Santa Barbara: Downtown Food & Wine Walking Tour

Summary

Santa Barbara flavors, local stories and wine on foot through downtown

You’ll walk Santa Barbara’s downtown with a local guide, tasting everything from pastries to wine while hearing stories you won’t find in any brochure. Expect laughter over shared bites, secret courtyards, and enough food for lunch—all wrapped up in 3.5 hours that’ll leave you feeling like you belong here for a bit longer.

What’s the experience like?

"Try the chorizo empanada—trust me," our guide Jen grinned as she handed me a warm, flaky bite at our first stop in downtown Santa Barbara. I didn’t expect to start the tour with pastry crumbs on my shirt, but that’s how it goes. The air smelled faintly of espresso and ocean salt drifting up State Street. We wove through sunlit arcades where locals nodded hello or just kept going, headphones in. Jen pointed out a mural I’d never noticed before—even though I’d walked past it twice that week—and told us how the artist once painted late into the night, dodging city sprinklers.

At El Paseo’s courtyard, the light felt softer somehow—maybe because of all those old Spanish tiles underfoot. We sipped three local wines (the rosé was my favorite—tasted like summer) and shared a grazing box that was way more filling than I thought it’d be. There was this moment when someone in our group tried to pronounce “Syrah” with confidence; Li laughed so hard she almost spilled her glass. It felt easy to talk to strangers here, maybe because everyone else was just as curious about what came next. The guide knew every bartender by name and snuck us an extra taste “just because.”

I liked how we didn’t rush. We passed by Casa De La Guerra—Jen said we should come back later if we wanted to see inside—and paused at the courthouse steps while she told us about metal detectors (don’t bring anything weird). The sandstone walls still felt cool even in the afternoon sun. Somewhere near the turtle pond (yes, there are turtles downtown), I realized I hadn’t checked my phone in over an hour. That doesn’t happen much for me.

The tour didn’t end where it started, which was fine—I liked wandering back through side streets with a little buzz from both wine and new facts about Santa Barbara’s history. There’s something about eating and walking with people you’ve just met that makes a city feel less like a postcard and more like somewhere you could stay awhile.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Downtown Santa Barbara food and wine tour

• Walk into El Paseo courtyard
• Enjoy wine tasting and grazing box
• Pass by Casa De La Guerra grounds
• Pass near Arlington Theatre
• Visit Santa Barbara County Courthouse
• Stop and talk about Granada Theatre
• Explore walkways and arcadas
• See famous statues and turtle pond
• Pass by El Presidio (time permitting)
• Weave on and off State Street

Top questions

How long is the Santa Barbara downtown food tour?

The walking food & drink tour lasts about 3.5 hours.

Does the tour include wine tasting?

Yes, there is a wine tasting of 3-4 local wines included during the tour.

Are food allergies or dietary restrictions accommodated?

Most can be accommodated if you alert them ahead of time, but cross-contamination cannot be guaranteed.

Is this Santa Barbara food tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, most restaurants are wheelchair accessible and routes can be adjusted as needed.

Do tours start and end at the same location?

No, tours do not start and end at the same place; plan accordingly for your return.

Is there enough food for lunch on this walking tour?

Yes, most people find there is enough food provided to cover lunch.

Can kids join the Santa Barbara walking food tour?

Kids are welcome if you think they’ll enjoy it; just step outside if they need a break.

Are private or corporate tours available?

Yes, private experiences can be arranged for groups or special needs.

What’s included

Your day includes all tastings—food and drinks (including water and one non-alcoholic option), local wine or beer sampling at select stops, guidance from a knowledgeable local host who knows everyone downtown, plus taxes. You’ll skip most lines along the way; just note that tours don’t start and end at the same spot in Santa Barbara’s center.