Santa Barbara Taco Tour on E-Bikes: 3 Taquerias, Funk Zone

Pedal through Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, tasting tacos at three local spots

A 90-minute e-bike tour of Santa Barbara that stops at three taquerias for one taco each, with a beer or soda at the final stop. A local guide leads the route through the Funk Zone neighborhood and along the path to East Beach, sharing the city's history and what makes each district distinct. The tour includes the e-bike and all food and drink; vegetarian and meat options are available at each taqueria.

Step-by-step itinerary

E-bike taco tour in Santa Barbara

• Ride through the Funk Zone neighborhood
• Ride to East Beach Tacos and see the beach
• Pick 1 taco at first taqueria
• Pick 1 taco at second taqueria
• Pick 1 taco and a beer or soda at third taqueria

The Experience

The e-bike does the work. You'll ride through Santa Barbara's Funk Zone—the neighborhood that gives the tour its character—and out to East Beach Tacos, stopping at three taquerias along the way. At each of the first two, you pick one taco and keep riding. At the third, you get a taco plus a beer or soda and time to settle. The guide is local and speaks English, so the stops aren't just about eating; they're about learning why these spots matter and what the Funk Zone actually is.

The route itself is the frame. You'll ride the path to East Beach and hear the history of Santa Barbara as you go, then move through the Funk Zone neighborhood while the guide explains what makes it funky—the art, the vibe, the people who built it. The e-bikes handle the hills and the distance, so the pace stays easy even if you haven't ridden in years. Vegetarian and meat options are available at every taqueria, so the three-taco lineup works for any diet.

The whole thing runs 90 minutes from start to finish. Public transportation options are nearby if you need to get to the meeting point, and the tour suits all fitness levels—the e-bikes are doing most of the work. At the end, you've eaten three tacos, had a drink, and learned the neighborhoods from someone who actually lives there.

What’s included

• Three tacos (one at each taqueria).
• one beer or soda at the final stop.
• e-bike rental for the full 90 minutes.
• local guide in English who shares the history of Santa Barbara and the Funk Zone neighborhood.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by American Riviera Bike Tours and Rentals

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to taste three taquerias across different neighborhoods on an e-bike rather than walking between them—the ride itself becomes part of discovering each spot.

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Top questions

What are the three taquerias on this tour?

The tour stops at three taquerias in Santa Barbara, picking one taco at each of the first two and one taco plus a beer or soda at the third. The guide chooses the spots based on what's best that day, so the exact taquerias can vary.

Do I need to know how to ride an e-bike?

No. E-bikes are suitable for all fitness levels, and the guide will show you how to use yours before you start. The motor does most of the work, so you're not pedaling uphill or fighting the wind.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes three tacos (one at each stop), one beer or soda at the final taqueria, the e-bike rental, and a local guide who speaks English for the full 90 minutes.

Can I get vegetarian tacos?

Yes. Vegetarian and meat options are available at all three taquerias, so you can choose what you want at each stop.

How long is the whole tour?

The tour runs 90 minutes total, including the e-bike ride through the Funk Zone, the stops at three taquerias, and the route out to East Beach.

What's the minimum age to join?

The minimum age is 14. Riders under that age cannot join this tour.