Our journey begins with a couple of days at sea, so make the most of your sumptuous surroundings as we sail south to Topolobampo in Mexico. Here you can venture on the railroad through the Copper Canyon or relax on the beach before our voyage continues to Loreto, where the 17th-century Our Lady of Loreto mission marks the start of El Camino Real, the historic road that links the Spanish missions all the way to Sonoma, California. We move on to the seaside town of La Paz, from which there are boat trips to desert islands in a UNESCO biosphere reserve – watch out for dolphins and sea lions. Nature-lovers will be wowed by Isla Natividad, too, where elephant seals bask on its beaches. And then it’s back via San Diego to the port of Manzanillo, a destination favored by anglers for its marlin-rich waters – or to just relax on the beach. Next, we call by Puerto Vallarta, a laidback city known for warmly welcoming members of the LGBTQ+ community. At Mazatlán, dine on seafood, admire the French baroque architecture, and sit on the sands in the shade of the palm trees. Cabo San Lucas is the place to watch whales put on a magnificent show in the early months of the year, when they visit to feed and breed. All too soon, it’s time to return to San Diego once more.