7-Day ~ California Coast Knitting Cruise (Nov 2021)
Holland America Line
Start Date: |
November 7, 2021 |
End Date: |
November 14, 2021 |
California Coast Knitting Cruise (Nov 2021) ~ Knitting Cruises Description
7-Day California Coastal Knitting Cruise w/ Alissa Barton
November 7-14, 2021
This cruise is short, affordable and doesn't require flying outside the United States making it and affordable and easy cruise. Everyone is excited to start traveling and this cruise is a great option for those ready to travel again. This cruise departs from San Diego and visits Avalon, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Francisco and Ensenada onboard one of Holland America's most popular ships, the beautiful ms Koningsdam. This cruise allows knitters to experience sunny coastal scenery of California while taking knitting classes with Alissa Barton.
Highlights include stops in Avalon on Catalina Island, Santa Barbara, Monterey, and San Francisco. These cities have much to offer including some fun Craft Cruises fiber-related excursions. Your cruise adventure starts in San Diego where those who arrive early can learn about local indie dyers Apricot Yarns and Baah! Yarns, as well as wander the colorful markets in the historical Old Town or take an outing to the world-renowned San Diego Zoo.
First stop is the island of Catalina where visitors enjoy exploring the waterfront shops and cafes of Avalon. Next, cruise up the coast to Santa Barbara, a visitor's dream for its beaches, signature white-stucco buildings with red-tile roofs, and popular Stearn's Wharf, as well as proximity to Santa Ynez Valley wineries and the Danish town of Solvang. Craft Cruises has arranged an optional tour here to Canzelle Alpacas to see the award-winning animals and the farm's scenic vistas. Enjoy California dreaming in Monterey, known for its wind-swept coast and scenic 17-Mile Drive, also is home to the world-class Monterey Aquarium. San Francisco evokes cable car rides, strolls on Fisherman's Wharf, the Golden Gate bridge, and Chinatown. To celebrate the fiber scene in the Golden City, Craft Cruises will offer a yarn tour including a few local attractions as well as some popular indie-dyers.
Onboard the ms Koningsdam, Alissa Barton will teach some of her most popular knitting classes, including Knitting Lace from Charts and KAL project; Cast On-Bind Off; Get Yoked; Don't Despair, Repair; and, The Art of Keeping a Knitting Journal. Join us for an inspiring week of travel, knitting, and camaraderie as we explore coastal and Baja California.
7-Day California Coastal Knitting Cruise Highlights
- In San Diego, before the cruise, explore Coronado Beach or relish a traditional Mexican meal in historic Old Town, famous for its fresh tortillas and frosty margaritas, and learn about Baah! Hand Painted Yarn and Apricot Yarns.
- Take classes with knitting instructor Alissa Barton, who is sometimes referred to as the Knitting Fairy, who is known for her whimsical patterns.
- In Avalon, on scenic Catalina Island, explore on your own or take one of many tours offered here including a food tasting and cultural walking tour
- Discover Santa Barbara's great outdoors from beaches and biking to whale watching and wine tasting.
- In Santa Barbara knitters can opt to visit Canzelle Alpacas and shop for souvenir yarn at Cardigans, dubbed by one reviewer as the "Cheers" of yarn stores.
- Choose from a plethora of options in Monterey such as touring vineyards, enjoying a memorable meal at one of many celebrated restaurants , visiting a world-class aquarium or experiencing the top road trip in the United States as you wind along the breathtaking Big Sur coastline on Highway 1 past the unparalleled scenery of the California Redwoods and craggy Pacific coastlines.
- Sightsee in San Francisco via the Hop On Hop Off bus, sign up for a ship-sponsored tour to the Napa-Sonoma wineries or the artist colony of Sausalito, or take the ferry across the bay to the infamous Alcatraz Prison. Participate in a Craft Cruises' yarn tour to Firebird Yarns and Imagiknit, just across from the fabulous Le Marais bakery, in the trendy Castro District.
- Take a gourmet taco tour in conjunction with Food & Wine Magazine in Ensenada or listen to a mariachi band while watching traditional Mexican folkloric dancing.