Private Santa Barbara Tour: Stearns Wharf, Courthouse & Montecito

Stearns Wharf and the Courthouse clock tower in one morning, with a guide who knows the back roads.

A private 6-hour guided tour of Santa Barbara covering Stearns Wharf, the County Courthouse, Old Mission Santa Barbara, the Waterfront, Montecito and the Funk Zone, with a live English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, lunch for groups of three or more, bottled water and a photographer included. Pickup is available from Santa Barbara, Lompoc or the Santa Ynez Valley. The tour involves extended walking, stairs and possible hillside climbing, so a moderate fitness level is required. Ages 1 to 65 only.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Stearns Wharf15m
2. Santa Barbara County Courthouse1h
3. Old Mission Santa Barbara1h
4. Santa Barbara Waterfront5m
5. Funk Zone10m
6. Montecito5m

Comprehensive Santa Barbara sightseeing

• Visit Stearns Wharf
• Tour Santa Barbara County Courthouse
• Walk Santa Barbara City Waterfront
• See Lobero Theatre
• Self-guided tour Old Mission Santa Barbara
• Drive through Santa Barbara Mesa and Hope Ranch
• Explore Santa Barbara Harbor activities
• View Montecito hillside estates
• Visit Funk Zone for arts and dining
• See oldest Santa Barbara structure
• Stop at Butterfly Beach in Montecito
• Experience Santa Barbara Riviera history

The experience

Stearns Wharf, built in 1872 and still the longest deep-water wharf between San Pedro and San Francisco, anchors the first stop. A working harbor where you can see fishing boats, shops and restaurants all framed by the Pacific. From there the route moves inland to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, a 1929 Spanish-Colonial landmark where you climb to the top of the four-faced clock tower for a panoramic view across the city and out to the mountains and ocean beyond.

The tour threads through Montecito, the hillside enclave of multi-million-dollar estates set between the ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains, then covers the Waterfront's palm-lined beaches, Chase Palm Park and the Funk Zone's bars, wineries and galleries. Old Mission Santa Barbara, sitting on 15 acres overlooking the Pacific, includes the Mission Church, a nine-room museum and historic gardens. A photographer travels with the group to capture moments throughout the day.

The full loop takes six hours and involves climbing, stairs and extended walking: the operator flags this as the reason for the age restriction. Lunch is included when your group has three or more people. Bottled water and snacks come on every tour. The vehicle is air-conditioned and non-smoking, and pickup happens from Santa Barbara proper, Lompoc or the Santa Ynez Valley depending on where you're staying.

What’s included

• A live English-speaking guide.
• private air-conditioned vehicle with a non-smoking, professional driver.
• lunch for groups of three or more.
• bottled water and snacks.
• a photographer to capture moments throughout the day.
• pickup from Santa Barbara, Lompoc or the Santa Ynez Valley.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Tours of Santa Barbara

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so the pace and stops follow your interests rather than a fixed itinerary shared with other groups. Book it if you want a guide who can navigate the back roads and explain the history (Stearns Wharf, the Courthouse, Montecito and the Waterfront) without the constraint of a bus schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is the Santa Barbara County Courthouse and why do people visit it on this tour?

The Courthouse is a 1929 Spanish-Colonial building with a distinctive four-faced clock tower, hand-painted murals and ornate wrought-iron chandeliers. The tour includes a climb to the top of the clock tower for a panoramic view of Santa Barbara, the surrounding mountains and the ocean.

How much walking and climbing should I expect on this tour?

The tour involves extended walking, stairs and possible hillside climbing. The operator requires a moderate level of physical fitness and restricts the tour to ages 1 to 65 because of these demands.

Is lunch included, and what about water and snacks?

Lunch is included when your group has three or more guests. Bottled water and snacks come on every tour regardless of group size.

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is available from Santa Barbara, Lompoc or the Santa Ynez Valley, depending on your location.

What is Montecito and why is it part of this tour?

Montecito is a secluded hillside community between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains, known for large estates and a Mediterranean climate. The tour drives through to show the landscape and architecture that draws wealthy residents seeking privacy and natural beauty.

Does the tour include entry to Old Mission Santa Barbara?

The tour visits Old Mission Santa Barbara, which sits on 15 acres with the Mission Church, a nine-room museum and gardens. Entry to the Mission is optional and costs $17 if you choose to go inside.