. A vibrant party atmosphere filled the ship, with an array of fun activities available from morning until night. Some guests even partied late into the night, as mentioned in snippets of conversations heard during breakfast.
While Vera and I didn’t go to that extreme, we certainly had our fair share of fun. Our daytime activities included mini-golf, art shows, and health & wellness sessions. After enjoying happy hour and dinner, we relished the nightly entertainment that featured musical groups, dancers, and especially comedians. Even simply observing the amusing antics of other passengers was entertaining. With so many simultaneous activities, it was sometimes challenging to choose where to go next.
Santa Catalina Island – Our First Port of Call
We thoroughly enjoyed exploring both ports. For our first stop at Santa Catalina Island, I took on the role of ‘tour director’ and led us on an engaging exploration of Avalon, the island’s primary town. Having read several articles and watched YouTube videos about the island, I was familiar with some of its history and notable attractions.
Walking along the waterfront boardwalk, I shared with Vera that Catalina Island was purchased and developed in 1919 by William Wrigley Jr., known for his chewing gum empire. We could still see the Wrigley mansion perched on Mt. Ada above the harbor. Interestingly, Wrigley’s wife, Ada, had a bell tower constructed on the opposite hillside to allow the beautiful chimes to drift over the town for all to enjoy.
As we made our way to the bell tower, known as the Catalina Chimes Tower, we climbed a long, steep wooden staircase and meandered through quiet streets for a closer view. We passed charming homes and backyards adorned with interesting lawn ornaments, giving us a glimpse into local life. Along the back lanes, we noticed numerous golf carts, which serve as the primary mode of transportation on the island.
Upon reaching the tower, we took a stroll around it, watched a worker refurbishing some of the chimes, and soaked in the stunning view before descending.
As we continued down the boardwalk, we approached the Catalina Casino, which now operates as a theater. We explored this ornate structure—Avalon’s largest building—and paused to watch some divers taking lessons in the water behind it. We also visited the Avalon Diving History Exhibit located on the lower level of the casino, where we marveled at an array of vintage diving gear.
As we made our way back to the ship, we browsed shops, wandered down side streets, and soaked in the charm of this delightful tourist town.
Ensenada, Mexico – Our Second Port of Call
The next day, we arrived at our second port, Ensenada, Mexico, which presented a stark contrast to our previous stop. Although Ensenada is a cruise ship destination and retains a touristy vibe, it is larger and shows more signs of wear than the more polished Catalina.
We had signed up for a ship excursion titled ‘La Bufadora Adventure,’ a 5-hour bus tour showcasing both the wealth and struggles of the Ensenada region.
Our first stop on the tour was at the grandest building in town, the regal ‘Riviera del Pacifico.’ Our guide led us through this magnificent structure, which once served as a luxurious hotel nearly a century ago, sharing its fascinating history along the way. The lavish furnishings in the immense ballroom, where dances were often held—men seated on one side and women on the other—impressed us immensely.
Upon reaching the lobby, we were treated to delightful samples of margaritas, as this hotel is believed to be the birthplace of the margarita. Regardless of whether this was true, we enjoyed sipping them in the lovely courtyard, amused that it was only 9:30 AM.
We then boarded the bus, filled with cheerful vibes, continuing on to La Bufadora, passing areas of ramshackle shops and homes, as well as vast fields of crops. Our guide shared fascinating facts about Ensenada, including that a significant portion of our produce originates from this region. However, we were surprised to learn that Ensenada’s largest export is Colgate toothpaste!
Our excitement grew as we neared La Bufadora, the renowned blowhole and reportedly the second largest in the world. We gathered insightful information about it and received tips on navigating the lengthy line of Mexican vendors leading up to the blowhole. Our guide adeptly guided us through the maze of vendors, many offering samples of tequila, churros, and other treats, as we marveled at an array of stalls brimming with their wares.
Finally, we arrived at the blowhole, and it was everything we anticipated. We stood in awe as the water forcefully built up against the cliff and then shot straight up into the air. The spectacular spray produced was both impressive and exhilarating, and we took plenty of photos to capture this natural wonder.
We spent some time exploring the Mexican market stalls, enjoying the local crafts and sampling delicious treats before it was time to board the bus.
We felt that this tour had truly lived up to its name, ‘La Bufadora Adventure,’ and we highly recommend this excursion or a similar one.
Back at the port, instead of boarding the ship straight away, we decided to stroll down the boardwalk and into town. We explored shops and stalls, listened to street musicians, and just soaked in the lively atmosphere of this Mexican town before returning to the ship.
Having completed our two port adventures, Vera and I looked forward to a fun and relaxing final day at sea, taking the time to reminisce about our many experiences over the past few days.
We had accomplished so much, seen a variety of sights, and learned about the culture during our 4-day Carnival Cruise. Although the trip was brief, it was filled with excitement and enjoyment!
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