Santa Ynez Valley: E-Bike Vineyard Tour & Wine Tastings

Summary

Santa Barbara vineyards e-bike ride with wine tastings and Solvang stop

You’ll pedal through Santa Ynez Valley on an e-bike with a local guide, stopping for wine tastings at Los Olivos and sampling fresh olive oils. There’s time to explore Solvang’s Danish charm (and pastries), plus a gourmet picnic lunch at a vineyard under shady oaks. It’s relaxed but full—expect laughter, new flavors, and that feeling you get when you finally slow down.

What’s the experience like?

Li, our guide, handed me a helmet with a grin and asked if I’d ever tried an e-bike before. I hadn’t — not really — but she just nodded like it was no big deal. The shuttle from Santa Barbara had been quiet except for someone’s playlist leaking out of their headphones. But once we got out in the open, the air changed. Lavender everywhere — not just the color but that sharp, almost peppery smell. Li stopped us by some gnarled old olive trees and told us they’d been here since the Spanish days. I ran my hand along the bark; it felt rougher than I expected.

The ride itself was easier than I thought (thanks to the e-bike’s magic), though my legs still reminded me I don’t bike much back home. We rolled into Solvang, which looks like Denmark if Denmark had California sun. Someone bought pastries — I tried to order in Danish but gave up after “kan jeg få,” which made Li laugh. There were windmills and those bright red roofs, and honestly, it was hard not to just sit there people-watching all morning.

After more vineyards — some so green they almost hurt your eyes — we ended up at a winery near Los Olivos. The wine tasting was relaxed, nothing stuffy about it, just locals pouring glasses and telling stories about harvests gone wrong or right. The olive oil tasting surprised me; one of them tasted almost grassy, which sounds weird but actually worked with the bread they gave us. Lunch was outside under these big oaks, picnic style, with everyone kind of quietly happy after the ride. I still think about that view over the vines sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — E-bike tour through Santa Ynez Valley

• Shuttle van transport from Santa Barbara
• Learn about lavender and olive oil
• Bike break at Danish Village
• Wine tasting in Los Olivos
• Olive oil tasting and picnic lunch

Top questions

How long is the Santa Barbara vineyard e-bike tour?

This is a single-day tour including round-trip transport from Santa Barbara.

Is lunch included on this Santa Ynez Valley bike tour?

Yes, a gourmet picnic lunch is included at a local winery.

Do you need biking experience for this e-bike tour?

A moderate level of fitness is recommended but previous e-bike experience isn’t required.

What towns do you visit during the day trip?

You’ll stop in Solvang and Los Olivos during the tour.

Are wine tastings included in the price?

Yes, two local wine tastings are included as part of the experience.

Is hotel pickup provided from Santa Barbara?

The tour includes round-trip transport from Santa Barbara in an air-conditioned shuttle van.

What should I wear or bring for this bike tour?

Comfortable athleisure wear with closed-toed shoes and sunglasses are recommended.

Are dietary restrictions accommodated for lunch?

You can provide dietary restrictions when booking so lunch can be adjusted accordingly.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and return transport from Santa Barbara by high-top shuttle van, use of a Rad Power e-bike and helmet, two local wine tastings near Los Olivos, an olive oil tasting session, a gourmet Italian-inspired picnic lunch at a winery (with dietary needs considered), plus time to wander Solvang’s Danish streets before heading back in the afternoon.