The warm weather and bright lights bring people to the United States' West Coast all the time. The cruise industry is no exception, highlighting the coast's beautiful places and transporting them to some of the most desired places in the world.

Cities like Los Angeles, San Diego and Seattle have long been strong cruise ports, but the cities themselves, as well as other port cities throughout the region, stand on their own as top-tier destinations because of their activities and cultural opportunities. And while many find themselves heading off to tropical destinations from the southern part of the coast, or heading north on their great Alaskan adventure from northern ports, visitors would be well-advised to take some extra time to explore these beautiful and intriguing locales.