With four cruise ports and more than a half-dozen cruise lines that depart from them year-round, California offers cruisers lots of choice. Departing from San Diego or Los Angeles? You can visit the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii or head north on a California coastal voyage.

California currently features six primary cruise ports that serve as major gateways for domestic and international travel. The largest and busiest are the Port of Los Angeles (World Cruise Center) and the Port of Long Beach, which together handle the vast majority of the "Mexican Riviera" and "Hawaii" itineraries. Further south, the Port of San Diego serves as a popular departure point for Panama Canal transits and Pacific Coastal cruises. In Northern California, the Port of San Francisco offers iconic departures under the Golden Gate Bridge, primarily for Alaskan and coastal voyages. Smaller but still significant ports include the Port of Santa Barbara, which often serves as a "port of call" for luxury lines rather than a departure hub, and the Port of Monterey. In 2026, California's ports are undergoing major environmental upgrades, including the "shore power" initiative which allows ships to plug into the local electrical grid rather than running their engines while docked, reflecting the state's aggressive stance on sustainable tourism and maritime emissions.