Sidecar vineyard tour San Luis Obispo: Ride through wine country

Ride a sidecar through San Luis Obispo wine country, stop for photos, learn how vineyards work

A sidecar tour through San Luis Obispo vineyards pairs a one-hour ride with a private guide who shares how grapes become wine. The tour includes a safety briefing, photo stops at scenic viewpoints, and guide-captured photos to take home. Children from age 8 are welcome. The guide speaks English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sidecar Vineyard Tour Experience

• Check in and meet guide
• Complete waiver form
• Receive safety briefing
• Ride sidecar through vineyards
• Stop for photos at viewpoints
• Take final photos and view tour pictures

The experience

What makes this different from a standard vineyard tour is the sidecar itself. You're not sitting in a van watching the landscape pass. You're in an open sidecar, wind in your hair, moving through the vines at a pace that lets you actually see the plants and the terrain. Your guide handles the motorcycle while you ride alongside, and the whole thing takes about an hour from check-in to finish.

The tour starts with a safety briefing and waiver, so you know what to expect and how the gear works. Then you head out into the vineyard landscape. Your guide stops at viewpoints chosen for both the views and the photo opportunities, and talks through how the vineyard actually operates. The work that goes into growing grapes, what happens between harvest and bottle. The guide also captures photos during the ride, which you get to take with you when it's done.

This is a private tour, so it's just you and your guide. The sidecar itself is the whole point. The ride is the experience, and the vineyard knowledge is what makes it more than just a thrill. If you've never been in a sidecar before, the safety briefing walks you through it. Service animals are welcome to join.

What’s included

• Private sidecar transportation through the vineyards.
• private guide in English or Spanish.
• safety briefing and gear.
• photo stops at scenic viewpoints.
• guide-captured photos from the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (21 and older) · Child (8 to 17 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Third Wheel Tours

Is this one for you?The sidecar ride is open-air and lasts about an hour, so book this if you're comfortable sitting upright in an exposed vehicle and want the sensation of moving through the landscape rather than viewing it from behind glass. The pace is set by the guide's route through the vineyards, not by you.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 17 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

Can I bring my 10-year-old on this sidecar tour?

Children from age 8 are welcome on the tour. Your child will ride in the sidecar with you, and the guide will cover safety gear and riding guidelines during the briefing before you set off.

What happens if I want photos from the ride?

Your guide captures photos during the tour at scenic stops and throughout the ride. You'll get those photos at the end so you can relive the experience at home.

How long is the actual sidecar ride?

The whole tour runs about an hour from when you arrive for check-in through the end of the ride. That includes the safety briefing, the sidecar ride itself, and photo stops along the way.

What does the guide explain about the vineyards?

Your guide shares how vineyards work from the ground up: what goes into growing the grapes, how the plants are managed, and what happens after harvest to turn fruit into wine. The guide speaks English or Spanish.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The sidecar ride itself requires you to sit upright for the duration and be comfortable in an open vehicle. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, or for pregnant travelers. Otherwise it suits all fitness levels.