Santa Barbara: Taco Walking Tour with Drinks & Local Gifts

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/15

Duration2h 30m

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

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.

2h 30m

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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Taco Tour Santa Barbara