Santa Barbara, California – Cruising with Princess Cruises

A day in Santa Barbara, California, while on a Princess Cruise.

 
 



We have talked about the ship, we have talked about the food – now it’s time for the excursions!! This was a short cruise, so there were only 2 stops – Santa Barbara, California and Ensenada, Mexico.

But here’s the thing – I knew going into this that it was a culinary cruise. But then I was told that both of the excursions were to wineries, and there would be a big wine focus. This only becomes a problem when you are a non-drinker. Like me.

Well, they generously offered to send my sister and I on a different excursion if we wanted, but who would pass up an opportunity to spend a few days on land with Cat Cora and Suzanne Tracht, right??

The thing I also knew was that if there was wine, there would be food. That’s pretty much a given. And this food was pretty spectacular.

When we were on dry land, we all boarded a bus and travelled north of Santa Barbara to Fess Parker Winery. Let me first say that it was beautiful. The land was beautiful, the winery was beautiful. It was a warm day, and after a tour of the winery, we sat on the porch and enjoyed some amazing food and company.

Can we just talk about the food for a second? They served us more than just appetizers – it was a full on meal. A delicious bruschetta, an amazing onion tart (I have been craving this nonstop!) and a delicious salmon dish with figs and forbidden rice. I honestly ate every bite of that entire meal. And for dessert, we got not just one, but two desserts. The first was a lemon pot de creme that I will not soon forget. Seriously one of the best desserts I have ever had. That was followed by a strawberry eton mess. The meal was amazing. It was all prepared by Pascale Beale, who has a whole slew of cookbooks.

After taking the bus ride back to the port, we didn’t have a lot of time, but a few of us decided that we needed to quickly go into town for a stop at McConnell’s Ice Cream. When in Santa Barbara, right? It was a quick trip – pretty much going to get our ice cream and rushing back to the ship, (and stopping for photos along the way – haha), but it was totally worth it!!

Santa Barbara is such a beautiful city – I sure hope that I find my way back again soon!
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

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This post has been sponsored by Princess Cruises. I’m so glad to be able to work with companies and organizations that I truly believe in. Thank you for supporting them, too.