Long Beach, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ensenada... ideas for good excursions for 6 ?

[E-T-C-M]

Need info on:

 

nice excursions (for 6 adults) at any of those port of calls

and

need info on San Francisco terminal (address, car rental ? , parking ...etc)

thank you very much

[Cruisedreamer1]

Purchase trolley tickets to tour the city. It's a good overview of Santa Barbara. You can purchase through the cruise ship or by on line or at the office down the street from the pier(a couple of blocks down the right at the visitor bureau). The least expensive way to purchase is online.

[rvmike]

San Diego has the Maritime Museum and the Aircraft Carrier Midway (both 5 minute walk). The ships also dock at the base of downtown for shopping and good places to eat. Have been to Ensenada many times and usually just go downtown, some of the wine excursions aren't that great. If you go in the summer the kayak tour to La bufadora is the best excursion we have taken.

[edmusic]

We had a great time in Ensenada on a Carnival sponsored excursion called 'Wine Country Tour'. For $39pp, we boarded a modern bus with a tour guide who explained all about Ensenada and the areas we were traveling through on the way to two wineries. The hour long trip went through the countryside which was not particularly beautiful; in fact, it reminded me of where I live in So Cal! The first winery we visited was a very large and modern operation run by the third generation of Italian immigrants. Very impressive. They give you tastes of 7 or 8 different wines along with some cheese, bread, and olives. You're then escorted into a beautiful gift shop where wines could be purchased to take back home with you. I appreciated the lack of high-pressure sales tactics to force you to buy something. Very laid back. The second winery is more rustic and quaint in its way. All in all, we had a great time. What made it even more enjoyable was that we went with the two other couples who were our dinner table-mates. We were all new friends and had a great time together. As an added bonus, they give you a bottle of wine (cheap) to take back with you.

[SadieN]

Last cruise 8 of our friends went on the Ensenada Wine tour. One couple doesn't drink wine but bought 6 bottles of olive oil.

 

We just walk around Ensenada. Be careful of the sidewalks. The ones outside the tourist are true Mexico.

 

Also look on the Mexican Riviera board for more info.

Edited March 13, 2014 by SadieN

[Ronnie1a]

However, an easy walk to their downtown area and pleasant to walk around. Be sure to bargin for any purchases.

 

In SF you are next door to Pier 39 (lots of shopping, restaurants)-they have their own web site and about 1/8 mile to the center of Fisherman's Wharf. The double decker tour bus companies are all there-at least 3 of them. Also the ferry to Alcatraz Island but you must have advance res. for that.

 

Also at the Wharf you can catch the cable car to downtown SF, Union Square, etc. There are two lines, the Hyde St. is a much better ride. Warning if you do this: to catch the cable car back to the Wharf there will be long lines at the other end, frequently up to 90 min. wait. Plan accordingly or you will miss the ship's sailing time.

[ghia007]

If Alcatraz is your thing get the tickets on line AHEAD. I did the night tour, it was very good. When I arrived the sign indicated NO tours were available for several days (sold out).

[E-T-C-M]

thank you all for the ideas !:)