Things to do in Santa Barbara
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Santa Barbara: Electric Bike Tour Downtown, Montecito & CourthouseYou’ll cruise Santa Barbara’s coastline and hidden streets by electric bike with a local guide, climb the courthouse tower for city views, hear quirky stories about Montecito and Stearns Wharf, and even get tips on secret ice cream shops. Expect laughter, sea air, and moments you’ll want to linger in.
Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food Photo Tour: Shoot Like a ProA three-hour walking food tour through Santa Barbara's Funk Zone where you taste local seafood, wine, and gastropub fare at multiple stops while learning smartphone food photography from a guide. The guide shares stories about the neighborhood's transformation from warehouses into an arts and dining hub, and teaches you practical framing and lighting tips you can use immediately. All tastings and beverages are included.Is it for me?Start from lower State Street without needing to arrange your own transportation to the Funk Zone—the guide meets you there and handles the route, the tastings, and the photo instruction all in one three-hour block, so you walk away knowing both the neighborhood and how to shoot it.
Santa Barbara: Private Surf Lesson with Board & WetsuitYou’ll meet your instructor right on the beach south of Santa Barbara, get fitted for a wetsuit and board, then learn how to catch your first wave with patient coaching. Expect laughter, salty air, and that wild rush when you finally stand up—even if only for a second. It’s not about perfection; it’s about feeling that Pacific energy under your feet.
Santa Barbara: Beach & City Electric Bike Tour on SandYou’ll ride fat tire electric bikes right across Santa Barbara’s beaches and through downtown’s lively State Street promenade. Expect salty air, local stories from your guide, and moments where even city noise fades into ocean hush. It’s a day trip that leaves you feeling both sun-kissed and oddly calm.
Santa Barbara: Ghost Tour with Stories & Photos by NightYou’ll join locals at dusk for a Santa Barbara ghost tour that blends history with mystery—real stories told beside old adobe walls, guest-captured photos passed hand-to-hand, and moments where you might just feel something brush past your shoulder. Includes a local guide and plenty of chances to ask questions or linger longer if you’re brave enough.
Santa Ynez Valley: 3-Winery Tour & Picnic Lunch from Santa BarbaraYou’ll join a small group for a day trip from Santa Barbara to three handpicked wineries in Santa Ynez Valley—with all tasting fees covered and a deli picnic lunch included. Expect warm hosts, local stories, plenty of pours, and time to soak up vineyard views before your ride home. It’s less about being an expert and more about enjoying good wine in good company.
Sunset Kayak Tour Santa Barbara Harbor: 2-Hour PaddleA 2-hour sunset kayak tour in Santa Barbara Harbor where you paddle the shoreline, pass the historic wharf and pier, and watch for harbor seals, sea lions and brown pelicans as the light fades. All kayaking gear is provided, a guide leads the paddle and covers marine ecology, and the tour suits beginners through advanced paddlers. The start time shifts with the season and runs roughly 2 hours before sunset.Is it for me?Book this if you want a guide leading the group at one pace with live commentary on marine life and harbor history, rather than exploring independently at your own speed.
Secret Solvang Food & Culture Tour with TastingsA small-group food tour through Solvang led by a local guide, with tastings at five locations plus wine at two spots—enough for lunch without the tourist crowds. The tour walks the town's streets, starting with Danish pastry and coffee, moving through a Michelin-honored sandwich shop, two wine tastings, fresh sushi, and ending with gelato. Coffee is included; wine tastings are optional. Live guide in English; wheelchair accessible throughout.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying in Solvang without a car—the entire tour walks the town's streets, so you reach each restaurant on foot.
Kayaking near Santa Barbara: Gaviota Coast WildlifeKayak the Gaviota Coast near Santa Barbara on a 3.5-hour guided paddle through one of California's few remaining undeveloped coastlines. You'll operate your own kayak (or share a double), paddle roughly 3 miles through kelp beds, and learn about marine ecology from your guide while watching for wildlife. Gear, wetsuit and instruction are included; children from age 5 are welcome, and the trip suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?You operate the kayak yourself on a shared paddle with a small group, which means you're moving through the water under your own power rather than watching from a boat. It suits anyone who wants to be in the water and moving, not sitting still—and the guide handles the route, the timing and the wildlife spotting so you can focus on paddling.
Santa Barbara Beginner Mountain Bike Tour: Coastal Trails & MeadowsYou’ll get to explore Santa Barbara’s coastal trails on a high-quality mountain bike, guided by someone who knows every twist and turn. It’s a relaxed way to see hidden meadows, feel the ocean breeze, and maybe even spot some local wildlife—no experience needed, just a sense of adventure.
Santa Barbara: Kayak & SUP Rental on West BeachYou arrive at the rental stand on West Beach, get fitted with a life vest and paddle, and launch from calm, flat water with no waves to fight. Paddle out to the seal buoys in minutes or explore the open ocean if you want — the gear is current and the entry is easy enough for families. You need to be able to swim, and the rental is yours for as long as you book it.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to paddle without arranging transport to a distant launch point or waiting for the tide — the downtown beach location and flat water mean you're paddling within minutes of arriving.
Santa Barbara Ghost Tour: 12-15 Haunted Stories & HistoryA 2-hour guided ghost tour through Santa Barbara's most haunted sites, led by an experienced guide who shares 12–15 stories of local hauntings researched by Professor Julie Ann Brown. The tour covers El Cuartel, the Chapel, the historical museum, and El Paseo, with photos and videos of ghost sightings captured by past guests. Children are welcome from age 1, and the tour is free for kids under a certain age.Is it for me?The tour starts in central Santa Barbara with public transit nearby, so you don't need a car to join—it's built for visitors staying downtown or arriving without their own transport. Children go free, which makes it an affordable way for families to explore the city's haunted history together.
Private Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch & SolvangYou’ll visit three unique wineries for private tastings, enjoy a picnic lunch among the vines, and cruise through Solvang’s quirky Danish streets—all with local insight and zero hassle.
Santa Barbara: Kayak & SUP Rental on West BeachYou get a kayak or paddleboard with all gear, a calm entry straight into the water, and access to the seal-filled buoys within minutes. No waves to paddle through, no complicated logistics — just walk onto West Beach, get outfitted by the staff, and go. Bring your swimming ability and show up ready to be on the water.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to paddle without the hassle of driving to a launch point or fighting waves to get offshore — the downtown location and calm water mean you're on the ocean within minutes of arriving, which works for families, first-timers, and anyone who just wants to show up and go.
Santa Barbara Taco Tour on E-Bikes: 3 Taquerias, Funk ZoneA 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.Is it for me?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.
Santa Barbara Self-Guided Walking Tour & GPS Audio HighlightsThis is your chance to explore Santa Barbara’s downtown on your own schedule with a GPS audio walking tour. Hear local stories about historic landmarks, wander through the lively Funk Zone wine district, and finish at Stearns Wharf with ocean views—all while pausing or lingering wherever you like. Perfect if you want freedom plus insider insight.
Taco Walking Tour Santa Barbara: 5 Taquerias DowntownA 2.5-hour taco walking tour through downtown Santa Barbara where you taste five curated tacos from family-owned taquerias while a guide shares the area's history and local food culture. The route covers 1.5 miles at a relaxed pace, and dinner plus drinks are included. Groups stay small and interactive, making it work for team building, date night or friends looking for something beyond the usual restaurant meal.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and delivers the tour in a relaxed, interactive format, so anyone who can walk 1.5 miles at an easy pace and wants to eat and learn at the same time will follow comfortably—no food tour experience needed.
Solvang self-guided app tour: Copenhagen Drive at your paceThis self-guided app tour of Solvang lets you walk the town's Danish-style streets, bakeries and wine shops at your own pace using the Pintours app on your phone. The app includes detailed information about each stop — Mission Santa Ines, the 1922 windmill, the Petersen Museum and the Amber Museum — and you control when to pause, move on or skip a location entirely. Audio guide in English; suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?You set the pace and the stops, which works best if you want to browse bakeries and shops without rushing or if you prefer exploring alone rather than in a group. The app means no meeting time and no guide keeping everyone moving together.
Santa Barbara Private Transportation for Groups & EventsYou get reliable private transportation across Santa Barbara County and beyond—perfect for groups heading to weddings, wine tours, or just exploring together without worrying about parking or driving. Local drivers know the area well and make sure everyone’s comfortable from start to finish.
Private Santa Barbara Wine Country Tour with Lunch & TastingsYou’ll get picked up wherever you’re staying in Santa Barbara County and spend the day exploring three handpicked wineries across Lompoc, Solvang, or Santa Ynez. Enjoy lunch at a local favorite and relax knowing everything—from tastings to rides—is covered. It’s an easy way to discover real wine country without any hassle.
