Don’t miss Fess Parker Winery during your next visit to Santa Barbara, California.
We have family in Berkeley, California so growing up we would travel to the Bay Area at least once or twice a year for holidays or special events. When my sisters and I got a little older, my mom would occasionally extend our trip by several days so that we could fly to San Diego and drive along the Pacific Coast Highway – California State Route 1.
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It was during those memorable road trips with my mom and sisters that I first fell in love with Santa Barbara which is why I was so excited to return once again as an adult during my recent 4-Day West Coast Getaway with Cat Cora and Princess Cruise Lines.
Our excursion took us to Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard located in the rich, fertile valleys of Santa Barbara about a 45 minute drive from the coast.
We started our experience with an incredible 4 course luncheon showcasing all of California’s best ingredients including grassy olive oils, fresh seafood, locally grown produce and more.
Our host for the afternoon? None other than the wildly talented, extra witty, and extremely gorgeous Cat Cora. If you haven’t picked up a copy of her recent memoir “Cooking as Fast as I Can” you absolutely must. It is a great read and is hugely inspiring as a female working in the food and travel industry.
The 714 acre winery and vineyard is one of the most beautiful and peaceful environments I have ever experienced. While they do offer indoor wine tastings, I just couldn’t resist soaking up the warm California sunshine.
Of course, we did pop inside for a short while to see how the wine is produced. Although this wasn’t my first visit to a winery, I never tire learning about the winemaking process and seeing how grapes go from the vine to the glass. It was even more special because I got to experience the day with good friends like Kristen and Shelly as well as their besties from home who joined us on the cruise.
Whether it’s on a cruise, a road trip or a destination in and of itself, the next time you visit Santa Barbara you absolutely must check out Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard.
Have you ever visited a winery before here in the US? I’m always looking for new recommendations!
Disclosure: Princess Cruise Line has compensated me for my time to share my recent experiences on board the Ruby Princess. Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Lemon Bowl possible. All thoughts are my own.
For more vacation destinations, check out my Wanderlust Travel board!
I just love your travel posts, it reminds me of how much fun we have together. Also, that salmon looks AMAZING.
Awww I can’t wait to see you soon my friend!! xoxo
I absolutely love to visit new wineries – each one is so different, with so many different offerings. What a great cruise!!
It was really such an incredible experience Brenda!! I hope our next cruise is together!!
A gorgeous day out at a winery? That sounds like the perfect cruise excursion. I’d actually have a hard time leaving land and getting back on the boat with that scenery. ;)
It was honestly hard getting back on the ship with these amazing excursions!!
Such a fun day. Can we go back now?? ;)
I mean seriously – I want to go back with you right now!!!
I’m dying to go on a wine trip to Santa Barbara and this certainly doesn’t help! I’ve been to Napa and loved it there and Arizona has a surprising amount of wineries that are really interesting to visit.
I am really so impressed with all the wineries popping up everywhere!
Santa Barbara is one of my most favorite places in the world and luckily it’s only about 1 1/2 hours away from me! I’ve stayed at FP resort a few times, but never gone wine-tasting, so I should put it on my list! Looks like a lovely trip-I’d love a short and local cruise like this!
I’m so jealous you’re driving distance from SB!!
Loved hearing about your trip in person, and love seeing pictures now! It looks absolutely memorable. XO!
xoxoxo Thanks love!
It looks so pretty there!! I have never been to California before! and I have never been to a winery!
I hope you get there one day Shawnna! It was beautiful!
When my husband and I lived in St. Louis, we loved to go to the wineries just west of the city in Augusta, Defiance, and Hermann. Great wine! Now we live in Northern MN, not exactly known for wine, but there are some wineries in the Twin Cities area that we like – St. Croix Winery and Four Daughters (actually south of Rochester). My favorite thing to do when traveling is check out local wineries!
Isn’t it amazing how many wineries are popping up throughout the country? It’s truly incredible!