Santa Barbara Walking Food Tour: 5 Dishes, 3 Hours

Taste five signature dishes while walking through Santa Barbara's neighborhoods and colonial landmarks

A 3-hour walking food tour of Santa Barbara led by a live English-speaking guide, moving through the Funk Zone and historic downtown to sample five dishes: specialty chocolate, shrimp tacos, Dutch pastry, Pacific lobster roll, and California tri-tip sandwich. The tour weaves in stops at El Presidio (the original military fort), the founding family house and plaza, and other colonial-era sites. Comfortable shoes are essential. The itinerary and menu adjust based on location availability and weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Santa Barbara walking food and history tour

• Meet at starting location
• Hear story of Santa Barbara's beginning
• Visit first food stop and shops
• Walk through historic corridor and shops
• See original military fort site
• Explore Santa Barbara artifacts collection
• Visit founding family original house
• Stop at public area honoring founding family
• View President Reagan's Western White House

The experience

Three hours on foot takes you through Santa Barbara's most layered neighborhoods: the art-filled Funk Zone, the Spanish Colonial architecture of downtown, and the sites that shaped the city's 250-year story. You stop at five different spots to eat, each one a working restaurant or shop, not a tasting counter. The guide is live and speaks English, and they weave the food into the history: you'll stand at El Presidio, the original military fort built when the area was established, and later at the house and plaza honoring one of the founding families. The route passes State Street's eclectic shops and the waterfront, so you're moving through the places locals actually go.

The five dishes anchor the walk: specialty chocolate, a shrimp taco from Corriente, a Dutch pastry called smoerkage, a Pacific lobster roll, and a California tri-tip sandwich. Each one reflects what the region grows or catches: fresh coastal ingredients and farm-to-table sourcing are the backbone of Santa Barbara's food scene. The guide explains why each dish matters to the city, not just what's in it. Because the itinerary and menu shift based on what's available that day and the weather, you're eating what's actually in season and what the restaurants have on hand, not a fixed script.

The walk involves a fair amount of movement over three hours, so wear shoes you can cover ground in. Dietary needs can be accommodated if you contact the operator before the tour. Strollers are welcome for infants and small children, and public transit stops are nearby if you need to get to the meeting spot or leave from a different point.

What’s included

• Five food stops with five dishes (specialty chocolate.
• shrimp taco.
• Dutch pastry.
• Pacific lobster roll.
• California tri-tip sandwich).
• live English-speaking guide.
• walking route through the Funk Zone, downtown, El Presidio, and historic family sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00 and 16:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Secret Food Tours

Is this one for you?This tour suits anyone who wants to eat their way through Santa Barbara's neighborhoods rather than sit at a table. You're moving constantly, so it works best for travelers comfortable with three hours of steady walking in comfortable shoes.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly are the five dishes I'll eat on this tour?

Specialty chocolate, a shrimp taco from Corriente, a Dutch pastry called smoerkage, a Pacific lobster roll, and a California tri-tip sandwich. Each stop is at a working restaurant or shop, and the specific menu can shift based on what's available that day.

Does the tour visit the Old Mission or other famous Santa Barbara landmarks?

The tour includes stops at El Presidio, the original military fort from when Santa Barbara was established, and the house and public plaza honoring a founding family. You'll also walk through the historic downtown corridor with Spanish Colonial architecture and the Funk Zone's art district, though the specific route adjusts based on weather and location availability.

How much walking is involved, and what should I wear?

The tour covers three hours on foot with a fair amount of movement, so comfortable walking shoes are essential. The route takes you through multiple neighborhoods, so you're covering ground steadily rather than standing in one spot.

Can I request dietary accommodations or bring a stroller?

Yes, contact the operator in advance to arrange any dietary requirements, and they'll work with the restaurants to accommodate you. Strollers are welcome for infants and small children, and public transportation is available nearby if you need it to reach the meeting spot.

What happens if the weather is bad or a restaurant isn't open that day?

The itinerary and menu are subject to change based on location availability, weather, and other circumstances. The guide will adjust the route and food stops to keep the tour running smoothly, so you'll still hit five dishes and the key historic sites.