Whether it's a cruise that pulls into a scenic coastal spot or a trip up the Napa River to sip fine wines, California is becoming a must-see for cruisers.

Celebrity Cruises is offering two seven-night California Coastal cruises this month that start in San Francisco and make stops in Monterey, Los Angeles, Catalina and San Diego — with just one requisite stop in a foreign port, Ensenada, Mexico — before returning home. NCL America will call on Monterey and Catalina for the first time this year during repositioning cruises to Seattle and Los Angeles. And Princess Cruises will stop at both Catalina and San Diego on all ññ of its Mexican Riviera cruises in 2005.

"For repeat cruisers who are running out of places to go, it's a beautiful coastline," said Mike Driscoll, editor of Cruise Week, an industry newsletter. "Cruise lines are looking for new itineraries because more and more people are looking for different places to see."

Wine Country cruises have been around for some time, but their popularity is growing. Currently, three companies — Cruise West, Clipper Cruise Line and American Safari Cruises — offer sailings to the Napa-Sonoma region. Another company, Great American River Journeys, is expected to begin similar trips in 2006.

In terms of itineraries, both the big cruise lines and the smaller companies sailing in San Francisco Bay have options to suit newbies and regulars:

• In Monterey, Celebrity's shore excursions include a tour of the ñ7-Mile Drive, visits to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Carmel Mission and a kayak trip through the bay that's perfect for beginners.

• In Catalina, Princess offers inland motor trips to view bison and boar, tours of the art deco Catalina Casino, a ride in a glass-bottom boat, scuba dives and golf.

• In San Diego, Princess passengers can go ashore for a visit to the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, the Maritime Museum or a trolley tour of Old Town.

• Wine Country cruises offer exclusive tours and tastings at selected wineries, plus food and wine pairings and special tours not available to drive-up visitors.

American Safari's itineraries include a tour of fresco artist Carlo Marchiori's villa outside Calistoga. Clipper Cruise Line brings chefs Joanne Weir and Traci des Jardins on board to cook meals; Cruise West includes a visit to the Culinary Institute of America's Greystone campus for food-wine pairings and wine evaluations.

Although the two types of cruises — ocean-going vs. bay/river sailing — are different, they both offer passengers what others don't: a chance to experience more of California.

Catalina Island has been a regular port of call for cruises out of Los Angeles, but its cruise-ship visits have risen steadily in the past few years: from about 100 in 2002 to 123 last year; seven cruise lines will make stops this year, up from just two in 2002.

Monterey is expected to receive nine ships this year, most of them from Celebrity's 1,870-passenger Mercury. But it could lead to other visits from other cruise lines.