Santa Barbara: Taco Walking Tour with Drinks & Local Gifts

Santa Barbara taco tour walking food stops with drinks & gifts

You’ll taste five different tacos across downtown Santa Barbara, sip on craft beer or margaritas at two stops, and wander between local taquerias with an easygoing guide who shares stories along the way. Expect laughter, new flavors, and even a small local gift card to keep exploring after you’re full.

Step-by-step itinerary

Santa Barbara taco tasting tour

• Meet experienced tour guide
• Walk 1.5 miles downtown
• Visit 5 award-winning taquerias
• Eat Carne Asada, Shrimp, Fajita Chicken tacos
• Try Mushroom and Queso Birra tacos
• Enjoy Margarita, Wine, or Beer at two stops
• Listen to fun facts about Santa Barbara
• Receive local gift card at tour end

The experience

We almost missed the first stop because I got distracted by a mural: bright colors everywhere, and our guide, Rosa, just laughed and waved us back. That set the tone for the whole Santa Barbara taco tour: not rushed, just wandering through these streets that smell like orange blossoms and grilled meat. The first taco was carne asada, smoky and a little messy (I wore half of it). Rosa told us how her uncle used to grill in his backyard nearby. The whole thing felt less like a tour and more like tagging along with someone who actually lives here.

I didn’t expect the shrimp taco to be my favorite but it was. Something about the lime and the crunch. We stood outside one spot because all the tables were full, which honestly made it better. People kept walking by saying hi to Rosa or asking what we were doing. At the third taqueria, there was this faint sound of mariachi music coming from somewhere down the block, mixed with laughter from a group at another table. I tried to order in Spanish. Rosa grinned but didn’t correct me (probably for the best).

The beer at stop four was cold enough to make my hand ache: in a good way. Someone’s dog wandered over and sat by my feet while I tried queso birria for the first time (messy again). There’s something about eating tacos outside on a Santa Barbara afternoon that makes you forget what time it is. By the end, we’d walked about a mile and a half without really noticing it. Rosa handed out these little shop gift cards and said thanks for visiting her city. I still think about that shrimp taco sometimes when I’m hungry at home.

What’s included

Your day includes tastings of five different tacos at top local spots in downtown Santa Barbara, two alcoholic beverages (margaritas, wine or beer), stories from your guide as you walk about 1.5 miles together, plus each guest gets a special gift card from local shops before heading off on their own adventure.

Options for this experience

2 options

Taco tour in Santa Barbara at sunsetGuide in English · 16:00Taco tour in Santa Barbara at sunset

Lunchtime taco tour of Santa BarbaraGuide in English · 12:00Lunchtime taco tour of Santa Barbara

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 2h 30m, runs every day at 12:00 and 16:00, from US$ 159 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 12:00 and 16:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 151 private ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (21 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (6 to 20 years) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (under 3)

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

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Taco Tour Santa Barbara

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 20 years); Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (under 3).

How long does the Santa Barbara taco tour last?

The walking tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

How many taco stops are included?

The tour includes five different award-winning taquerias or restaurants.

Are drinks included on this taco tour?

Yes, two stops include either a margarita, wine, or craft beer beverage.

Is this Santa Barbara taco tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

What types of tacos will I try?

You’ll sample carne asada, shrimp, fajita chicken, mushroom, and queso birria tacos.

Is there a gift included on this tour?

Yes, each guest receives a local shop gift card at the end of the tour.

Does this food tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is included. Guests meet in downtown Santa Barbara.