Tours and Trips in Santa Barbara

There's no better way to experience the history and grandeur of Mission Santa Barbara than with a self-guided or docent-led tour. You will view magnificent architecture, lush gardens, the beautiful historic Church, and a recently renovated 11-room Museum, showcasing artifacts, paintings, and a selection of exhibits that help tell the Mission story in relation to California history. After your tour, be sure to visit the Serra Shop, Santa Barbara's best kept secret for souvenirs, jewelry, accessories, religious gifts, Mission label wine and locally sourced olive oil, handcrafted home d ecor, and more!  You can even bring a picnic lunch and relax in our picnic area or in the beautiful Mission Rose Garden while taking in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

Taste your way through Santa Barbara county's most distinctive wines with a 5- to 7.5-hour small group tour that takes in boutique wineries, vineyards, cellars and tasting rooms with a picnic lunch. Get an insider's look at the area's vibrant wine making culture as you explore with an experienced guide, learn about the Santa Ynez valley's unique history, and try the varietals and blends that it's best known for. Enjoy tastings at four handpicked locations, where you can experience California wine in a relaxed, convivial environment.

Enjoy the personalized attention and flexible itinerary that come with booking a private tour of Santa Barbara's world-class wineries. Leave the driving and navigation to your guide and enjoy being free to imbibe as much as you like during the four winery stops, from Solvang to Los Olivos. Through tours and tastings, learn about what makes this area of the world perfect for wine production and relax in one vineyard with a 3-course gourmet lunch.

Go wine tasting in Santa Barbara's vibrant Funk Zone neighborhood during a self-guided tour that operates with your mobile device. You can try a variety of wines at a great price, and discover interesting wineries that you might not find on your own. Tasting rooms are located within walking distance of each other, and the package is designed for use over a weekend - making it ideal for special events.

Explore Santa Barbara by electric bike, covering plenty of ground on a morning or afternoon excursion. Ride your easy-to-use beach cruiser to key landmarks such as State Street and the Santa Barbara Mission as your knowledgeable guide shares the city's history during this 2.5-hour Santa Barbara bike tour. Have your camera ready as you glide along the renowned Pacific coastline. Numbers are limited to five people, ensuring personalized attention and a small-group experience.

Follow an experienced guide on a 1.5-hour mountain bike tour over Santa Barbara's scenic terrain. Select a beginner or intermediate route according to your skill level, and ride over coastal bluffs and through lovely meadows. Enjoy fantastic photo ops of renowned Southern California landscapes on this small-group tour, limited to eight people to ensure a more personalized experience.

Get another perspective on the southern California coast during a leisurely 2-hour kayak tour in Santa Barbara. Learn the basics of kayaking from your guide, and hear about Santa Barbara's natural history and marine life during your tour. Includes use of all kayaking gear.

Get up close to animals from all around the world at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Hand-feed giraffes, see the endangered Asian elephant, and observe lifelike dinosaur puppets. A fun experience for families, couples, and solo travelers alike, it's also a great opportunity to learn about wildlife conservation. Your admission also includes access to the Zoo Train, rock wall, and other fun activities.

Indulge your passions for food, photography and fun during this 3-hour, small-group, culinary and picture-taking tour in Santa Barbara. Dig into some tasty food and drink during stops at three different local eateries, a microbrewery, two wineries and a distillery in the city's artsy Funk Zone. As you snack and imbibe, you'll get helpful tips to capture high-quality food photography using anything from a smartphone to a high-end digital SLR. This small-group trip, limited to 14 guests, includes a guide and all food and drink.

Set out on a spectacular dune buggy adventure on the sands near Pismo Beach, CA, approximately 1.5-hours north of Santa Barbara. For 2-hours you'll whip across dunes and zoom alongside the coastline past crashing waves in either a single or multi-person 4WD vehicle, enjoying what locals truly consider 'off-roading.' This is actually the only public beach in the state where driving is allowed. Instruction is included, so no need to worry if you've never ridden in a dune buggy before.

Experience the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History with this convenient all-day admission. Buy your affordable entrance ticket in advance and save time at the museum gates. See a life size, 74-foot Blue Whale skeleton, learn about the region's diverse ecosystems, and take a walk along a nature trail. Enjoy the museum's unusual approach to learning, which focuses on doing, not sitting.

Paddle into the sunset along the Southern California coast during this 2-hour beginner-friendly kayaking trip from Santa Barbara. Watch the last rays of the day melt into the Pacific as you travel 1-2 miles (1.5-3 kilometers) through the glassy waters of Santa Barbara Harbor. As you move, you'll pass by the historic wharf and past other boats, keeping your eyes out for marine life. An included lesson in astronomy and ecology from your guide is an added bonus. A guide and all necessary kayaking gear is included.

Paddle through Santa Barbara Harbor and the California coast for a day of fun-filled adventure on the water on this 4-hour kayaking trip. Travel out into the calm waters of this aquatic playground, floating past sights like the city's historic pier vast underwater kelp forests. You'll also have time to spot marine life like sea lions (and if you're lucky, whales) before enjoying lunch on a secluded beach. A guide, lunch and all kayaking gear is covered.

Savor the best of historic Santa Barbara on a 3.5-hour culinary walking tour through the heart of this scenic, seaside city. Meet local chefs and artisans as you explore alongside your local guide, and get an insider's take on the vibrant gourmet scene. Sample locally-made wines, handcrafted chocolate and gourmet cheese at a series of six tasting stops that include a public market, wineries and boutiques. Learn a bit of local history as you trace the relaxed course, which blends essential landmarks with hidden gems and local favorites.

Get outside and breathe in the fresh sea air while exploring Santa Barbara Harbor - on a paddle board! Stand-Up Paddle Boards (SUPs) are a great way to see the stunning Santa Barbara scenery and wildlife, offering an unrivaled vantage from which to view the surrounding mountains and Channel Islands National Park. And forget queuing - save time with exclusive skip-the-line access.

Learn to SUP, or stand-up paddleboard, in Santa Barbara during a 1.5-hour lesson at Leadbetter Beach. No matter your skill level, you'll learn to stand up and kneel down, balance and paddle as you're accompanied onto the water. A wetsuit is provided for this all-weather outdoor activity that gives you a glimpse of marine life and the Santa Barbara coastline. Your lesson is limited to 18 people to ensure more personalized attention from the expert instructor.

Sip your way through Santa Barbara's Funk Zone on this self-guided wine tasting tour. Experience the area's rich wine culture while savoring wines at Anacapa Street tasting rooms. Enjoy a wine flights, featured glasses, two-for-one tastings, and more at seven different spots around this trendy neighborhood. Explore at your own pace with this flexible package that's redeemable for up to a year.

This private Santa Barbara kayaking tour lets you explore the marine life and landmarks of Santa Barbara Harbor and the spectacular coastline on the 'American Riviera' along one of four different routes. Take in views of rugged shoreline cliffs and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and be on the lookout for dolphins and seals. This 1.5- to 2.5-hour tour is led by an experienced kayak guide who points out natural features and customizes the speed of the ride according to your skill level.

Explore California's gorgeous coast on a scenic kayak tour. With a knowledgeable, experienced guide leading the way, bring the whole family and navigate Santa Barbara's picturesque waterfront. Learn about the region's history and wildlife, admire the rugged coastal mountains, and watch for pelicans and egrets, dolphins and sea lions. You may even see a family of gray whales on its annual migration.

Come explore the Santa Ynez Valley and some of its best wineries on this 5-hour private party bus tour. Including hotel pickup and drop-off, travel on a comfortable party bus through Santa Barbara's wine country. Stop at three wineries to hear about each wineries' unique wine making process. Along the way, enjoy a 3-course picnic lunch, and sip on a bottle of Champagne. Your group can have up to 14 people.